President joins fellow global leaders at COP28 summit

  President Mnangagwa arrives in Dubai, UAE, this morning for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) Kudzanai Sharara in Dubai, UAE President Mnangagwa arrived here this morning for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) which started on a positive note yesterday with the agreement on […]

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President joins fellow global leaders at COP28 summit 
President Mnangagwa arrives in Dubai, UAE, this morning for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)

Kudzanai Sharara in Dubai, UAE

President Mnangagwa arrived here this morning for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) which started on a positive note yesterday with the agreement on establishing a loss and damage fund.

The loss and damage fund was one of the expected key deliverables at this year’s conference.

President Mnangagwa was welcomed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Frederick Shava and the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to UAE, Lovemore Mazemo.

Other government ministers also here include Minister of Energy and Power Development Edgar Moyo, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Environment Climate and Wildlife Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa, and the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet Lovemore Matuke.

President Mnangagwa is accompanied by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, Special Advisor to the President Responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes Joram Gumbo and Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba.

COP28 is scheduled to run from the 30th of November to the 12th of December with President Mnangagwa expected to join other heads of state and government alongside civil society leaders from across the globe on a mission to curb climate change.

The gathering comes in a year that has been characterised by extreme weather from record Greek wildfires to Libyan floods.

Scientists are already saying the year 2023 is virtually certain to be the hottest year on record, something which goes against efforts to keep global warming below 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – as per the Paris Agreement decided at COP21.

Zimbabwe is expected to use the platform to showcase to the world various adaptation strategies that the Second Republic has introduced in particular the climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which President Mnangagwa is expected to talk about at the conference.

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Zimbabwe reaches HIV fight milestone

  In his speech to mark World AIDS Day commemorations today, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had recorded tremendous gains in fighting the pandemic, albeit under adversity. Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter ZIMBABWE has managed to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic and ultimately achieve the 95-95-95 Joint United Nations Programme (UNAIDS) targets on HIV/AIDS resulting in a decrease in […]

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Zimbabwe reaches HIV fight milestone 
In his speech to mark World AIDS Day commemorations today, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had recorded tremendous gains in fighting the pandemic, albeit under adversity.

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE has managed to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic and ultimately achieve the 95-95-95 Joint United Nations Programme (UNAIDS) targets on HIV/AIDS resulting in a decrease in infections and deaths, President Mnangagwa has said.

As of this year, only three Sub-Saharan African countries including Zimbabwe have achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 objectives.

In addition to the achievements, Zimbabwe’s Anti-Retroviral Therapy coverage currently stands at 99 percent of the 1,3 million HIV positive people.

UNAIDS 95-95-95, denotes that 95 percent of people on treatment have their viral load undetectable, while 95 percent of all HIV positive people know their status and 95 percent of those who know their status are on treatment.

Over the past 10 years, Zimbabwe has recorded the highest decline of 78 percent, in new HIV infections in Eastern and Southern Africa, making the country a trendsetter in HIV prevention and treatment.

In his speech to mark World AIDS Day commemorations today, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had recorded tremendous gains in fighting the pandemic, albeit under adversity.

He said ultimately, Zimbabwe was committed to working towards ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.

The theme of this year’s commemorations is “Let Communities Lead”.

“We join others in the comity of nations in celebrating the achievements recorded to date and recommit ourselves to ending HIV/ AIDS.

“Despite the negative impact of Covid-19, our country’s response to HIV remains on course. I am, therefore, pleased to announce that we have achieved epidemic control.

“Presently, new infections are now less than the number of deaths per year. Over the past 10 years, Zimbabwe recorded the highest decline of 78 percent in new HIV infections in Eastern and Southern Africa,” he said.

President Mnangagwa however, charged the nation not to be complacent but rather redouble efforts to “mop up new infections” as well as increase focus on the most-at-risk groups.

He applauded the countrywide community engagement activities such as those being spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, saying they were going a long way in eradicating the pandemic.

“The enthusiasm and participation during the countrywide community engagement campaigns being undertaken by the First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, complemented by other community-based organisations, is encouraging.

“The key messages on the importance of utilising HIV prevention services along with the importance of strong families, morally upright young people and an empowered society, remain critical to our intervention strategies.

“In addition to the progress we have recorded in HIV prevention, our country has increased the Anti-Retroviral Therapy coverage to 99 percent of the 1.3 million HIV positive people,” he said.

President Mnangagwa emphasised the need for the drug and substance abuse menace to be tackled head-on, as it is aiding new HIV infections.

He also implored the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as relevant stakeholders to up the ante in HIV treatment coverage among children, saying a lackadaisical approach to this is not acceptable.

“However, it is most unfortunate that coverage is lagging behind among children, with HIV status known for only 64 percent of those estimated to be living with HIV. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

“As parents and guardians, we must be more responsible to save the lives of our children and young people. I, therefore, challenge the Ministry of Health and Child Care, stakeholders as well as partners to scale up the necessary interventions, including by ensuring that all pregnant women register for antenatal care,” said the President.

“We must also tackle head-on the new drug abuse epidemic that is threatening the future of our young people and the nation. Apart from destroying the moral and intellectual fabric of our nation, drug abuse has been strongly associated with new HIV infections. We must be united as a nation in confronting this menace.”

President Mnangagwa said the country stands ready to share lessons with others around Zimbabwe’s homegrown solutions in combating HIV/AIDS, as it hosts the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2023) next week.

“In a few days’ time, our country hosts the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2023). The conference is an important platform for sharing and exchanging cutting-edge evidence and lessons in the response to HIV and other epidemics afflicting our continent and the world.

“I would like to express our gratitude to our funding and development partners who have continued to augment domestic resources over the years, and enhanced the achievements we have made.

“It is also encouraging that the 2nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa High Level Meeting of Finance Ministers from Africa, will be meeting on the sidelines of this continental event to discuss issues related to sustainable domestic funding for HIV/AIDS.

“In this regard, Zimbabwe stands ready to share lessons around our home-grown National AIDS Trust Fund, commonly known as the AIDS Levy, which has been instrumental in the successes we continue to score,” he said.

The Second Republic, said the President, would continue implementing measures to strengthen the country’s responsiveness to HIV/AIDS.

He also commended the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as the National AIDS Council and other development partners for a well-coordinated response to the pandemic, pursuant to ending it by 2030.

“I want to assure the nation that my Government will continue to play its part, by exploring robust mechanisms to enhance the national response to HIV/AIDS and related emergencies.

“Empowered communities shall remain at the centre of our initiatives and key to our country’s response. I commend the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National AIDS Council for coordinating the response to the pandemic.

“My gratitude also goes to all stakeholders, development partners and communities for their dedication and fruitful work in pursuit of ending AIDS by 2030.

“With these remarks, I wish the nation, memorable commemorations of the World AIDS Day,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Head of State and Government encouraged the nation to also decisively deal with other emerging epidemics.

“The progress we have made in response to HIV has to be sustained. Let us equally remain vigilant in dealing with emerging epidemics, including the associated Non-Communicable Diseases.

“Our people must, therefore, be screened regularly for common Non-Communicable Diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and kidney ailments, among others,” he said.

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ZHRC receive motor vehicle, laptops from EU

  EU representative, Mr Villa Aro and ZHRC Chair, Me Elasto Mugwadi and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law director Mr Mikarl Johansson standing on the vehicle which the EU donated to the human rights body. Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission got a boost today after the European […]

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ZHRC receive motor vehicle, laptops from EU 
EU representative, Mr Villa Aro and ZHRC Chair, Me Elasto Mugwadi and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law director Mr Mikarl Johansson standing on the vehicle which the EU donated to the human rights body.

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission got a boost today after the European Union donated a motor vehicle and 10 laptops, a development that is expected to strengthen its institutional capacity for it to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate.

The consignment involves an off-road An Isuzu double cab, 10 state-of-the-art laptops and three jerrycans funded by the EU with assistance from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law as fund manager.

ZHRC was represented by its Chairperson, Mr Elasto Mugwadi while EU had Mr Ville Aro and Mr Mikarl Johnson representing RWI at a brief ceremony held at ZHRC offices this morning.

Accepting the donation, Mr Mugwadi commended the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion for the payment of duty and value-added tax of the motor vehicle.

“The donation of the motor vehicle and 10 laptops will go a long way to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Commission so that it effectively delivers on its constitutional mandate to promote and protect human rights and administrative justice in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Mugwadi

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Businessman Mashamhanda appeals against eviction

   The crushing judgment by Justice Maxwell Takuva on Wednesday vindicating Barriade Investments prompted the latest appeal. Fidelis Munyoro-Chief Court Reporter A Harare businessman is appealing against a High Court decision evicting him this week from a luxurious home in Highlands in a long property wrangle that saw the Supreme Court recognising Barriade Investments as […]

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Businessman Mashamhanda  appeals against eviction  
The crushing judgment by Justice Maxwell Takuva on Wednesday vindicating Barriade Investments prompted the latest appeal.

Fidelis Munyoro-Chief Court Reporter

A Harare businessman is appealing against a High Court decision evicting him this week from a luxurious home in Highlands in a long property wrangle that saw the Supreme Court recognising Barriade Investments as the legal owner in February last year.

 The crushing judgment by Justice Maxwell Takuva on Wednesday vindicating Barriade Investments prompted the latest appeal.

The businessman’s legal counsel Mr Kudzai Rangarirai said the judgment was devastating but while bewildered by the decision, they respected it.

 “We have perused the judgment and reflected on the issues raised therein,” said Mr Rangarirai. “Our considered opinion is that the judgment cannot stand the anxious scrutiny of a superior court.

“We believe our client has a solid case and this case is of national importance as it touches on matters that have been affecting citizens, but because of lack of resources citizens have been suffering in silence with no recourse.”

Mr Rangarirai said Mr Mashamhanda’s case could be similar to that of former Education Minister Dzingai Mutumbuka which has been in the papers recently.

“It is our view that this is a golden opportunity for our judiciary to cleanse some of the well-known shenanigans which have been happening in some Government institutions,” said Mr Rangarirai. “We are going to appeal to the Supreme Court and also apply for direct access to the Constitutional Court.”

Barriade had sued Mr Mashamhanda seeking an order to recover possession of the property and evict him from the property in Highlands.

 Mr Mashamhanda bought the property at a judicial auction conducted by the Sheriff in September 2017 but the Supreme Court ruled in February last year that the property had been fraudulently sold to Mr Mashamhanda by the previous owner, Piwayi Chiutsi, a lawyer.

 The Supreme Court, in a judgment handed down on February 16, 2022 in the case involving Barriade Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Chiutsi & Ors SC 24/22, directed that title be registered in Barriade’s name and the judgment is still extant.

 The title having been registered in Barriade’s name, Justice Takuva in his ruling confirmed that Barriade is the rightful owner of the property, in terms of that ruling, hence granted the company the eviction order against Mr Mashamhanda.

“The Supreme Court found that the respondent (Mr Mashamhanda) is not an innocent purchaser of the property and that his title is invalid and should be cancelled with Barriade taking title,” said the judge.

 “In spite of the fact that the ownership dispute has been resolved, Mr Mashamhanda has refused, failed and or neglected to vacate the property.”

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