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21 people under coronavirus self-quarantine in Masvingo

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21 people under coronavirus self-quarantine in Masvingo

TellZim
Reporter
Some 21 people in
Masvingo province have been advised to practice self-quarantine over the next
few weeks after they recently came home back after travelling to countries
associated with the deadly COVID-19 virus.
Masvingo Provincial
Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu confirmed that local health authorities
had advised the travellers to quarantine themselves.
He, however, said
people should be well-informed on the difference between self-quarantining and
effective monitoring by health authorities.
“There should be no
panic at all as there is no suspected case of coronavirus. These are just
travellers who came back into the country from countries that are associated
with the virus. What happens is that when somebody arrives from such countries and
they exhibit no symptoms of the virus, we advise them to minimise their
movements and mixing with other people in case they carry something not yet
clinically detectable,” said Shamu.
He said the 21 people
were in the different districts of the province, and were not in hospital or
any medical facility.
“They are not in
hospital but are at their own places. These are just precautionary measure
being taken by authorities to keep the people safe,” Shamu said.
He also told TellZim
News that four of the 21 people under self-quarantine arrived from China, where
the virus was first detected on December 31, 2019, while others had just
arrived from such countries as India that share borders with China.
By the time of writing,
latest official statistics from China showed that a total of 2004 people had
died of the virus, most of them on mainland China, while 74 185 cases had been
confirmed worldwide.
Many countries,
however, distrust official Chinese data on the virus as the communist
government there is not transparent on controversial topics or issues deemed
embarrassing.

Musikavanhu criticises English name for new Chiredzi suburb

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Musikavanhu criticises English name for new Chiredzi suburb

Beatific
Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi West
Member of Parliament (MP) Farai Musikavanhu has criticised Chiredzi Town
Council for giving a new suburb an English name, saying an indigenous language
name could have been chosen.
Addressing
crowds that gathered at Tshovani Stadium for a youth-themed service delivery
meeting dubbed ‘Maborn-born’ festival last weekend, Musikavanhu said council
was ill-informed to name its newest residential development Melborne Park.
With
reference to Cllr Ropafadzo Makumire, who was present at the event, and who is
Chiredzi Town Council deputy chairperson, Musikavanhu said an indigenous name
could have been found to protect the district’s cultural heritage.
“These
councillors failed to establish a traditional name for our medium density and
chose an English one, Melbourne Park. Is that really possible? Are they serious
about preserving our cultural heritage?” said Musikavanhu.
When
Makumire was given the podium to give a vote of thanks, he tried to defend the
council saying it was not proper for Musikavanhu to shame fellow elected public
officials in front of the crowd.
“We
were all voted into office MP, it’s never good to mock others in front of the
same electorate which voted you in office,” said Makumire.
Many
people have also criticised council’s naming choices as reflective of mental
colonialism and an ingrained inferiority complex.

Morgan Tsvangirai Street for Mutare

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Morgan Tsvangirai Street for Mutare

Felix
Matasva

Mutare City Council has resolved to rename Second Street in the Central
Business District (CBD) to Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, the former MDC leader who
died of colon cancer on February 14, 2018.
The late Moven
Mahachi, Moris Nyagumbo, Edgar Tekere and Kumbirai Kangai will also have
streets named after them.
 City of Mutare Mayor Blessing Tandi told TellZim News that councillors unanimously agreed
to rename Second Street after the late Tsvangirai in honour of his
contributions to the politics and democracy in the country.
“We are now in agreement with councilor Chabuka and
Nyamhoka’s proposal. We have agreed that Jeff Road be renamed to Edgar Tekere,
Second Street to Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and First Street to Morris Nyagumbo.
“Aerodrome Road
will be renamed to Moven Mahachi. We will deliberate on Kumbirai Kangai later,”
said Tandi.
He said Tsvangirai deserves a special place in the
history of the country and renaming a street after him is not only befitting
but appropriate.
 “No one disputes the contributions made by Tsvangirai
in the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe. He stood up to a brutal regime when
it was not fashionable to do so.
 “He was brutalised but they did not break his resolve.
His dream for a better Zimbabwe for everyone was more important to him than his
life. Sadly, he did before that dream could be realised. We will inscribe his
name into the history books because he was one of the finest leaders this
country has ever produced,” said Tandi.
 Tsvangirai has also received a similar honour in
Masvingo where the city fathers agreed to rename Hofmeyer Street after the
veteran opposition leader.

Gweru to adopt automated pre-paid parking system

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Gweru to adopt automated pre-paid parking system

Tinaani
Nyabereka
GWERU – The
city council here has moved to adopt an automated pre-paid parking system as a
measure to mitigate financial leakages and corruption allegations levelled
against tolling marshals.
Speaking
during a recent full council meeting, Ward 11 Cllr Albert Chirau said it was
high time the council adopted more transparent and effective methods in its
revenue collection activities.
Chirau
said that before the automated pre-paid parking system is adopted, council had
to rotate the tolling marshals so that they do not get too comfortable with
parking bays.
“The
council is losing a lot of revenue from pre-paid parking. We have received
reports of some tolling marshals who line their pockets with the council money.
“We
have to address this issue by adopting automated pre-paid parking system which
will plug all the leakages. This system will see a positive change in revenue
collection. Every cent should be accounted for,” said Chirau.
Ward
10 Cllr Charles Chikozho urged council to adopt an automated payment system
which was traceable.
“Let’s
do away with manual systems of revenue collection and adopt automated systems
which can be audited or traced. Corruption is encompassed in systems not
individuals because the clerks don’t eat alone,” said Chikozho.
Ward
18 councillor John Manyundwa also weighed in to the motion saying council has
to engage private players with the capacity to supply the systems so that they
can be implemented as a matter of urgency.
“I
propose that a rotational system be put in place as a temporary measure while
we look for other private players to help us establish a proper system,” said
Manyundwa.

Zivhu Foundation in ambitious sanitary wear drive

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Zivhu Foundation in ambitious sanitary wear drive


Moses Ziyambi
The Zivhu Foundation Zimbabwe is
bringing into the country several hundred kilogrammes of female sanitary wear
as part of wider efforts to make the products more accessible to women from low
income backgrounds.
The sanitary pads, which come in
packets of 10, are manufactured at the Zivhu Foundation South Africa’s highly-mechanised
factory in Pretoria.
In an interview with TellZim
News, Zivhu Foundation director Killer Zivhu said the motive of the venture was
completely philanthropic, with the only financial concern being the
sustainability of operations.
“We are responding to the
impossible-to-ignore calls to make access to sanitary wear a basic human right
for all woman and girls. Globally, women’s health issues are increasingly becoming
issues of human rights and we want to fit right into that narrative. Why should
our women and girls still suffer the indignities of period poverty?” said
Zivhu.
Zivhu, who is the Zanu PF Member
of Parliament (MP) for Chivi South, said the programme was also meant to create
marketing job opportunities for women who want to sell the products in their
communities.
“We have set up a distribution
centre in Harare. Our products are selling for just $6 per packet of 10 and
that makes them the most affordable on the market. Women who want to be our
sales persons in communities must go and register. The money raised is ploughed
back into the business to make it sustainable,” said Zivhu.
He also said the foundation was
also campaigning to raise sanitary hygiene awareness among males so that they
better appreciate the need to support women and girls in that regard.
Asked why the foundation had not
set up the manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe to help the cause of formal job
creation, Zivhu cited shortage of inputs.
“It’s harder and much more
expensive to access the raw materials locally. So it’s generally about
operational costs which are not friendly to the philanthropic cause we want to
champion using this programme,” said Zivhu.
The foundation recently donated
some pads to some South African schools with majority Zimbabwean pupils .
The renowned philanthropist also
said the foundation was fully supportive of a recent government decision to
supply free sanitary pads to poor schools beginning in the rural areas.

Biti, Sikhala saves MDC Masvingo executive from dissolution

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Biti, Sikhala saves MDC Masvingo executive from dissolution
Sikhala and Biti in at the Tsavingirai Memorial lecture in Masvingo on Feb 14, 2020

                                 
…as Chamisa settles for suspension
Upenyu Chaota
MDC
vice president Tendai Biti and national deputy chairperson Job Sikhala last
Sunday came to the rescue of the under fire MDC Masvingo provincial executive
which party president Nelson  Chamisa had
moved out to dissolve but had to only be suspended after Biti and Sikhala’s
intervention.
Time
has proven right sentiments by former MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora
who lambasted the MDC Masvingo provincial executive when it was elected last
year at the chaotic provincial congress saying they were incompetent and the
party, in the province, was doomed.
The
James Gumbi led executive retained the province at the last year’s controversial
provincial congress presided over by Chamisa but has failed to pass the test of
time with the party becoming dormant in the province under their watch.
Chamisa
told the MDC provincial assembly last Sunday that the province has failed and
showed gross incompetence which has resulted in chaos in the province with some
districts being presided over by parallel structures.
“Masvingo
has a big problem. We have a dysfunctional provincial executive which has
failed the people and the party.
“It
is my duty to dissolve this province because they have shown gross incompetence
and insubordination,” said Chamisa.
Biti
and Sikhala told Chamisa that it was prudent for the matter to be discussed at
the national council arguing that dissolving the province was rather too harsh
before ascertaining all the facts.
Chamisa
gave each provincial executive member the floor to speak for themselves but the
majority agreed to be dissolved saying they have failed but Chamisa went on to
suspend them indefinitely pending finalization of their charges by the national
executive.
Gumbi
was conspicuous by his absence from the provincial assembly meeting and he took
a lot of punches in absentia.
“Where
is Gumbi? Why is he not here? Who did he tell? That is clear insubordination.
This meeting was called for by the party’s leadership and Gumbi decides not to
show up without giving a reason. 
“I
will not tolerate indiscipline in the party. The party has protocol and
hierarchy. If you hold a position you serve at the pleasure of the people. But
if you see that you can no longer deliver as per the will of the people that is
your end,” said Chamisa.
MDC
Masvingo provincial organizer Elton Ziki tried to throw Gumbi under the bus
saying Chamisa must not paint them with the same brush arguing that it was
Gumbi who had a problem and he should be the only one to take the fall.
“We
should not paint everyone with the same brush. Some of us are just caught up in
between when the real problem is with Gumbi.
“Gumbi
is a highly temperamental character and he does not take onboard other people’s
opinions. He gets angry easily and imposes his will on the province,” argued
Ziki.
Chamisa
fired back at Ziki telling him that Gumbi alone would not have destroyed the
province but it was a collective effort by all provincial members.
“The
problem is not Gumbi. You have all failed. Do not try to defend yourself. You
fail as a team. The province has no capacity to work together. Objectively
speaking this province has failed.
“I
told you to deal with the mayor Maboke issue but you did not listen. The party
has become dormant under your watch. We will not have this. There are serious
factions in the province and there are a lot of parallel structures in most
districts and the province is the problem so we are suspending it.
“An
independent team will be put in place to deal with all the problems in the
province,” said Chamisa.
Gumbi
could not be drawn into comment as his mobile went unanswered.

Year 2020 is ours: Bikita RDC

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Year 2020 is ours: Bikita RDC
Peter Chibhi

Brighton Chiseva

BIKITA – Bikita Rural District
Council (RDC) is confident that 2020 will be their year, with many projects
nearing completion while many others are being planned.
The Shumbaimwe
Clinic project in Ward 11, which was constructed by the local authority in partnership
with Bikita Minerals, is one of the major projects that have already been
completed.
The project is
set to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2020, and will lessen the distance
travelled by locals to the nearest health centres.
There is hope
for greater portable water provision in the form of bush pumps as well as
solar-powered boreholes which are to be drilled in the first quarter of this
year in various wards of the district.
Bikita RDC Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Chibhi said he was confident that the local
authority will be able to complete all outstanding projects within the
stipulated timeframe.
“The year 2020
is set to be the year of achieving the results. We want to meet the set targets
and provide excellent service to the people of Bikita. I am confident that we
will commission a number of projects as well as complete those that are still
underway.
“The main focus
is on health, education and provision of safe drinking water. In that regard,
we are set to commission two more clinics namely Odzi Clinic in Ward 3 under Chief
Mabika and Mupamaonde Clinic in Ward 22 under Chief Mukanganwi in the second
quarter of 2020,” said Chibhi.
In the education
sector the local authority is set to commission a double block at Zindove
Primary School in Ward 2 under Chief Mabika and another at Mupakwa Primary in Ward
13 in Mukanganwi area again in the second quarter of the year.
In the third quarter
of 2020, Bikita RDC aims to complete more projects including Chibvure Clinic in
Nyahunda area, Ward 28.
“Our 2020 budget
was approved, and this will now give us room to enforce the tariffs. We want to
maximise revenue collection so that we can meet the set targets,” said Chibhi.
He urged
ratepayers to pay their dues in time to help the local authority to meet its
targets and ensure good service delivery.
“We encourage
all our ratepayers to make sure that they pay in time. This helps us to meet
the set targets. We want to make sure that we provide quality services to our
residents but we can only do that when they play their part,” said Chibhi.
Last year, the
local authority won a number of accolades and awards with Chibhi himself being
named CEO of the Year for the second year running during the Megafest Local
Governance Awards held in Harare.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                        

‘No coronavirus at Mutare’s Golden Peacock Hotel’

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‘No coronavirus at Mutare’s Golden Peacock Hotel’


…hotel management assures counters
smear campaign
 

From left Golden Peacock Villa Hotel Food and Beverages manager Willard Mudhombiro, General Manager Celia Woo and Sales Manager Matthew Takura

Felix Matasva


MUTARE – In
wake of the deadly coronavirus, many Chinese-owned businesses in the country
are bearing the brunt of stigmatization, with some potential clients shunning
those businesses in fear of the contagious diseases which has killed over a
thousand people in China.
One
such business is Golden Peacock Villa
Hotel
which this week moved to allay fears of coronavirus being present at the place.
Speaking
during a press conference which was held at the hotel on Tuesday February 11, Golden
Peacock Hotel general manager Celia
Woo said the false claims by its competitors were a marketing gimmick which was
neither fair nor ethical.
“Because
of the coronavirus, most of the Chinese business enterprises in Zimbabwe have
been greatly affected. Our business operations have been on the low since many
people no longer want to be associated with anything China-related.
“We
understand the concerns of our clients but we reassure our clients that this is
and has always been a perfect destination where their safety and needs are
satisfied with utmost care and love.
“What
we do not understand is why some of our competitors are taking advantage of
this situation to slander us… it’s very unfortunate and unethical. I want to
make it clear that this hotel is very safe and our clients have nothing to
worry about,” said Woo.
She
said she herself had never been to China for the past six months and their
clients had nothing to fear when they see her and other Chinese staff.
“At
the moment there are only two members of staff who are Chinese, myself
included. We both have not been to China since the outbreak of the virus.
“We
have not been receiving anything from China since the outbreak of the virus so
we assure our clients that this is a safe environment as it has always been.
Our competition should adhere to professional codes of ethics and not cause alarm
and despondency among clients,” said Woo.
Golden Peacock Villa Hotel sales manager Mathew Takura
said they were asking for travelling documents as a control measure to revoke
bookings from the coronavirus affected countries.
“As a control measure we ask for identity cards
and passports and if we see that the person is from China or other affected countries, we are
not accepting the booking.
“Almost all our customers are locals. So everything we
prepare here is local as we buy from local farmers and shops and nothing is
imported from China,” said Takura.
Golden Peacock Villa Hotel food and beverages manager Willard
Mudhombiro said that they
target local and international customers hence their cuisines are not specifically targeted
at
the Chinese only.
“When we opened this hotel there was a
misconception that we cook dog and snake meat. 99 percent of our customers are
Zimbabwean and we have tailor made our cooking methods to suit them.
“We do not have any Chinese cuisine targeted at
Chinese people. We do not
cook dog and snake meat here as our meals are meant for Zimbabweans and other international guests,”
said Mudhombiro.
Golden
Peacock Villa Hotel has grown to be the largest hotel in Manicaland with
regards to room and conference capacity since it opened its doors in June 2012.
The
hotel can accommodate 1 000 people per day in their conference rooms and in
terms of room occupancy it can accommodate around 230 people per night.
As valentine’s special their rooms will be sold at 30
percent discount with a lot of activities lined up for the day.
The
Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed that the country can now identify,
amplify and detect the deadly disease in the local laboratories.
Coronavirus
cases are being quarantined and admitted at Wilkins Infectious Diseases
Hospital in Harare.
The
number of deaths related to the coronavirus outbreak in China rose by more than
100, bringing
the total number of deaths across the Chinese 31 provinces to 1 016, with more
than 42 600 confirmed cases according to NBC News.

Legal Perspectives with Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa

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Legal Perspectives with Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa



Corporal punishment: Are parents, teachers allowed to whip children?
With effect from 03
April 2019, judicial corporal punishment on male juveniles is no longer
permissible in Zimbabwe. This follows a far reaching Constitutional Court
judgment in the case of S v Chokuramba
CCZ 10/19.  The apex court is however
yet to make a determination on the constitutionality of administering corporal
punishment in school and in the home. This article unpacks the legal position
regarding corporal punishment in Zimbabwe.

What
is corporal punishment?
The
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as ‘Any punishment
in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain
or discomfort, however light.’ It follows therefore that any form of kicking,
smacking, slapping, spanking, pinching or the doing of anything which causes bodily
harm is corporal punishment.

History
of corporal punishment in Zimbabwe.
In 1987 and in S v Ncube and Ors 1987
(2) ZLR 246 (S), the Supreme court sitting as
a Constitutional Court held that administering corporal punishment upon adult male
convicts was unconstitutional. In 1989 the
Supreme Court similarly declared judicial corporal punishment upon male
juveniles unconstitutional in the case of S v A Juvenile 1989 (2)
ZLR 61 (S)
In 1990, the
then Constitution outlawed corporal punishment upon adult male offenders but overturned
the decision in S v A Juvenile by
inserting a provision which permits judicial corporal punishment upon male
juveniles. The same year, section 353 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence
Act [Chapter 9:07] (hereinafter CPEA) was enacted to reintroduce corporal
punishment on male juvenile offenders. In 2006, the Criminal Law (Codification
and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 (hereinafter the Code) brought in provisions
which permits the administering of ‘moderate corporal punishment’ by parents at
home and by school authorities.
In 2013,
the current Constitution came into effect. Section 53 of the Constitution enshrines
the protection of the fundamental right of any person not to be subjected to all forms
of physical or psychological torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.

The Chokuramba Case
In S v Chokuramba HH-718/14 the
High Court made an order declaring judicial corporal punishment on male
juveniles unconstitutional because it violates section 353 of the CPEA. An
order of constitutional invalidity made by the High Court or any other court has
no force of law until confirmed by the Con-Court.  As a result of the foregoing, Muremba J
referred the case to the Con-Court for possible confirmation. On 3 April 2019,
the Con-Court subsequently confirmed the finding of the High Court and declared
judicial corporal punishment unconstitutional.

Corporal punishment in the home or school.
On 03 March
2017, Mangota J sitting as a High Court in Pfungwa
and Anor v Headmistress Belvedere Junior Primary School and Ors HH 148/17 made
an order to the effect that the imposition of corporal punishment on children
at home or school violates children’s rights set out in sections 51, 53 and 81 of the Constitution. The High
Court order is still awaiting confirmation by the ConCourt. Corporal punishment
upon children at home and at school is therefore still legally permitted in
Zimbabwe.

Conclusion.
If the
ConCourt is to confirm the decision of the High Court in Pfungwa, no one, whether a teacher at school or a parent at home
would be legally allowed to whip, spank or even pinch a child. This would
undoubtedly be a bitter pill to swallow for many. The heavens will fall upon others.
Courts are however guided by the Latin maxim; Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum which means “Let Justice Be Done Though
the Heavens May Fall.”
Nyamukondiwa
Fidelicy writes in his personal capacity. Contactable on 0785827154/
nhanyams@yahoo.com.

Ghanaian trio joins Shabanie Mine FC

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Ghanaian trio joins Shabanie Mine FC

Exsto Makunzva
ZVISHAVANE- Three
players from Ghana’s Volta International Sports Academy (Visa) have reportedly
joined Central Region Division 1 outfit Shabanie Mine football club (fc)
popularly known as Bvaru Bvaru starting this season.
The
trio is said to have been in contact with the club and one of the players,
Julius Welback, is already in Zvishavane awaiting finalization of his work
permit.
The
19-year-old striker Ishmael Dadson and goalie Johnson Kofi Osei aged 20 are the
other two players who have reportedly agreed to join the Zvishavane based side.
Bvaru
Bvaru spokesperson Weston Wesley confirmed that the club has acquired the
services of three foreign players and called upon the corporate world to rally
behind the club this coming season.
“It’s
true, one Ghanaian is already here and the other two Dadson and Kofi are
supposed to arrive on February 7. We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest
to regain promotion in to the top flight league. We are appealing to the
corporate world for sponsorship as you know that there has to be a combined
effort in order for us to achieve our goal,” said Wesley.
In
an interview with TellZim News, King Ishmael Kwasi Amegatsey the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of the players parent Academy confirmed that the two
are yet to arrive in the country and said he was confident that the players
will add value to Shabanie Mine FC.
“Yes
I can confirm that one player has arrived and the other two are expected to
land at Robert Mugabe International Airport this Friday. Ishmael spent eight years
at the Academy and we felt that he had matured enough to play at any level.
“Johnson
is also another great player who has tried his luck at a couple of top clubs
across Africa including Orlando Pirates. I’m optimistic that they can make a
positive impact at the club if awarded a chance,” said Amegatsey.  
Shabanie
Fc coach, Timothy Maphosa said he welcomes the Ghanaians and believes the three
will add value to the team but said the club has fallen victim of player exodus
in recent years because they can’t afford better remunerations.
“It’s
good that we are going to have new players from Ghana but our biggest fear is
losing them to other big clubs if the players exhibit good skills. Last season we
had to start afresh after we lost almost the whole squad during the transfer
window and I had to look for players from the social league and from Division 3.
“Shabanie
fc is a very big brand and almost every team in Zimbabwe has a Shabanie flavor
so it is my plea to the Zvishavane business community to grab this chance and
be part of the history of bringing back lost pride,” said Maphosa.  
 Bvaru Bvaru have managed to secure sponsorship
from Verenga Empire and Barmlo Company but the deals need a backup.
The
2020 Division One season is expected to start in March although many teams are
reportedly weighing their options whether to take part or not due to the
soaring economy which has not spared the football fraternity.

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