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‘It Is Not Just Loga Alone’

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‘It Is Not Just Loga Alone’

Clayton Shereni 

 

MASVINGO– Zimbabwean football fraternity has for the past few months been engulfed in a series of debates surrounding the quality of Warriors head coach Zdravko Logarusic who has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Logarusic promised to change the Warriors fortunes for the good but insisted that he is not ‘Messiah’ when he was unveiled at a press conference in Harare on February13.2020.

“I am not Messiah, I do not know everything. I have something but I have to take the best from you and we can put it together to create something, that is what is important for me,” said Logarusic at his unveiling.

Indeed his poor record of results has proven the truth that he is not ‘Messiah’ but the worst thing that has ever happened to Zimbabwean football.

He also failed to bring order to the dressing room but rather his assistants turned their backs on him and allegedly sabotaged him for his failure to bring unity of purpose to the team.

The Croat’s track record is crystal clear, he is a total failure both when managing clubs and national sides but Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) ignored all that and appointed him Warriors gaffer.

From his days at Gor Mahia (Kenya), Simba SC (Tanzania), Asante Kitoko (Ghana) football clubs and the unceremonious departure as Sudan national team head coach, arguably there were no two ways the Croat would bring something to smile about for soccer-loving Zimbabweans hence not the right man for this job.

The association has been defending Loga with everything in their arsenal and even crediting him for guiding the nation to the rescheduled 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals to be played in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 2022, a claim that the whole nation know is a blue lie.

Loga took over from Joey Antipas when the team had garnered four points and he came in adding four points.

Zifa kingpins have been defending a shoddy job that has seen the team going for 14 games with just one win against the less threatening Zebras of Botswana.

In the upcoming Fifa rankings Zimbabwe are most likely to be ranked their all-time lowest, all this is not the Croat’s fault, but individuals at Number 52 Livingstone Road who have been putting a ‘wall’ protecting the clueless gaffer for reasons best known to them.

Loga is probably the first underperforming coach to last this long even though it is evident that he is a total failure and worst to ever coach the Warriors.

His continuous reign at helm of the Warriors in open defiance to a public outcry from fans and other critical stakeholders for his ouster is a clear sign that a certain cabal within Zifa is running the show.

Although his departure was long overdue, the cancer that has been eating the world’s most beautiful game is still there and it is within Zifa.

Someone could be sweeping the dirty under the carpet instead of taking it to the dust bins.

The leadership at the association’s ascension to power was tainted from the day when they took over the reins from Philip Chiyangwa through ‘unscrupulous’ means which have seen Zifa president Felton Kamambo appearing before the courts to answer for alleged bribery charges.

It is alleged that he bribed his way to the top, an allegation that he vehemently denies blaming football politics to be the major drive behind the case.

With no doubt, a Mafioso which does not care about the pride of this nation and face of the game to the cooperate world is running Zifa.

Even if the world’s best coaches or tacticians; Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti are tasked to take over from Loga, they are destined for failure under the current Zifa leadership.

Contacted for comment, Friends of the Warriors Secretary General Zivanai Muwashu said the chances are now very slim to break the World Cup jinx and called upon the association to look into the current crop of local coaches.

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“The coach has failed and as much as we would want to exercise sympathy but the results are not forthcoming and there is nothing special about Loga. We have tried foreign coaches and it is time to turn to local coaches,” said Muwashu.

Commenting on factors that are leading to poor results, Muwashu said there are many things to blame for the poor results and urged stakeholders to go and re-strategize ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

“There are many factors that have contributed to the poor results starting with government itself. In other countries, national teams are the assets of the state, other governments fund or subsidize activities of the national team. A lot has to be done and it is a mountain to climb if we are to qualify for quarter. We have to go back to the drawing board as stakeholders and avoid making decisions based on emotions,” said Muwashu.

A total overhaul of the association can be the only solution to end this Zifa madness that has been rampant for quite some time.

Reckless utterances by Zifa officials have done more harm than good and this maybe reason why the association has failed to lure continuous funding from individual and cooperates in the country.

Some have even gone into an overdrive to rubbish fans emotions over the poor show exhibited by the Warriors under Loga’s tutelage.

ZIFA board member and chair of the Technical and Development Committee, Bryton Malandule in July this year after Zimbabwe shamefully crashed out of Cosafa tournament said it was the association’s sole duty to recruit or dismiss a coach.

“The hiring and firing of the coach is prerogative of the Zifa board, with recommendations from the technical committee. We will, however, meet to review performance of the team at Cosafa upon submission of a report by the coach,” said Malandule.

This came after fans protested demanding the head of Loga on a platter following a poor show at the Southern Africa soccer showpiece that the Warriors previously dominated.

However, for warriors fan William ‘Gunman’ Mahoko feels Zifa has to pull up its socks and ensure transparency prevails on the recruitment of coaches.

“I do not know the criterion which is used by Zifa administration when employing coaches. A contract should be performance-based. The coach has gross incompetence; he is taking our national football nowhere. Loga must go; we need a local coach like Norman Mapeza. Zifa should not employ foreign coaches because of white skin (sic), next time they should scrutinize the curriculum vitae first,” said Mahoko.

With Zimbabwe occupying bottom position in Group G with just a point from two games, a herculean task awaits the one who would take over from Loga considering the tough encounters against the Black Stars of Ghana unless if some sort of magic is employed.

Warriors will face Ghana in a back-to-back fixture during the next international break and odds do not seem to be on their side unless ‘Football Gods’ decide to favour them.

Local coaches have been rotating and some names being thrown into the hat have had their fair chance but still failed to produce the much-needed results.

With the continuous incompetency and alleged interference in player selection, it will be just a matter of time before anyone who gets the top job is fired for producing poor results.

Zaka Teacher Sleeps In The Open For Six Days

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Zaka Teacher Sleeps In The Open For Six Days

Brighton Chiseva

 
ZAKA – A teacher from Zaka will rue the day he decided to transfer to another school, after he was forced to sleep in the open for six days as school head refused to accept him saying his place had already been taken by someone.
Sources privy to the incident said  Israel Dube processed his transfer from Machiva to Panganai Primary School earlier this year and was supposed to assume duty in June, but failed to do so because of the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
He however, managed to process the assumption of duty with the school deputy head but could not move in because schools were closed.
“He went and did the assumption of duty process with the school deputy head but he could not move to this school because of temporary school closure cause by the lockdown. When he finally went to the school, the Head told him that there was no place for him saying it had already been filled by someone who had been referred from head office,” said the source.
The School Head is alleged to have instructed other teachers not to house him and he was left stranded since he had no money to transport his belongings back to Machiva.
“He had no money to take back his belongings; he had to put up at the verandah on one of the houses at teachers’ cottages where he slept for six days with his all his belongings.
“Luckily he had not traveled with his wife and kids since he wanted to settle in first before they come. He was rescued by a delegation of district inspectors who had gone to the school for routine inspections,” said the source.
It is alleged that the Inspectors called Zaka District Schools Inspector (DSI) Samson Chidzurira who then asked them to pack his belongings in their car and accompany him back to Machiva his previous school.
Other sources said the problem started with the centralised recruitment system, which was introduced where all the recruitment processes were done at the head office.
“The recruitment process is now centralised in Harare at the head office, district and provincial offices can only deal with transfers and other related issues. So because of corruption which is prevalent in the process, people from the head office just send people mostly their relatives who would come for only one year probation period before going back to their respective home areas,” said another source.
However, Panganai Primary School Head Sylvia Mangezi refuted allegations that they denied him temporary accommodation saying he was offered one but he refused.
“We did not deny him temporary accommodation. We refereed him to the deputy head’s house who invited him to put up in his house but he refused,” said Mangezi.
When contacted for comment, Zaka DSI Chidzurira said he was not aware that he had been sleeping outside saying he only know that someone referred by the head office had occupied his place and they had to reverse he transfer.
“We had transferred him to that school because of some issues; however, his place was taken by someone who came from head office. So when I learnt about the issue I had to send a car to take him back to Machiva and that is where he is now,” said Chidzurira

Storm Brews At Gokomere CPS As Parents Report To ZACC

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Storm Brews At Gokomere CPS As Parents Report To ZACC

…Special Audit report exposes gross mismanagement of school funds

 

Theresa Takafuma
Over 150 parents with children at Gokomere Central Primary School (CPS) have reportedly approached the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to report mismanagement of school funds against the Responsible Authority and administration at the Catholic-run institution.

A special audit reportedly carried out between May 31 and June 8 2021, which covers the period from January 1 2020 to May 31 2021 has exposed that the school has been running without a functional School Development Committee(SDC) since 2018, going against Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 1992 which stipulates that the SDC should be elected every February.

The parents who levelled allegations of mismanagement of school funds against Gokomere CPS Acting Head Mhangarai Masakadza, together with the Priest In Charge and later attended an exit meeting on August 26 2021 when the audit report was presented, are saying they want those implicated to face disciplinary action as per protocol.

Taurai Marava, one of the parents said although the disgruntled parents were invited to attend the August 26 meeting, they still want Masakadza and Fr James Magadzire to face the law because some of the findings of the audit call for criminal prosecution.

“What is happening at Gokomere is infuriating. We pay money so that our children live and eat well while they are learning at the school, not for the administration and responsible authority to divert the funds to personal use.
“The audit is very clear; recommendations should be followed as a matter of urgency and we need those found wanting to face the law. They should be arrested if need be, because the conditions in which our children are living show that we are only paying for the responsible authority to enjoy our hard earned money,” Marava said.

Contacted for comment, Masvingo Catholic Education Secretary Father Samson Mutsvanga referred questions to Vicar General Father Francis Nyatsanza.

“Diocese spokesperson is Father Nyatsanza, I am sure you have his contact so you can call him on that issue,” Fr Mutsvanga said.

Fr Nyatsanza said the issue had already been finalized and they were in the process of implementing the recommendations made by the auditors.

“That issue has been finalized because an audit was carried out and we are implementing the auditors’ recommendations. Auditors came from Harare and did the audit and we laid the issue to rest,” Fr Nyatsanza said.

In the audit report dated June 16 2021 availed to this publication, groceries worth over ZW$300 000 were bought from school coffers sometime in 2020 through the point of sale (POS) swipe card and were never delivered to the boarding kitchen.

“ZW312 116.59 in school fees and levies was spent mainly for groceries (including colgate, sauce chilli) which were never delivered at the boarding kitchen. The Head claimed that the goods were bought for Responsible Authority although there were no documents from the Responsible Authority requesting for or acknowledging receipt of the goods.

“Withdrawals totaling ZW$152 065.47 were also made but there were no supporting documents which made it difficult to establish the beneficiaries. There was no record for the movement of the swipe card introduced and failed to identify the individual who used it,” read part of the audit report.

Masakadza is quoted in the report saying the groceries were surrendered to the Priest’s kitchen and were for feeding visitors who would come for various workshops.

Auditors then recommended that the head was to present a comprehensive account for groceries not delivered to the school and locate the missing documents that support the over ZW$150 000 that was withdrawn through the POS within 14 days.

“The head should be called upon to present a comprehensive account for the groceries not delivered to the school and locate the missing documents supporting the ZWL152 065.47 withdrawn through POS for audit examination within 14 days. Failure to acquit on these transactions calls for appropriate action,” read the report.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education allows the Responsible Authority of non-government schools to get 10 percent of the total levies collected from learners each term as a development levy for the use of its facilities.

Findings in the audit report however were that parents’ claims that the mission was getting more than the 10 percent levy they were entitled to could not be dismissed, with auditors accusing the mission of draining the school fund account through inter-departmental transactions.

In one example given, the mission reportedly made the school to contribute stock feed worth ZW$9835 for a mission poultry project, after which the former made the latter to buy the chickens produced at market value.

The complaining parents confirmed that they had approached the District School Inspector (DSI) and Provincial Education Director (PED)’s offices to seek reprieve, but not much was done to assist them.
Masvingo DSI Ishmael Chigaba said he was aware of the issue, but was in no position to comment.

“I can confirm that something is going on and something was done, but I cannot comment before the bosses speak, so you can go and see the PED,” Chigaba said.

Acting PED Shylatte Mhike said she was aware of the issue and said she had sent an audit team to the school after some parents had complained, and had not yet received the audit report as she was in Mwenezi.

“I sent an audit team to the school after some parents had complained, but I can no longer remember when exactly. I am in Mwenezi for work, I should have given you the full details. I am yet to receive the audit report from the auditors that I sent,” Mhike said.

Some of the parents however said Mhike attended the August 26 and was aware of the audit findings.
A parent who spoke on condition of anonymity said of all the issues they raised, the one about the SDC was the most critical saying as it stood, there was no parents input especially on fees increase.

“Even after the audit recommendations stated that an SDC was to be put in place, this is not the case. On the fees issue, they just sent us three figures to vote on without even giving us a budget.

“They increased fees by ZW$11 000 from ZW$24 000 to ZW$35 000 without giving us the budget and we refused to pay, so on Monday (opening day) they denied our children entry into the hostels, after which we ordered our kids to go inside while we sorted our issues with them,” she said.

Another parent who said she was catholic therefore could only speak anonymously said when the parents raised the issues about the school admin and responsible authority not following acquittal processes on spending money from school coffers, they professed ignorance.

“How do you not know about accounting protocol if you are in charge of school accounts, yet you spend willy-nilly like that? What they did are criminal offences and in human resources, when such happens, disciplinary action must be taken, which is what we are expecting.

“It is evident that there was abuse of funds, therefore arrests have to be made because that is due process. Ignorance of a law is not an excuse,” the parent said.

ZACC spokesperson Jon Makamure could neither deny nor confirm receiving the report but said he will check with Masvingo provincial office if they had received it.

“I will have to check with the Masvingo office. If they reported a case we will definitely investigate,” Makamure said.

Sources close to the developments said Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education auditors who conducted the audit had already gone to ZACC to have their statements recorded early this week.

Earlier this year, the complaining parents wrote a petition to various authorities calling for intervention on what they called looting of the school accounts by the Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Masvingo at the expense of the pupils.

Resurrect The Economy Not Trains

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Resurrect The Economy Not Trains

Nehanda Nyakasikana ko kuchagozova riiniko isu vanyai tichitambura, kuchagozova riiniko isu tichidzvinyirirwa, nhai mweya unoera, inga taneta wani nekunwa  misodzi. Ndafunga hangu Baba VaMuzenda, MHSRIP. I wish he was here to see that paya paaiita detembo rake things were still much better and it became worse and I think it’s now a towel kkkkkk, seka zvako Mapombi. Kuseka nhamo serugare. Mapfumo akaimbawo paya saying “Nyika yamaichemera zvino yaita mamvemve,” kkk but now atova Marengenya chaiwo.

 

What is wrong with our government asi nhai? Why is it so obsessed with old things? Sure how can they take us back to the old systems they once failed to run. Hee? busy kumutsana nezvitima zvakafa kare kare instead of introducing new modes of transport? Ndizvo zvakaita vamutsane naMbuya Nehanda izvozvi vachiita mastatue nekuisa pamari. Are they trying to counter Chamisa’s bullet train mantra? The young man was talking about bullet trains, bullet in terms of shape, speed and sophistication not idzi dzakamborohwa nenyere muhondo. Surely these people have no hearts I think vaakushandisa rwatata. Instead of modernising NRZ and bringing in new locomotives they are busy resurrecting izvo zvakafa kare kare. Hee? Chii ichocho sure? NRZ has been on its knees for a long time now vachifailer kupa vashandi mari chaiyo and all of a sudden yatova kuZupco. Imika, tikwanirei apa. Why risking people’s lives nemigweje iyoyo? Revive the economy first and buy new trains. MaZUPCO buses acho most of them are very old and with this kind of obsession with old and dead things it’s not surprising to hear see them turning Air Zimbabwe into Zupco again kkkk. Svinurai maCdes, the Zupco sticker won’t make an old machine new imi. Takutotyira harahwa nechembere, they are now at risk yekunamirwa maZupco stickers. Nanga nanga nezvakachembera siye kuisa zvitsva. That is why ndichiti G40 yaitove nani because yaida kuisa young people to the fore front, zviri nani kutambura muchitungamirirwa nevechidiki at least pane pamwe patinozoworirana kwete izvi zvevatsenga maKirismas.

Nyatsotsvakisisa chikonzero chaita musoro uteme. Inga Tuku akaimba wani (MHSRIP), he was declared a hero by the same government which is failing to take his advice. Flood the roads with Zupco buses and kombies, every road should be flooded with Zupco with cheap prices and see  there won’t be any war with mushikashika. They will willingly withdraw and park their vehicles, kwete izvi zvekuswerodzingirirana nevanhu vari kutsvaka mari whilst aiding the government where its failing. Chibasa chacho chorwadza chiya, create employment and see mahwindi ese achisiya izvi vachienda kunoshanda.

I want to say thumbs up to Zifa for sacking Loga, however, he is not the problem alone but the entire Zifa ….

What is going on at the Dead BC? I am sure heads rolled there, sure kurecorder mukuru wenyika achikakamira, cameraman kutoudzwa kuti Cut Cut, kuramba achienda mberi, as if that was not enough, they went on pamhepo for the whole of Zimbabwe to see kkk. Sorry dear readers, not the whole of Zimbabwe but, those few who watch it. I know vazhinji vedu are fed up of one television channel. But wasn’t that an act of sabotage? I think someone was trying to expose mukuru, and if that is true then mangoma ngaatsve, please carry on. But I think this is an act of sabotage chete, remember musangano uri kufukutwa nemafactions. I think someone is out there to discredit mukuru tiri muLevel 2 lockdown kudai and drawing close to 2023. As if that was not enough, they went on to deny us live coverage of the game against the Worry Us and Ethiopia, even vakarohwa zvavo we just wanted to watch them.

Still on the game, I am not a football fan but I think sacking Loga was the only way to go coz iii tange tanzwa kwedu kuchitima vanhu vachipopota about his incompetence. Hanzi he is a clown and fraudster. But he is not the only problem, the problem is with Zifa itself. It’s just a club yekuba mari just like our own police paroadblock. They don’t care about results but their own pockets. I used to think tinorohwa because the boys are not paid well but apa I heard the were promised something but vakarohwa zvakadaro. So the coach, Zifa and the boys are the first culprits tisati taenda kuna Minister of sports and the government. However, Loga ngaabaye tosara totungana dzemudanga. Ko madii mambopa iye Benjani timboonawo kut anodii, zviro zviyedzwa, kana zvazonetsesesa you can call me. I am ready for national duty as a real patriot kwete yekumanikidzwa through patriotic bill.

I heard Chigaramundege this time was told to sit down and attend the UN general meeting virtually kkkk. Zupco yange yatogadzirirra to ferry HE to New York kkkk. It’s a pity hey. Entourage yagadzirira vakomana vatoita ready to shop and squander the taxpayer’s money.

Before I go zvangu kunokanga Maputi angu for lunch, let me hasten to say this, watch out guys, something is brewing in both Zanu PF and MDC A. Zvese zviri kuda kudambuka zvinhu izvi kkkk, Zanu is leading the game with three factions ahead of MDC-A trailing behind with two. Kune makwishu, Masvingo Masvingo, Masvingo, Why Why Why Masvingo kkkk. Ndokwadzobikwa politics dzeZimbabwe kuMasvingo if you didn’t know kkkk mirai muone. Soon and very soon you will see, just watch. Ko MDC-A’s way of doing things moti zvakambonyanya kusiyana here with Zanu PF. I hear there are power struggles to replace vana Godfrey Kurauone and Obey Sithole who are clinging to positions while they are abroad. Ko kusiira vari paground and lead the diaspora movement nanaChief Ndiweni ikoko nhai Kura? Siirai vari paground, party haisi yamai venyu iyi. Struggle haidi kuiswa muhomwe macdes. Tozviziva makambosungwa mukasvozvewa nenda paRemand pedu apa but struggle musaiisa muhomwe varume. Hatizodi vana ‘we died for this country’ mberi uko, hezvino ndiri pano.

Kotiwo yechikomana ichi chinonzi blue-eyed boy waChamisa ichi Ostallos kwahi unonzwa chichinzi chiri pawanted list yepolice nemhosva huru dzenyika asi hachisungwi zvamuchose. You see him chichitori kumarufu, nekucourt chichitoinda kusolidarity chichipesana nawo mapurisa asi hachimbosungwi, chii chaizvo? Mukomana haasi mumwe wevakomana here uyu? Chete haa ndikazvifunga funga, we don’t have an opposition muno munyika. All of them are just disgruntled Zanu supporters, because honai vana Priscilla Misihairabwi votodeployewa kuinda kuchando kunotonhoreeeraaa! Vana Dhagi Dhagi naThokozanu ndovaidiiwo kana ndimiwo? Only a handful are sincere about this opposition thing asi ini hangu handisati ndamuona. Munogumbura fani, haa nxaa!

Ko Mandi akazodii, we are waiting for a welcome party kkkk achidzoka kumusangano, after her I would want to hear kuti Mphoko is applying for readmission. Kana asingadi hake kudzokera let him join hands naKhupe pachiBulawayo ipapo zviri nani than kungoti Zii like this I don’t like it when Mboko and Madam Khupe are silent like this. Congrats to Misihairabwi Mushonga on her ambassadorial appointment, ndingazoita sendine godo. That’s Zanu for you maCDES. Musangano uyu unoyeraa! Mboko Imboko !!

Zifa Postpones Eastern Region AGM Again

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Zifa Postpones Eastern Region AGM Again

Fredrick Moyo

 

MASVINGO- Local football mother body, Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Eastern Region has pushed further its much awaited Annual General Meeting (AGM) due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

Two positions were left vacant last year and the region was supposed to hold its AGM in May this year but the lockdown has forced repeated postponements of what is expected to be a heated gathering.

Cryil Mukweva died late last year while Simon Mushangwe left the country for Australia, a development which forced the region to operate with strained personnel since the two were critical members of the board.

Mukweva was the board’s vice chairperson and Mushangwe was a board member in charge of Development.

The region also has another top vacant position which was left by Thadeous Machawira who retired as the region’s administrator last year.

Contacted for comment, Eastern region chairperson, Davison Muchena confirmed that the AGM had been postponed due to the set Covid-19 regulations.

“Our target was to hold the meeting this Saturday (September 4) but because of Covid-19 protocols that ban gatherings, our meeting was affected therefore we have pushed it to a date to be advised,” said Muchena.

Inside sources claim that a cabal inside the board is working tirelessly to have the AGM in Mutare and use home ground advantage to have Zifa Eastern region office moved from Masvingo to Mutare.

The move is being initiated in anticipation that the new administrator will be based in Mutare.

However, Muchena said the AGM will be held in Masvingo which is the region’s headquarters.

“The AGM will be held in Masvingo. This is where all our records are kept and all our major meetings are held there. The main office is also in Masvingo,” Muchena said.

Zifa Masvingo Province is also yet to replace two officials who were booted out for alleged corrupt activities and swindling foreign players of cash.

Vice chairperson, Tinashe Gomba and board member in charge of finance, Energy Zava were kicked out after they were found guilty of duping foreign players and soiling the name of the organization.

Zifa Masvingo province chairperson, Nobioth Magwizi could not be drawn to comment as his mobile went unanswered until the time of publication.

However, with the recent green light by government for sporting activities to resume, Zifa is now expected to fill in those vacancies in the region and province respectively.

Churches Challenge Government To Walk The Talk On Abductions

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Churches Challenge Government To Walk The Talk On Abductions

Melinda Kusemachibi

 

A group of Christian denominations have come out to speak against lack of action by government to bring justice to victims of torture and families of abducted activists by suspected state security agents.

Churches Converge on Conflict and Peace (CCCOP) has challenged the government to deal with abduction cases through the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

CCCOP issued a statement on August 30 when United Nations (UN) member states commemorated Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances where they said police has been torturing activists while the whereabouts of some remain unknown despite them being abducted years back.

“There is evidence that activists have been tortured in police custody, despite denials by police. Some activists have gone missing for years. To date, pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara, who was abducted on 9 March 2015, remains unaccounted for,” read the statement.

The organization also declared its commitment to uphold human rights and called upon government to treat everyone with respect.

“As Churches, we ground our commitment to human rights in the core of Christian theological conviction that each and every human life is sacred. All humans who are mistreated or tormented are somebody’s brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, parents and grandparents,” the statement read.

Director of Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, Reverend Useni Sibanda echoed the same sentiments saying state security should do away with human rights violations

“This day should be a reminder to the government to make laws or enforce police to make their mandatory job of searching for abducted people or rather say no to violation of human rights,” said Sibanda.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Zimbabwe (CCJP) also issued a press statement saying continuous disappearance of people was against the statutes of the UN resolution of 1992.

“Article 2 of Resolution 47/133 of the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1992 clearly states that, no state shall practice, permit or tolerate enforced disappearances,” read the statement.

From November 2017 to July 2021 the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has recorded a sharp increase in cases of abductions and torture.

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was declared in 2010 to express concern over the rise in cases of involuntary disappearances

TellZim WhatsApp Group Assists Family To Foil Robbery

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TellZim WhatsApp Group Assists Family To Foil Robbery

TellZim reporter

A Chivi family is lucky to have been left unharmed on Sunday night when a robber broke into their home, after which they sought help in a TellZim News WhatsApp group leading to swift police response.

A participant in the WhatsApp group sent a chat around midnight asking other participants to either call police on their behalf or give them police contact details, saying a robber had broken into his mother’s house in Chivi.

“Please help with ZRP Chivi office contact (sic). Urgent. Breaking in right now at Stand No. 241 please assist,” the participant wrote.

 The participant also wrote that an elderly granny and her grandchild were in danger as the robber had already broken into the house and was reportedly walking around.

Another participant then sent police contact details in the group, and the participant who had asked for assistance confirmed that they had managed to contact Chivi police who then came to their rescue in less than an hour.

“I just want (sic) to thank ZRP Chivi for a swift response to the break in that has just happened at my mom’s place at Chivi Growth Point. Keep the job well done,” the participant later wrote.

 TellZim News WhatsApp and other virtual platforms have been instrumental in useful information dissemination, and have been used by citizens in distress to seek assistance.

Promoting Cervical Cancer Awareness Saves National Resources-CAZ

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Promoting Cervical Cancer Awareness Saves National Resources-CAZ

Emmanuel Chitsika

 

The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) has called upon relevant stakeholders to join forces in promoting cervical cancer campaigns which it says will save national resources as earlier diagnosis of the marauding disease can be achieved at a lower cost as compared to treatment.

Speaking during a virtual meeting hosted by the Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals (ZACH), CAZ Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Lovemore Makurirofa said there is a worrying trend on the rising cases of cervical cancer amongst women of various ages which he says is more prevalent in HIV positive and young women aged 20-24.

“Statistics for the year 2017 show that the cancer burden among black women stands at 37 percent as compared to two percent in non-black women. There is a worrying trend of young women between the ages of 20-24 developing cervical cancer and these are the very people who are supposed to work for and develop the national economy,” said Makurirofa.

He also said collective action may help in the reduction of cancer-related deaths in the country and said the focus of cervical cancer should be spread to young women even up to the age of 35.

“Preventing cervical cancer can help reduce 30 percent of national cancer deaths. Getting screened earlier will save lives of women unlike a scenario in which they will visit health centres after experiencing signs and symptoms of the disease.

“It is costly to manage the disease at a later stage hence women should always pitch up for the screening process whenever they are required to do so,” he said.

He however bemoaned lack of such facilities and necessary resources required for testing for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) saying that the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer remains centralized and beyond the reach of many.

“HPV testing is not common in Zimbabwe. Lack of resources like laboratories is also another issue and the service is not readily available in the country. Diagnosis and treatment remain centralized, expensive and can only be done in Harare and Bulawayo and there is no donor-funded initiative towards such programmes like radio therapy and chemotherapy which makes it difficult for most women to access it. The service is also not readily available for young women aged 20-24,” said Makurirofa.

His sentiments were echoed by another presenter Doctor Onai Vere-Diura who said young women are a vulnerable group but some of them who are HIV negative would not suffer much as the immune system will not allow growth of cancer cells.

“Most young women are infected with HPV at early ages like when they experience first sexual contacts. Usually the infections may rise but not many of them have progressed to complicated stages. As long as the immune system is still intact, the HPV remains dormant hence no development of abnormal cells,” said Dr Vere-Diura.

Poor access to health services like screening for cervical cancer has been cited as one of the drivers of the progression of the disease.

Emphasis on secondary stage in combating the disease at the expense of primary and tertiary also makes it difficult for achieving desired results.

Primary stage focus on issues like prevention precautions like delaying sexual acts while secondary looks at screening while tertiary focus on chemotherapy, radio therapy as well as surgery operations to advanced cases of the disease.

ZACH is offering visual inspection of the cervix with acetic and cervicography (VIAC) services for free and urges young women to embrace HPV vaccines.

Covid-19 Vaccination, Indecision And Access To Information Puzzle In Zimbabwe

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Covid-19 Vaccination, Indecision And Access To Information Puzzle In Zimbabwe

Covid-19 official statistics indicate that there were 124,773 confirmed positive cases with 4,419 deaths in Zimbabwe since the outbreak of the pandemic last year to August this year.

The government of Zimbabwe has since rolled out the vaccination programme from February 2021 and a total of 4,172,036 vaccine doses have been administered by August this year.

However, lack of information and misinformation regarding the Covid-19 vaccine in Zimbabwe appears to be stepping up leaving several people across the country undecided on whether or not they should be vaccinated.

The indecisive nature of it is that official engagements with the authority are not there to stop viral rumours from spreading on social media causing hesitation and at times outright rejection.

Communication specialists Dr Gift Gwindingwe, said many online platforms spread unverified information thereby misleading people especially in the peri-urban and rural areas where people have limited access to the mainstream media.

“In these platforms, individuals don’t care whether or not they are sharing correct information unlike what professional journalists do on their official accounts, websites or in their official media channels”. It is unfortunate that pressure from ‘information super highways’ is not according to the custodians of official information such as Public Relations officials, professional journalists and some office bearers the chance to inform the population thereby putting the people in danger, yet, it needs a simple statement from official position to turn the tides of the viral rumours.

 “I do not doubt that the media, especially community media, including the radios and other outreach programmes currently organised to spread information on Covid 19 and vaccination, in particular, if supported by the government and other stakeholders can reach out to remote parts of the country where the majority of the people are,” Dr Gwindingwe said.

Although at times, the hesitation culminates into outright vaccine refusal as indicated above, the reason for this entire hesitance and refusal is that many Zimbabwean have been subjected to misinformation and conspiracy theories about the effects of the vaccine.

Some people have been exposed to the rumours online and they now seem to fear the side effects from the jab than the fear of Covid-19 itself.

Besides, another theory breathing through the social media advances that Covid 19 vaccine is a capitalist money-spinning gimmick, while some more rumours peddled contend that the vaccine is being used to inject the people with some type of a microchip into the people’s bodies to allow the possibility of putting everyone under surveillance and tracking system.

To add some salt to an injury, some modern churches in Zimbabwe and elsewhere have also brought in a strong dimension to this conspiracy theory. They have drawn strong links between the biblical “Mark of the Beast” and the Covid-19 jab.

As a result of this, some churches are encouraging their members to shun the vaccine. Although there is no clear scientific evidence to support these claims, members of several churches continue to be hesitant and some are outrightly snubbing the vaccination jeopardising Covid 19 vaccination rollout in Zimbabwe.

Much of such information is being peddled through unofficial social media platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook and is usually imperfect and open the door for blunders and advance rumours that is causing confusion and indecisiveness among the population.

Many people in rural areas do not have clear information on the vaccine and the only thing they know about Covid 19 vaccine is what they have read on social media platforms and their local opinion and religious leaders would have told them.

“I have always been sceptic to receive the covid 19 vaccines because I read it online that I will get blood clots and die and if I live longer, I will not go beyond two years from the day of receiving the Jab,” said one victim of misinformation.  

Masvingo Provincial Taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said they are using various methods of disseminating information so that the correct message gets to everyone.

“We are using the media – our local newspapers and radio stations to reach out to the people. We have also collaborated and partnered with other stakeholders like NGOs to make sure that correct information get to the people in real time,” said Irimayi.

Indeed, unlike other vaccine programmes done in the past such as polio, and measles, there is no adequate public awareness campaign done by the Zimbabwean government and its stakeholders on the Covid-19 vaccination project. In the past, we had other health campaign programmes like, HIV, Circumcision (Pinda Musmart) among others which attracted a huge awareness campaign through, billboards located in different areas around town, radio programmes, television programmes and other promotional materials, as well as roadshows by mobile teams. The deafening silence on the issue of Covid 19 vaccines is worrisome. Although, I can acknowledge that massive awareness campaigns on ways of preventing Covid-19 reached levels of information overload, very few information campaigns about the vaccine have been done.

Although, it has been stated that the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has authorized the use of Sinopharm and Sinovac doses from China, Russia’s Sputnik V and India’s Covaxin, their recipients know very little about this. The government has not bothered to share much about the brand of vaccine it had procured and for which people, its specifications and effects for the population to make their own independent choice. Unfortunately, the public does not have such vital information to make a proper and informed decision on what should get into their bodies. However, it even becomes tricky as certain quotas of the business and social realms are already issuing ultimatums to unvaccinated people. For instance, the government is now allowing those who are fully vaccinated to attend church making it a criminal offence for unvaccinated congregates to attend the sermon. Besides, some employers have already issued ultimatum letters to those who are not yet vaccinated. In other ways, vaccination is now being weaponised for some people to enjoy their basic rights. 

“I am of the view that it is the duty of the government as a custodian of the public interests to support and ensure all the people have equitable access to information on Covid-19 vaccination. This can be done through various ways like sponsored billboards, sponsored information in local radios and newspapers, and even their official social media platforms. The public needs to know the types of vaccines in the country, and how are they being distributed and why,” said a concerned resident.

When people are fully informed about the Covid-19 vaccination ongoing, they may develop trust and can be able to make well-informed decisions about their vaccination without being subjected to indirect pressure.

Chiefs Clash At Funeral

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Chiefs Clash At Funeral

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – The long standing feud between Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira and newly installed Chief Nemamwa recently escalated at a funeral when representatives from the two chieftaincies nearly exchanged blows over legitimacy issues. 

During Serina Mangoma’s funeral in Nyoka Village near Chief Charumbira’s homestead last weekend, Charumbira clansmen disrupted the funeral programme and threatened to bash the Nemamwa chieftaincy representative Munyaradzi Mureyi who had been asked to give a speech. 

The director of ceremonies called Mureyi to give a speech on behalf of Chief Nemamwa since the deceased was from the Nemamwa clan, much to the displeasure of the Charumbira clansmen who insisted they did not recognize the Nemamwa chieftainship. 

Speaking to TellZim News after the incident, Mureyi said the program had been progressing smoothly until Mureyi was called him to speak on behalf of Chief Nemamwa and that is when Cephas Marashanye who is originally from Nemamwa but is a Charumbira sympathiser threatened to bash him if he speaks.

“Marashanye stood up and told me not to speak, at first I thought he wanted to speak himself since he is originally from Nemamwa but is a Charumbira sympathiser. I told him to speak instead but he said there was no Chief Nemamwa. 

He then came and pushed me around and other people from Chief Charumbira’s side rose and threatened joined in shouting that there was no Nemamwa. I was pushed from around and I think it was a pre planed thing.

I later on managed to escape and the Director of ceremonies had to skip the chief’s part. I have since reported the matter to the police.”said Mureyi 

Chief Charumbira confirmed the incident and said he was not there but saw videos of the clash and said the incident was not a new thing.      

Scenes from the funeral

“I can confirm that there was an incident at a funeral involving people from Charumbira and Nemamwa.  I was not there but I got videos of what happened and it is normal where there are chieftaincy issues. 

Chief Charumbira rubbished the resuscitation of Nemamwa chieftainship saying it was a fraud which has no legal basis to support it.  

“However, the issue emanates from the politics at play that seeks to make  Nemamwa a chief. The move is irregular and illegal at law. It has no merit and they have no basis whatsoever,” said Charumbira. 

He went on to say they were ready to contest it up to the highest court.

“We as the Charumbira people will contest that at the highest level. There are no records to show that Nemamwa was once a chief so there is nothing to revive. However, It is normal for a headman or village head to dream to become a Chief and the Nemamwa people were also dreaming.

“Nemamwa has been Headman since time immemorial and no one is interfering with that. If he wants to be a chief, he has to follow protocol and see if there is any basis for that. He was supposed to come to me as the Chief to tell me or go through the government which in turn would notify me,” said Charumbira.

Masvingo Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC), Dr Jefta Sakupwanya said he was not aware of the incident but said incidents of that nature are common between rival chiefs and revealed that the installation of Chief Nemamwa was imminent.

He said the installation of Nemamwa was stalled by the covid-19 induced lockdown saying if the situation improves they will sit with the chief’s council and deliberate on the way forward. 

“It is quite normal to have such incidents. We however do not encourage people to engage in violence. We are waiting for the Covid-19 induced lockdown to be lifted, then we meet with the provincial chief’s council to discuss  the way forward. 

“We are also waiting for a team from Harare that will draw the boundary lines between the feuding chiefs,” said Dr Sakupwanya.

The Charumbira clansmen are not new to controversy as they have been involved in battles against Bere clansmen before and after installation of Chief Bere. 

A few years ago, government resuscitated Bere chieftaincy, a move that saw Charumbira losing a large portion of his land to Bere.

The revival and elevation of Nemamwa from headman to chief further threatens the survival of Charumbira who now presides over a few wards which lowers him to a headman.

The Second Republic is on a drive to solve colonial historical ‘anomalies’ which they say will address the case of Charumbira and Nemamwa, where the former was allegedly given land by the latter and therefore cannot be chief while the one who gave him land is a headman.

The Nemamwa clan has since nominated Tranos Manjiva as their Chief and is awaiting installation.

Government has also restored the Neromwe chieftainship and reclaimed their land from Chief Tshovani in Chiredzi.

Early white settlers on numerous acts of sabotage had abolished some chieftainships and pegged their land for white farmers while the native inhabitants were moved to other places. 

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