Veronica Gwaze

If you have “qualified” employees that are proving to be incompetent, you have every reason to cross-check the authenticity of their qualifications.

It is possible for a person who has never set foot in high school or any tertiary institution to have lofty academic and professional qualifications.

As a result, we have individuals that have bogus academic and professional qualifications. Others are even going further to acquire fake identity particulars.

“We have encountered some applicants with fake Ordinary and Advanced Level qualifications attempting to enroll for undergraduate programmes. While I cannot disclose statistics, these cases have been presented to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and offenders have been convicted,” revealed Midlands State University (MSU) Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa.

Fetid!

Such fake documents have existed for some time, but the fraudsters have upped the stakes by making the documents extremely difficult to detect.

For a fee ranging between US$50 and US$200, one can acquire a phoney but ostensibly genuine degree, diploma, Ordinary or Advanced Level certificate from any local institution.

Business for the fraudsters is currently booming.

Their clients are commonly desperate job seekers who are trying their luck locally or abroad and are willing to pay an arm and a leg for the fake documents.

Previously, forged documents could be easily flushed out by both private and public companies through a certificates audit system.

This is done through the issuers’ database system.

New rot

Criminals, probably working with well-placed officials within the local education system, can now easily go around the system.

“Ndokuitira ma original eku University of Zimbabwe (UZ) (I can manufacture original UZ degree for you). It will look authentic. If you face any challenges with the document, you can come and see me for a refund,” one of the culprits from Mutare, only identified as Mutasa, reassured this writer.

The Sunday Mail Society contacted the Mutare-based dealer purporting to be a potential client.

Mutasa charged us US$100 for a diploma and US$200 for a degree.

“I have connections. The certificate will be automatically loaded in the system the moment we finalise the transaction. But you need to be fast with your payment. Prices are going up due to increased demand,” added Mutasa.

The bogus certificate manufacturer said he needs at least three and five working days to produce a diploma and degree respectively.

To avoid detection when unofficially adding you to the institution’s database, he said he backdates the documents.

For re-assurance, he sent this publication a sample of a UZ Bachelor of Science Engineering Honours degree signed by former Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura.

“I have a supplier who gives me the original paper with a signature and what I only add are names. I can also produce something from other universities if you are not comfortable with big names like UZ,” he said.

“Dates of qualification on your certificate depend on the details, date of birth, that you give me. I usually prefer dealing with older people so that we backdate to say 2008 or 2010. It is much safer that way.”

However, Mutasa’s criminal activities are not isolated.

Several other criminals are conducting similar operations within and beyond borders.

Diva, who is involved in the illegal syndicate, operates from South Africa.

He manufactures all sorts of documents and charges not less than US$50 for crucial documents like passports and certificates.

“My documents appear legit, so do not worry about getting caught,” said Diva.

“Here (South Africa) we have advanced equipment that manufactures near-perfect documents. The details will be there in the Zimbabwean database to make it look real,” he said in a communication with this publication through the phone.

Beneficiaries

Sarah, a 34-year old mother of two worked as a secretary at a vehicle branding company in Capetown, South Africa, for two years.

She used Mutasa’s fake diploma, which was said to have been acquired at local polytechnic college and was never detected.

However, she was not sure if the company ever made efforts to contact the institution to verify her qualifications.

She has since resigned to pursue private interests and is now back in the country.

“I got my diploma a couple of years back and I was charged about R200 back then. I was referred to the guy by a relative who was also using fake documents,” said Sarah.

Desperation, she says, forced her to take the illegal route.

“I only had five Ordinary Levels and my parents could not afford to pay for my tertiary education. Accordingly, I struggled to get a job. Even when I travelled to South Africa, they still needed a professional qualification, hence I got linked to this guy who, back then, lived in Highfield,” recounted Sarah.

Using a fake motor mechanics diploma allegedly acquired from Bulawayo Polytechnic, Methembe Mayo (not real name) got employed as a mechanic at a high school in Botswana last year.

“I trained at a local college where I got a college certificate in diesel engine mechanics, but in Botswana a certificate is not really an advantage, so I had to send one of my siblings some money and they got me a diploma for US$80 from a local guy,” confessed Mayo.

Sad reality

UZ vice chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo feels the culprits might be capitalising on existing loopholes in the system.

“The registrar office is responsible for capturing and updating that data, hence we have put them to task. Right now, I cannot pre-empt much because investigations are ongoing. Be assured though that we will leave no stone unturned,” said Prof Mapfumo.

He said local and international companies send inquiries to check authenticity of potential employees’ documents. He, however, notes this is not deterring culprits.

“The problem may be within, which is why we are investigating. Those who will be caught offside will certainly face the law. This is a jailable offence,” adds Prof Mapfumo.

Remedy

MSU vice chancellor Prof Muzvidziwa adds they have come up with counter-measures.

“We now have an electronic database of all our former students. There are also printed copies of all the results that are presented and approved by the Senate and these are securely kept by the central records office.

“They can be retrieved upon request by an authorised person. Likewise, entrance to the places where certificates and transcripts are kept is by authorised university employees,” said Prof Muzvidziwa.

He urged law enforcement agents to introduce more punitive measures in dealing with the troublesome criminals.

“Whatever legal action is being taken should be reviewed upwards. Such issues destroy our reputation as institutions as we end up being blamed for producing incompetent students,” he said.

Standards

There are fears that the bogus academic and professional qualification holders will compromise Zimbabwe’s educational standards, particularly on the job market.

However, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira has a different opinion.

“Acquiring a job with a fake certificate will not affect our ratings out there. Bogus elements are found in every society but it is up to us to expose them,” he said.

Corporates and public entities, Prof Murwira added, had to verify documents whenever they hire new employees.

“I may not be able to give figures but these criminal activities happen and some people are in jail because of that. Organisations need to go the extra mile so that they do not fall victim to these culprits,” he said.

“People should desist from using shortcuts to acquire these qualifications; there cannot be a shorter route to education.”

So many moons ago, years immediately after the country attained independence from British colonial rule, I was among the “lucky” souls to be dispatched to boarding school.

Yes, lucky because it cost an arm and a leg to keep a child at either mission or Government schools that offered boarding facilities.

These schools were highly regarded for producing high and sound grades in public examinations like Grade 7, Zimbabwe Junior Certificate (ZJC), Ordinary and Advanced Level.

However, people got into boarding school because of many factors that were not limited to the pursuit for academic excellence.

These schools were revered for nurturing pupils with spiritual knowledge and practical skills to confront life and its many challenges.

Some people found their way at boarding school after being orphaned and without anyone to take care of them owing to the collapse of the extended family unit.

For others, they enrolled at church-run institutions because of disciplinary issues.

Naughty children were usually sent to boarding schools where there were strict disciplinarians in the form of boarding masters, matrons, teachers and headmasters.

Some pastors were roped in as part of a well-oiled system of keeping learners on the straight and narrow.

“Boarding schools have the answer to all these problems of juvenile delinquency. If he is into beer and cigarettes, just send him there and the headmasters will sort him out. Anodzoka aita straight saSelbourne mugwagwa wekuBuruwayo.

Headmaster weboarding school haanyengerere. Chake kuchaya bhutsu nekukakata nzeve,” you would hear people saying in the locations.

Those keen to improve their lower grades were also part of the children enrolling in boarding school.

This was also the case with those who would be having a second go at life after teen pregnancies.

“Akanyora bhuku rekuti ‘Ko imwe chanzi ichabvepi?’ ainyepa. Iriko kuboarding school,” some people would shout each time they saw someone struggling with their school trunk on their way to and from boarding school.

“That is that, sadza rekuboarding,” meaning you take whatever is thrown your way is among popular phrases about life at boarding school.

“Kusina amai hakuendwe (Never go where your mother is not close by)” is another statement which points to the hard life.

“Nanga chimwechete sadriver weambulance (be focused like an ambulance driver)”.

“Be as specific as an enzyme,” are some of the statements that were used by people in authority at these institutions.

And the statements were on point.

Life at boarding school was not all rosy. It was pain, pain and pain.

During our time, life at boarding school was all about studying, with very little room to play.

We often fought hard to outdo each other in various disciplines.

I remember at Nyazura Mission we would fight to have our essays displayed on the administration block.

Visitors and whoever cared to read would immediately get a clue of who among the pupils had an excellent command of the Queen’s language.

We could paint pictures through writing, and we all belonged to one family where an injury to one of us was and injury to all of us.

Because of our less privileged backgrounds, we largely survived on sharing the little we had from bathing soap to neckties.

There were some among us who exhibited good oratory skills.

They had to borrow blazers and neckties from the fortunate ones to suit the bill of perfect gentlemen at debate sessions, which formed part of the entertainment on selected nights.

We also used to share slippers.

There was a cardinal rule that no one could use the bathroom without slippers, and we used to share these without challenges.

Sadly, this show of love, which we called Organisation of African Unity (OAU), cannot be applied in this day and age of coronavirus.

With the current spike in the rate of infections, we still see people asking to use a friend’s mask to enter the shop or visit someone.

“Mukoma ndokumbirawo mask yenyu ndoda kutenga chingwa mushop umo? (May I use your mask to buy bread in that shop?” a certain young soul asked in Glen Norah last week.

I also noticed that some people were guzzling beer at illegal bottle stores without masks.

It is as if they only wear masks to avoid arrest. Gentle reader, the stage at which we are with coronavirus today bids on all of us to play the role of our brothers and sisters keepers in the strictest sense.

We have come to a period where those with means must donate masks to those without, but ensure they donate those that have never been used before. The rise in infection rates means we should all comply with the health measures that have been put in place so that we live to talk about this era in years to come.

We all need to stand together and confront this disease through sharing information necessary to preserve life.

We can all make a difference in our own small ways.

We must help each other understand that we have one life to live.

Inotambika mughetto.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, CDE EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA, FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL (Rtd) PERRANCE SHIRI, MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT, JULY 29, 2020.

I learnt with utter shock and a deep sense of grief of the death early this morning of Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri (Rtd), our Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, after a short illness.

A stalwart of our war of national liberation, Cde Shiri ranked high among our leading Zanla Field Commanders, whose contribution to the national liberation struggle was simply valiant and outstanding.

His commitment to the liberation of this country and his people amply showed when he, alongside our Vice President, General C.G.D.N Chiwenga, abandoned his studies at Mount Saint Mary’s Mission School in Wedza in 1973, and defied all odds to join the liberation struggle at a very tender age.

Once fully-trained and battle-hardened, the late Cde Shiri rose through the ranks to become the overall commander of Tete Province, one of the hottest fronts in the war.

Under his command, several spectacular missions against the enemy were carried out, among them the 1978 blasting of oil tanks in the then Salisbury, itself the heart and citadel of the settler power.

Indeed that military action, which was undertaken by a specialised ZANLA Unit which he mentored, reverberated well beyond the immediate theatre of war, and proved a turning point in the struggle for national liberation.

After the struggle, he would continue serving his country in the military, including playing a salutary role in the integration process by which erstwhile warring armies were re-oriented and re-moulded into a cohesive national army.

Later, he would be redeployed to the Air Force of Zimbabwe, becoming our second indigenous Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander after the late Cde Josiah Tungamirai.

While he discharged his onerous command duties, he still found time to further his education, in the process acquiring several professional qualifications and two masters degrees in the field of business and development.

Always focused, hardworking and hands-on, the late Minister Shiri was key to revamping our food sector by ensuring our farmers were fully mobilised, motivated and supported to mechanise, modernise and climate-proof our agriculture for sustainable national food security.

Barely a month ago, we launched and agricultural equipment initiative he concluded with an American company, John Deere.

Except for his untimely demise, we would have launched yet another of his many initiatives on mechanisation, this time with the Republic of Belarus.

It was also during his short-lived ministerial tenure that he reached out to, and opened negotiations with, white former commercial farmers with a view to breaking the impasse over the age-old national land question.

Only this morning (Wednesday), we signed an historic agreement with the former farmers, itself a crowning moment for his tireless efforts.

Sadly, as fate would have it, he would not live to witness this historic moment!

We miss him sorely.

On behalf of the Party, Zanu PF, Government, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of which he was a longstanding member, my family and my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the entire Shiri family, especially his children, who now stand orphaned.

As they go through the painful motion of deep grief, I urge them to find comfort and solace in the distinguished role and career of continuous service, which their father gave to this country.

He remains our hero together, making his demise a blow we all keenly feel and share.

May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.

IN South Africa’s Wesfleur Hospital — a 50-bed public facility in the Western Cape, 40,2 kilometres north of Cape Town — staff are refashioning security booths into makeshift Covid-19 testing centres.

Front windows are replaced with plexiglass and two holes are made in the plastic to fit the arms of health workers performing nasal swabs.

Think of a kiosk — with arms.

With Covid-19 being relatively unknown, staff were scared to do the swabbing of patients.

Even with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the fear remained,” said Dr Earl Meyer, manager of medical services at the hospital.

“Now, staff who were initially fearful are the ones conducting the most swabs.”

Previously the country’s Covid-19 epicentre, the Western Cape is now approaching its peak.

The area has  more than 82 000 positive cases, or around 28 percent of the caseload in the country, which is home to the highest number of infections on the continent.

A large number of these cases are concentrated in largely poor, black townships, where residents live in crowded conditions with limited access to water and where unreliable internet or television access makes it difficult to receive information about the virus.

At the same time, South Africa has a twin disease — the world’s largest HIV epidemic, with roughly 20 percent of adults (15-49 years) in the country living with the virus.

An estimated 520 000 of those cases are in the Western Cape and also disproportionately affect black Africans.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS have warned that past gains made in the HIV response may be threatened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A six-month disruption to supplies of antiretroviral medicines, for example, could lead to an additional 500 000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020-2021 and could also increase new transmissions from mother to child.

Resurgence of HIV in patients when they are off their antiretroviral therapy could cause overall increased transmission of the virus.

One early study from the Western Cape indicates that individuals living with HIV have a modest increased risk of dying from Covid-19 compared with HIV-negative patients, with less than 10 percent of Covid-19 deaths attributable to HIV.

Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and poorly controlled diabetes posed the greatest risk of acquiring Covid-19.

“Countries and their development partners must do all they can to ensure that people who need HIV treatment continue to access it,” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“We cannot let the Covid-19 pandemic undo the hard-won gains in the global response to this disease.”

WHO has issued specific guidelines to help governments assist vulnerable populations, including those living with HIV, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

One example is encouraging multi-month dispensing, which South Africa announced in May 2020 it would do by automatically extending antiretroviral medicine prescriptions for six- and 12-month periods.

In addition to this guidance, WHO continues to supply South Africa with PPE — including gowns, masks and face shields — to help shore up supplies and protect frontline health workers who are treating both Covid-19 and HIV patients.

Amid these challenges, Meyer and the Wesfleur Hospital team are bracing themselves for the peak of the novel coronavirus, which is expected any day now.

Through their innovative testing booths, they have been able to screen thousands of people and increased Covid-19 testing in their area by more than 400 percent.

The idea caught on.

After Wesfleur started repurposing their security booths, other facilities in the Cape Town metropolitan area took note and started to procure similarly designed booths from the department of health.

“At the time we introduced the modified outdoor booth, we had no in-patients related to Covid-19,” Meyer said.

“Things have since changed dramatically.

“With our testing booth, we have established a very effective community testing site.”

As South Africa continues to fight the virus, the WHO is working alongside it to provide guidance and support.

Through its international network and presence in 149 country offices, including 47 African countries, WHO remains the hub of lifesaving, data-driven information.

The organisation also leads efforts to distribute millions of diagnostic kits and pieces of PPE to 2,3 million health workers around the world. — www.who.int

Elita Chikwati
Senior Reporter

NATIONAL liberation fighter, retired Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Commander, and Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri (Rtd) — who died on Wednesday after a short illness at the age of 65 was declared a national hero.

President Mnangagwa described the liberation war stalwart as a man who served his country with distinction as the Zanu-PF Politburo unanimously agreed he should be declared a national hero.

The President said Cde Shiri worked very hard during his short stint as the Minister of Agriculture, a critical Government department that was reviving the whole rural economy under the Second Republic.

Minister Shiri was instrumental in revamping the agriculture sector to boost production through different projects and programmes, including the recently launched John Deere mechanisation programme.

“I have learnt with utter shock and a deep sense of grief of the death early this morning of Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrance Shiri, our Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, after a short illness.

“A stalwart of our war of National liberation, Cde Shiri ranked high among our leading Zanla field commanders whose contribution to the national liberation struggle was simply valiant and outstanding.

“His commitment to the liberation of his country and his people amply showed when he, alongside our Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga, abandoned his studies at Mt Saint Mary’s Mission School in Wedza in 1973 and defied all odds to join the liberation struggle at a very tender age,” he said.

The President said after having been fully trained and battle-hardened, Cde Shiri rose through the ranks to become the overall commander of Tete Province, one of the hottest fronts during the country’s fierce war of independence.

He said under his command, several spectacular missions against the enemy were carried out, among them the 1978 blasting of oil tanks in Salisbury, itself the heart and citadel of the settler power.

“Indeed, that military action which was undertaken by a specialised Zanla Unit which he mentored reverberated well beyond the immediate theatre of war and proved a turning point in our struggle for national liberation.

“After the struggle, he would continue serving his country in the military, including playing a salutary role in the integration process by which erstwhile warring armies were re-oriented and re-moulded into a cohesive national army. Later, he would be redeployed to the Air Force of Zimbabwe, becoming our second indigenous Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander after the late Cde Josiah Tungamirai.

“While he discharged his onerous command duties he still found time to further his education, in the process acquiring several professional qualifications and two masters degrees in the fields of business and development.

“Always focused, hardworking and hands-on, the late Minister Shiri was key to revamping our food security. Barely a month ago, we launched an agricultural equipment initiative he concluded with an American company, John Deere. Except for his untimely demise, we would have launched yet another of his many initiatives on mechanisation; this time with the republic of Belarus,” he said.

“It was also during his short-lived ministerial tenure that he reached out to and opened negotiations with white former commercial farmers with a view to breaking the impasse over the age-old national land question. Only this morning we signed a historic agreement with the former farmers, itself a crowning moment for his tireless efforts. Sadly, as fate would have it, he would not live to witness this historic moment.

“On behalf of the party Zanu PF, Government, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of which he was a longstanding member, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the entire Shiri family, especially his children who now stand orphaned.

“As they go through the painful motions of deep grief, I urge them to find comfort and solace in the distinguished role and career of continuous service which their farther gave to his country. He remains our hero, making his demise a blow we all keenly feel and share. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

In what was testimonial of Cde Shiri’s work as a minister, the President had on Wednesday presided over the signing ceremony of the historic US$3,5 billion Global Compensation Deed between Government and representatives of white farmers after protracted negotiations in which Cde Shiri played a pivotal role.

Born Bigboy Samson Chikerema on January 11, 1955, ACM Shiri grew up in Chikomba and joined Zanla as an 18-year-old, rising to the High Command in 1977.

At Independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 1982.

He was later transferred to the Air Force of Zimbabwe as Air Commodore in 1984 and in 1986, Cde Shiri took up a place at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, the defence institution that trains top British officers.

After a spell as AFZ Chief of Staff in the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe in 1992 and promoted to Air Marshal, the rank he held until his retirement when he was given a step up to Air Chief Marshal.

As minister in charge of agriculture, he played a major role in expanding the Command Agriculture programme and ensuring its viability and success as it was converted into a commercial programme backed by the Government.

Cde Shiri believed very strongly that Zimbabwean farmers could lead economic growth and could become exceptionally productive.

He died at the time when he was spearheading the Agricultural Recovery Plan, which included the Pfumvudza concept that is meant to boost household food security and ensure farming becomes a business to smallholder farmers. — The Herald.

Emmanuel Kafe

In December last year, authorities intercepted at least 200 undocumented children who were on their way to South Africa in the company of third parties.

Parents and guardians of 92 of the minors could not be readily located and they were duly referred to the Department of Social Welfare.

According to a recent report by the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services, Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome (Retired), most of the children were from Bulawayo, Harare and Chiredzi, and were destined for Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“The smuggling of children mainly into South Africa was rampant during the holidays,” the assistant regional immigration officer-in-charge of Beitbridge, Nqobile Ncube, said early this year.

As if that was not worrying enough, latest statistics from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) show that 26 cases of kidnapping and unlawful detention were recorded in the January to March period this year.

Child kidnapping or child theft is the unauthorised removal of a minor from the custody of natural parents or legally appointed guardians.

“Most of the cases emanate from disputes between spouses/families. Several of them are resolved as the child is found; disputes end up in court to rule on custodial issues and so forth,” said ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

He was, however, quick to highlight that some of the cases were being wrongly categorised.

“ . . . unlawful detention usually relates to girls who visit their boyfriends who keep them without the knowledge of parents/guardians and later turn up without explanation. However, investigations later reveal the truth and cases of sexual abuse,” he said.

Some parents are understandably living anxious over the worrying cases of child kidnapping, trafficking and forced”relocation”.

Apparently children have become the latest commodity for criminal networks who target them for exploitation.

Notwithstanding the ongoing Covid-19-induced lockdowns in most countries, child snatching syndicates are capitalising on illegal entry and exit points as border areas remain shut.

The criminals take the minors either through deceit or cohesion.

They are being kidnapped mainly for settling custody disputes, ransom and at times for ritual purposes.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage were not successful last week.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) — an intergovernmental United Nations agency that provides services and oversight around migration — says there are a number of cases of Zimbabwean parents living in neighbouring countries who pay smugglers to reunite them with their children in their adopted countries.

However, some of the cases of child smuggling and trafficking remain unknown and unreported because of the nature of the crimes, the IOM further notes.

Modus operandi

The criminals are highly organised and often ruthless.

They use blindfolds, complex and well-practiced manoeuvres with cars to block in unsuspecting victims.

In some instances, they use money or links with housemaids to commit these heinous crimes.

Men usually played a major role in kidnappings.

But the script has since changed, as some syndicates now rely on innocent-looking female co-conspirators to easily lure minors.

A Kuwadzana woman, Mrs Nyamande, was lucky to escape the pain that comes with losing her child to kidnappers.

She shudders each time she thinks of what would have been.

Her ordeal came after she separated from her husband but continued to have disputes over child custody.

What started as an ordinary day for a vegetable vendor, quickly turned nightmarish when the would-be kidnappers pounced on her six-year-old daughter.

While attending church in her neighbourhood, she received a phone call from a friend who told her of what she previously believed was unthinkable — unidentified individuals had snatched her daughter from where she was playing with other kids and drove off.

A frantic but unsuccessful door-to-door search in the crowded neighbourhood ensued.

Thereafter, Mrs Nyamande reported the case to the police.

“The news hit me hard. I could not believe it. I shook before I reported the incident to the police,” she said, adding: “I automatically suspected my husband since we were having a custody dispute over the child.”

And she was right!

Police later discovered that it was her husband that was behind the kidnapping.

A Diaspora-based businessman, who was at the centre of a recent landmark judgement on joint guardianship and custody, recently had his five-year-old child kidnapped.

The child was snatched in typical movie-style by two armed men driving an unregistered Ford Ranger at Waterfalls Shopping Centre in Harare.

Maids are also proving to be key conspirators in child kidnapping rings.

A Harare maid, Isabel Makuya, reportedly disappeared with her employer’s five-year-old son early this year.

She later dumped him in Marondera, where the child was discovered and taken to ZRP Dombotombo (Marondera).

And last year, just after the festive season, a domestic worker in Hatfield also disappeared with a two-year-old child two days into her new job.

In Bulawayo, police has since launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly kidnapped and raped a three-year-old girl in Entumbane suburb before dumping her on the outskirts of the suburb.

Similarly, a 15-year-old teenage girl from Matshobana suburb was dragged into a neighbour’s house and detained for four hours when she was on her way from extra lessons.

There were reports in February this year of a Victoria Falls man who kidnapped his neighbour’s six-year-old son and subsequently stabbed the victim’s father after he enquired about his child’s whereabouts.

But who is to blame for these growing cases?

While the police have a duty to protect citizens, children included, parents still need to be proactive in safeguarding their children’s safety.

Security expert with a local organisation, George Musamali, believes children remain a soft target for criminals, with a majority of the culprits known to them.

“Crime against children has really increased in Zimbabwe judging by stories that are making headlines in the press, and it is a worrying trend. Previously, kidnappings were prevalent outside the country and were purely for ransom,” he notes.

“We now have abductions, sexual harassment of children, not only against the girl-child but even boys. Thus, the parents should play a lead role in promoting the safety of their children.”

At least 1,2 million children are trafficked every year across the globe.

Veronica Gwaze

It has taken emerging artist, Blessing Deve, 15 years to cast away the pain and gather the courage to relieve her 2005 pains through song.

The 44-year old’s single titled Zita raJesu will premiere on YouTube on Friday at 11 am.

The single comes as Deve’s second project, after a 2016 seven-track album titled God is Able, could not make a hit.

Inspired by biblical scriptures from Phillipians 2 vs 2 to 11, the song is based on an incident that happened one-and-a-half decades ago when she delivered her first-born daughter.

In the lyrics, she describes God as a great man who carries so much power and authority and declares herself as His ambassador.

A bubbly character, who, beyond the smiles and laughter has been a haunted character, could not talk of the February 25, 2005 experiences after which she finally gave birth to a pre-term baby.

“I had to pen a song because my life is that of miracles and for years I could not talk about it,” she narrated.

“In 2005 when I was 28 weeks pregnant with my only daughter, I suddenly started bleeding heavily and had to be rushed to hospital.

“The doctor’s recommendation was that I immediately undergo a surgery to deliver or I would lose the baby.”

The songster remembers her silent prayers while she awaited to be taken into theatre.

And how in a short time the doctors reversed their decision, citing that her condition was no longer dire hence she could have a normal delivery.

After a gruelling 10 hours, around 11pm on the day, she gave birth to a premature baby weighing 1,9kg.

“Somehow my prayers were instantly answered, I had a natural birth to a 1,9kg baby,” she remembers.

“She was very tiny and I remember being afraid to hold or even bath her, I believe that is testimony enough.”

The baby was then supposed to stay two months in hospital in an incubator so that she could develop into full term.

Pleased by her rapid growth and development, in six days, she was discharged from hospital.

The gospel singer describes that experience as “the miracle” in her lyrics and marvels at how God saved her daughter’s life.

Aries (March 20 – April 18)

THE end of the week is looking good for you, Aries! On Thursday, Jupiter conjoins Pluto in Capricorn, giving you a boost of good luck and opportunities in your work sector. This could be the start of a beautiful new career, or maybe you are making big decisions or getting promoted.

Taurus (April 19 – May 19)

A sense of déjà vu begins your week when Mercury enters Scorpio for the second time this year on Tuesday. Mercury moves back into your sector of partnerships, putting the spotlight back on your relationships. For the next couple weeks, conversations between you and your loved ones become more intense as you learn more about them. Do not be afraid to go deep.

Gemini (May 20 – June 19)

This week and for the next couple weeks, your words hold a lot of power as Mercury enters Scorpio for the second time. Mercury is in your sector of routine, putting some extra attention on productivity and self-discipline. While these are always good things, try not to get too focused on your habits this month or they could quickly morph into obsessions.

Cancer (June 20 – July 21)

The weeks begins on a good note for you as Mercury enters Scorpio for the second time this year. With the planet of communication in your pleasure sector, this is the perfect opportunity to practice self-expression. Do some creative activities, take up new hobbies and just focus on what makes you feel good. It should be an interesting few weeks.

Leo (July 22 – August 21)

Your week gets a little stormy when Mercury enters Scorpio for the second time this year on Tuesday. Yes, back again for round two. Communication and thinking could be a little intense for the next few weeks, so try to keep your sharp tongue in check, especially since the planet of communication will be in your family sector. Be careful of a family feud right before the holidays.

Virgo (August 22 – September 21)

Good news! Your ruling planet is finally back in the compatible sign of Scorpio. On Tuesday, Mercury enters the sign of the mysterious Scorpion for the second time and will be in your sector of communication for the next few weeks. This is the perfect time to get organised, check on siblings or even take a short trip.

Libra (September 22 – October 21)

Starting Tuesday, your words hold a great deal of value thanks to Mercury re-entering Scorpio. Your words become extra precious but sharp. Choose what you say (and how you say it) with a great deal of thought. Mars is in your sector of partnerships, and now that the planet is moving forward it is releasing extra energy, passion and sex appeal. While you may be tempted to stray from an established relationship, career or project, it would not be wise.

Scorpio (October 22 – November 20)

Mercury is back in your sign once again on Tuesday, giving your words extra power. While you will be more seductive and magnetic for the next three weeks, it is also a good time to do some critical thinking. Take a look at your life and make some assessments. You do not have to make any decisions yet. Just think about it. You feel extra powerful when the new moon is in your sign on Saturday, making for a very transformative night.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 20)

As Mercury re-enters Scorpio on Tuesday, the days get shorter and the nights get longer, so it might be a good idea to check in with your mental well-being. Scorpio is an intense enough sign as it is, but Mercury will be in your sector of the subconscious, making emotions and communication very powerful.

Give yourself privacy to collect your thoughts. After months of fatigue, you finally have the drive to do things that make you feel good. Enjoy it, Sagittarius!

Capricorn (December 21 – January 19)

Everything is coming up aces for you as the planet of luck and the planet of transformation conjoin in your sign. On Thursday, Jupiter and Pluto meet, which could give you a boost of luck to change any aspect of your life, from appearance to career to social status. Now is the perfect time to get the family together for a nice dinner or just start the holiday decorating a little early.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

It is time to get to work, Aquarius! On Tuesday, Mercury enters Scorpio for the second time, landing right in your career sector. For the next three weeks, all your thoughts will be centred on work and how to get ahead. Whether it is building your reputation or networking, you will be showing what a powerful force you are in the office, almost to the point of obsession. Be careful.

Pisces (February 19 – March 19)

Your charms come out when Mercury re-enters Scorpio on Tuesday. This is a very welcome return for you because the Scorpion gives your words an extra oomph of seduction and magnetism. People are hanging on your every word. While you are casting people under your spell, do not forget to expand your mental horizons, too! This new moon is in your sector of philosophy, making it an ideal time to study new ideas or different cultures or plan a trip. Open your mind, Pisces. —horoscope.com

Fatima Bulla-Musakwa

THE Embassy of Japan has committed US$182 000 to fund two grassroots projects to help fight gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls in Zimbabwe.

The two initiatives — a Family Support Centre for Women’s Safety and a Clinic for Survivors of GBV — will be set up in Harare and Bulawayo, respectively.

Both projects will be funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), an initiative by the Japanese Government that offers financial assistance for small-scale development projects.

The Japanese embassy signed Memoranda of Understanding on Friday with two local Non-Governmental Organisations — Katswe Sistahood and Family Support Trust — who will oversee implementation of the projects.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Japanese embassy interim Charge d’Affaires, Mr Kenichi Kasahara said equality was a driver of development.

“Achieving gender equality is not an issue specific to Zimbabwe. It is a worldwide issue,” he  said.

“My own country, Japan, is also striving to create a gender-equal society, and has introduced an initiative to ‘create a society in which all women can shine’.

“Japan is committed to promoting gender equality throughout the world.

“To achieve a gender-equal society involves many aspects, including formulating rules and regulations, implementing these rules and regulations, and their social acceptance.”

The two projects are expected to address the issue of gender equality through several initiatives.

The Family Support Centre for Women’s Safety will be set up at Overspill Market in Epworth, at a cost of US$90 909 while the Clinic for Survivors of GBV will be established at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for a similar amount.

Katswe Sistahood, will implement the Epworth project, while Family Support Trust fund will lead the other.

The Centre is projected to provide legal services, reproductive health support, counselling, youth empowerment and training to 3 000 women and girls annually.

The clinic at Mpilo will be a one-stop centre providing counselling, examination, treatment, and legal services, with a view to reducing stigma.

Over 2 000 GBV survivors are expected to receive support at the clinic yearly.

Zimbabwe recorded a 70 percent increase in GBV cases between March and June, at the height of the Covid-19 induced national lockdown.

Fungi Kwaramba

ZIMBABWE is on the cusp of greatness with the construction of a new Parliament building being a symbol of the Second Republic’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law, President Mnangagwa has said.

This follows his tour of the new Parliament building which is nearing completion in Mt Hampden, as well as his visit to the site where the memorial statue of the revered Mbuya Nehanda will be hoisted in Harare’s Central Business District.

Posting on micro-blogging platform Twitter, the President said Zimbabweans must take pride in the country’s institutions and assured the nation that in the march forward no one will be left behind.

“Our new Parliament building will be a symbol of our commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

“Zimbabwe may not be an old democracy but we are proud of our institutions of Government and our belief that all Zimbabweans should have a say in the running of our country,” said the President.

On the construction of the statue for the iconic First Chimurenga war heroine Mbuya Nehanda, the President, whose Government has pledged to honour more of the country’s heroes and heroines through immortalising their legacy in sculpture and history, said it was important to tell the Zimbabwean story for the benefit of both present and future generations.

“The construction of the monument in honour of Mbuya Nehanda is nearing completion. It is vital that we show to our children and grandchildren that Zimbabwe has a rich history of heroes that fought for our freedom,” he said.

The Second Republic, under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa, is currently pursuing Vision 2030 to become an upper middle-class economy, with the recent budget presentation by Finance Minister and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube focusing more on infrastructural development projects such as dam and road construction.

To this end, the President said when it comes to national development, no one should be left behind. He said there was need for the country to pull in one direction to reach its full potential.

“Zimbabwe is on the brink of greatness, but we can only achieve it if we fight for it together.”

The budget for the coming year is built on the gains of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) of the last two years and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), that aims at an average economic growth of 5 percent in the next five years and employment creation.

This multi-pronged approach of the strategies is designed to see Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans become wealthier, with everyone able to participate and no one, even the most vulnerable, left behind.

Recently, the highly respected Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) ranked the Zimbabwe Government among countries with the most improved governance system in Africa in a 10-year survey.

The IIAG assesses governance performance in 54 African countries over the latest available 10-year period, providing a framework and dashboard to assess the delivery of public goods and services and public policy outcomes in African countries.

According to its latest report Zimbabwe, which is undergoing rapid transformation under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is ranked 33rd with a percentage score of 46 percent, +7.4 improvement during the 2010 to 2019, it is among the five most improved African countries over the past decade.

Zimbabwe recorded improvements in the categories of Human Development; Foundations for Economic Development and Security and Rule of Law.

This comes as the Second Republic has been entrenching far-reaching political and economic reforms that have seen the opening of the airwaves as was witnessed when six new television stations were licensed, while on the economic front the New Dispensation is hard at work on various infrastructural development projects such as dam and road construction.

So far, the President has presided over the commissioning of dams in different parts of the country such as Marovanyati in Buhera, power generation projects in Hwange, the road constructions as well as the reopening of parts of Chipinge and Chimanimani which were ravaged by Cyclone Idai a year ago.

French police shut down on a huge party on Saturday in northwestern France that had been underway since New Year’s Eve in defiance of a curfew and coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings.

About 2 500 people had attended the rave party in an unused warehouse in Lieuron, near Rennes, and some clashed with police on Saturday, police said.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that party-goers were issued with fines as they left the site and organisers were being identified and would be prosecuted.

The Ille-et-Vilaine prefecture said on Twitter 450 fines had been handed out for attending an illegal party, breaking curfew and not wearing masks.

Local health authorities urged party-goers to self-isolate for seven days.

Prosecutors in Rennes have opened a probe into the illegal organisation of a musical event and violence against persons of authority, the prefecture said on Saturday after the clashes.

A police car caught fire and three others were damaged, the prefecture said.

Party-goers threw bottles and rocks at police and several officers suffered minor injuries.

With the highest number of Covid-19 cases in western Europe, France is stepping up coronavirus restrictions, imposing an earlier curfew in 15 north-eastern and south-eastern departments from Saturday, starting at 6pm instead of 8pm.

France has already had two national lockdowns since the outbreak started and the latest was eased in mid-December, but restaurants and bars are off limits for now and it is not clear when they might re-open — Reuters.

Police attempting to shut down an underground, curfew-busting New Year’s Eve party that drew at least 2 500 people in western France were attacked by ravers who torched one police vehicle and injured officers with volleys of bottles and stones.

Hundreds of vehicles started converging on a hangar in Lieuron, Brittany, on Thursday night to party into the new year, the regional government said on Friday.

It said police were attacked when they tried to stop ravers from installing their party gear.

On Friday morning, 2 500 ravers from France and abroad were still partying, circled by a reinforced police presence, the regional government said.

Prosecutors were considering an array of possible criminal charges. The party took place despite France’s 8pm to 6am nationwide curfew aimed at dissuading public gatherings during the pandemic.

Party-goers, however, appealed for understanding after months of nightlife-destroying lockdowns and curfews designed to limit coronavirus infections.

A volunteer with an aid group that was distributing masks, anti-virus gel and health advice inside the techno party said ravers needed to let loose.

He said ravers were trying to stay safe by not sharing joints or drinks.

Their group, Techno+, was advising partygoers to self-isolate for a week and then get tested after attending the rave. The group also said the disused hangar was airy and well ventilated.

France has reported more than 64 000 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic. –The Guardian.

Emmanuel Kafe
A RAMSHACKLE commuter omnibus (kombi) speeds into an undesignated pick-up point adjacent to Mbudzi roundabout, where a group of commuters rush into the vehicle.
The desperate passengers wrestle their way into the rickety vehicle, which is filled at the blink of an eye.
A stone’s throw away from the unsightly commotion is a police checkpoint manned by armed law enforcement officers, who are ensuring movement restrictions are respected, along the busy Simon Mazorodze road.
The police appear oblivious of the turmoil taking place nearby, apparently indifferent to the flagrant disregard of the law.
Once the vehicle has loaded, the conductor alights before making his way towards the checkpoint, with wads of notes in his hands.
The conductor then hands over the cash to one police officer before rushing back to the kombi, which has been slowly making its way towards the roadblock.
Moments later, the vehicle is cleared to pass without going through the necessary Covid-19 protocols that include checking for exemption letters from passengers and the kombi crew. Surprisingly, a police officer in uniform is seated in the front seat.
The Sunday Mail crew investigating the menace of kombis that are flouting lockdown restrictions in Harare, pursues the kombi — registration number ADZ 6602 — as it flies past the police checkpoint, heading towards central Harare.
However, it does not have number plates at the vehicle’s rear.
From there on, the kombi carelessly manoeuvres past other motorists that are perceived to be delaying it.
Within minutes, the kombi reaches its destination — Charter Road in central Harare — before passengers scurry out at the command of the conductor, who is on the lookout for police details on patrol.
Private passenger vehicles which are not registered under the Zupco franchise have been banned as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
However, kombis continue operating illegally on local roads through colluding with corrupt law enforcement officers who allow them free passage at security checkpoints.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi says authorities will investigate this particular incident.
“We do not condone any corrupt activities by members of the police services; it is a dismissible offence. We will conduct investigations into the matter,” says Asst Comm Nyathi.
“As you are aware, we have been arresting some rogue police officers who are found to be operating outside of the confines of the law,” he said.
As of yesterday, 3 127 people had been arrested for contravening Covid-19 regulations since the level four lockdown began on January 5.
“Nine hundred and four people were arrested for not wearing masks, which is a cause for concern considering the spiking numbers of positive cases being recorded in the country, while 1 710 people were also arrested for unnecessary movements.”

With each fresh coat of paint, the old, brown garage wall comes to life.

As the rust peels off, the painting of the mural becomes more vivid and Chako Shopping Centre in Zimbabwe’s eastern district of Chipinge is left abuzz.

Petronella Charlie – a 21-year-old upcoming arist – and her peers use a combination of red, yellow, white, green and brown to imprint the images on the large wall. Curiosity turns into animated conversation as people try to figure out the meaning of the mural as it is painted.

“I think that is a hand of an older person directing a child to go fetch something,” said a man, as the crowd – practicing social distancing – slowly observed.

“No,” interjected a woman holding a hoe after briefly abandoning weeding her maize field nearby.

“Can’t you see the older person is wearing a mask, this is about Covid-19 prevention,” she said, adjusting her own mask.

“This is about children’s health, that is why we have the child and the tape measures there,” chipped in another woman.

The murals act as collective thought spaces to create dialogue and raise awareness amongst mothers, caregivers, fathers and communities on promoting health messages, including information on promoting maternal, neonatal and child health services and promoting male participation in family health.

In one image, a caregiver is seen measuring a child’s height.

In another, caregivers monitor the child using a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape to identify malnutrition.

All adults in the mural are wearing masks as part of Covid-19 messaging.

The mural is one of more than 10 planned for Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo provinces.

The three provinces were most affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019 and are now benefitting from the World Bank-funded Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP). Under ZIRP, UNICEF, collaborating with GOAL Zimbabwe, has embarked on this outdoor media campaign using art murals promoting positive health behaviour in communities.

The murals also incorporate Covid-19 messages as part of UNICEF’s integrated public health approach.

The outdoor media campaign is targeting nearly 2,5 million people, including 400 000 children and almost 200 000 pregnant and lactating women in the three predominantly rural provinces.

Local authorities such as Tsitsi Nyanhete, the Ministry of Health and Child Care health promotion officer for Chipinge District, are excited about the potential reach of the campaign.

“This is where people from all corners of the district converge. Everyone has to pass by these shops at some point, and I am sure this will catch their attention. Just by looking at the images they will understand the message. Images are also good in that even those who can’t read can still get the message. Very few people have access to radios or TVs and newspapers here, so this serves a very good purpose,” said Nyanhete.

At Chako Shopping Centre, the enthusiasm was easily noticeable.

One woman said the mural reminded her of one she had seen earlier on malaria prevention. “Once you see the pictures, you never forget,” she said.

Others were fascinated by the combination of colour, images and words to engrain health messages in the community’s conscience.

“The colours are bright, you can’t miss it,” said a man buying fuel at an adjacent petrol station.

He added, “Protecting the wall and spreading the message at the same time, what a clever way to save lives.” – UNICEF

AS countries introduce measures to restrict movement as part of efforts to reduce the number of people infected with Covid-19, more and more of us are making huge changes to our daily routines.

The new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues take time to get used to.

Adapting to lifestyle changes such as these, and managing the fear of contracting the virus and worry about people close to us who are particularly vulnerable, are challenging for all of us.

They can be particularly difficult for people with mental health conditions.

Fortunately, there are a lot of things that we can do to look after our own mental health and to help others who may need some extra support and care.

Here are tips and advice that we hope you will find useful:

Keep informed

Listen to advice and recommendations from your national and local authorities. Follow trusted news channels, such as local and national TV and radio and keep up-to-date with the latest news.

Have a routine

Keep up with daily routines as far as possible, or make new ones. 

 Get up and go to bed at similar times every day.

 Keep up with personal hygiene.

 Eat healthy meals at regular times.

 Exercise regularly.

 Allocate time for working and time for resting.

 Make time for doing things you enjoy.

Minimise newsfeeds

Try to reduce how much you watch, read or listen to news that makes you feel anxious or distressed.

Seek the latest information at specific times of the day, once or twice a day if needed.

Social contact is important. If your movements are restricted, keep in regular contact with people close to you by telephone and online channels.

Alcohol and drug use

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink or do not drink alcohol at all. Do not start drinking alcohol if you have not drunk alcohol before. Avoid using alcohol and drugs as a way of dealing with fear, anxiety, boredom and social isolation.

There is no evidence of any protective effect of drinking alcohol for viral or other infections. In fact, the opposite is true as the harmful use of alcohol is associated with increased risk of infections and worse treatment outcomes.

And be aware that alcohol and drug use may prevent you from taking sufficient precautions to protect yourself again infection, such as compliance with hand hygiene.

Screen time

Be aware of how much time you spend in front of a screen every day. Make sure that you take regular breaks from on-screen activities.

Social media

Use your social media accounts to promote positive and hopeful stories. Correct misinformation wherever you see it.

Help others. If you are able to, offer support to people in your community who may need it, such as helping them with food shopping.

Support health workers

Take opportunities online or through your community to thank your country’s health-care workers and all those working to respond to Covid-19.

Don’t discriminate

Fear is a normal reaction in situations of uncertainty. But sometimes fear is expressed in ways which are hurtful to other people. – WHO

Tendai Chara

ROOIBOS tea has been popular in Southern Africa for generations.

Since the turn of the millennium, it has gained popularity internationally.

According to documented historical accounts, the tea’s history is rooted in Cape Town, South Africa, where Khoisans, the indigenous Bushmen of the region, harvested the leaves from the aspalathus linearis plant for centuries. 

The leaves were used as herbal remedies for many ailments.

In 1968, Annique Theron, a South African businesswoman, published a book on rooibos tea’s amazing health benefits.

After the book’s release, hundreds of studies found more about rooibos tea’s antioxidants and other health advantages. 

With this new medical understanding, the tea’s popularity soared.

The outbreak of the coronavirus has resulted in many people switching to herbal teas such as zumbani, which is increasingly being used as a home remedy for Covid-19.

There is a growing lobby for the commercial production of local herbal teas such as zumbani, makoni and moringa.

Ms Caroline Jacquit, the projects manager for Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe (BIZ), a non-profit innovation hub which drives research and facilitates knowledge-sharing around existing and potential commercial applications for indigenous underutilised plants, said zumbani can be grown commercially and exported. 

“BIZ, in conjunction with the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens, conducted research which proved that zumbani can be commercially cultivated and processed. We must take the route which was taken on rooibos and make zumbani an internationally known tea,” Ms Jacquit said.

She said farmers can partner private companies, research organisations and the Government to develop an international market for local herbal teas.

“There are a large number of locally available plant species that could be used by small-scale farmers, especially in the drier parts of Zimbabwe. We studied some of these plants. What must be done now is to develop them into marketable products.

“Zumbani should be transformed from potential revenue into actual revenue sources. We want to see farmers generating real cash from such underutilised plants as zumbani.”

When crushed, zumbani leaves give off a strong lemon-like smell. 

It is said to be one of the most aromatic of Zimbabwe’s indigenous shrubs. 

According to BIZ, zumbani, which is also known as the fever tea tree, requires little maintenance.

Dr Kamwelo Banda — a Malawian-born Harare-based traditional healer, herbalist and spiritualist — believes zumbani and other local herbs can be commercialised.

“I was in India two years ago and I noticed that they are very aggressive when it comes to developing and marketing their herbs. In my view, if marketed aggressively, zumbani can be easily accepted by the global tea market,” notes Dr Banda.

Research by BIZ revealed that herbs like zumbani tolerate most soils, are drought tolerant and can be a very reliable source of livelihood for farmers.

Makoni herbal tea can also be commercialised.

Produced from the leaves of the fadogia ancylantha bush, which grows mostly in the Eastern Highlands, the tea, which is believed to have medicinal properties, is commercially produced by the Makoni Indigenous Tea Producers’ Association.

Traditionally, the herbal tea was used to boost the immune system, build stamina and treat abdominal pain, including menstrual pain, backache, chest pains, coughs and flu, including other ailments. 

The herbal tea is used as an aphrodisiac and to treat fertility problems in women.

The Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE) has been facilitating the establishment of a community-based enterprise for the production and marketing of makoni tea in Nyanga.

The association generates revenue from the sale of the pre-processed leaves and receives dividends based on returns from tea sales locally and abroad. 

Research has shown that while little is known about makoni herbal tea, the product has over the past years dominated the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and is a favourite in Western countries.

Although the moringa tree, commonly known as the horseradish tree, is native to India, it is now found all over the world, including Zimbabwe.

According to BIZ, moringa is one of the most “useful” trees on earth and can be grown commercially in Zimbabwe.

“It is a fast-growing plant which can reach three metres in just 10 months after the seed is planted. 

“It is a healer and also possess surprising water purification capabilities,” read part of a description of the plant on the BIZ website.

Research has shown that moringa leaves are an excellent source of protein and a very low source of fat and carbohydrates.

The leaves are believed to have a stabilising effect on blood pressure and control glucose levels.

They are used to treat anxiety, diarrhoea and inflammation of the colon, skin infections, scurvy, intestinal parasites, and many other conditions.

DURING my bachelorhood and early years of marriage, there was a time I contemplated flying back to the parental nest after failing to cope with the demands of an abrasive landlord.

Besides demanding his money in cash, without the option of using other payment options, the chap always used coarse and uncharitable language. He ran his house like a totalitarian state where he was the absolute sovereign.

It was illegal to take a shower before him and, worse, to use the toilet when he was nearby.

His wife made it a point to check whether or not you had messed the toilet.

At this Sunningdale den, gentle reader, no tenant was allowed a visitor of the opposite sex and no one could enter the yard after 7pm without the express authority of the landlord and his wife. Relish like beans, beef bones, mazondo, which took long to prepare and chewed more electricity, was a big no. Each time you met the landlord and his wife in the passage, you knew you would get long lectures on their version of morality. Of course, the conversations never ended without the routine reminder that you were a dispensable tenant.

“My son, building a house in town is hard. I do not think you can do it despite your level of education. Kuforera imba mudhorobha kwakaoma. I cannot stand by and watch you destroying my house and that is why I do not want to see any picture frames on my walls,” he would often say. 

It was worse if the water or electricity bill arrived mid-month because you would be expected to unfailingly pay your contribution there and then. However, despite religiously settling the bill, power and water supplies were frequently disconnected. Yet you never dared to ask why.

“If you want to know the reason why council officials disconnected water supplies here please buy your own house. No lodger can ask me anything here because this is my empire,” the landlady would say before reminding you to remove spider webs from the walls of her “beautiful” house. Being a lodger seemed to be a crime — one literally ceded their rights to the landlord. Some tenants are going through hell in communities in which they live.

Somehow, the moment someone becomes a lodger, they become worthless. 

 “Unotaureiko iwe uri roja? Dai uine njere handiti ungadai uine imba yakowo here nhai chikomana?” you are reminded.

Though painful, such are the challenges lodgers have to contend with on a daily basis.

The moment you mention the word landlord to some people, they grow goose pimples. 

A landlord resembles a lion in the eyes of a tenant. Perhaps that is why some people desperately settled on wetlands.

“My friend, I was literally living in bondage. The moment I got the opportunity to own a house I leapt on it. Imagine a woman of my age being told who to date, what to eat and when to get home by someone who lives off my rentals?” said one woman to this writer.

“ . . . you may look down upon those people who built homes on wetlands in Budiriro and Chitungwiza, but at least they had peace of mind.” While being a landlord is a privilege, it is critical to be respectful of others.

Inotambika mughetto.

rosenthal.mutakati@zimpapers.co.zw

Emmanuel Kafe

It seems there is no respite for desperate home seekers as they continue to be shortchanged by greedy land barons and inept local authorities.

Home seekers settled on wetlands, have been suffering in silence, as attempts to bring land barons and corrupt city fathers to justice have been unsuccessful thus far.

However, the recent damage to residential properties in Harare and Chitungwiza by floods induced by incessant rains has exposed the folly of building on undesignated sites.

The Government has taken a keen interest in establishing how the affected property owners came to be illegally allocated land in the affected areas.

“The Government is, however, deeply concerned with the illegal expansive construction in wetlands and river basins. The current excellent rains received across the country have exposed and laid bare the extent of the associated problems in unplanned settlements in our urban, peri-urban and growth points,” said President Mnangagwa while addressing the nation on Thursday.

“Henceforth, relevant ministries are being constituted into working groups that will focus on social service delivery as well as arresting the negative impact of the chaotic, unplanned illegal settlements.”

The probe is expected to open a can of worms.

Double whammy

Investigations by The Sunday Mail Society revealed that some Budiriro 5B Extension residents are set to have their houses demolished by council for the second time in less than a decade.

“It feels like a never-ending nightmare. I thought I had finally got a reprieve after a false start. I got this stand as compensation for my house that was demolished six years back after it emerged that a housing co-operative introduced to us by some council officials sold stands on unapproved land,” said a dejected Shamiso Gore.

“Just like now, we had stand numbers back then and we were paying rates to council. I have lost so much money in building two houses, on separate occasions, which I have never been able to live in.”

There currently exists a dispute over ownership of the land on which the homes are built.

The affected homeowners bought their stands from Tembwe Housing Co-operative in 2010 and have been paying monthly subscriptions of US$30, or the equivalent in local currency, per month.

“We were told by the city council that  . . . our co-operative (Tembwe) was legally registered. Every member contributed monthly subscription fees, and got water connection that was inspected by the city council. When then did the settlement become illegal?” queried Mrs Jennifer Muswera.

However, Harare City Council claims it never sold the land to Tembwe Housing Cooperative. 

Instead, it announced in 2015 that it intended to sell the area in question to Events Housing Co-operative.

What is baffling though is why council was willing to sell a piece of land deemed to be a wetland to a housing co-operative?

National Housing and Social Amenities Ministry has ordered those who were duped to stop making payments to either land barons or councils. 

In fact, the Government intends to help them sue the criminals and get back their money. 

But the affected residents are sceptical.

“I still find myself on the waiting list years after my house was demolished by council despite being promised immediate compensation. I have remained optimistic over the years, paying my subscriptions, because my friend got this stand.

“Sadly, we are once again being told it is an illegal settlement. This is the second time suffering a similar fate at the hands of council and housing co-operatives,” a tearful David (surname withheld) said.

His colleague, Mr Albert Tenga (50), tried to put up a brave face.

He concedes he has become accustomed to pain and loss.

His two-roomed cottage — the place he has called home for close to a decade — was destroyed by floods in Budiriro 5B, leaving his family homeless.

There are at least 134 houses in the community.

“We have a masterplan and layout plans approved by council, but today they are calling us illegal occupants. What is even more baffling is the fact that we have been paying bills and have so many letters from council bearing our addresses,” said Mr Tenga.

Unending cycle

But why would one continue to pay rates and subscriptions even after being duped?

“Council and co-operatives are taking advantage of us. They tell us that only paid-up residents will get first preference when new stands are availed, thus we are left with no choice but to keep on paying, only hoping for the best.”

Budiriro 5B is just a microcosm of a larger problem, where some well-connected corrupt individuals are taking advantage of desperate home seekers.

Cities like Gweru, Bulawayo and Mutare have not been spared by the rot that has left the country’s major cities as havens of corruption.

There are several cases where corrupt officials actually changed zoning and layout plans to include land that should never have been built on in the first place.

In the high density suburb of Tafara/Mabvuku, our crew identified infill stands that are alleged to have been illegally sold to unsuspecting home-seekers.

In some instances, the people knew that the stands were not legal but were made to believe they could be easily regularised.

For instance, in Tafara, along Gurwe Road, the Sithole and Chafesuka families find themselves at the receiving end of the alleged council corruption.

“I got a plan from council to construct a new structure on my stand around 2002. Strangely, they later demolished the building, arguing the place was not suitable for construction,” narrated Mr Vain Chafesuka.

“Surprisingly, a couple of years later that very same land, which is part of my yard, was sold to another person as an infill stand.”

His neighbour, only identified as Mr Sithole, suffered a similar fate.

“I was told the area has water and sewer pipes and was close to the road, which made it an illegal construction site according to council by-laws. But, as you can see, they have since sold the land to someone else. If the law did not allow me to build there, how did it change to accommodate this other person? Clearly corruption is at play,” he queried.

The owners of the infill stands are paying rates yet they are not officially in the council database.

“Go and ask Chirenje those questions, he is the one that handled our paperwork,” fumed one of the infill stand owners after we tried to get clarity.

Chirenje, whose full name could not immediately be ascertained, is understood to have left council after a series of land scandals in the area. 

It is alleged that he worked with Sithole (full name withheld), who has since been reassigned.

“We are not allowed to talk to the press. You can get in touch with our head office,” officials from the Tafara Mabvuku offices said.

Efforts to get a comment from Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme were in vain.

Opposition-run councils have been in the spotlight owing to current efforts to reclaim wetlands and arrest rapid urbanisation.

Inhabitants of wetlands encounter a number of problems that include structural failure of their housing units due to flooding.

They are prone to water-borne diseases.

Recent demolitions and plans to demolish more illegal settlements have once again shown the magnitude of corruption and weak implementation of existing environmental laws within local authorities.

To date, Harare City Council has secured 23 court rulings in their favour, and 22 are yet to be executed. 

The Budiriro 5 demolition was the first of these orders.

The Government ordered the suspension of the demolitions until the end of the rainy season.

Late last year, six MDC Alliance councillors were arrested for allegedly being involved in land scams.

Harare officials that have appeared in court on corruption charges involving land include ex-Mayor Herbert Gomba, the housing director Addmore Nhekairo, acting human resources director Matthew Marara and principal housing director Edgar Dzehonye.

A week ago, prominent Chitungwiza land baron Frederick Mabamba appeared in court facing fraud allegations after he allegedly sold State land. 

“It seems the occupations are now being championed by individuals who are seeking to profit from the ordinary peoples’ quest for land and housing,” notes Harare Progressive Residents Association (HPRA) secretary-general Moses Nyesvurai.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is currently working on gazetting all ecologically sensitive areas in line with Section 113 of Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) in order to ring-fence wetlands as protected areas.

“The agency is currently working on formalising wetland management guidelines, which will give a generic standard guide to the management of wetlands in Zimbabwe,” revealed EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange.

EMA has since turned down 20 infrastructural developments from co-operatives and businesses on wetlands, particularly in Budiriro, Msasa and Alexandra Park.

Veronica Gwaze

Do you still remember the infamous 1997 Chikurubi prison break involving hardcore criminals Stephen Chidhumo, Pedzisai Musariri, Mariko Ngulube and Elias Chauke?

It was a daring movie-style operation that was hitherto regarded as inconceivable, especially considering Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison is the country’s most secure prison.

Although there have been countless stories to try and explain what happened, the exact details of the prison break are still shrouded in mystery.

However, former hardcore criminal and convict Fungai Mutenda, who at one time was in custody with the dangerous quartet — Chidhumo, Chauke, Musariri and Ngulube — not only claims to have had a front-row seat on the fateful day, but considers himself the mastermind.

He is, however, still traumatised by this sad and regrettable episode.

“It pains me up to now. Some of the people who suffered or lost their lives because of his (Chidhumo) prison escape would not have if I had not played a major role,” said a remorseful Mutenda in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society.

After his daring escape from custody, Chidhumo went on to reunite with his friend and partner in crime, Edgar Masendeke, who was similarly on the run after escaping from custody.

The duo’s unholy alliance had earlier begun when they were at Mutimurefu Remand Prison in Masvingo.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had an onerous task of trying to account for the pair, who went on a ruthless and bloody crime spree.

Chidhumo and Masendeke’s rose to infamy during a reign of terror in and around Zimbabwe in the mid-90s.

But Mutenda claims to have seen the light and is now one of the leading crime-busters in Mbare, where he was born and bred.

“There is no justification for committing crime. Any case that comes my way, I inform the police and make sure the culprits are arrested,” boldly declares Mutenda.

His friends also say he is now a changed man.

“We all knew he was a criminal and his arrest did not surprise us. I am happy that he has reformed. The time he spent in ‘college’ has helped him become a better man in society,” said Godfrey Chafudzika (52).

Mutenda was arrested in 1990 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for a series of violent crimes that mainly involved carjacking.

“I was found guilty only for two counts of the numerous crimes I had committed and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Four were suspended on condition of good behaviour,” explained Mutenda.

He spent the first seven months of his sentence in solitary confinement at Harare Central Prison.

He was subsequently transferred to Chikurubi, where he reportedly met Chidhumo, Chauke, Musariri and Ngulube in 1997.

Chidhumo had initially been arrested and sentenced to four years in prison from 1991 for car theft.

After serving his sentence, the ex-convict went on an armed robbery spree and was arrested again in Bulawayo before the end of 1995.

However, Chidhumo and Masendeke, together with Langton Moses Zano, Langton Charumbira and Jameson Maverudze Musara, escaped from Mutimurefu Prison that same year.

Chidhumo was then re-arrested in 1997 in Mozambique.

He was convicted by a Masvingo regional magistrate before he was transferred to Chikurubi in 1997 to serve his 42-year sentence.

Hatching the plan

“I never had plans to escape. All I just wanted was to serve my sentence and go to start a new life,” said Mutenda.

But after the unfortunate passing on of his father, Anthony Mutenda, in 1994, he changed his mind.

“I badly wanted to be at the funeral, or at least see his grave, but I was denied the chance. It psychologically affected me. I then started thinking of escaping.”

He kept his plan close to his chest.

In 1995, he roped in notorious criminal Elliot Matiki, who had been transferred from Mutare Prison to Chikurubi after he escaped and was recaptured.

It is during their many secret meetings that Chidhumo, Chauke, Ngulube and Musariri joined in the plot in 1997.

“There was limited privacy so we used codes that only the gang could understand to avoid being detected. Using encrypted language, which most youths who grew up in Mbare by then understood, I wrote a letter to my sister asking her to bring hacksaw blades that we would later use to cut security bars, and she delivered,” claims Mutenda.

“The blades were perfectly stashed in my supplies. Even the officers on duty could not detect them. For more than three months we would cut the bars bit-by-bit every day until the day finally arrived.”

Mutenda says he decided to cop-out after one of his friends (only identified as Mike) warned him against the idea basing on a bad dream he had just had.

He went on to unsuccessfully warn his fellow inmates.

“Just after they left, I started hearing gunshots. Moments later, we saw one of the guys lying lifeless in a pool of blood. I immediately saw the danger of trying to escape,” he said.

Musariri was shot dead, Ngulube later died from serious wounds sustained during the escape, while Chauke was recaptured.

Chidhumo managed to escape unscathed and rejoined Edgar Masendeke in Mozambique.

The duo was later recaptured following a series of police operations.

They were both hanged in 2002.

Prison officials later came to know about Mutenda and Mike’s involvement.

They were then transferred to Mutare Prison that same year (1997).

But old habits die hard.

The duo successfully escaped custody in Mutare and were later recaptured at Forbes Border Post on their way to Mozambique.

They were then transferred back to Chikurubi in 1998.

“We thought we were going to get a steeper sentence because of that incident but somehow we did not. We just got back to Chikurubi and continued with the previous sentences,” he narrated.

“I finally reformed and told myself that I would never attempt to escape again, so I stayed put until I finally got my freedom in 2000. Staying in jail was tough.”

But could Mutenda’s account of the events be factual or they are simply a fabrication?

“During the time that Mutenda came to Chikurubi, I was then a junior officer there. He was a vocal and deviant inmate, (who) would be involved in organised fights and various other mischief,” said a senior Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) official, who elected to remain anonymous.

“Even as a staff inmate, there were several official and unofficial reports against him until he was later transferred to Mutare Prison after he was linked to the August 1997 prison break at Chikurubi.”

Upon release, Mutenda was picked up by his aunt and friends from Chikurubi.

However, he struggled to adapt as he had become an outcast.

For more than three months, he slept in his brother-in-law’s car.

This was until his friends helped him build a backroom at his late father’s compound, where he currently resides.

“I stay with my wife, our three children and blind younger brother,” said Mutenda.

He is now self-employed as a housing agent.

The ex-convict met his wife Nyasha 11 years ago.

“When I met him, he told me about his criminal history but judging by his character, I initially thought he was lying,” said Nyasha.

Born fifth in a family of seven, the 51-year-old attended Chiroodzo Primary School before proceeding to Morgan High School in Harare.

He completed his Ordinary Level in 1987.

Veronica Gwaze and Tendai Chara

LOVE might be in the air, but it definitely does not feel the same.
This year, more than at any time in modern history, flowers have become associated more with mourning than with love.
The raging coronavirus pandemic, which continues to affect every corner of the globe, has put a damper on this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Although local fatalities are significantly declining owing to the lockdown, they still grimly remain in the double-digit range.
While the red-themed day is usually characterised by romantic dinners, gifts, cards and flowers, pulling it off this year would be next to impossible.
Restaurants, hotels and non-essential shops are still closed.
Shop-owners who were used to capitalise on selling an assortment of goods will definitely rue the missed opportunity.
Melusi Home Designs chief executive officer Ms Charity Simbi said the coronavirus had certainly spoiled it for couples.
“It is a non-event. We have always cashed in on such a day, with most people buying personalised gifts from their loved ones. We always look forward to days like Valentine’s as we sometimes get huge orders like doing an entire interior for men surprising their wives, while others come for gifts like ornaments.

“We usually spend the period February 12 to February 14 busy. But this year I only got one client inquiring if I could help her out, but unfortunately, I am grounded by the lockdown,” she said.
But there are people who are looking at it differently.
They believe the current lockdown provides the perfect opportunity for couples to celebrate today’s occasion in the intimacy of their homes.
“Valentine’s always stressed me, especially at work. Some of us do not have rich partners, thus we do not get gifts like cards, flowers and presents from our husbands at work. Since we are working from home, this is a partly solved. I will spend the day with my partner, probably cooking a special meal for him,” said Mrs Nyarai Manyeruke, who works for a law firm in Harare.
But Leah Machipo of Timeless Photos is in a fix.
“There is no vibe this year compared to previous years. I should be having at least 20 bookings for the day but only four people came through. Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions have resulted in a few people wanting to celebrate the day the traditional way,” she said.
However, Photo Junxion founder and photographer Tariro Kamangira said today is more about families than anything else.
Although she has bookings for the day, her clients have to go the extraordinary length of being tested for Covid-19 before being served.
“We are there to freeze these moments for you while you celebrate, so despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be good to reflect to the photographs some years later as reminder of the devastating year,” she said.
There are some who believe that the lockdown is an opportunity to show that true love knows no boundaries.
“I have not been working since the lockdown started in March last year, so I have no reason to look forward to the day or even celebrate. I did not celebrate Christmas Day, why then should I celebrate Valentine’s Day?” queried Kudzanai Musendo, a spare parts dealer.
Stingy lot
But, the stingy lot consider the lockdown a blessing in disguise.
Obviously they are people who say February 14 causes anxiety, depression, discontentment and unnecessary competitiveness to many.
“Each year I always have challenges with my girlfriend over Valentine’s Day. She always wants a present from me or to be taken out despite being fully aware that I am not gainfully employed. However, I will use the lockdown as an excuse not to be with her on Sunday (today),” said Tinashe Mukupe, a till operator with one of the leading retail outlets.

Quality time, however, means different things to different people.

“In line with Covid-19 protocols, we are supposed to be home. Thus, my husband and I will spend the day playing games, watching movies, catching up, cooking and showering each other with love,” said Victoria Falls-based Miriam Dlamini.

Some in the sector have been creative enough to squeeze something out of the situation.

“This year’s Valentine’s Day, unlike in previous years will be more personal.

“Several fans have booked for personalised virtual performances. Some have even requested for video calls as gifts for their loved ones,” revealed Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe manager Eugene Museredza.

However, multi-award winning pop singer Gemma Griffiths said she will be resting.

“This is the best time to take a break from my tight schedule. This is a very different and difficult year that started off on the wrong foot. Having learnt how to survive under Covid-19, my schedule is always as busy, but on Valentine’s Day, I will be resting. I am afraid my fans will starve a bit but good times are coming,” said Gemma.

“Due to the lockdown, we are not able to conduct live shows. The pandemic has changed the way we do things,” adds Maskiri.

But even before the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, some simply dismissed the day as alien to African values.

Comedian MaVery Very (real name Wilson Masakadze), whose famed for rib-cracking comic skits, will be working in his fields on Valentine’s Day.

“I am at my rural home and will be busy in the fields. We were not given a contract to perform so we thought it wise to use the time to attend to other things,” MaVery Very said.