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A family in Masasi Village under Chief Marange’s area in Mutare District has had no peace for the past few years as an alleged avenging spirit has been wreaking havoc.
The Chikukwa family told The Manica Post that family members are being pelted by stones, while invisible beings are biting, pinching and assaulting them.
The invisible beings are also reportedly taking food from the children’s plates and setting mysterious fires on family members’ clothes.
Twenty members of the Chikukwa family, most of them minor children, have since left their homes for a small shack to protect themselves from the stones.
The family says when they are in their cabin, they cover their bodies with thick blankets to avoid being injured by the stones.
Speaking in an interview with The Manica Post on Wednesday, Webster Chikukwa (44), whose sons Wellington (20) and Washington (15) were the first to be attacked by the stones in 2019, said:
<blockquote>
It started with pebbles. After a time, rocks followed Wellington, even at school.
The stones would destroy our home, including the roofs. The attacks are unrelenting.
We have been to a lot of prophets, but the stones follow us there.
In fact, the prophets who have tried to assist us have also been attacked.
We sold the only cow we had in an effort to solve this problem, but nothing has changed.
The stones have been following and attacking everyone wherever we go.
It got worse for Wellington and I had to leave my job in Mutare to come and be with my family in these trying times.
The stones are destroying our houses. As if that is not enough, our clothes also catch fire out of the blue.
</blockquote>
Chikukwa’s two sons have since dropped out of school because other children at Masasi High School were caught in the crossfire. Said Wellington:
<blockquote>
The stones would just rain on everybody, but the pinching, biting and assaults from the invisible beings were only directed at me.
I would cry out loudly and people would just stare at me without offering any help.
My teacher is the one who advised me to inform my parents of what was happening to me at school. I have never set foot at school again.
The classroom was torture for me. The attacks were worse in class, even for my younger brother. We both dropped out in March last year.
</blockquote>
A teacher at Masasi High School, Matthew Rwanga, confirmed that the Chikukwa brothers were forced to drop out of school by raining stones.
The matter appeared before Chief Marange where it was revealed that Chikukwa’s cousin, Vincent Chikukwa, allegedly murdered the late Rimen Jaramani while panning for gold in Odzi in 2019.
It is suspected that Jaramani’s avenging spirit is causing the problems in the Chikukwa family.
The Chikukwa family’s patriarch, Benjamin Chikukwa, reportedly paid an admission of guilt fine of three beasts to Chief Marange.
However, the alleged avenging spirit is demanding seven cattle and five goats from the Chikukwa family. Headman Nemasasi confirmed the issue. He said:
<blockquote>
The Chikukwas have agreed to appease the avenging spirit. I gave them two days to do that and they should be back here on Saturday because they are being attacked by the stones day and night.
We all fear for their lives. Something needs to be done as soon as yesterday.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/stones-rain-on-children/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

Pindula News

Stones Follow Children To School

Zimbabwe’s security services have been put on high alert to clamp down on any protests amid indications of possible civil unrest.
NewZimbabwe.com reported official and security sources as saying security services have been preparing for an eventual outbreak of civil disobedience for the past two months.
Zimbabweans had to cope with a rise in the cost of living, runaway inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices and erosion of the value of the Zimbabwean dollar over the past two months and service chiefs consider the prevailing economic challenges a fertile ground for mass protests. Said a NewZimbabwe.com source:
<blockquote>
The entire security sector is on high alert. They know that there is a realistic likelihood of an uprising and every effort is being made to thwart it.
The president himself has consistently been given security situation reports indicating the ground is fertile for upheaval and that is why he is frequently talking about economic saboteurs. It is a delicate situation.
</blockquote>
This also comes as civil society organisations, university students, teachers and nurses have called for a national shutdown on Monday, 9 May to protest against the rising cost of living.
But the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Mangwana, warned that the State will deal with protestors. He tweeted:
<blockquote>
Do you want to be unproductive? That is your baby. Do you want to try to stop someone from going where they want to go or doing what they want to do or fending for their family? The law will do its power to stop you!
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane warned the Zimbabwean Government to desist from violating people’s rights. He said:
<blockquote>
The world will be watching when Zimbabwe happens. There is no room for suppression of the rights of the people including the right to protest.
There should be no obstruction of the people, ED Mnangagwa there should be no arrests and intimidation of activists.
South Africa has paid a heavy price for the oppression in Zimbabwe. We will not ignore brutality and oppression.
We cannot support dictatorship anymore. It is costing us dearly, costing the whole of SADC.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/planned-protests-security-forces-placed-on-high-alert/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Zimbabwe's Security Forces Placed On High Alert Amid Calls For Protests

Amnesty International (AI) has called upon the Government of Zimbabwe to engage private transporters to find a solution to the transport crisis.
This comes after Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) drivers and conductors reportedly downed tools over salary and COVID-19 allowance arrears dating back to 2020.
The strike comes at a time commuters are spending hours in queues waiting for transport as ZUPCO fails to cope with demand.
In a statement on Friday, 6 May, AI urged the Government to address the transport crisis urgently. It said:
<blockquote>
Amnesty International calls upon the government to address this challenge by opening up the public transport sector to private players with proper guidelines to ensure public safety.
We, therefore, call upon the government and relevant stakeholders to come up with relevant solutions to alleviate the transport challenge.
They must consider engaging the private transporters and reach an amicable solution.
</blockquote>
ZUPCO Workers’ Council chairperson Douglas Serimani told NewsDay Weekender that workers want half of their wages in US dollars. Said Serimani:
<blockquote>
The employees have been requesting that they be given half of their salaries in United States dollars.
Salaries come late at ZUPCO and we had a works council meeting in Gweru on Wednesday, where employees implored the authorities to consider paying half of their salaries in US dollars and also ensure that they are paid on time.
The company also owes the employees six months of COVID-19 allowances which were not paid to them in 2020.
Management has, however, promised to address all those issues.
</blockquote>
ZUPCO chief executive Evaristo Mandangwa said the issue of employees’ salaries is an internal issue that has nothing to do with the public.
On Wednesday, Cabinet admitted that some private players who joined the ZUPCO franchise withdrew their services due to non-payment of their dues.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/pressure-mounts-over-transport-crisis/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Amnesty International Demands Govt Take Action On Transport Crisis

Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) board chairperson George Manyaya, said that the organisation has plugged all revenue leakages and the abuse of public funds is now a thing of the past.
Addressing the fifth ZINARA annual meeting in Harare, Manyaya said that the ZINARA board and management team have been reconstituted to enhance good corporate governance. He said:
<blockquote>
Misappropriation and abuse of funds are a thing of the past.
The shareholder cleaned up the board which was also tasked with cleaning up the management team now headed by Fintech guru Nkosinathi Ncube.
The new executive team has been working very hard to adhere to various recommendations from the audits that were carried out and from Parliament as well.
Their focus is on transparency, improving staff performance and culture, and coming up with mechanisms and policies that improve the performance of the organisation.
</blockquote>
Manyaya also said in inflation-adjusted terms, ZINARA reported a net surplus of ZWL$4.1 billion in 2020, up from ZWL$1.5 billion in 2019.
ZINARA finance director, Adam Zvandasara, said they have to constantly adjust to changing foreign exchange rates. Said Zvandasara:
<blockquote>
We can’t review toll fees every week like what happens with the exchange rate, so we have come up with our own internal formula which tracks movement based on 10 percentage points.
For example, if the rate is $110:US$1, we wait and only review when it hits US$122.
</blockquote>
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said:
<blockquote>
… I must say that the alignment of ZINARA to its mandate is now bearing fruit.
Going into 2022, the Government, through ZINARA, is going to expedite funding to all the road authorities to ensure that much ground is covered in terms of road rehabilitation.
</blockquote>
ZINARA says it has distributed nearly ZWL$6 billion to all provinces and local authorities for road maintenance in the first quarter of this year under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/abuse-of-funds-a-thing-of-the-past-zinara/">H-Metro</a></h4>

Abuse Of ZINARA Funds A Thing Of The Past - Manyaya

The president of the opposition Labour, Economists Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) party, Linda Masarira, has written an open letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa urging his government to fix the transport challenges. Commuters have since 2020, when private-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) were banned from the roads, been spending hours in queues waiting for their turn to be ferried to work or home. The situation seems to have gotten worse in recent weeks amid reports that some owners of the ZUPCO-contracted kombis were withdrawing their vehicles due to delays in payment f what’s due to them. Parliament has since Local government minister July Moyo to give a ministerial statement on the state of the public transport system in the country. In her letter to the President, Masarira suggests that ZUPCO efforts to ease the situation were ineffective. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The clampdown on private transport operators in Harare has worsened the transport crisis in the Capital City. While government has procured buses to ease the transport woes, the situation has remained the same.
In my opinion there seems to be unstrategic deployment of ZUPCO buses to the areas which necessarily don’t need them, which can be serviced by private transport operators. In the meantime, as we aspire to fix the transport challenges, it is imperative that most buses be deployed in the Capital City.
Secondly, private transport operators contracted to ZUPCO should be paid their money on time. Delays in payment will lead to frustrations resulting in withdrawal of their services. They become the very people who are subjected to the unsustainable clampdown.
In the spirit of leaving noone behind, we implore the government to ensure that private players with buses at Zupco are paid on time. There is really no wisdom in denying the commuting public fast and efficient transport service.
</blockquote>
Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana says “the government is aware of and regrets the current transport difficulties being experienced by Harare commuters and would like to assure them and the Nation that plans are underway to bring relief. Short and long-term efficient Urban Mass Transportation System solutions will be implemented.”
President Mnangagwa recently directed the Transport ministry and ZUPCO to address the transport issue.
<h2>More: Pindula News</h2>

LEAD President Linda Masarira Writes Letter To President Mnangagwa

The Government has admitted that some private contractors have withdrawn their buses and commuter omnibuses from the ZUPCO pool.
While it has not been stated why bus and kombi owners walked away from the ZUPCO franchise, it is understood that late payments, which are made in RTGS dollars, contributed to transporters’ reluctance to work with the public transport utility.
Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to clarify that Government has not banned the operations of private contractors in the public transportation sector.
While noting the apparent withdrawal of services by some operations, Cabinet wishes to state that no effort is being spared in ensuring that the inconvenience to the travelling public is minimised.
Government would like to assure the nation that ZUPCO is engaging with contractors with a view to ensuring that all arrears are settled and resolving any outstanding matters.
In addition, more ZUPCO buses that were undergoing licencing have since been cleared and are now plying various routes.
</blockquote>
Commuters have been experiencing transport challenges, especially in urban areas since the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) launched an operation targeting unlicensed taxis (mushikashika).
Mutsvangwa said Cabinet decided that ZUPCO buses plying intercity routes, such as from Harare to Bulawayo, are now required to service local trips when they return from the highways. She said:
<blockquote>
ZUPCO buses that are travelling on intercity routes are now required to undertake local trips upon return.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa warned that the Government will not relent on its blitz against unlicensed vehicles that have filled the transport void created by the kombi ban. Mutsvangwa said:
<blockquote>
Government has, however, noted with concern the proliferation of unlicensed vehicles (mushikashika) and unroadworthy vehicles commuting various routes.
The public is informed that Government, through the Zimbabwe Republic Police, will enforce the law without fear or favour for the safety of the travelling public. All vehicles without number plates will be impounded.
</blockquote>
In 2020, the  Government enforced ZUPCO’s transport monopoly through Statutory Instrument (SI) 83 of 2020.
It said the move was aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus but critics argue that the ban on private buses and kombis was meant to manage the public transport sector following the January 2019 fuel riots.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Govt Says Private Contractors Are Withdrawing Their Buses From ZUPCO

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Mangwana said the Government is aware of the current public transport crisis and is working on a solution.
Posting on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, Mangwana said that the Government will soon implement both short and long-term solutions to transport challenges. <a href="https://twitter.com/nickmangwana/status/1521844079344115713">Said Mangwana:</a>
<blockquote>
Govt is aware of and regrets the current transport difficulties being experienced by Harare commuters and would like to assure them and the Nation that plans are underway to bring relief.
Short and long-term efficient Urban Mass Transportation System solutions will be implemented.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said it empathises with members of the public over the prevailing public transport crisis. <a href="https://twitter.com/ZLHRLawyers/status/1521786278001446913">ZLHR said in a statement</a>:
<blockquote>
We empathise with the public and we are eagerly awaiting the handing down of judgment which was reserved on 28 February by the Supreme Court on an appeal which we filed challenging ZUPCO monopoly and the imposition by govt of restrictions on other transport operators under the guise of limiting and preventing the spread of coronavirus.
In our appeal, we argued that govt regulations place a limitation on the enjoyment of rights particularly the right to freedom of profession, trade or occupation enshrined in Section 64, which is an economic right.
We also argued that the creation of the ZUPCO monopoly limits the right of commuters to board transport of their choice, limits the right of transport owners to earn a living, and creates massive shortages and prejudice against commuters because ZUPCO has no capacity to trade.
We contended that passengers are entitled to an open demonopolised transport system and argued that the issue of giving ZUPCO a monopoly has nothing to do with controlling public health and the coronavirus pandemic but that the measures are just about capturing the transport market in favour of ZUPCO more appropriately those that have captured ZUPCO.
We stated that private commuter omnibus operators can still be asked to make sure that their passengers practice social distancing and mask up as is enforced aboard ZUPCO buses.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Govt "Aware" Of Transport Crisis... ZLHR Waits For Court Ruling On ZUPCO Monopoly

Mbare MP Starman Chamisa (MDC Alliance) has hailed British-Zimbabwean preacher and businessman Uebert Angel after he donated truckloads of maize meal to orphaned children in Mbare through his foundation.
Chamisa, who is the younger brother to CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, said the donation will go a long way in meeting the basic needs of the underprivileged in one of Harare’s oldest suburbs. Chamisa said:
<blockquote>
We thank Ambassador Uebert Angel for the great work he has done in Mbare. Mbare is a very underprivileged area with many elderly folk and orphans, we thank the Prophet for coming in and assisting us, all the people here, especially the orphans will always remember this gesture.
</blockquote>
Councillor for ward 4 in Mbare, Cllr Martin Matinyanya (ZANU PF) also expressed appreciation for Angel’s donation. Said Matinyanya:
<blockquote>
It is not an easy thing during these tough times someone can remember you. Mealie meal is expensive these days. We have been given so much mealie meal.
You can see how happy people are with the donation. Now we need the Prophet to come for a crusade so that we can thank him.
</blockquote>
Angel Zimbabwe’s Presidential Envoy and Ambassador At Large to Europe and the Americas and also the founder of Spirit Embassy, a Pentecostal ministry in the United Kingdom.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chamisa-praises-amb-angel/">The Herald</a></h4>

Chamisa Praises Angel For Donating Maize Meal To Mbare Orphans

Zimbabweans have taken to social media to vent their anger over the perennial public transport challenges which they blame on the ZUPCO monopoly.
State-owned transport company ZUPCO has enjoyed a public transport monopoly since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 after the government banned privately-owned minibuses (kombis).
In 2020, the Government directed owners of minibuses (kombis) to join the ZUPCO pool but many refused.
Some of those who had joined later withdrew from the ZUPCO franchise due to delays in payments which are made in discredited Zimbabwe dollars.
Here is what citizens have been saying on Twitter about the ongoing public transport challenges:
<a href="https://twitter.com/citezw/status/1521785424187904001">CITE: </a>Commuters are saying Zupco has failed them. They have since resorted to using private transport which are charging a fare of US$1. Desperate commuters from the western suburbs are forced to drop off at the Makokoba bus stop and continue on foot to reach their destination in the CBD.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Tendai_The_Trav/status/1521785368785428483">Tendai the Traveller:</a> This decision by gvt to have only Zupco operating the transportation sector is very counterproductive. One shouldn’t struggle this much to go to work. You shouldn’t stress towards the end of the day as to what time you will reach home.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ShadayaKnight/status/1521755649318735873">The Ayatollah of Toxicity:</a> Been waiting for almost 2hrs for Zupco, nix nothing dololo…. can’t blame these chicks for wanting dudes with cars, this public transport shit is f’d up.
<a href="https://twitter.com/PaulSixpence/status/1521782742916161536">Paul Sixpence:</a> It’s not a back to school issue. We have a public transport crisis. The crisis has been brought to the fore because of the heavy police deployment on urban roads to weed out “illegal” transporters not registered with ZUPCO.
<a href="https://twitter.com/KMutisi/status/1521539628045639681">Kudzai Mutisi:</a> Folks complaining about massive transport problems in Harare…. It’s clear that @zupcobus management can’t cope. There is nothing wrong with revising a policy if it has failed The govt shouldn’t create inconvenience for citizens, revising the policy should be urgent.
<a href="https://twitter.com/SiphoMalunga/status/1521769294643798016">Siphosami Malunga:</a> It is one thing to fail to govern. To fail to deliver public services-schools, healthcare, water etc. It is entirely another to stop citizens from finding solutions to your failures. To monopolise the problem &amp; the prevention of solutions to it takes a whole level of malevolence.
<a href="https://twitter.com/MukorekaPardon/status/1521782238710583296">Baba Ka LEFIKA:</a> Isu as ma Customers, we should jave a choice kuti ndo enda ku Mushika shika or ku Zupco. Depending ne Servive yandiri kupihwa, not kunzi mwira Zupco chete yet service yavo yaka dhakwa.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Tinashe_Maburu/status/1521556611650801665">Bhurumango</a>: According to Acting Zupco CEO we have about 1000 Zupco buses in service. The Government banned all private players. I would like to understand how a population of more than 15 million people can be serviced by 1000 ZUPCO busses.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Babangwenya/status/1521782211585970176">Nhamo Ngwenya:</a> There is a need to also remove all unroadworthy ZUPCO buses from our roads. A workable solution is needed. As it is 75% buses from private players contracted to ZUPCO are unroadworthy. Most don’t have breaks, lights, seats, when raining they are leaking. Something must be done soon.
<a href="https://twitter.com/mlambo_clever/status/1521780064358211584">Clever Kuda Mlambo:</a> The transport crisis in our teapot-shaped land is a self-inflicted crisis. They used an SI during the initial March 2020 lockdown to try and create the Zupco monopoly, just like most &amp; if not all of their policies, Zupco failed dismally. Scores of commuting public are suffering. Zimbabwe is an unending disaster &amp; with great haste, we are ticking all boxes of a failed state.
<a href="https://twitter.com/zvobgoluckson/status/1521779299426177025">Luckson Zvobgo:</a> Where is the feasibility study that suggested banning of private operators and reintroduction of ZUPCO will work? No science and numbers supported the idea of ZUPCO. Reactionary policies are dangerous. They needed a proper study to support this idea, as usual, ZanuPF failed.
<a href="https://twitter.com/drnmatara/status/1521789102521204736">Norman Matara:</a> Permanent secretary @nickmangwana you once boarded an NRZ train to get “the user experience” as u said that time. May I challenge you to get another user experience by going to the Charge office at 5 pm and getting a Zupco bus to Unit N in Chitungwiza?
<a href="https://twitter.com/dannyzembe/status/1521775671898427392">Danny Zembe:</a> The Zupco CEO believes his problem is solved by increasing fleet size. Yet he forgets he has been getting FREE buses (&amp; diesel) for the past 10+ years. Of the current fleet, what % is running? How many buses has he procured using his own cash flow? What’s the avg bus life?
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Zimbabweans Castigate ZUPCO Monopoly As Transport Crisis Deepen

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it registered 110 000 new voters during the just-ended 20-day second phase of the voter registration blitz.
ZEC spokesperson Jasper Mangwana on Tuesday 3 May, told The Herald that only 49 000 people registered during the first phase conducted for 28 days.
Mangwana commended the Registrar General’s office which also launched a mobile registration blitz which runs from 1 April to 30 September this year. He said:
<blockquote>
The huge numbers we have received during this phase can be attributed to the confidence and credibility that Zimbabweans are showing in the Commission.
In this second voter registration phase that was conducted in just 20 days, we received about 110 000 new voter registrants.
During the first phase conducted for 28 days, we only had about 49 000 applications and this time the numbers have doubled.
We give credit to the office of the Registrar General for handling the issue of national identity documents with professionalism to enable people to register to vote.
</blockquote>
Mangwana said ZEC will embark on a data cleaning exercise to deal with the issue of double registration. He said:
<blockquote>
We are going to embark on a data cleaning exercise in which we will remove all duplicated applications. This de-duplication exercise will provide final data to the people.
Remember we had CSOs that were involved in this drive but in some cases ended up having double voter registrants. We need to clean that.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/over-110-000-registered-in-zec-blitz/">The Herald</a></h4>

ZEC Registers "About 110 000" People In 20 Days

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, would be asked to give a ministerial statement to Parliament soon, to be followed by a debate on the state of public transport in the country, the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has said.
This comes after members of parliament expressed concern over the country’s failing public transport system.
State-owned transport company ZUPCO has enjoyed a public transport monopoly since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 after the government banned privately-owned minibuses (kombis).
However, ZUPCO “has demonstrated incapacity to be able to carry every passenger,” according to Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (CCC), who was speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 3 May.
Chikwinya urged the government to re-open public transport provision to private players. He said:
<blockquote>
As it is, due to a lack of reliable public transport, people are getting home at around 11 PM. People are delaying coming to work up to around 9 AM or 10 AM.
It is causing loss of production time and loss of quality time within people’s homes.
</blockquote>
In 2020, the Government directed owners of minibuses (kombis) to join the ZUPCO pool but many refused, and some of those who had joined later withdrew from the ZUPCO franchise due to delays in payments which are made in discredited Zimbabwe dollars.
In his pre-recorded Workers Day message, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Government will not allow pirate taxis (mushikashika) to take over public transport in the country. He said:
<blockquote>
My government is determined to retain the purchasing power of workers, through a viable public transport system.
The government will not stand by and watch while the hard-earned incomes of our workers are stolen by ‘mushika-shikas’ and ‘makoronyera’. No!
You, as our workers, deserve an efficient and affordable transport system so that production time, as well as your family time, is not lost in transport queues. During peak hours, workers must be transported with the greatest ease.
I, therefore, direct authorities at ZUPCO and the responsible ministry to heed this call and bring back order in the sector.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/05/04/parliament-summons-juy-moyo-over-failing-zupco/">ZimLive</a></h4>

Parliament Summons July Moyo Over Failing Public Transport System

The Government has reportedly abandoned plans to exhume the late former President Robert Mugabe’s remains from Zvimba for reburial in a mausoleum at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
NewsDay reported a top Government official as saying work on the construction of a mausoleum where Mugabe’s remains were supposed to be reburied has been halted. Said the source:
<blockquote>
The mausoleum project has since been dumped, that is the news that we have so far.
</blockquote>
As the construction of the mausoleum continued in 2021, Mugabe’s family was taken to court by a Zvimba traditional leader who ruled that his remains be exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre.
Mugabe’s widow, Grace, was fined five cows and two goats for improperly burying her husband by Chief Zvimba (born Stanley Mhondoro) in May last year.
Mugabe’s children, however, challenged Chief Zvimba’s ruling, arguing that he acted outside his jurisdiction.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told NewsDay that the construction of the mausoleum was a Mugabe family issue. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Why can’t you ask the Mugabe family about the mausoleum issue? As the government, we have to follow what the family wants and their wishes.
</blockquote>
Mugabe family spokesperson Leo Mugabe said that nothing has changed pertaining to the burial of Mugabe.
Mugabe was buried in a heavily fortified grave in the courtyard of his rural home village of Kutama, about 90km west of the capital Harare amid claims that some of his erstwhile colleagues in ZANU PF could use his corpse for ritual purposes.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/govt-dumps-mugabe-mausoleum/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Construction Of Mugabe Mausoleum Shelved | Report

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) is yet to fully pay allowances to census enumerators days after the Population and Housing census was completed.
Some of the enumerators who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity said they have not been told when they will be paid. Said a disgruntled enumerator:
<blockquote>
I am yet to be paid any cent for the entire ten days training period and the enumeration exercise we have done so far.
What hurts the most is that there is no official communication on the exact situation prompting these delays.
It is so demotivating considering the laborious nature of the exercise.
</blockquote>
Another enumerator said she had received payment which did not however cover the entire period. She said:
<blockquote>
I have only received payment for the first five days of the training exercise and I am yet to receive the remaining portion.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, ZIMSTAT spokesperson, Mercy Chidemo told NewZimbabwe.com that all the payments had been processed. Said Chidemo:
<blockquote>
As far as we are concerned all payments were processed unless you can assist me with the centre details for those who have not been paid.
</blockquote>
However, NewZimbabwe.com reported a source at ZIMSTAT as saying the delays in payments were caused by the late disbursements of funds from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Treasury is alleged to have disbursed just 60% of the total required.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimstat-struggles-to-pay-enumerators-allowances/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

ZIMSTAT Struggles To Pay Census Enumerators' Allowances

The Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) has pleaded with the Government to end the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) monopoly.
ZUDAC president Frederick Maguramhinga called for dialogue between transport operators and the Government over the ZUPCO monopoly which he claimed has caused the shortage of transport in the country, especially in urban areas. Said Maguramhinga:
<blockquote>
The crisis in the transport sector has taken another level. There is a stalemate between the government and operators. There is no platform to discuss this because the door is closed.
The SI 83 of 2020 states that no one shall run public transport outside the Zupco franchise. The birth of this arrangement wasn’t inclusive.
It was imposed on operators. We were not given a chance to speak for our members. This system is surviving by force.
</blockquote>
The Government enforced ZUPCO’s transport monopoly in 2020 through Statutory Instrument (SI) 83 of 2020.
It said the move was aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus but critics argue that the ban on private buses and kombis was meant to manage the public transport sector following the January 2019 fuel riots.
In January 2019, transport operators pulled their vehicles off the roads in protest of a 150 per cent fuel price hike that was announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The ZUPCO monopoly has, however, brought immense suffering to commuters who have to spend several hours standing in the rain, heat or cold waiting for the woefully inadequate rickety ZUPCO buses.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/zupco-monopoly-unsustainable-transporters/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Transport Operators Call For Dialogue Over ZUPCO Monopoly

A NetOne vehicle that was recently swept away by a flood at Chilonga Bridge, Runde River, was being driven by an employee of the company who was travelling with an alleged lover, a report claims.
The Mirror reported sources as saying the deceased NetOne employee was Samson Zvarimwa (48), who was employed as an engineer.
Zvarimwa worked at NetOne, Balmain Building in Masvingo and stayed in the Runyararo North West suburb.
The other occupant of the vehicle was a woman who was not employed by NetOne.
The passenger was Loice Maradze (40) who was a money changer in Masvingo, according to the report.
Maradze reportedly operated next to Pick and Pay Supermarket.
NetOne spokesperson, Roselyn Chisvetu, confirmed the death of Zvarimwa and said the company would issue a statement in due course.
Zvarimwa and Maradze reportedly travelled together from Masvingo to Chiredzi South, a journey of more than 200km.
The tragic incident occurred as they were coming back from Chilonga after filling a diesel-powered generator at a mobile base station in the area.
They used a longer route to Chilonga through Mupapa which is safe from floods but decided to use the shorter route assuming that the water level at the bridge had subsided.
The deceased were found trapped inside the car after villagers used a rope to pull the vehicle out of the flooded Runde River.
Zvarimwa is survived by his wife, Diana and 2 children.
Zvarimwa’s sister Jessie Mandebvu said Zvarimwa will be laid to rest in Jichidza, Nhopi area in Zaka on Wednesday, 4 May.
Mandebvu, however, said that she did not know the woman who was in the company of her brother.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/netone-engineer-had-a-female-friend-in-the-car/">The Mirror</a></h4>

Chilonga Bridge Tragedy: NetOne Engineer Had A Female Friend In The Car

MISA Zimbabwe says the media operating environment in the country is improving, as there were fewer media freedom violations reported in 2021 compared to 2020.
In his address commemorating this year’s World Press Freedom Day, MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson, Golden Maunganidze, however, said there is a need to protect journalists as they go about their professional duties.
Maunganidze said the safety of journalists is of utmost importance ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections. He said:
<blockquote>
Cases of media freedom violations tend to increase during election campaign periods. 
Our reference to an improving media operating environment is informed by the high number of cases of media freedom violations that we recorded in 2020.
However, in 2021 there was a marked reduction in the number of media freedom violations recorded by MISA Zimbabwe.
Violations involving a total of 52 media workers including journalists, vendors and media students, were recorded in 2020 compared to 22 in 2021.
It is, therefore, our hope that this situation continues to prevail during the course of this year with further reductions in the number of cases involving media freedom violations, and most importantly ahead of the 2023 national elections.
</blockquote>
Maunganidze commended the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act in 2020 which replaced the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). He said:
<blockquote>
The new information law is a progressive step toward fostering citizens’ right to access information.
Other commendable developments include the licensing of the country’s first-ever community radio stations and “private” commercial television stations.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/journalists-safety-a-priority-ahead-of-2023-elections/">CITE</a></h4>

Journalists’ Safety A Priority Ahead of 2023 Elections - MISA Zimbabwe

The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) says the Government should reverse its decision to monopolise public transport.
In 2020 the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works ordered all players in the public transport sector to join the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) franchise or take their vehicles off the road.
According to PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati, the move created a transport crisis, resulting in the emergence of a thriving illegal taxi business (mushikashika). Said Goliati:
<blockquote>
The economy is opening up and transport is an integral part of the economy. There is a need for adequate transport for everyone.
Schools and other sectors of the economy have reopened and some buses which are under ZUPCO have returned to rural areas or highway routes, so there is a need to increase transport operators.
Monopoly in a country like Zimbabwe will only create illegal taxis, and there is a need for the government to rectify the issue.
</blockquote>
A Harare commuter, Enock Hore, accused the Government of making their lives difficult by creating a monopoly in the transport sector. He said:
<blockquote>
Government should be blamed for creating chaos in the transport sector.
ZUPCO buses are not reliable and most of the buses plying urban routes are not in good condition.
Instead of protecting its citizens, our government has a penchant for making our lives more difficult.
</blockquote>
In his pre-recorded Workers’ Day speech, President Emmerson Mnangagwa accused illegal transport operators of “stealing” from workers. He said:
<blockquote>
The second republic is determined to retain the purchasing power of workers, through viable public transport systems.
Government will not stand by and watch while the hard-earned incomes of our workers are being stolen by mushikashika and makoronyera. No!
You, as our workers, deserve an efficient and affordable transport system so that production time, as well as your family time, is not lost in transport queues.
During peak hours, workers must be transported with the greatest ease.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) recently launched an operation targetting mushikashika and illegal hawkers.
Police arrested at least 70 drivers of pirate taxis and their unregistered vehicles were impounded on Sunday.
The operation has worsened the transport challenges being faced by commuters in urban areas, especially in Harare and Bulawayo.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/ed-declares-war-on-private-transporters/">NewsDay</a></h4>

"Govt To Blame For Transport Chaos"

A 26-year-old woman is offering her unborn child in exchange for cash so that she can support her other child living with a disability.
Taruvinga, a mother of two girls, told H-Metro that she is “selling” her unborn child to raise funds to buy a wheelchair for her five-year-old child.
She claimed that her husband, Tawanda Banda (33), abandoned her after giving birth to a child with a disability, saying her in-laws said there was no one with such a condition in their family.
Taruvinga also claimed that her husband impregnated her without her consent, dumped her and then left for Malawi. She said:
<blockquote>
I didn’t want another child considering the life I am living where I am failing to support this child on my back.
If I can find a couple that wants to pay for the child in my womb, I’d be grateful.
He is a boy, according to the scan. I am expecting the child in June, according to maternity records.
… I love the neglected child. She is my gift from God so I want money, as well as a wheelchair, to help her access everything, including education.
I am finding it difficult to make ends meet and that is why I saw that it was better to offer the unborn child to either Social Welfare or any willing couple.
I lost my national identity card and without that, I cannot process anything at Social Welfare.
</blockquote>
Taruvinga, who is a vendor, said at one point she contemplated taking her own life.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/woman-puts-unborn-child-on-sale/">H-Metro</a></h4>

Woman Puts Unborn Child On Sale

Full statement by the Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman, Vincent Hungwe, in commemoration of the International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day, on Sunday, 01 May 2022.
<blockquote>
<h2>WORKERS’ DAY MESSAGE – 1ST MAY 2022</h2>
The Chairman, Dr Vincent Hungwe, on behalf of Commissioners and the Secretariats of the Public Service Commission, the Defence Forces Service Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Prisons and Correctional Service Commission and the entire Civil Service, joins the nation in commemorating Workers’ Day.
As we shine the spotlight on workers, we are delighted to wish all workers well on this, their day.
As the largest employer in the country, we take this opportunity to appreciate our workers and to recommit ourselves, on behalf of Government, to creating a conducive work environment and to continuing to support our workers as best we can with monetary and non-monetary benefits that can improve their lives.
The challenges facing workers on account of pricing distortions in the marketplace require a constant search for creative solutions.
As we commit to the continuous improvement of our workers’ lives and livelihoods, Government has taken significant steps to address the needs of civil servants, including:
<ul>
<li>Pay &amp; Benefits Reform – where innovation around conditions of service has continued, with an expansion of the range of incentives that has seen the launch of the Government Employees Mutual Savings Fund, which promotes a culture of savings and wealth creation; the significant growth of the PSC bus fleet for ferrying workers to and from work; the resuscitation of the housing guarantee scheme; school fees and housing relief for teachers; the extension of the Motor Vehicle Import Rebate; and the transformation of the Government pension scheme from the ‘pay as you go’ approach that is prone to inflationary pressures to a sustainable, self-managed pension fund that generates dividends and ensures pensioners do not lose out regardless of the economic climate prevailing when they retire, as the benefits they will receive are both secure and defined.</li>
<li>Human Capital Development – The Public Service Academy has launched programmes that help in skilling and reskilling the workforce into cadres fit for the role and purpose of propelling the nation towards the attainment of Vision 2030. The Academy has rolled out several essential courses which are being acknowledged by beneficiaries as “transformative, ground-breaking and empowering.”</li>
<li>Amendments to Relevant Legislation – The amendment of the Public Service Act and the State Service Pensions 
Act to better serve the interests of civil servants are at an advanced stage following consultations that were recently held with civil servants and other stakeholders.</li>
<li>Sexual Harassment Policy – Grey areas that impeded the application of regulations that should protect civil servants against sexual harassment in the workplace have been eliminated, with the recent approval by Cabinet of the Sexual Harassment Policy crafted by the Public Service Commission, and strengthened through consultation with a broad range of stakeholders and experts.</li>
</ul>
These initiatives are but illustrative examples of Government’s determined efforts to give traction to the imperative defined by His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of a workforce that is capacitated, equipped and incentivised to deliver outputs, results and outcomes that bring Zimbabwe ever closer to the attainment of Vision 2030.
As we celebrate our valued workers, let us keep our eyes fixed on that glorious horizon.
We wish all of Zimbabwe’s Workers a happy Workers’ Day.
HAPPY WORKERS’ DAY!
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Public Service Commission's Statement On Workers' Day {Full Text}

Workers have accused the Government of failing to fulfil numerous promises it has made over the years on improved wages and conditions of service.
On Sunday, 1 May, the country commemorated the International Workers Day, which is celebrated globally on 1 May.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) held the main Workers Day celebrations at Chemhanza Stadium in Dzivarasekwa, Harare, where Public Service and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima was the guest of honour.
Speaking in an interview with NewsDay on Monday, 2 May, ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said that workers are now tired of empty promises. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
They only speak without taking action. They promised free education, free healthcare, and free electricity, but those promises have not been fulfilled.
Trade unionists have been criminalised and whenever workers try to demonstrate, they are arrested.
Workers are not politicians, but they will be demonstrating for their tummies.
We are happy that Mavima graced our celebrations because previously, the government would send junior officials.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure also bemoaned the Government’s broken promises. Sad Masaraure:
<blockquote>
As teachers, we have never been treated well by the government, which has never fulfilled its promises.
We are now going into the second term and our children are being chased away from school despite government promises to pay fees for them.
We have written twice to the government over the payment of school fees for teachers’ children, but they (authorities) have responded by saying they are on it.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said that last term the Government failed to release the $20 000 for school fees for teachers’ children. He said:
<blockquote>
The issue of assistance for three children of a teacher with school fees amounting to $20 000 each per term is long overdue as we are entering the second term without any fruition.
The earlier government deposits the money, which has now accumulated to $40 000 per child (for two terms), into teachers’ accounts the better.
</blockquote>
Schools open on Tuesday, 2 May for the second term but teachers are demanding to be paid the pre-October 2018 salary of US$540 per month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/we-dont-eat-empty-promises-as-teachers-down-tools/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Workers "Tired" Of Government's Empty Promises

Vehicles have been temporarily banned from using the low-level Chilonga Bridge across the Runde River following a spate of drownings as vehicles trying to cross the river have been swept away by floods and submerged in water.
Chilonga Bridge provides the shortest route between Chiredzi Town and Chikombedzi, but it is dangerous to cross when the Runde River is in flood.
Last Saturday a vehicle was swept off the bridge after the driver lost control while trying to cross and two people, thought to be NetOne employees, drowned as a result.
The vehicle was only retrieved on Monday, 2 May, in the afternoon together with the bodies of the two people.
Chiredzi District Civil Protection Unit chair and district development coordinator Lovemore Chisema announced the temporary closure of the bridge on Monday. He said:
<blockquote>
We have decided to temporarily close Chilonga Bridge following a spate of drownings caused by vehicles that either fall into the river after drivers lose control while trying to negotiate the low-lying submerged structure or are swept away by floods.
The bridge will only be reopened once it is deemed safe to cross after water levels go down.
Mupapa Bridge is the current viable alternative for those travelling from either Chiredzi to Chikombedzi or vice versa. It’s a longer, but safe route.
</blockquote>
The Government recently announced that it had allocated $3.6 billion for the construction of a modern bridge across the Runde River at Chilonga.
However, the construction of the bridge is technically challenging because of the weak soils on the banks of the Runde River at Chilonga.
Meanwhile, in 2022 alone, at least eight people drowned in the Runde River after vehicles carrying them were swept away by floods.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chilonga-bridge-temporarily-closed/">The Herald</a></h4>

Chilonga Bridge Temporarily Closed After NetOne Vehicle Was Swept Away

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s sub-aqua division eventually arrived and retrieved the bodies of two people whose vehicle was swept away at the flooded Chilonga Bridge on Saturday.
Police are yet to ascertain the identity of the retrieved bodies.
The NetOne Defender vehicle was on its way to refuel a base station in Chikombedzi when it was swept away at Chilonga Bridge, Runde river on Saturday morning.
While it reported on Saturday that efforts were underway to locate them, police arrived after two days to recover the bodies citing resource constraints.
Some analysts say would have used paraffin speed if they were going to block a rally of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa. 
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe has been urging members of the public not to attempt to cross flooded rivers or streams as they will be putting their lives in grave danger.
The Chilonga Bridge has been described as a death trap after <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/02/25/seven-people-including-a-member-of-police-sub-aqua-unit-drown-in-runde-river/">three people, including a three-year-old baby, died</a> after the Toyota Hilux car they were travelling in was swept away by the flooded Runde River at the bridge in February this year.
The vehicle that was travelling to Chilonga business centre from <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chiredzi">Chiredzi</a> had ten passengers on board.
As the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> Buchwa sub-aqua unit was conducting a search operation for the body back then in February, a member of the team, Sergeant Rillford Rimai aged 34 drowned in the river and his body was retrieved later that week. 
<h2>More: Pindula News</h2>

UPDATE On NetOne Vehicle Swept Away At Chilonga Bridge Runde River

President Cyril Ramaphosa was Sunday forced to abandon the national May Day rally, organised by Cosatu in Rustenburg, after angry Sibanye-Stillwater workers disrupted the proceedings and refused to allow him to speak.
Police were forced to intervene while the statesman’s bodyguard quickly ushered him out of the Royal Bafokeng Stadium where the event was meant to take place. 
  
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) – the two biggest mine unions in South Africa – have demanded a pay increase of R1 000 per month over the next three years, similar to the amount Sibanye’s rival Harmony Gold agreed to pay its workers last year.
Sibanye’s chief executive Neal Froneman said the company would not be revising its final offer, as it could not sustain higher wage increases.
The workers have been on strike for the past few weeks and brought their demands to the Workers’ Day rally, where Ramaphosa was supposed to address them.
The May Day rally is an important event in the Tripartite Alliance calendar.
President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Zingiswa Losi attempted to address the disruptive workers, calling for them to remain calm to give the ANC President a chance to address them.
When the angry workers refused to yield, Ramaphosa himself walked into the stadium grounds to address them. Ramaphosa told the workers:
<blockquote>
You want your R1 000, I understand that… We have heard that message and we will be dealing with that matter. 
</blockquote>
In an effort to pacify them, he promised to speak to those in power regarding their demands.
But tensions rose further and Ramaphosa was ushered out of the stadium.
A Cosatu member then took the microphone and called for workers to remain calm saying “We don’t want anyone to go to hospital today.” 
More: <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/ramaphosa-booed-forced-to-abandon-may-day-rally-26b3bd75-3442-4021-ae5f-18c95145eb79">IOL</a> By (kailene.pillay@inl.co.za)

South Africa: Angry Workers Force Ramaphosa To Abandon May Day Rally

Zimbabwe’s Air Force has mysteriously found parts for its grounded Hawk fighter jets – 21 years after Britain imposed a crippling arms embargo.
Four BAE Hawk jets took part in a fly-past during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba wrote on Twitter:
<blockquote>
Whaooooo! Zimbabwe’s long mothballed squadron of Hawk Fighter jets are flying again! This after years of being grounded because of military sanctions against the country by Britain! Bravo Zimbabwe! We continue to scale to new heights under conditions of sanctions!
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe bought 12 British-manufactured BAE Hawk jets in the early 1980s using a £35 million loan from the British government. One of the jets was destroyed on the ground and two others were damaged during an attack on the Thornhill Air Force base by disgruntled ex-ZIPRA fighters in 1982.
Some of the Hawk fighter jets saw active duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 as Zimbabwe took part in repelling a rebel push to overthrow the government.
European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe, imposed in 2000 in response to the chaotic land reform programme during which gross human rights abuses were recorded, saw Zimbabwe unable to import parts or get support from manufacturer BAE Systems.
The entire fleet was reportedly grounded in 2011.
How Zimbabwe obtained parts for the previously grounded jets is still a mystery.
Sixteen countries currently operate the BAE Hawk fighter and training jets including Zimbabwe. Four others – Kenya, South Korea, Switzerland and Jordan – have retired theirs.
Three scenarios are possible:
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>a). that Zimbabwe performed reverse engineering and manufactured its own parts or serviced the faulty parts;</li>
<li>b). that a third country secretly supplied the parts and</li>
<li>c). that an arms dealer busted the sanctions.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Another unknown is how many of the Hawk fighters jets have returned to service, with only four having taken part in the ZITF fly-past.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/05/01/zimbabwe-flies-british-fighter-jets-again-but-where-did-the-parts-come-from/">ZimLive</a>

Zimbabwe's British-manufactured Hawk Fighter Jets Are Flying Again

Prominent  Zimbabwean journalist and former Financial Gazette editor-in-chief Sunsleey Chamunorwa has died.
He died in Harare on Thursday night after suffering a combination of liver failure and stroke.
He was 55.
Chamunorwa was part of the Zimbabwe Independent was launched in 1996, and was appointed Financial Gazette editor-in-chief in May 2003 until March 2007.
He was suspended over a story exposing a ZANU PF official’s involvement in security contracts at the Harare International Airport (now Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport).
Before his appointment, Chamunorwa was an adviser to former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono and public and investor relations executive at the CBZ Bank, where the ex-central bank chief was managing director and chief executive.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists co-ordinator Njabulo Ncube said the country had lost a great pen. He said:
<blockquote>
As the media fraternity, we are saddened with the demise of one our own, who was one of the finest wordsmiths and illustrious editor and journalist in his own right.
He was in the league of some of the most revered editors and journalists who have walked this land called Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Veteran journalist Cris Chinaka said: “Sunsley was a committed professional journalist who was conscious of his responsibility to the larger public, and saw his own role as a calling to public service. He was rarely satisfied and always thought journalists could do better.”
After leaving mainstream media, he withdrew into silence, largely because of illness and never got to complete several books he was working on. He is survived by his wife Oxcillia and five children.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/04/renowned-journalist-sunsleey-chamunorwa-dies/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a>

Prominent Journalist Sunsleey Chamunorwa Dies

A High school student, Helen Dirani, 18, who was previously <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/05/01/teen-girl-leaves-home-for-a-jog-was-never-seen-again/">reported missing</a> has been found, her family said in an update.
She had reportedly left home in the exclusive neighbourhood of Shawasha Hills in Harare to go for a jog on the morning of April 17 – and she was never seen again.
Her family had since launched a public appeal for her safe return. In an update on the night of Saturday 30 April, her sister, who uses the name Haz on Twitter, announced that Helen had been found. She said:
<blockquote>
Thank you all for the help and support, my sister has been found. Very much indebted.<img alt="🙏🏽" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-sjv1od r-zw8f10 r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" decoding="async" draggable="false" height="14" loading="lazy" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f64f-1f3fd.svg" title="Folded hands" width="14"/>
We thank you all for the effort you put in helping us finding Helen. Your retweets, shares and other various publicity ways really were very much useful. Helen was found near Epworth after she reached out to her brother. At the moment she does not recall how she got there to her little recollection, it was after some lady saw her roaming the streets and notified her that she is being flighted as a missing person.
That lady is the one who gave her a phone and she reached out. Indeed, the publicity went an extra mile and we would like to thank each and everyone that shared as well as those who were with us in thought and prayer, THANK YOU<img alt="🙏🏽" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-sjv1od r-zw8f10 r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" decoding="async" draggable="false" height="15" loading="lazy" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f64f-1f3fd.svg" title="Folded hands" width="15"/>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FRnwsS5WQAEGjFh?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
</blockquote>
Some urged the family to consult health practitioners concerning the issue of not recalling some events. 
Some who had missed the details of where, and how she was found became curious and started speculating. 
Some said Helen had eloped that why the family did not reveal where she was found and how she got there while some said she was being abused at home forcing her to leave unceremoniously, allegations that were strongly dismissed by Haz. She responded:
<blockquote>
Get your facts right before coming here to tarnish my family’s image. Who was abusing her? Because pamba paaigara and paachiri kugara pamba pema biological parents ake (she lived at her biological parents’ house). I’d appreciate if you mention by name the “some” people you’re referring to.
</blockquote>
More: Pindula News

UPDATE: "Missing Teen Girl" Helen Dirani Has Been Found

A High school student, Helen Dirani, 18, left home in the exclusive neighbourhood of Shawasha Hills in Harare to go for a jog – and she was never seen again.
Her family has since launched a public appeal for her safe return.
Helen is an Upper Sixth student at Mandedza High School.
<blockquote>
<img alt="Teen Girl Leaves Home For A Jog, Was Never Seen Again" class="alignnone wp-image-231853 aligncenter" decoding="async" height="383" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/helen-dirani-missing-300x249.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/helen-dirani-missing-300x249.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/helen-dirani-missing-1024x849.jpg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/helen-dirani-missing-768x637.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/helen-dirani-missing.jpg 1056w" width="461"/>
</blockquote>
Her sister told ZimLive:
<blockquote>
She lives with both parents. There are no problems in the home. She also has no known medical issues.
</blockquote>
Helen was last seen wearing sports attire on the morning of April 17.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police were investigating the teenager’s disappearance.
Do you have information on Helen’s disappearance? You can send a WhatsApp to the police on +263712800197 or call Helen’s family on +263772385397

Teen Girl Leaves Home For A Jog, Was Never Seen Again

A married man from Silobela tied explosives to his head before blowing himself up after being chased away by his girlfriend on Friday.
The incident occurred at Mahari business centre in Lower Gweru.
Midlands acting police spokesperson Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident saying the deceased, Isaac Shumba, (31), was from Kwayikwayi Village under Chief Malisa.
He is said to have wielded a knife at witnesses who tried to calm him down while tying explosives to his head before igniting the fuse. Mukwende said:
<blockquote>
Police in Silobela are investigating the a case of sudden death, where a 31-year old male adult died after he blew off his head with explosives for being jilted.
It is said Shumba visited his girlfriend who is aged 24 years at the same business centre where it is alleged his girlfriend told him to go back to his family. This did not go down well with him, and a misunderstanding arose between the two.
It is then alleged that the now deceased Shumba ran amok, wielding a knife and threatening to kill anyone who came close, while fastening explosives on his head.
</blockquote>
Mukwende added that Shumba ignited the fuse of the explosives, which blew his head off, whilst standing on the veranda of the shop.
He died on the spot and a report was made to the police who attended the scene.
The body was ferried to Silobela Hospital mortuary for postmortem while investigations are in still progress.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/married-man-ties-explosive-to-head-and-dies-in-explosion-at-shop-front-police-say-he-killed-himself-after-being-jilted-by-a-lover/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Married Man Uses Explosives To Blast Himself After  Being Dumped By A Lover

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/COVID-19_in_Zimbabwe">Zimbabwe Coronavirus/ COVID-19 Situation Report</a> issued by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ministry_of_Health_and_Child_Care">the Ministry of Health and Child Care</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1377688318117355523">MoHCC</a>) on 30 April 2022:
<blockquote>
• 33 New Cases (All local) and 0 Deaths reported today. (7-day rolling average* for new cases falls to 50 from 51 (yesterday)
• Vaccination Update: 1 892 received the 1st dose today bringing cumulative for 1st dose to 5 862 940, 5 124 received their 2nd dose bringing cumulative for 2nd dose to 3 671 138 while 1 946 received their 3rd dose bringing cumulative for 3 rd dose to 601 743.
• As of 29 April 2022, @01500hrs there were (41) hospitalized cases: New Admissions (2), Asymptomatic (0), mild to moderate (39), severe (2) and (0) in Intensive Care Units. 25 of the 41 hospitalized were vaccinated and 16 were not vaccinated. 
• 1 652 tests done today (Positivity today was 2.1 %)
• 46 new recoveries: National Recovery Rate rises to 98% &amp; Active cases fall to 718. 
• As of today, Zimbabwe has recorded 247 875 Cases, 241 689 recoveries &amp; 5 469 Deaths. 
<table class="table table-bordered table-hover" id="table_1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.6">Province</td>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.41">PCR Tests Ag</td>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.74">Cum Cases (New)</td>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.78">Recovered Cases (New)</td>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.7">Active Cases</td>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.84">Deaths (New)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.82">Bulawayo</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.8">443</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=95.14">20 906 (19)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=40.83">19905(8)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.89">135</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.39">866 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.57">Harare</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.71">582</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=96.33">46 876 (2)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=96.51">45 015 (2)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">81</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.53">1 780(0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.7">Manicaland</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.94">74</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.03">29 331 (0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.83">28 746 (21)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.84">35</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.16">550 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=98.56">Mash Cent</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.89">69</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=89.94">14208 (1)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=95.76">13 784 (3)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.93">102</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.16">322 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.54">Mash East</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.94">97</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=95.19">32 304 (3)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=72.69">31 833 ( (4)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.89">59</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=96.95">412 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.78">Mash West</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.93">92</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=78.75">30881 (5)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.87">30 131(0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">173</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.09">577 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.57">Midlands</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.87">45</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=79.62">17724 (0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.34">17 264(0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.84">33</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.66">428 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.34">Masvingo</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.92">28</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=85.44">21 519 (0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.93">21 294(0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.87">21</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.95">204 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.87">Mat North</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.94">74</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=79.36">17703 (1)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=82.16">17 551(8)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.93">22</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.7">130 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.85">Mat South</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.93">148</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.6">16 423 (2)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.69">16 166(0)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">57</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99">200 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="Character Accurarcy=99.81">Total</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.6">1652</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.81">247 875(33)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=94.91">241 689(46)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">718</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.24">5 469(0)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
<img decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FRnYMXSXoAA1HGF?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/><img class="aligncenter" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FRnYd1CXsAIIuAh?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Zimbabwe Coronavirus / COVID-19 Update: 30 April 2022

The Government has identified three settlements, namely Figtree, Melfort and Chirundu, as places in the country to be transformed under the smart city concept.
Addressing a forum on Zimbabwe Smart Cities and Rural Communities Infrastructure in Bulawayo this week, National Housing and Social Amenities minister Daniel Garwe said:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities has endeavoured to move with time and adopt strategies that conform to the dictates of the digitalised world and globalisation.
This has culminated in the adoption of the Smart City concept. We have prioritised three pilot projects to kick-start the whole process, that is, Melfort in Mashonaland East province, Figtree in Matabeleland South province and Chirundu in Mashonaland West province.
</blockquote>
Garwe said the settlements would be completely new cities that are to be anchored on digitalisation and green energy where people “live, work and play”. He said:
<blockquote>
The Smart City Concept is at the core of the Ministry’s desire to see a transformed urban setting across the length and breadth of our beautiful nation, where we are desirous to have modernly sustainable and affordable human settlements for Zimbabwe by 2030.
</blockquote>
He said local authorities and the private sector are expected to play a critical role in making the smart city concept come to fruition. Said Garwe:
<blockquote>
Local authorities and the private sector are the prime movers of the concept when it comes to implementation and stakeholder participation.
There is an insatiable appetite in the private sector for such investment opportunities, especially from the insurance and pension funds, the financial sector, asset management entities, realtors and other investors.
… A case in point is that Bulawayo City Council is working on the regeneration of Makokoba, Mutare is working on Sakubva, Harare is working on Mbare and Victoria Falls is working on Chinotiba and the low density, to mention but a few.
We do not expect a replica of the pre-colonial Makokoba, Sakubva, Mbare or Chinotimba with the tired designs and service provision post-urban renewal.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/figtree-earmarked-for-smart-city-status/">CITE</a></h4>

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