AMAI makadii? When my elder sister paid us a number of visits, I did not know that she was also checking the number of “idle” rooms we had in our house.

Of late, any child of theirs who gets expelled from high school due to misbehaviour or fails university is sent to stay with us as if we are a reformatory institution.

This is supposedly because our house has idle rooms. They phone and say “please monitor them closely and do not allow them to drink or bring their boyfriends over”.

Why must we attempt to control school drop-outs when their biological parents and teachers have failed? This affects my children as they now have to leave their bedrooms whenever we have visitors. The visitors’ bedrooms are occupied and there is a shortage of blankets. My kids no longer have study rooms.

Mai Chisamba, how on earth does a family decide to just give their children to another family who have their own kids to look after? I believe each family must look after their children and not burden someone else, especially in this harsh economic environment. I now need to buy more food.

The fact that we have two kids does not mean we are not capable of having more children of our own. Also, the fact that our house has many rooms does not mean we need more people living in it. Unfortunately, my sister does not realise this. My husband is also unhappy with this situation although he pretends not to be annoyed by it out of respect for me. What should I do amai?

I do not want to hurt my elder sisters.

Response

I am very well, thanks for asking. It is not fair to bring a child into the world and then fail to look after them. Parents are encouraged to be in their children’s lives at all costs. Good upbringing means putting them through school and protecting them from drugs and other harmful practices. Your sister should not use your home as a dumping ground.

If her children should come to your place, it should be after you both talk about it and agree on all other logistics. Instead of just pushing them to you, they should seek help for these kids.

I understand you when you talk about the harsh economic times the country and its people are going through. Your sister takes the blame for not helping out when her children are with you. In my view, you are partly to blame too because you pretend to her that it is fine because you do not want to upset her. You and your husband should sit down with your sister and tell her the truth.

You cannot pretend forever. You are complaining about several things, from food to blankets and living space. For now, take it easy, maybe your sister thinks you enjoy helping her by taking her children in. It is very noble to iron out your problems. You are family; you need each other. Blood will always be thicker than water. I would be happy to hear from you again, keep well.

***

Mother-in-law is out of control

I hope I find you well. I am a big fan of this column and your TV show, and I need your help. I am a lady aged 27 and I have two sons. The eldest is four and the other one is two-years-old. I am a single mother staying with my parents and my kids. My ex-mother-in-law always comes and takes my eldest son away without telling me, and this can last up to several days at times.

The last time she came and took him on Friday morning and he did not go to school. I was at work and the child was with my cousin.

I sent a message a day later requesting him back to attend a kids’ programme at church on Sunday. She came on Sunday morning and made a scene. She shouted at me saying: “Upfekedze moyo wako bhachi; mwana wedu toita zvatinoda naye!” Amai, I was so hurt.

I never refused for her to see her muzukuru, but the way she goes about it is not good. Last holiday I gave her my child and they went kumusha together. She stays kumusha. Presently, she is visiting her children and relatives in Harare. I have no idea where exactly she will be with my child. What can I do to stop this?

Response

Thank you for writing in, big fan. As a caring mother, you need to know the whereabouts of your children. You are no longer staying together with the father so you are more of a single parent. In your letter, you did not mention the whereabouts of your ex or even father-in-law. I do not know if he is part of the children’s life or not.

The truth is your ex-mother-in-law has crossed the line and she is off track. She has no legal right to boss you around and take your child willy-nilly. Moving with the child from place to place is not good for the child.

 Taking him away and missing school is grossly irresponsible. Why can’t she ask for permission first? Why is she imposing herself? I urge you to talk to her and tell her that she should never do this behind your back. If she continues, report her to law enforcement agents. The child has rights too. If the father is not paying for the child’s welfare, take your issue to court.

Your mother-in-law should respect your parent’s home (as mukwasha) and also respect where her grandchildren are being looked after. Going to visit relatives with the kid does not mean much. I urge you to use the law to protect yourself and your children.

The court is better placed to decide when the kids can visit their father’s family. Do not let this woman stress you, move on and work for your family. You have what it takes, be strong. Always pray for your family; there is power in prayer. I wish you all the best.

***

Young marriage falling apart

I am a 21-year-old woman and I have a two-year-old son. I have been married for the past three years and my husband is 24. He is at a polytechnic in Harare and I reside outside of Harare.

We are still young and we are plagued by a lot of challenges. A lot has to do with finances as he is still yet to complete his tertiary education. He does not visit often. It is usually on weekends or maybe twice a month.

My real concern is that we are still a young couple and being apart is not good for us. He stays na sekuru kuHarare, but he does not even want me to visit, why? Ana sekuru often state that they do not mind. Surely he must see that it makes sense for us to be together. I do not know what to do or what to suspect. Please help.

Response

Your letter made me teary. You sound so lonely and low. When people are married it is best for them to stay together and strengthen the bond.

They may be a few disturbances caused by certain programmes and commitments now and again.

You are both in your early twenties and your marriage should be in its romantic stage. What I find unusual in your communication is that it is your husband who is giving excuses to avoid being with you. Why?

I always say when you write to my column please make sure you explain well so that I will be able to help. I can never work on assumptions.

My question is under which circumstances did you marry? It is not making sense that he marries you and tries to keep you away at all costs. You have a child, your husband should be part of this baby’s life too.

You complain that people say you are still young. Who is saying that and why? As far as I am concerned, you are both majors and parents of a lovely son.

Is your communication with your husband good? There is a contradiction here: vana sekuru are saying you can come to their house and visit your hubby who stays with them and he scrubs that away?

What is the reason for him to say no? I want to help you but in your letter, there are more questions than answers. I hope that you reach a compromise and start living as husband and wife. I would be happy to hear from you again. I wish you all the best.

◆ Write to: maichisamba@fbnet.co.zw, WhatsApp 0771415747

THE director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Tuesday the coronavirus outbreak is “accelerating, and we have clearly not reached the peak of the pandemic”.

“More than six months in, the case for national unity and global solidarity is undeniable,” he said at a WHO briefing.

“We cannot afford any divisions.”

Tedros stressed that while global deaths have levelled off, many countries are actually seeing cases and deaths rise.

Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said there are several possible explanations for a global death decline.

One explanation, he said, could simply be that there is a lag, and we may see deaths rise again.

Ryan warned, however, that what is imminently concerning is a daily increase in cases.

“That is not purely a result of testing,” he said.

According to Tedros, a team of WHO experts will be travelling to China this week to advance research working to understand how the novel coronavirus first reached humans.

Ryan said understanding how the virus got from the animal kingdom to humans is an “extremely important” step in managing risk going forward.

“There is a trail and we have to follow that,” he said.

They spoke after scientists and urged the agency and other public health organisations to amend their guidelines to reflect the risk that the coronavirus can be airborne.

The WHO has said the coronavirus is only confirmed to be airborne during aerosol-generating medical procedures performed in healthcare settings, such as intubation.

It says the virus primarily spreads through larger respiratory droplets, which do not travel as far, which is why maintaining social distancing of about 6 feet has been recommended.

But an open letter supported by 239 scientists says airborne transmission of Covid-19 is a “real risk”.

“Hand washing and social distancing are appropriate, but in our view, insufficient to provide protection from virus-carrying respiratory micro droplets released into the air by infected people,” states the letter, entitled “It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of Covid-19”.

Last week, WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, said the organisation is in the process of producing a scientific brief on the issue that will be published in the coming days.

She said the WHO still recommends people physical distance and continue to wear face masks.

The letter was issued as most countries are witnessing a spike in coronavirus cases. – CBSNEWS/AFP.

I was tucking into more than a fair portion of roasted T-bone steak and steamed veggies at a colleague’s house when I tried to sprinkle some salt on the delectable meal in order to enrichen and enliven my palate.

I, however, heard an unusually rattling sound from the salt shaker.

Curiosity got the better of me and I opened the salt shaker, only to discover a smooth pebble tucked inside.

It explained the reason why the salt couldn’t come out in any meaningful quantities.

Shocked by the discovery, I quickly closed the salt shaker and asked my host’s wife for permission to take away the meat on the pretext that I had been asked to return to work immediately as there was an urgent matter to be attended to.

“Takurai zvenyu nyama yenyu babamukuru (You may carry the meat with you as you have requested,” the host’s wife said while wearing a broad smile after I had flattered her with words of praise for being the “prettiest woman in the world with exquisite culinary skills”.

The moment I bade the couple farewell, I made sure I threw the meat at the nearest rubbish dump for the benefit of the earliest stray dog.

I swore never to eat at people’s homes again.

It was not a mistake that a pebble could be found in a salt shaker.

It was actually a tell-tale sign that this couple relied on seers, the visionaries or people with the spirits of divination who had given them the pebble — commonly known as “muteuro” or “nhombo” — to either enhance their luck or ward off evil spirits.

On that fateful day, the discovery was way above my tolerance threshold and I could not continue tucking into the prepared meal.

There is something about members of the apostolic faith that makes the lion in most people roar.

Everywhere you go, in both rich and deprived communities, you are sure to meet hordes of people who rely on members of the apostolic faith (mapositori) to the point of failing to make a decision without consulting them.

“Kana ukaita chii zvacho pasirino pasina mweya hachifambe (You must never do anything under the sun without consulting the spirit),” you hear people of various shapes, sizes and academic backgrounds saying.

The prevailing harsh economic challenges have not made the situation any better.

It is difficult to attend a funeral nowadays and not find close relatives of the deceased huddled in a corner, planning to visit a nearby apostolic sect’s shrine to consult on the best way forward.

If you happen to take a bath at a funeral, make sure you use your own lotion or petroleum jelly, because the moment you borrow from someone, you risk being given something mixed with lucky charms. Proposing love to some women is akin to opening yourself to scrutiny. Th ey will take your photographs to the nearest apostolic shrine for vetting. You will never get a positive response until the church leader gives the love interest the all-clear on issues like your marital status, family history, temperament or information on whether or not you are the right person to fall in love with them. Th e church leaders are also intelligent people. Th ey make sure their processes take long to wring cash from their clients during the waiting period. If a church leader is craving for a salty chew and milk, he simply tells clients to bring a whole chicken and milk for prayers. Aft er the prayers, they will help themselves to the meat. If you dare ask what happened to the chicken, you are told: “Haungadyi chinhu chawarapwa nacho (you may not eat meat from a bird used to cure you.”

People seeking employment also think consulting a prophet somehow brightens their prospects. Th ese are the kind of people who wake up early in the morning to sit at the shrine waiting for big sharks that frequent the place and press them for a job. Some prophets also lure people to their shrines by promising them jobs. An apostolic sect shrine is like a supermarket — there is everything for everyone. A woman seeking a man will be promised one, while one who is having challenges with their partner is promised a healthy and stable home. It is not uncommon to fi nd thieves and those who have fallen to the same thieves at

the same apostolic shrine. But how does one start going to the shrine ceaselessly? “It’s so easy my brother. You are beaten once by your husband and rush there when he leaves for work and the cycle begins there. Once you start going kumasowe you will always fi nd something that suits you and you keep on going there. People live on hope and this is what happens,” a colleague confi ded in me. She said consulting prophets and prophetesses was part and parcel of life in the ghetto. “You can give your wife all she wants, like a house, car, cash, food and children, but these things are never enough. She needs to know hidden things like witches and who

to trust. She also needs to know if you have extramarital aff airs and this results in her going kumasowe frequently,” she unashamedly continued. My own investigations, dear reader, showed that while women go to the apostolic shrines to inquire about their marriages, men seeking jobs and those trying to cover up their court cases and disciplinary proceedings at workplaces are oft en regulars. Some men visit masowe to shop around for beautiful women and girls. Others do so to eavesdrop on the juicy prophecies, which are always made publicly. If you hear there has been an accident in Norton while you live in Braeside, please do not ignore it. You may fi nd your wife among the victims as she would be on her way to make consultations. Stories on who are the powerful prophets always dominate everyday discussions at churches, workplaces, family gatherings and in kombis. No one wants people to know they consult prophets, but this is what people are doing. And this is why back-to-sender prophets are in vogue nowadays. Inotambika mughetto.

Muchaneta Chimuka

Chitungwiza residents are heavily leaning on the local authority to address the hazards caused by the municipal dumpsite, which has now become a death trap.

Over the years, several victims have sustained serious life-threatening burns, while others have unfortunately succumbed to toxic chemicals and hot ashes.

One of the victims, Nyashadzashe Govha (12), is still admitted in hospital nursing wounds he sustained in August last year after stepping on hot ash dunes allegedly dumped by a cooking oil manufacturing company, Surface Wilmar.

Residents are riled by the municipality’s reluctance to act despite rising incidents of injuries at the dumpsite.

Nyashadzashe’s father, Chamunorwa Govha, has filed a police report against Chitungwiza following his son’s mishap.

The case is now before the courts.

“This has to stop! My child suffered the same tragedy that befell another victim, Marlon (7) (surname withheld), less than a year ago.

“This shows the council is not willing to address the problem as a matter of urgency and they have done nothing about it thus far,” explained Govha.

“My child is in deep pain and is longing to go home. It is not a joke to be detained in hospital for more than 10 months. He has 25-degree burns and is writhing in pain. I do not wish any child to suffer like this or for any parent to experience what I am going through.”

Marlon was treated at Chitungwiza Central Hospital for serious burns on both arms and legs.

His parents are also part of those seeking legal recourse.

Initially, residents wanted to sue both Chitungwiza Municipality and Surface Wilmar, which has a plant along the New Chitungwiza Road.

However, the cooking oil manufacturing company’s chief executive officer, Mr Sylvester Mangani, shifted blame to the local authority.

“Several people that are falling victim at the dumpsite are wrongly approaching our company instead of the council. Like any other company, we pay the council so that our litter is safely disposed of,” said Mr Mangani.

The company is actively engaging authorities to find a lasting solution.

“Plans are underway to hold a meeting with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Chitungwiza council so that we find a solution to this crisis,” he said.

EMA is a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, prevention of pollution and environmental degradation.

Securing the dumpsite is considered to be the most urgent issue.

Council officials, however, insist that they are addressing the problem.

“We are in the process of fencing the area. We have called for tenders. On the issue of compensation, we are waiting for a council resolution since the cases are now before the courts,” said Lovemore Meya, Chitungwiza Municipality’s spokesperson.

Victim’s accounts

Nyashadzashe met his fate after he decided to use a shortcut on his way from his sister’s place.

He stepped onto hot ash dunes and suffered burnt hands and legs.

His mother, Patience Sande, had to quit her job to nurse him during his uninterrupted hospital stay, which is now close to a year.

In addition to worrying about his son’s condition, Nyashadzashe’s father is also agonising about soaring medical bills.

“My child dearly needs assistance so that he speedily recovers and gets discharged from hospital. He is visibly traumatised, has lost hope and needs counselling.

“From the time he was admitted until January this year, we had accrued hospital bills of about $13 000 and the figures keep rising with each passing day since he is far from being discharged,” said the distraught father.

Much of the bills are for ensuring a constant supply of blood and high protein foods that are needed to speed up recovery.

Skin grafting is also another expensive procedure.

Added Mr Govha: “His blood levels are low and at one time he was at 2,6 instead of eight. His blood level needs to be constantly checked. I hope and believe if he gets medical attention at a better facility he will not stay longer in hospital. He needs more than US$10 000.

“At one time the doctors had opted to amputate his legs but after noticing chances of recovery they gave him a second chance.”

His main wish is for his child to get medical assistance in India or at a local private hospital.

But Nyashadzashe is lucky to have survived the horrific incident.

A couple of months after his misfortune, another 12-year-old, Voster (surname withheld), died due to burns sustained at the same dumpsite. There are several other cases over the past four years.

Meanwhile, environmental experts say waste generation and disposal are grave environmental challenges in many urban areas, particularly in developing countries, and continue to grow due to consumption patterns and economic growth.

Cities are now grappling with problems of high volumes of waste, high costs involved in its management and the impact on humans and the environment.

Those who might want to assist Mr Chamunorwa Govha send money via his NMB Bank Account number 310348422 or EcoCash number 0784463626 or his mother’s number Patience Sande 0776944996.

Society Reporters

The burgeoning trade in hazardous recreational drugs, which scientists believe lower immunity to diseases, is becoming alarmingly pervasive in Zimbabwe.

It could become potentially devastating particularly with the increased community transmissions of the coronavirus.

But what is more worrying is that both drug peddlers and users have become so discreet that they make it almost impossible for law enforcement agents to account for them.

Drugs that are finding a ready local market include cocaine, crystal meth, bronclear and cannabis (marijuana).

Exotic recreational drugs such as cocaine, however, are used mainly by the nouveau riche that frequent high-end joints.

While the trade and use of drugs is not new, authorities are concerned that the growing trend suggests that there are now increasingly being sold at wholesale in the country.

As a result, police are regularly recovering articles meant to process, package and distribute drugs with every drug bust they make.

Crack cocaine worth an estimated US$18 000 was recently recovered from a vehicle and house of a local businessman.

He was found with an assortment of equipment such as cutting utensils, a chemical agent and a scale.

Doctors have naturally become worried by the exponential increase in incidents of drug-related diseases.

“At our mental health institutions, 65 percent of admissions are due to drug abuse. The challenge we have at the moment though is that most of the rehabilitation centres that we have are private institutions. We need to establish Government-run institutions to assist disadvantaged members of society that are at risk but not getting help,” said Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) secretary-general Dr Sacrifice Chirisa.

“The cases are on a massive increase, with youths between 20 and 35-years-old being the most affected. They are turning to drugs because they have nothing to do. In the past, we had recreational parks and sports centres that kept them busy, but most of the places have since been turned into residential or business stands.”

ZiMA contends that a multi-sectoral approach involving all relevant stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care was crucial in dealing with the scourge.

Hilton Nyamukapa, programmes manager at Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), observed that while the price of some of the drugs was steep, there, however, remain “readily available” in communities.

“Most drugs are now readily available in communities, with marijuana being the most commonly used. It is followed by a wide variety of illicit brews popularly known as musombodhiya or cranco, crystal meth, cocaine and heroin. Codeine-based substances such as bronclear and pure codeine pills are also a favourite among the youths, but their price is on the higher side and not very affordable,” said Nyamukapa.

The Harare Magistrates’ Courts have so far dealt with 61 offenders from areas such as Chitungwiza, Norton and Mbare in the six-month period from January and June this year.

Of the cases, only two were arrested for using crystal meth.

The police, however, maintain that the increased cases are as a result of the intensified deployment of law enforcement agents.

“The statistics of drug abuse remain a dark figure until they are detected. The intensified deployment of CID Drugs and Narcotics members in every corner of the country has seen an increase in the detection of concealed drugs,” said Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

“Increased enforcement is the key factor that has attributed to the surge in drug abuse statistics. Special measures like intensified training of all CID Drugs and Narcotics members, use of sniffer dogs, inter-agency cooperation have been put in place to help detect drug use cases throughout the country.”

Smuggling syndicates

Recently, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) made the largest haul of cocaine at Beitbridge Border Post, which weighed 80 kilogrammes valued at a staggering R23 million.

The cocaine was being smuggled from Zimbabwe.

The truck carrying the drugs originated from Malawi and had crossed two of Zimbabwe’s borders and travelled freely throughout the country before being nabbed in South Africa.

And the number of drug mules arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (RGM) Airport has been rising steadily over the years.

In May this year, a kilogramme of cocaine was seized from a peddler by alert security personnel at the airport.

Two years back, another drug bust at the same airport led to a recovery of five kilogrammes of cocaine destined for the local market.

The majority of the arrested drug mules were on their way from Brazil.

But there is also a ready market for recreational drugs like cocaine and crystal methane in neighbouring countries.

Evidence suggests that the bulk of crystal meth is smuggled from South Africa, with haulage truck drivers being blamed as the major traffickers.

Cross-border buses are also implicated.

The meth is said to be hidden in secret truck compartments.

But although the majority of the drug mules have been arrested at the RGM Airport, there are suspicions that some of the drugs are being smuggled into Zimbabwe through the port of Beira in Mozambique.

Apart from cocaine and crystal meth, Zimbabwe is experiencing an influx of marijuana from Mozambique, most of which is transported to Harare through the expansive border.

Daring drug smugglers risk life and limb as they smuggle drugs through landmine-infested border areas in Mutare, Chipinge, Mount Selinda and Mabee.

Meeting some of the peddlers

The Sunday Mail Society went undercover and tried to unravel the extent to which drugs are being abused in Mbare, the country’s oldest suburb and long considered to be notorious for drug trafficking.

The investigations led us to a place located on the banks of Mukuvisi River, which we later learnt was called “Pa Gully”.

“Cocaine is for the rich. We only have one or two locals who deal in cocaine. The trend is that once one makes money from crystal meth; that person will be tempted to deal in cocaine since it has better rewards. After making money, such dealers will eventually relocate to the Avenues,” one of the drug pushers said as he passed us a small sachet of crystal meth.

However, this is not the only notorious outlet. Illegal trade in drugs seems to be thriving in most central business districts across the country.

In the capital, Harare, the Avenues seems to have gained infamy.

It is feared that an intricate web of illegal drug dealers is slowly emerging.

The drug pushers deal mostly with regular clients or “references” as a way to avoid arrests.

“Just give me the money and the deal will be sealed. I have what you need. Do not be scared; I am well connected. Nothing will happen,” a supposed cocaine dealer said in the Avenues area close to a popular supermarket.

A small quantity of crystal meth (equivalent to 10 or so grains of rice) costs about US$10.

Crystal meth (crystal methamphetamine) — known informally as meth, mutoriro, dombo, ice or glass — is a dangerous stimulant that potentially has devastating side effects.

Medical experts say it is known to attack the central nervous system and can cause hallucinations.

Likewise, cocaine affects the heart, causes restlessness and serious mental issues.

“This stuff is found in all parts of the capital and any other place in the country. However, Mbare, especially the area known as Majubheki (Jo’burg Lines), is special. Trade is high here because we have a direct link with suppliers from the Diaspora as most buses that bring us the order offload here,” said another source.

Most of the ordinary drug users cannot afford crystal meth or cocaine.

Instead, they opt for marijuana.

Similarly, there are only a handful of cocaine dealers that operate from the Mbare area.

One could not help but notice that some of the people that frequent a popular nearby music recording studio were also clients at the notorious drug den.

“It is just that I am poor and cannot afford it. I am into coke (cocaine). It is the only drug that makes me live, not mashizha (marijuana),” a young, dreadlocked youth that many referred to as Rasta confessed.

In Mutare and Bulawayo, the peddlers operate mostly from apartments located in the CBD. They disguise themselves as either illegal money changers (forex) or whiskey dealers.

In some instances, they pretend to be selling aphrodisiacs.

Unlike ordinary foreign currency dealers, drug dealers usually ostentatiously display the fruits of their illegal trade, cruising around in expensive cars. They are also fond of expensive whiskeys.

Fighting

Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, believes that most of the drugs are smuggled through illegal entry points.

They also note the need to increase detection efforts.

A recent United Nations world drug report indicates that on average, a gramme of cocaine costs US$80 in Zimbabwe.

Cocaine, according to the report, is most expensive in Kuwait, where it costs a whopping US$330 per gramme.

Life Issues with FGK

SOMETIMES attitude is all that can take you to the next level.

The greatest test of character is one’s reaction to people and circumstances that threaten to undermine their pride.

Often, what keeps people in the same position year-in, year-out is nothing outside them, but the very thing within.

It is hard to discover an error within.

We are very skilled at finding other people’s faults and blaming exogenous factors.

However, we are not very much schooled in introspection.

It is quite helpful to discover your own limitations, including coming to the realisation that your attitude towards people and life in general has been your biggest stumbling block.

If you carry the wrong attitude, everyone tends to avoid you.

Attitude describes the way one reacts and behaves towards anything or anyone.

A right attitude, regardless of the situation, often attracts positive results.

Most people lose themselves when their egos are bruised.

They struggle to remain humble even though they might be in desperate need of help.

Meaningful assistance usually does not come on a silver platter.

God often places things you need in people that you loathe just to test your attitude.

You do not deserve to go to the next level if you are still arrogant and proud.

Real change and development comes with humility, which is birthed by the right attitude.

Remember the biblical story of the Canaanite woman who managed to keep the right attitude even after being insulted by the master?

She kept pressing on because she knew she needed help to save her suffering daughter.

She surmised that if she lost her cool, she could have lost her daughter.

Imagine the embarrassment she was prepared to suffer to get her life back on track.

This is what is happening to many people.

They are coming face-to-face with their miracle but it is their attitude that betrays them.

Why should you be proud and act as if you do not care before one who is capable of delivering you from the challenges you might be facing?

Most of those who have made it in life had to humble themselves before someone who held the keys to their success.

This is the reality of life.

Your attitude will be tested just before you climb the ladder to the next stage.

This test is one that you must never fail.

Pride does not take you anywhere or pay your bills. It is an attitude that determines altitude.

Similarly, it is important to always remember that whatever we need has already been given to someone else.

Your vision and destiny were long achieved by others.

It is them that can help us achieve our goals.

However, we need the right attitude when dealing with them. Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracián once said it is a rule of power to never outshine the master.

This rule applies everywhere and to anyone.

It could be your boss, your business partner, your mentor, your client, someone in the right office or your lecturer.

As long as they have the key to your next level, they are the master. These people are not always the nicest of people.

Some are arrogant, rough, tough, too strict and aggressive, but that does not matter, just focus on getting help and achieving your goals.

You must never give up on your dreams because you do not want to go through a process of refinement. You need those crunch encounters to mould you into perfection as you climb the ladder of success.

Quote of the week: The test on attitude is one that you must never fail.

◆ Website: www.fgklifeissues.co.zw, Instagram: Life issues with FGK, Facebook: Life issues with FGK

A catalytic converter is a vehicle emissions control device that is used to convert toxic by-products of combustion (occurring in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine) to less toxic substances by performing catalysed chemical reactions. The reactions tend to vary depending upon the type of catalyst installed.

This vehicle emission control device was invented by Eugene Houdry, a French mechanical engineer involved with catalytic oil refining.

In 1973 former General Motors President Robert Stempel decided to begin their implementation in vehicles.

They are mandatory on all cars in most countries.

They are also used on some wood stoves to control emissions.

The devices work best at high temperatures.

The catalyst used in the converter is mostly a precious metal such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Platinum is used as a reduction catalyst and as an oxidation catalyst.

Rhodium is used as a reduction catalyst, while palladium is used as an oxidation catalyst.

Studies reveal that these devices can decrease hydrocarbon emissions by about almost 87 percent, carbon monoxide by 85 percent and nitrous oxide by 62 percent during the expected life of a vehicle.

HELLO amai. I hope I find you well. I am in a relationship and it is a good one. We enjoy each other’s company and things were getting pretty serious. However, we have now hit a stumbling block in our relationship. My girlfriend and I belong to different churches and none of us want to leave and join the other’s place of worship. Is this such a bad thing? Are there ways of resolving this without losing what we had built? Please assist.

Response

Hello writer. I am very well; thanks for asking. The truth is yours is not a difficult issue at all. If the relationship is good, I do not see why you will let something as simple as a place of worship or denomination come between you.

Like you rightfully stated, it is a place of worship — just a place. The important thing is that you are worshipping God and feeding your faith. You did not mention any differences in terms of doctrines, so I am assuming there are none. Compromising is part of being in a committed relationship. You can start by visiting her church on a few occasions and she can return the favour before you lockdown where you would want to attend permanently.

If it really is a big deal between the two of you, you may even look for a new church to start attending together to mark this new chapter. As long as you are worshipping the same God, I do not see a problem. Do not sweat the small stuff or miss out on something good because of hard-headedness. I would be happy to hear from you again.

***

Scary dreams leaving me shaken

I am a 20-year-old lady and I am dating a 21-year-old guy. Things are going well and I can see him in my future. We have been seeing each other since high school and it has been about four years in total. He has really been a pillar of support in my life.

The problem stems from the dreams I have been having. I often dream about us having disputes and I see his mother in my dreams. She is always weirdly staring at me. My questions is: do you think my dreams are premonitions of what is to come or I should just dismiss them as dreams?

I really do not know what to do and I have not discussed this with anyone at length because I am not even sure what it means. All I know is that it deeply disturbs me.

Response

I am happy that you are young and deeply in love. I am concerned, however, with the way these dreams are disturbing you. The truth is there is nothing scientific about dreams.

You cannot pin down these dreams as premonitions of what is to come. It may be your subconscious playing tricks on you.

Maybe you are afraid of losing this guy and you have heard things about his mother that frighten you. Either way, it is still hard to make anything of these dreams. Ignore them entirely and try to sleep early and avoid going to bad overly stressed as this may lead to you having bad dreams. I honestly believe it will be well.

***

Mother mingling in my business

Hello amai. I am a 24-year-old guy and I am seeing a 19-year-old lady. I have known her since she was 15. She is really a nice person, but the people in my village spread unfounded rumours about her.

These rumours have made their way to my mother, who now believes I should stop dating her because she has been seen with different men around town. She even confronted her and yelled at her to stop dating me. She claims ndakapusa (foolish) and that I am stubborn.

This is straining my relationship and embarrassing at the same time. I am a manager at a local company and this kind of negativity does not suit a person in my position. Please help me make it stop.

Response

Hello dear writer and thank you for writing in. Your issue is sad because your mother is making a nuisance of herself. I am glad you used the word unfounded. Has she ever seen or met some of these men she claims your girlfriend has been with? You must also remind your mother of your position within the community.

People are always going to talk regardless of who you date or see. Ignore them; it will come to pass. Ask your mother to be more supportive and assure her that this is the choice you have made. If you do not stand up to her now, she will continue to influence all your relationship choices. I do not understand why people are so bothered.

You are the one who has to date this woman and as far as you know she is virtuous. Small communities such as villages have been known to be a hive of gossip and lies because there is not much to do, and people end up occupying their time with gossip. I am sure there are also unverified rumours of other people practicing witchcraft or having used rituals to enrich themselves. Pay it no mind and go about your day. At the end of the day, focus on your own happiness.

◆ Write to: maichisamba@fbnet.co.zw, WhatsApp 0771415747

Professor Arinola Ganiyu

The advent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and the dynamics of its spread is unprecedented.

It is, therefore, of paramount importance to get a vaccine that can stop the spread of the virus. But basic knowledge about the virus and kinetics of immune responses against it is still emerging. An added difficulty is that different strains of SARS-COV-2 have been reported — even in the same country — within six months of its emergence. Vaccines are preventive or therapeutic interventions that dramatically reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases. They are clinically simple but immunologically complex.

Edward Jenner is considered to be the father of vaccinology because he developed the first vaccine to prevent smallpox over 200 years ago. This led to the global eradication of the disease and the development of more life vaccines. Over the intervening two centuries vaccinology has developed into a multidisciplinary intervention.  It involves scientists from fields such as microbiology, immunology, medicine, epidemiology, statistics, policy, manufacturing, molecular biology, public health and even ethics. All these disciplines are being deployed in the search for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

An arduous process

Generally, good vaccines have three essential features. First, they must be safe to administer. Second, they must produce the appropriate type of immunity (antibody and/or cell-mediated) for the disease in question. Third, they must be inexpensive for the target population and they must take into account geographical, gender and age differences.

To achieve these features, vaccine development undergoes a sequence of carefully implemented ethical processes and procedures. These are staged into pre-clinical and clinical development — with four developmental phases which usually span a number of decades. This is because there is a need to understand the mechanisms of protection against the pathogen, and to mitigate the potential risk of vaccine-induced adverse reactions.

This takes time

And variations almost invariably emerge.

For example, geographical variation was reported in the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine. In Malawi and South Africa its efficacy was found to be between 49 percent and 77 percent. But in developed countries it was 95 percent -96 percent.

A recently completed study in our laboratory showed that the roundworm, Ascaris, affected the efficacy of oral rotavirus and poliovirus vaccines. Similarly, geographic or other variations could be encountered in the development of a vaccine for Covid-19 given that cardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes and ageing have been reported to aggravate the infection.

Hurdles to clear

Immunologically, every antigen, including vaccine, is processed by the first line of defence, the innate immune system, and if need be passed on to the adaptive immune system. These two lines of defence are tightly linked and finely controlled to attack different antigens in different ways.

The aim is to eliminate the antigens while avoiding unintended damage to the healthy parts of the body. Vaccine effectiveness is solely dependent on the adaptive arm of immune response. In this arm, specialised cells including the B cells and T cells are the major players. They have precise specificity for germs and provide long-term protection. When a kind of blood cell, B lymphocyte, is in contact with foreign particles it multiplies to produce many plasma cells. These secrete antibodies whose major function is neutralisation of pathogens.

In the development of a Covid-19 vaccine, researchers must identify a small part of coronavirus that will elicit effective neutralising responses. Antivirus vaccines that lead to production of non-neutralising antibodies can facilitate deposition of complexes in tissues and activate several pathways that can worsen pathologies associated with the viral infection or excessive production of inflammatory cytokines as reported in some patients with severe Covi-19. This clearly indicates that when a protective immune response is compromised, massive damage to vital organs such as the lung, liver and the kidney can occur.

Thus, damaging immune responses should be avoided by any Covid-19 vaccine.

Another blood immune cell in vaccine efficacy is the T lymphocytes.  For effective Covid-19 vaccine, careful activation of certain types of T cells and monitoring of their pattern of responses are essential. For example, two types of T-lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells and CD4+ Th-1 responses) are required for the removal of SARS-CoV-2.  But CD4+ Th-2 responses are not responsible for the elimination of SAR-CoV-2. It is well known that accentuation of Th-2 responses supports eosinophil recruitment, airway hyper-responsiveness, mucus production, and can weaken cytolytic T cell activity to cause delayed viral clearance and airway dysfunction. This type of unwanted response has been reported after vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus infection.

No cutting corners

The pressure to develop a Covid-19 vaccine is huge.

But its development without fully understanding the kinetics of immune responses involved in the disease and the safety risks of the vaccine could bring unwarranted setbacks — now and in the future. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 might mutate in ways that would make previously effective vaccines useless.

A great many steps have to be taken in the development of any vaccine. With Covid-19, there are added complexities given that its severity appears be different across gender and age.

There is also evidence that it might be mutable and that it has different strains.  Then there is the fact that it’s very new, which means there’s still limited knowledge about immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.

In addition, a multiplicity of disciplines must be involved. A safe and effective vaccine won’t be developed without detailed understanding of host-pathogen interaction.

This is happening in the trials that are being currently run. What this adds up to is that a safe and efficient Covid-19 vaccine might not be realised soon.

Prof Arinola Ganiyu is a specialist medical adviser (immunology) to University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Sunday Mail Reporter

Demand for decent housing for urban and rural dwellers is undoubtedly rising with each day.

But home-seekers are increasingly circumspect owing to multiple scandals involving bogus housing cooperatives.

Not surprisingly, before joining cooperatives they now carry out due diligence, which involves checking the scheme’s track record in delivering decent and affordable houses.

It is a stigma that many cooperatives, including housing and mortgaging firms, want to exorcise.

“It is not easy for people to have faith in you at a time when it is hard to make savings owing to the Covid-19 lockdown, which has seen some of our clients lose their sources of income. As such, we will continue doing our best to ensure we meet our targets,” said Enhanced Mortgaging & House Africa (EMHA) marketing and sales executive Syfrets Mashanda.

The company, which has a footprint in Chitungwiza, Rusape, Guruve, Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo and Gweru, is now angling to provide affordable housing to low-income earners.

“We have decided to open this centre here so that we cater for the people of Mashonaland East on their doorstep, especially here in Mutoko where home-seekers have been making enquiries. We are ready to change people’s lives through providing decent and affordable housing.”

Last week, EMHA spread its tentacles to Mutoko, where it will also serve areas such as Murehwa District in Mashonaland East.

Nyarai Roki, the company’s Mutoko branch sales representative, said the focus was mainly on the less privileged.

“We build houses for the less privileged and our dream is for people to become homeowners in line with our Government’s Vision 2030, where there is need to change people’s lives. . .

“Apart from houses, we are also providing school uniforms and corporate wear. As a company, we have also identified disadvantaged children that we will be assisting with school gear. The assistance is ongoing and not a once-off thing,” she said.

At least 50 vulnerable secondary and primary school students in Mutoko will get free uniforms from the company as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The company, which is involved in other ventures in tourism, steel and hardware, also has operations in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zanzibar, Zambia, Tanzania and Burundi.

Tendai Chara

A protracted boundary dispute involving three villages has stalled the setting up of a multimillion-dollar project in Mount Darwin, The Sunday Mail Society has gathered.

At the centre of the feud is a piece of land which is on the boundaries of the Kutsonga, Njenge and Nyamupfukudza Villages in Mashonaland Central province.

The land had been earmarked for the construction of a vocational training college and a clinic. As a result of the wrangling, no progress has been made thus far.

Some of the villagers, reportedly from Kutsonga, harassed construction workers, who had to flee for dear life.

The donor agency which was implementing the project had already constructed a classroom block and had also sunk a solar-powered borehole. Water tanks and functional water taps are also part of the developments at the site.

Kutsonga village head Mr Roiki Tauro speak about families he allocated land during a tour of the site

While eight villages, among them Gaba, Mupesa, Njenge and Chigogo, are supportive of the project, Kutsonga villagers, who are being led by their vocal headman Roiki Tauro Kutsonga, are openly against the initiative. The villagers are claiming that the piece of land on which the vocational centre is being built was grazing land.

When The Sunday Mail Society visited Mount Darwin recently, a livid Kutsonga swore the development will not see the light of day.

A homestead near the newly built block

“This land was reserved for our pastures and we cannot allow it to be used for other purposes. We would rather give it to our children than to have it turned into a college,” a fuming Kutsonga said.

Rattiralph Mukombwe, the Pfura Rural District Council councillor for Ward 36, under whose jurisdiction the contested land is located, chronicled how the dispute began.

“A donor approached council with the proposal to set a vocational college at this site and eight village heads, among them village head Kutsonga, were called for a meeting. Roiki Tauro, the Kutsonga headman, raised an objection but he later on consented to the project,”  Councillor Mukombwe said.

“After the meeting, a full council meeting was convened, where the donor presented his proposal. All the councillors unanimously voted for the project.”

According to Clr Mukombwe, the locals were taken aback when village head Kutsonga and some of his subjects confronted construction workers who were in the process of building a classroom block.

“It took the intervention of Chief Nohwedza, council officials, the District Administrator, police and Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement officials for work to resume,” added Clr Mukombwe.

Peter Chigombe of Nyamupfukudza Village, whose homestead is close to the disputed area, gave a historical perspective to the feud.

Headman Nohwedza respond to questions – Pictures : Kudakwashe Hunda

“I have been living in this area since 1982 and the land that is being claimed by Tauro has always been grazing land. What we know is that during the colonial regime, some villagers who were living at this place were resettled elsewhere. As far as we all know, this area was reserved for pastures. Kutsonga villagers only started claiming ownership of this land after it was agreed by eight villages that a college will be constructed in this area.”

George Mhondorohuma, from the adjacent Njenge Village, corroborated both Councillor Mukombwe and Chigombe’s assertions.

“This is an open secret. This area has been reserved for grazing and we were all shocked to hear that Tauro is claiming ownership. I do not know the motive behind this,” Mhondorohuma explained.

Chief Nohwedza, born Fodder Warambwa, said the dispute over this piece of land was settled “a long time ago”.

“I am even surprised why the donor has not finished the project. Headman Kutsonga had raised objections claiming the land but we all know that this area was, and has always been, a grazing area,” Chief Nohwedza said.

The House of Assembly member for the area, Barnwell Seremwe, said “petty fights” should not be allowed to stall development.

“As the local Member of Parliament, the setting up of the college is one of my priorities. At a time when other areas are crying over lack of developmental projects, we cannot be seen to be chasing away charitable organisations,” Seremwe said.

Mrs Nyembesi Mhondoro, an official from the organisation that has pledged to carry out the construction work, vowed to carry on despite the threats.

“This project was approved by council and the community. We cannot abandon the project simply because an individual or a family is against it. We are going to commence work on the project once the lockdown has been lifted,” she said.

Tendai Chara

Police have continued to relentlessly pursue the machete-wielding illegal gold mining gangs despite the coronavirus-induced lockdown, and rounded up as much as 300 suspects in Matabeleland South this month alone.

The infamous band of criminals once threatened to destabilise small-scale gold mining activities countrywide.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has, however, managed to prevail.

“As we speak, night-and-day raids targeting illegal miners and criminal elements are ongoing,” ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Sunday Mail Society.

Machete-wielding gangs are notorious for striking their victims, mostly small-scale gold miners, and robbing them of their refined gold and gold ore.

A targeted campaign code-named “Chikorokoza Chapera” was launched last year to rein in the growing threat.

Of late, some of the groups that had temporarily gone underground have been trying to regroup under the cover of the current lockdown.

They believe the police, which is currently providing the muscle to enforce the lockdown, might be sufficiently distracted enough to pay attention to their activities.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) says there has been a gradual increase in the number of criminal activities by these gangs during the lockdown.

“There are reports of our members who are being robbed of refined gold and gold ore by the machete-wielding gangs. This is a worrying development which should be addressed before the situation gets out of hand,” Dosman Mangisi, the ZMF spokesperson, said.

According to Mangisi, the robbers are now targeting isolated and remote areas.

“The reports that we are getting indicate that Matabeleland South province is the worst affected. Cases are also being reported in the Midlands, Matabeleland North and some parts of Mashonaland West province.”

In Matabeleland South, the robbers have so far robbed miners in Filabusi, Fort Rixon and in West Nicholson.

The robbers have made isolated raids in Inyathi, Matabeleland North province, and also in Kadoma, Kwekwe and Zhombe.

“The amount and the value of the gold and the ore which was looted thus far cannot be ascertained. What I know is that when these bands of robbers hit, they hit hard,” Mangisi said.

Phillo Mokoela, a Filabusi miner, said they were now always on the lookout for criminal elements and have since formed neighbourhood watch committees to assist the police.

But Norton, which at one point seemed to be on the verge of being overrun by the gangs, has remained incident-free.

Privilege Moyo, the chairperson of the Norton Miners Association, explained how his association has managed to tame the once-rowdy elements.

“First and foremost, we have a very good working relationship with the police. Secondly, we integrated those locals that were in the habit of robbing others into proper mining structures. We gave the criminal elements an olive branch and now they are enjoying the benefits,” Mr Moyo said.

Criminal activities at Epson Mine, where the machete-wielding gangs had at one time laid siege, have since stopped.

“We sat down with the criminal elements, the Member of Parliament for the area and other stakeholders. After deliberations, we noted that some of those that were robbing others had no claims to work on. We gave them areas to mine but they will be doing so with the full agreement of the claim owners,” Moyo said.

Greedy gold millers and absentee mine claim owners who are holding on to the claims for speculative purposes are among the key players that are being accused of fuelling illegal gold panning.

Before the clampdown, illegal gold miners had descended on farms, disused mines and even urban centres as they searched for the precious yellow metal.

Apart from the violence associated with the illegal miners, better known as Makorokoza, there is also serious environmental degradation.

Government has, however, made it clear that lawlessness will not be tolerated in the mining sector.

Veronica Gwaze

GOVERNMENT is concerned by the growing number of errant police officers who are moonlighting as commuter omnibus drivers.

Of late, there have been growing incidents of rogue police officers who are using their respectable stations in society to do that which the public is being discouraged from doing.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, who have smelt a business opportunity presented by the recent ban on private transport operators, are allegedly swapping handcuffs for the steering wheel of pirate — and often unlicensed — commuter omnibuses and taxis knowing full well that they can easily navigate through security checkpoints.

“As law enforcement agents, they should be maintaining order, but they are acting otherwise. No one is above the law, thus culprits need to be brought to book. What they are doing is illegal,” Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe told The Sunday Mail Society.

He said his office was inundated with reports of these growing infractions.

“We need the community to help us: take pictures or videos and send them to us. We need evidence to be able to make arrests, so this automatically means collective effort is crucial.

“The Covid-19 war is for everyone. We need to arrest and punish offenders to save lives,” he said.

Police officers are ordinarily expected to be exemplary sticklers for the law by not only upholding it, but also using it to protect the public and safeguard property.

Well, that is not always the case.

But there is one huge problem: There are now growing fears that in their pursuit for easy money, the officers could be putting the commuting public directly in harm’s way through offering a service that could be a super spreader of coronavirus.

An operation to account for the unscrupulous members of the force is now underway, according to ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

“Members of the public should report and give specific, credible evidence so that action can be taken against these officers,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Currently, Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) buses and commuter omnibuses, including franchise holders, which are the only service mandated to provide mass public transport, follow strict health protocols on disinfecting vehicles and social distancing.

But the public transporter’s fleet is overwhelmed by demand for the service, especially following the recent relaxation of lockdown measures for formal businesses.

This has created an opportunity for the rogue officers.

The Sunday Mail Society has on several occasions bumped into some of the officers that are moonlighting either as drivers or conductors of the banned kombis.

In one of the incidents witnessed by the crew, a ZRP officer used his work identity card to breach two security checkpoints, while he was granted easy passage on the third security checkpoint ostensibly because he was in police uniform.

There are also rogue elements that allow passage to those without exemption letters for a fee.

For local routes in the capital, Harare, they charge between $20 and $30, or higher in some cases.

Our crew was last week asked to fork out $10 after pretending not to have an exemption letter.

But health authorities fear the cost in human lives could be even more as the virus spreads among commuters.

As most security checkpoints do not operate round-the-clock, kombis are using the window during peak periods before the checkpoints are mounted or after they are dismounted to transport desperate commuters.

Unlike the formal Zupco buses where face masks and hand sanitising is mandatory, pirate kombis care less about life-saving health protocols.

Confessions

Some of the police officers opened up last week.

“Some of our workmates, mostly the senior officers, own these kombis. I realised they were making extra money through these operations, hence I decided to offer my services to them since I am a licensed driver,” revealed one of the officers, who elected to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Often, the time and energy is never enough for one to take up two strenuous shifts in a single day, so how then are they managing?

“I drive this kombi, two or three local trips per day; it does not pay much but at least you can put something on the table for the family. Others actually take some days off or go on leave to be on the road,” he said.

Jimmy, a Chitungwiza-based commuter omnibus operator who recently joined the Zupco franchise, complained against unfair competition that is coming from rogue police officers.

“Some of us had to grudgingly take the Zupco franchise deal as there was no way out.

“Three of my kombis are now operating under Zupco. However, it is disheartening to note that some of my colleagues and competitors who happen to be police officers are still operating as private kombis,” he said.

“It is very unfair, these guys consider themselves immune to the law and they do as they please. Some are even doing inter-city trips. At some point, I was tempted to do likewise.”

Another kombi driver, Guidance, said under the current circumstances, where some commuter omnibuses were allowed the carte blanche to continue simply because there are operated by police officers, it is tempting to conclude that the ban on private
operators was solely effected to punish them.

“It is very unfair for the police officers to be operating when we cannot because the ban is for everyone. No one is immune to the law, but they pass so easily at roadblocks and nothing is done. One wonders though how the police officers are breaching checkpoints . . .” queried Guidance.

“These officers are employed and yet still proceed to illegally operate kombis. The law should not be applied selectively. Responsible authorities need to act on this,” said another Gweru-based private transport operator.

The local death toll from the virus stood at 23 on Friday from more than 1 300 infections.

Worryingly, the number of local transmissions had risen to 346 by Thursday.

Emmanuel Kafe

HAS your mechanic ever nagged or persistently asked you take your car for a “special” check even though it was in good running condition?

Or has he told you that there is a problematic hard-to-remove lock on your car that can only be taken care of at the garage, after which the vehicle started misbehaving?

Or, perhaps, you drove to a shopping mall then you started to feel that your car now had an unusual sound and performing below satisfaction after the excursion?

Well, if so, you have some reason to worry!

Some mechanics are stripping catalytic converters from cars of unsuspecting victims, especially those who own hybrid petrol                                                                                             cars.

Dealers, mostly of foreign origin, now frequent car breaking yards in search of the device and subsequently mechanics have noticed a business opportunity.

A single catalytic converter used to fetch around US$30 on the local market some two or so years back but the figure has since soared to US$200.

The catalytic converter is usually located in a box on the exhaust pipe under a car.

The stolen devices are understood to be offloaded in South Africa though the final market is said to be international markets, particularly Europe.

Most car owners do not obsess about vehicle parts and components, and are, therefore, not likely to know when these exhaust-control devices are removed.

New emission control regulations in Europe, America and China, which are designed to protect the environment from toxic and harmful emissions, have resulted in an upswing in the cost of some of the metals.

An ounce (about 28 grammes) of palladium currently costs US$1 353, up from US$200 a couple of years back.

Gold is marginally cheaper at US$1 311, while platinum is slightly above US$800 for the same quantity.

A Harare motorist, Kuda Silikombola, was an unfortunate victim of a “cunning” and daring mechanic.

“My vehicle was due for service and a seal needed to be replaced. That was just simple work which required the mechanic to come to my house and quickly get the job done, but he requested to take the vehicle to his workplace.

“His excuse was that there was a bolt that needed to be removed, so he needed to use gas bottles at his workplace,” she said.

“He took the car on a Sunday and brought it back the same day, and I did not drive it until Tuesday. When I finally drove it, I heard a funny sound each time I accelerated.

“Automatically, I knew my catalytic converter was gone.”

After interrogation, the mechanic confessed that he had indeed removed the catalytic converter for resale.

In essence, catalytic converters sieve engine pollutants into less harmful emissions like water vapour before they leave the exhaust pipes. While the theft of these devices was initially uncommon, the emergence of an elaborate network made up of mechanics, car dealers and cash-flush buyers is largely driving the recent soaring demand.

“It is true. The cases are on the increase. However, we need to collate the figures from various stations so that we are able to give you actual details,” the Zimbabwe Republic Police told The Sunday Mail Society.

“The figures, though, will just be an indication. Most of the cases are not being reported. Some of the people do not know that they are victims . . . while others knowingly participate in this illegal activity.”

Expensive components

Most catalytic converters used in vehicles are made from precious metal such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are all platinum group metals (PGMs).

Platinum is used as a reduction and oxidation catalyst.

Although it is an active catalyst and widely used, it is expensive and not suitable for all applications. Rhodium is used as a reduction catalyst, while palladium is used as an oxidation catalyst. In some instances, cerium, iron, manganese and nickel are also used.

Most of these metals are finding a ready market in Zambia, South Africa and other international markets.

It costs not less than US$400 in the United Kingdom.

Target

It is not only those with new vehicles that are falling victim, as vintage cars are being targeted as well. Carmakers have been fitting these emission-control devices as far back as the 1970s. However, cars that are mainly targeted are hybrid.

Thieves have become adept at removing the devices with almost military precision. You may lose the device in a few minutes as you walk in and walk out of a grocery shop. In Zimbabwe, cars that are parked at shopping malls, garages, insurance salvage yards, homes and car sales are targeted the most. But there are also canny mechanics who dupe their clients into believing that removing the device improves the car’s efficiency.

Trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles are main targets as they have bigger devices.

Besides, SUVs like Toyota Land Cruisers, Mitsubishi Pajeros, BMWs and Volkswagens have a road clearance that makes their exhaust systems easier to access.

Headache

It is a growing pandemic that is affecting some regional countries such as Tanzania, which had to impose stiffer penalties to address the scourge.

Apparently, the thieves were preying on second-hand vehicles shipped from Asia that usually dock in the East African country before being transported to their final destination.

According to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), PGMs are among the top 10 mined minerals in the country.

PMGs have a high demand worldwide because of the wide variety of uses in industry.

The Central Mechanical and Engineering Department (CMED) argues most locals that steal and resell these devices do not know the end-use.

“Motorists should be cautious and regularly check their vehicles. Also, they should not use backyard mechanics to avoid such problems. The catalytic converter helps reduce global warming by reducing carbon emissions,” notes CMED managing director Mr Davison Mhaka.

How it is done

A motor mechanic, who operates in the Magaba area in Mbare, Aleck Nhambe, explained how criminals make off with the converters in a split second.

“It takes a skilled crook less than five minutes to go under the car and remove the converter as it is fairly exposed. The danger though is inexperienced thieves may damage a car’s fuel line or wiring, necessitating costlier repairs,” explained Nhambe.

He said an unusual deafening sound from the exhaust often develops after the device is removed.

Another car dealer, Tendai (surname withheld), adds: “Foreigners usually come here looking for these devices. They are mopping them up at a premium.”

While the thieves might make about US$200 from a catalytic converter, it can cost a vehicle owner as much as US$500 to replace it.

But that is not the worst part.

Motorists driving cars with missing catalytic converters are posing serious health challenges to the public and risk being fined by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) under the Atmospheric Control regulations.

“Emission testing is done using a gas analyser for petrol engines and an opacimeter for diesel engines, and if a vehicle is found to be excessively emitting, a fine may be imposed and or the vehicle may be impounded. Repeat offenders face prosecution and may face imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months,” explained EMA spokesperson Ms Amkela Sidange.

A chocolate-skinned, beautiful and immaculately dressed young lass with well-defined body contours sat elegantly in a swivel chair in Obert’s office, admiring herself in the mirror.

She boasted milky white teeth, a well-toned voice and did not have as much as a speck of hair out of place.

The aromatic perfume she wore drove men who were at the carpentry shop crazy.

“Ndivo vanonzi vakadzi manje ava. Good looks. Mheni! Mwana akatambura nerunako mhani uyu,” you could hear men commenting as they temporarily left whatever they were doing to catch a glimpse of the rare beauty.

Tinsmiths, carpenters, transporters, middlemen and other curious souls rushed to Obert’s tiny office.

They all wanted to catch a glimpse and at least exchange greetings with the angel that had graced them so early on a Sunday morning.

“You have taken after me young man. I was a razor-sharp ladies’ man in my heyday. Women literally fought to sit next to me. Izera zvaro asi ndichiripo,” one grey-haired man could be heard shamelessly saying while giving Obert a pat on the back.

The lass was getting uneasy with the frequency of visitors.

She asked that they leave, though the request could not be quickly granted.

“Rudairo, wait a bit. I am still to collect my cash; we shall be leaving shortly,” Obert assured her.

True to his word, someone brought a deposit for a set of sofas and off they went to God knows where.

Unbeknown to the lady and many others before her, traders at the informal trading complex she had visited were actually competing to establish who among them could charm more beautiful women than others.

This, however, they did at the expense of their customers, business and time.

Such are the challenges Government has to budget for as it tries to bolster the informal sector.

It is akin to forcing a donkey to the river to drink.

Long touted as turbines for economic growth, the informal sector has failed to contribute meaningfully to economic development owing to misplaced priorities.

When given loans to procure raw materials and machinery, the money is committed to beer, women, cars, food and many other non-essential items they can lay their hands on.

“If you get too serious with life, you will never achieve anything. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You need to reserve a bit for yourself and the boys, kwete kuzoti wafa womuka chipoko,” I heard the guys saying while blowing money they had collected from a woman who needed a pushing tray.

A sizeable number of people in the informal sector often lose customers owing to dishonesty.

They go about collecting deposit fees from people and splash the money on other things, which always results in shoddy and sub-standard products.

This disease affects most tradesmen.

A friend of mine took his vehicle to a mechanic for repairs and later learnt that it was subsequently driven to the mechanic’s rural home for a wedding.

“Kambudzi kanodya pakakasungirirwa (I goat grazes where it is tethered. Those are my benefits),” the guys often hit back.

As if that is not enough, I heard some mechanics can change your tyres, battery and other engine components so that they can buy beer or attend to their pressing domestic needs.

Those who repair fridges, stoves, television sets and radios also do the same.

Builders and electricians are also not to be outdone.

They can sell your bricks, cement and other accessories if you are not careful.

As I commit pen to paper gentle reader, there are some tradesmen being threatened with arrest for failing to fulfil their end of the bargain after blowing customers’ deposit fees on booze and women of easy virtue.

“Mukwasha mava kundinyanyira manje. I think you have taken me for a granted for too long and I no longer have an option than go and report the matter to the police,” you hear people shouting at complexes where informal traders operate from after being duped.

Other not-so-lucky tradesmen have lost teeth or suffered injuries after the people they would have duped set hired goons on them.

Tradesmen who dupe clients are known to have the habit of tip-toeing back home late at night and sneaking away early in the morning to avoid being cornered by aggrieved customers.

At times, after running away for too long, they would gather courage and threaten to assault the unhappy customer.

“That is why this country will never succeed. You are accusing me of poor workmanship but you buy your goods from non-reputable shops. I know that you owe me a lot of money, but I am willing to forgive you, and please kindly give me space to mind my life,” a certain builder told me straight in my face despite not having fulfilled his side of the bargain.

Hiring some tradesmen to do work for you is like committing a crime.

If they are not grumbling about food, they will be complaining about transport.

If you pay in advance, you start hearing about a sick wife, a sick child, a dead relative and money that has lost value.

At times, if you become too friendly, you will be left emotionally bruised.

You also need to be careful because some rowdy tradesmen beat up nosy clients. Unotsotsonywa.

Inotambika mughetto.

Life Issues with FGK

Sadly, we continue to lose lives unnecessarily.

How is it possible that one can be so scared of a situation to a point of taking his or her life?

Granted, there are situations that put people in a pickle, but that should never be a reason to commit suicide. Life challenges are often exaggerated that they sometimes lead some to think of death as the only way out. However, this is not the case. No punishment or problem is worth losing one’s life. The fact that we sense danger each time we face a life-threatening situation means we all have a natural in-built protective intuition. This is meant to protect us, but somehow this intuition is sometimes ‘hacked’ or overwhelmed.

Suicide is when someone intentionally takes their own life. This usually happens during moments of intense mental pressure, depression and emotional stress.  Only a few people actually plan to end their own lives. Although some people might be tempted to think otherwise, most victims of suicide are driven by evil spirits. Science considers some of the demon-possessed people as psychiatric cases. Clearly, the demon that drives several people to commit suicide is called bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Those who are affected are usually diagnosed with mood swings, and this also includes hearing voices that command them to answer and do things against their will.

But, whichever way, demons are real! Say, one afternoon, a man unexpectedly arrives at his house from work. He confidently walks into his bedroom only to find his wife desecrating their matrimonial bed with a stranger. The rage, the violence and the subsequent meltdown is likely to shatter his faculties. In some circumstances, the aggrieved are overcome with rage that they murder the adulterous couple before committing suicide.  What a shame!

Not only is this grossly unreasonable, but it actually solves nothing. In fact, it only creates problems for the children and relatives who will be left behind. We also have women who boil cooking oil to pour on their unsuspecting husbands as revenge for being wronged, and when they discover the husband is dying, they do the unthinkable.

Why behave is such a manner?

Always remember, every murderer has the potential to commit suicide. If you are the kind of person who believes in capital punishment, then you are also a candidate for suicide. Why not get another wife or husband? Why not leave a relationship that causes you pain? Thinking of punishing others always translates to your punishment as well.  Suicide is a sign of pride, and too much pride does not allow you to live and deal with pain, especially when you think everyone should treat you in a certain way. So the devil will just take advantage of the already existing weakness. There is no justification for ending one’s own life, even if they think they are not worth anything to anyone. Some people that often commit suicide at times include those who would have been raped, physically and sexually abused — probably as minors — and never got any counselling.

The trauma that they go through creates room for a lot of negative thoughts that often encourage suicide. Victims of traumatic events need to know that the very circumstance that befell them must leave them stronger than the ordinary person. They might have scars, but these are a sign and proof that healing is possible. Relationship, marriage, job losses, criminal charges, academic failure, nude photo leaks and cyberbullying are not a reason to embrace death.

Pessimism and despair often blind one from seeing through a difficult situation, thus it is always important to get counselling. A second opinion always has a better view. When you come across someone showing signs of hopelessness, it is a cry for help, and do all you can to assist them before suicidal thoughts take over. They probably cannot see what might seem obvious to you. Take time to talk, listen and care for them. They will be in need of that.

Quote of the week: Pessimism and despair often blind one from seeing through a difficult situation.

Feedback: Website: www.fgklifeissues.co.zw, Instagram: Life issues with FGK, Facebook: Life issues with FGK

I am a 20-year-old woman and am in love with a moody boyfriend. He is 23 and we have been going out for the past two years. I love this guy with all my heart but he is just difficult. Kana twakakwidza he does not respond when I speak to him but instead uses sign language. At times I wonder why we even go out because of his attitude. Last week, on his 23rd birthday, I sent him a beautiful love message and he did not comment. I asked whether he had seen it or not, he simply said “handisati ndaivhura.” Ndakangopererwa.

We only laugh and have fun when he wants to. We talked about marriage once but I am beginning to doubt if he was sincere. We stay in the same neighbourhood, but last week he pulled a shocker when he told me to sit in the back seat of his car. I asked why, then he started moving away slowly ndikatoona kuti ndakusiiwa, and I had no option but to get in. I thought maybe we were going to pick up his relative or someone along the way, but we drove straight into town. Later on in the day I phoned him and he just responded, “hauna kusvika kwawanga uchienda here?”

I can write a book about him and how he is so different from the other guys. The truth is I do not feel loved. I have done my best to show him kuti ndakaperera, but I cannot get a straightforward answer from him. Do you think this guy will ever change for the better or I am wasting my time? When he is with other people, he jokes and chats normally, but with me it is the opposite. I spoke to my tete about it and she said most men havasununguke nemadzimai kana vasikana vavo nekuti havadi kudheererwa. Please help me.

Response

I felt so sorry for you when I read your letter. I kept asking myself why you put yourself through this. Love should be reciprocal, mharapara — ndikwenye ndigokukwenyawo. Why have you allowed yourself to sink so low? Your sweetheart tells you to sit at the back of his car after having threatened to drive off and you comply, nhamo yacho ndeyeiko? I will be blunt! In my view, this guy is just wasting your time.

At 20, you can do better. For your information, marriage does not change one’s character just like the leopard does not change its spots. The stage you are at now is the romantic stage, yekupengesana nerudo. It is a different stage from marriage, which comes with so many responsibilities and has less time for you to focus on each other.

It is very difficult to deal with moody people because they always change like weather — zvinyamusi hazvina mugoni. This guy is playing games with you. When he is in the company of other people, he jokes about, he chats and is happy, so it is obvious he does not enjoy your company. It is not okay for a guy to ignore his girlfriend nekuti haadi kudheererwa; that is unacceptable!

Do you think a guy who is not keen to open your love/birthday message cares for you? Frankly, I do not see any light or future in this relationship unless there is a drastic change or minana. My advice to you is to bite the bullet and tell him how you feel and the changes you would want to see. Give him an ultimatum. If he does not comply, then walk away from him. You are better off alone than with a false lover. Do not be looked down upon wakazvikwanira. I wish you all the best.

I don’t want my

estranged hubby back

I am a 24-year-old woman and a mother of two. I go to a popular apostolic sect. My parents divorced when I was a young child. I was brought up at my mother’s home where there is this big chipostori background. I stayed with my husband for six years and I experienced a very unhappy and abusive marriage. I complained a lot to my mother’s relatives, but they all said mutemo wechurch unoti shingirira.

My life was miserable, my husband would cheat on me with several women and ill-treat me all the time. This led me to complain to my father’s relatives because zvanga zvanyanya. They were annoyed considering my husband had not paid lobola. They took me in together with my kids. My hubby was told that if he loved me, he would come and pay lobola then we would return to him.

Now the church is threatening to boot me out if I do not reconcile with him. This man took another woman in when I left, so how do I go back? Kuno kwandiri ndigere zvakanaka. I am confused, Please assist.

Response

I am terribly sorry for what you went through at the hands of this man. This kind of life also has a negative impact on children’s upbringing. If the truth be told, the father of your kids was never your husband because he never paid lobola for you, so makabika mapoto for six years. No wonder why it was so easy for him to bring another woman when you left. What people from your father’s side did is very commendable. Abusive relationships can end in death. He must be brought to book for his past transgressions. Please report him.

 The saddest part is even in such an unhappy relationship you gave birth to two innocent children who may be disadvantaged in so many ways in their lives because of this break-up. A spouse who loves his/her better-half will never beat up or be abusive in any way. Marriage, as I always say, is straightforward: It is about love, respect and true companionship — haisi yekushingirira.

My advice to you is to stay where you are because you are happy. How do you go back to an abusive man who is now staying with another woman? Ko ukapondwa? Where is your pride? This guy never followed you, how do you know if he wants you back or not? Mutemo wekuchurch kana usingachengetedze upenyu hwako is not worth its salt. The people who are asking you to come back are not the ones you will be staying with. This guy is very irresponsible because he is not even concerned about his children’s welfare.

Go to a civil court and claim child support. Happiness is important in any marriage. It is about you; not them. Please weigh your options. Kudzingwa muchurch yepanyika hakusi kudzingwa naMwari. You are very young and full of potential. You can stand on your own and take care of your kids. Move on and make hay whilst the sun still shines. Raise your self-esteem and fly like an eagle. If you are not sure, then engage a professional counsellor who will help you. I wish you all the best.

Amwene pressurising me to name my daughter after her

I hope I find you well Mai Chisamba. I am a married woman blessed with two kids — a boy and a girl. My mother-in-law imposed her name on my daughter and I voiced my concern over that when my kid was still a baby. My husband supported me and the name was never registered. My daughter is now 10 and my son is 12. Over the years, I thought this was water under the bridge.

My husband’s youngest brother, who recently got married, has again been pressured to name his daughter after his mother. They have both refused, claiming it was my daughter’s name. We have even shown them the birth certificate to prove it was never registered. My mother-in-law is breathing fire and saying a lot of unnecessary things. She is accusing me of influencing everyone and has threatened us kuti tichaona nevana vamuri kudada navo muchiramba zita rangu.

Amwene is saying she only has two sons who have both refused to name their kids after her. The two tetes are teaming up with their mother, saying tavashora zvisingaite. I told vana tete that they can give the name to one of their children if they so wished.

Mai Chisamba, is this the way it should be that a name is imposed on your child?

Baba has not said a word on this, so we don’t know what he thinks. There is a lot of tension within the family, how do we resolve this? Varoora vavo — her brother’s wives — refused the name too, that is why she wants to pressure us. Ko sei vanhu vese vari kuramba? Please assist, the discomfort is killing us. To make matters worse, we all go to the same church.

Response

Thank you for writing in. I am very well. For starters, what is in a name? I bet there are thousands of people world over who share the same name with your mother-in-law. In the Shona culture, when they say mwana ane zita, it will be a name given to someone after a certain ritual is done. It does not matter whether you had other names or not, rinonzi zita regombwa, and this can only happen after the previous owner of the name is deceased.

Your mother-in-law is still alive, so do not worry about this issue, even if you had accepted, rinonzi remadanha kungoti marifarirawo. Families should learn not to pick fights over nothing. Every couple has a right to name their children as they please. It is also up to them to ask amai or anyone else to do that on their behalf if they so wish. I do not understand why amai is bulldozing. Maybe this is the reason why everyone is saying no. Vari kuita senge pane zviripo ipo pasina. There is absolutely no need to threaten varoora about this issue.

Why is baba silent whilst the family is tearing each other apart? He has the potential to end this squabble. I do not think the church is helping much and why even bother to mention it when you are all doing the opposite of what the church teaches?

After baba speaks, and you are not happy, then you can engage the pastor/priest to talk and pray with the family. You need each other; kungofungirana nekutukana hazvivake musha. Your sisters-in-law should not take their mother’s side; instead, they should help calm amai down. It defeats all logic that a Christian who goes to church can keep a grudge for ten years — oh God forbid! Be of good cheer, the Supreme Being will always be in charge and will help you through this.

maichisamba@fbnet.co.zw; WhatsApp 0771415747       

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Africa might be headed for a much larger outbreak than current numbers are suggesting.

We have looked at the situation across the continent, and examined which countries are of most concern.

How fast is coronavirus spreading?

Michael Ryan, who leads the WHO’s emergencies programme, has said: “I am very concerned right now that we are beginning to see an acceleration of (the) disease in Africa.”

In terms of overall numbers, Africa currently accounts for only a small proportion of total global cases, but the acceleration in rates of infection in some countries is of increasing concern to health authorities in the region.

The proportion of cases that are from Africa rose from 2,8 percent in early June to 5 percent of all cases reported globally by mid-July.

On May 22, Africa had recorded a total of 100 000 cases. By July 8, this number had passed 500 000.

The upward trend is starting to resemble other parts of the world that have been badly hit by the coronavirus.

Most African countries are now experiencing community transmission, according to the WHO.

This is when a person gets Covid-19 without having been in contact with a known case from abroad or a confirmed domestic case, which makes it hard for the authorities to track down the source of a local outbreak.

Where are Africa’s hotspots?

The two countries with the highest numbers of cases are South Africa and Egypt. They accounted for 75 percent of all the new cases reported by mid-July.

South Africa has the highest recorded number of total cases and reported deaths. It imposed one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in late March, but has seen cases rise steadily after this was relaxed in early May.

Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, is experiencing a steady increase in cases and accounts for more than a third of the total cases.

But Western Cape Province (where Cape Town is located) accounts for more than half of the deaths.

Egypt has seen case numbers rising rapidly since mid-May, but there are indications that this may now have reached a peak with recorded new infections levelling off slightly in early July. There is also concern about what is happening in Nigeria, which is third in terms of total cases recorded so far on the continent.

Lesotho and Namibia have also seen steep increases in cases in recent days.

It’s worth stressing that some parts of the continent have seen relatively few cases, such as some areas of central and East Africa.

In fact, WHO says five countries account for more than 70 percent of all the reported cases on the continent.

How many people

are dying in Africa?

The reported death rate per capita has been low compared to other parts of the world, despite the poor health infrastructure in many African countries. The WHO says this could be partly because of the relatively young population in Africa — more than 60 percent under the age of 25.

Covid-19 is known to have a higher mortality rate for older age groups.

Another way to look at death rates is to see what proportion of people who get Covid-19 go on to die.

On this basis, there are ten countries with death rates that are comparable to or higher than the most recent global average rate of under 4,4 percent.

The top five are: Chad (8,5 percent), Sudan (6,3 percent), Niger (6,3 percent), Liberia (6,3 percent) and Burkina Faso (5,1 percent).

But Githinji Gitahi, the head of Amref Health Africa, an NGO which specialises in health matters, says the higher rates could be an indication of much higher infection levels than those being recorded, and that it could be down to low levels of testing.

The fewer tests you carry out, the fewer cases you find, and so the number of deaths appears relatively high.

Different methods of reporting deaths may also affect the number.

For example, where community health workers and other frontline staff record Covid-19 deaths, such as in Chad and Liberia, you could get a higher death rate.

How much testing is

done in Africa?

Ten countries account for about 80 percent of the total tests conducted — South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda.

There are wide variations in testing rates, with South Africa doing the most and Nigeria doing relatively few, according to Our World in Data, a United Kingdom-based project which collates Covid-19 information.

By July 12, South Africa had done about 36 tests per 1 000 people, compared to 106 in the UK and 122 in the US.

Nigeria has achieved 0,9 tests per 1 000 people, Ghana 11 and Kenya 4.

It is worth pointing out that for some African countries, it is impossible to know what exactly is happening due to a lack of any data or data being incomplete.

“We have to take the numbers with a pinch of salt,” says Chiedo Nwankwor, a lecturer in African affairs at Johns Hopkins University in the US.

In Tanzania, President John Magufuli has voiced doubts about the validity of virus testing results at the national laboratory, and has allowed only limited data on infection rates and testing to be made public. Equatorial Guinea had a row with the WHO after accusing its country representative of inflating the number of Covid-19 cases. For a while it held back its data, but has now started sharing it again.

And in Kano state in northern Nigeria, an unusual spike of close to 1 000 deaths was reported in late April, but the government has not still confirmed how many were due to Covid-19. — BBC.

A curvaceous young woman, barely aged 40, held a sweeping broom in one hand and a dustpan in the other as she performed morning chores in her rocky yard with an air of satisfaction.

“Heya, heya, Jesu wakanaka, toridza mbira dzepamuchinjiko,” the mother of four could be heard singing as she went about her daily routine. At times she would beat her chest and shower praises on Yahweh for making it possible for her to acquire a stand in Harare.

“It can only be God. Imagine the millions in rentals I have managed to save by virtue of owning this stand. This is the best thing to have happened to me and my husband. We have a place of our own and no one can come and challenge me hear. I have had enough of landlords,” the woman told this writer.

“Takaikunda nhamo yehuroja,

takutodyarawo mhiripiri patodira muHarare (We have gone over the bend and now we can do what we want and plant whatever we feel like,” the woman purred.

No one needed special glasses to see that she was over the moon.

In the twinkling of an eye, she had started labelling tenants as brainless people who did not know how to set their priorities in life.

She now fancied herself an authority on how stands can be bought.

However, her joy came to grief one wintry morning when council drove bulldozers into her house because it had been built on a railway corridor.

As she sat on the rubble of her destroyed house, one could not help but recall how this woman thought she had conquered the world when in fact she was sitting on a time bomb.

So happy are people about owning houses in the city that they rush into investing in property without conducting the necessary due diligence.

Many people are being fleeced of large sums of money by unscrupulous land barons, who are wringing as much as possible from unsuspecting, desperate home-seekers.

“People want houses but they cannot pay once-off, so, as land barons, we make sure we have flexible payment terms. You can give someone a very big stand for very little money and allow them to pay over five years. That way you are assured of realising money from the deal before someone starts talking too much,” one land baron told this writer.

“The moment someone pays for the stand in full they start asking a lot of questions. That is the reason why we make sure they do not get to the point of wanting to develop permanent structures without paying us our dues,” he added with a straight face.

“My brother, people want houses, so we are playing our part in ensuring that they get them. “Government will always regularise these settlements, so no sweat,” the guy continued. Gentle reader, the number of people who have lost life savings to land barons and a host of other illegal land dealers calls on council to come up with a checklist on what people should look for when buying a genuine stand.

So prevalent have illegal land sales become in Harare that along High-Glen Road alone, particularly the stretch from the Kuwadzana Roundabout, swathes of land have been taken over by illegal housing cooperatives that continue to swindle people of their hard-earned money.Housing stands are being parcelled out along streams, under electricity pylons and every other open space such that members of apostolic sects are now short of places of worship.

Every other open space has now been turned into housing stands. Council and the relevant authorities must act fast. It seems like there are now more bogus housing stands than genuine ones.

People have become so desperate to own houses.

Some old buildings in Harare have now been invaded by land barons and some fly-by-night briefcase companies that offer people land.But the moment you pay your deposit will be the last time you hear about the company.

Inotambika mughetto.

Tendai Chara

They say you can fool some people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

However, it seems there are some people who are always fooled all of the time.

Fraudsters never run out of victims who are usually driven by expectations to become rich without breaking a sweat.

They usually offer hard-to-resist deals that promise lucrative returns from small sums that would have been seeded by those willing to take part in the schemes.

The victims are often assured of hefty pay-outs if they recruit new members.

It is a scam that continues to be repeated over and over again — and with the same result.

“I was introduced to the guys (pyramid scheme) early this year by a friend who had successfully received returns from his investment. I then invested part of the money that I was supposed to pay for my university fees. Nothing has come my way thus far despite earlier promises of 100 percent profit within 24 hours,” bemoaned a student who only identified himself as Tendai.

Pyramid schemes typically rely on sketchy business models where top-level members recruit new ones that are supposed to pay costs upfront.

Although they vow to pay out 100 percent profit to members overnight, the schemes are invariably fraudulent and are considered illegal in most countries, Zimbabwe included.

There are called pyramid schemes because there is normally a small group of initial investors at the top who require a large base of other investors to support the scheme.

After a brief hiatus, pyramid schemes are alive again.

Most of them are presently being pushed through social media platforms.

Some of the fraudsters have become so bold that they approach people in supermar

kets and other public places.

However, one of the “companies” that are most visible on social media and has taken the country by storm is reportedly based in Singapore.

In recent weeks, the company has been aggressively marketing itself on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

One of the tweets read: “Hi everyone. I hope I find u (sic) well during this time of the national lockdown. We all have to hustle and hustle hard. Join (company name withheld) and earn from the receipts you get from your purchases each time you shop.”

Below the tweet is a video that supposedly explains how one can make quick money by simply recruiting three people who will then pay a monthly “subscription fee” of US$99.

On social media, the operation is described as “the most exciting talk of the moment”.

But while Zimbabweans are excited about “investing” in the supposed Singapore-based company, New Era, a Namibian newspaper, recently reported that the Bank of Namibia had declared the company an illegal pyramid scheme.

Online sources claim that Ryan (last name withheld), who is listed as the company’s chief executive officer, was the operations director of another collapsed company called Saivian.

According to the sources, the company, which was declared a pyramid scheme, collapsed in 2017, with Ryan proceeding to start this new company.

It is further alleged that the company is essentially a clone of the collapsed pyramid scheme.

Among some of the companies that are calling for Zimbabweans to invest in what pundits call “suspicious” quick-returns schemes are Zimbocash, Cash-in-Crew, Crowd1, among others.

WhatsApp-based pyramid schemes (WhatsApp stokvel) are also said to offer profits of not less than 60 percent in 24 hours.

It, however, often ends in tears.

Recently, two brothers, Romeo and Tinashe Samhungu, appeared before a Harare magistrate facing charges of swindling unsuspecting victims of large sums of money through a pyramid scheme.

The brothers, who made an undertaking to pay 100 percent profit to anyone who would have invested into their mobile money merchant code, advertised their scheme on social media platforms.

“Pyramid and Ponzi schemes are ways through which intelligent people take money from vulnerable people. Such scams are characteristic of countries that are facing economic challenges. People are so desperate for money to an extent that they can practically believe everything,” notes economist and banker Mr Persistence Gwanyanya.

“Money does not grow on trees. The truth of the matter is that, in the end, the so-called investors will lose their money,” he adds.

Victims

But why are people falling victim to the same old tricks?

Dr Sandra Bhatasara, a sociologist and University of Zimbabwe lecturer, said several factors such as desperation and religious beliefs are major contributors.

“We can tackle this issue from many dimensions. One of them is related to the economic climate. People are desperate for money and as such, can be easily swayed. The other dimension is spiritual, where people are promised financial breakthroughs by prophets and traditional healers,” Dr Bhatasara said.

Apostle Emmerson Fundira of the Jehovah Sharma Ministries believes that some people fall victims because of greed.

“The Bible says a fool and his money will soon part ways and that the love of money is the root of all evil. Those that seek to make quick and easy money will surely and quickly lose their hard-earned cash,” Apostle Fundira said.

Pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing companies have an almost similar set-ups. But one of the easiest ways of distinguishing between the two — pyramid scheme and a multi-level marketing company — is that the latter involves actually selling goods and services.

Pyramid schemes are not new in Zimbabwe. They once hit the country hard in the 1990s and resulted in people thronging police stations with inquiries on how they could recover their money after their schemes collapsed.

In 1996, hundreds of prospective “money makers” were swindled out of millions of dollars by dozens of bogus savings clubs.

The following year, scores of learners at a high school in Seke, Chitungwiza, were allegedly swindled of hundreds of dollars by some teachers at the school who were running money clubs that eventually collapsed.

Apparently they were asked to pay money to the teachers with promises that they would harvest three times their initial investment in a month.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has been regularly warning members of the public to be wary of the unregistered money-spinning schemes.

In August 2016, the central bank specifically singled out MMM Global Zimbabwe– whose founder was once convicted and jailed in Russia for defrauding thousands of investors in a Ponzi scheme  — for offering an unregulated and unlicensed service.

MMM stands for Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox and was founded in 1989 by a Russian named Sergey Mavrodi, who was declared bankrupt in 1992. Former US investment advisor Bernard Madoff, arguably the most notorious Ponzi scheme artist, was sentenced to 150 years in prison on June 29, 2009 for operating a multi-billion-dollar illegal operation.