Week 47
A weekly selection from Zimbabwean newspapers
Cholera cases shoot to 7 000
THE Health and Child Care ministry has reported that suspected cholera cases have risen to 6 939 with Buhera district in Manicaland province being the major hotspot.
According to the weekly situational report on Zimbabwe’s cholera situation released on Saturday, about 142 people have succumbed to the deadly diarrhoeal disease.
“As of November 11, 2023, there were 6 939 suspected cases, 1 191 confirmed cases, 6 652 recoveries, 49 confirmed deaths and 142 suspected deaths. As of November 10, 2023, 96 (people) are hospitalised at Chivi (4), Gutu (1), Chiredzi (6) in Masvingo province, Buhera (23), Chipinge (2), Mutare Rural (17) Chimanimani (1) Mutare City (3), Mutasa (1) in Manicaland province,” the update read.
Zimbabwe reported its first case of cholera in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province, on February 12 this year.
Harare council, Geo-Pomona Geogenix find common ground
GEO-POMONA Geogenix BV chief executive Delish Nguwaya says they have smoked the peace pipe with the Harare City Council (HCC), which will culminate in the two working together on the Geo Pomona Waste Management project.
Geogenix BV was awarded the US$316 million project by the government in 2021, which will see HCC paying US$22 000 per day for waste management. However, the council refused to pay, calling for the reversal of the deal because it felt it was corruptly structured.
The 30-year waste management deal between the Netherlands-based Geogenix BV, fronted by Nguwaya, seeks to transform the dumpsite into a modern garbage recycling plant that will supply power from methane generated from rotting waste.
Wrong diagnoses rife at public hospitals: Report
A CRITICAL shortage of experienced health personnel has resulted in the country recording increased cases of wrong disease diagnosis at public hospitals, a recent survey has revealed.
According to key findings from the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), many patients are turning to private healthcare providers for diagnostic services because of the poor state of the country’s public health institutions.
“Theatres and laboratories are usually not functional or do not have the staff to do the tests, as a result people usually get these services from the private sector as qualified health workers are not being retained, resulting in gaps in service delivery and many cases of poor service, negligence and wrong diagnosis,” the survey indicates.
The survey also revealed that Zimbabwe’s healthcare system faces a severe crisis, with a critical shortage of health workers threatening the well-being of many patients.
Zim impresses Unicef on children’s rights The Herald (state owned)
The United Nations International Children’s Fund (Unicef) is impressed by progress made by the Government of Zimbabwe to guarantee children’s rights and is recommending other countries to tap from this example.
The affirmation was made by Unicef representative to Zimbabwe Dr Tajudeen Oyewale when he paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga in Harare yesterday.
The courtesy call on VP Chiwenga comes as the United Nations agency is stepping up preparations for this year’s World Children’s Day, which is celebrated the world over on the 20th of November.
Zimbabwaanse toestanden aan de Amsterdamse Keizersgracht
Op de benedenverdieping van het pand aan de Amsterdamse Keizersgracht waar GeoGenix is gevestigd, staan tweehonderd bedrijven geregistreerd. Amsterdam lijkt nog altijd een grote aantrekkingskracht uit te oefenen op brievenbusfirma’s.
Tot zover niets nieuws over ons paradijselijke vestigingsklimaat, maar mijn oog viel er toevallig op toen ik een bericht kreeg van een oude kennis uit Zimbabwe. Die vroeg mij of ik bekend ben met het afvalbedrijf GeoGenix B.V., dat gevestigd is aan diezelfde Keizersgracht 520h. En waarom Nederland deze firma überhaupt een vrijhaven biedt. Het zei me niks, maar na een beetje speuren kreeg ik al snel een ongemakkelijk gevoel. Het ogenschijnlijk Nederlandse GeoGenix heeft volgens lokale Zimbabwaanse media vorig jaar namelijk op een nogal omstreden manier een contract in de wacht gesleept om de vuilnisbelt van Harare te exploiteren.
Maar volgens de burgemeester van Harare is het contract de gemeenteraad door de strot geduwd op last van de centrale regering. GeoGenix liet zich daarbij vertegenwoordigen door een vriendje van de presidentszoon, iemand die al eens betrokken was bij een controversiële aanbesteding voor mondkapjes tegen Covid-19
Power outages hit Harare water supply
The Harare City Council has attributed the current water shortages to the ongoing power cuts in the country.
In a statement this morning, city spokesperson Stanley Gama said the water situation had deteriorated owing to faults at the Morton Jaffray water treatment plant.
“Morton Jaffray (M.J) experienced a power failure at 0230 hrs this morning, and as at 1100 hrs, power was yet to be restored. ZESA has indicated that there is a problem on the Parkridge Sub–Station feeder,” said Gama.
Abducted CCC activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya found dead, party says
A Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist abducted while campaigning in Mabvuku, Harare, has been found murdered, the party said on Monday.
Tapfumaneyi Masaya was grabbed by armed men last Saturday and forced into a vehicle while campaigning ahead of by-elections on December 9. The CCC claimed the vehicle is owned by Scott Sakupwanya, Zanu PF’s by-election candidate.
After a desperate search magnified online, Harare councillor Denford Ngadziore (CCC) wrote on X: “They killed our champion who was abducted in Mabvuku. MHSRP.”
Party spokesman Promise Mkwananzi said Masaya’s body had been identified by his family at Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary.
A Life Lost But Never Forgotten
Zimbabwe is not allowed to join in the wreath laying at the Cenotaph in London in memory of their soldiers who lost their lives in World War One and Two. 34,000 soldiers of all races from Southern Rhodesia served during the World Wars. 800 died in World War One and 916 in World War Two. This poignant little tale today is in remembrance of one soldier. We may not be there to show him respect but he and 1,716 others are not forgotten.
Ralph met and was smitten with Barbara when they were both at Umtali High School (now Mutare) in the 1930s. Ralph was three years older than Barbara and left school to join the Civil Service Treasury Department. Barbara went to University in South Africa and contact between the two was lost until war broke out in 1939.
MPs edgy over gay rights
SOME parliamentarians believe Zimbabwe must not grant members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community freedom to openly exercise their sexual rights.
This came out during a recent sensitisation workshop on sexual reproductive health rights organised by Katswe Sistahood.
Bikita South legislator and chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Energy Mutodi was one of the vocal parliamentarians against LGBTQI sexual rights.
“This is for the simple reason that we are very much interested in the continued existence of the human race,” Mutodi said. “It’s something that the society is trying to understand, but we are saying we don’t want our people practising homosexuality.”
Hurungwe East legislator Chenjerai Kangausaru weighed in saying they will oppose any legislation that supports same sex marriages.
US$27,3m debts choke Zinwa
GOVERNMENT and bigwigs in the farming sector continue to bleed the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) after it emerged that they owe the State entity US$27,3 million in unpaid bills.
Among other debtors which owe Zinwa millions of dollars are ministries, local authorities, parastatals, government departments and individuals.
The long list also includes churches, mines and schools.
Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Manyonga said the huge debt was negatively affecting the authority’s ability to provide adequate water.
“The authority advises all clients whose accounts are in arrears to settle their bills as there exists a very strong relationship between sustainable service delivery and payment for services. When clients are not paying for the services they get, Zinwa consequently becomes inadequately resourced to provide reliable service,” she said, but refused to name the debtors.
