100% unprepared – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary

Source: 100% unprepared – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 28th March 2020 As Zimbabwe follows the UK into lockdown to try to control the spread of coronavirus, we can tell from our own experience here that Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was mistaken when he claimed early this month that Zimbabwe was ‘100% prepared’ for an epidemic (see: https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/zimbabwe-says-100-percent-prepared-coronavirus). […]

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Source: 100% unprepared – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 28th March 2020

As Zimbabwe follows the UK into lockdown to try to control the spread of coronavirus, we can tell from our own experience here that Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was mistaken when he claimed early this month that Zimbabwe was ‘100% prepared’ for an epidemic (seehttps://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/zimbabwe-says-100-percent-prepared-coronavirus).

Just how unprepared the country is was shown by the wretched treatment received by the broadcaster Zororo Makamba, the first Zimbabwean to die from the virus – even though he had the advantage of being the son of a business tycoon and Zanu PF politician.

30-year-old Zororo returned from a visit to New York on 20th March with what was thought to be a slight flu.  When he developed a fever his doctor recommended that he go to the country’s designated health quarantine facility, Wilkins Hospital in Harare, which turned out to be woefully ill-equipped to deal with serious infections.

His elder brother Tawanda Makamba described a catalogue of deficiencies. If the outcome wasn’t so tragic, some of the incidents could have been slapstick farce. For instance: the hospital had no ventilator to help Zororo breathe. The family managed to obtain one but the hospital could not use it because it had an American plug. Tawanda went and bought an adaptor but the hospital said they still couldn’t use the ventilator because there were no electricity sockets in his room. So he went and bought an extension cord but they refused to use it!

Tawanda said the family appealed to Health Minister Moyo who promised all sorts of things and delivered nothing. Tawanda said the nurses were afraid to handle the situation. ‘It even got to a point where they were telling us that we were bothering them.’ He went on: At the end, before he died, he kept telling us that he was alone and scared and the staff were refusing to help him to a point where he got up and tried to walk out and they were trying to restrain him’.

He warned: ‘Right now they don’t even have water at Wilkins. So if you come here to be treated for coronavirus there is absolutely no treatment you will get. You will die’. (See: https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2020/03/makamba-family-fumes-over-zororos-death/).

With many countries imposing restrictions on flights and foreign visitors, the Zanu PF financier Kudakwashe Tagwirei is taking over two private hospitals in Harare to be upgraded for the elite now that they will be finding it difficult to go abroad for medical treatment. MDC Vice-President Tendai Biti said there was: ‘no limit, shame, remorse or elasticity to the evils of this regime’ (see: https://www.zimlive.com/2020/03/26/outrage-over-coronavirus-hospitals-for-the-political-elite-in-zimbabwe/).

In the UK we are constantly warned to wash our hands with soap and to avoid being within two metres of anyone in a public space. We have seen little sign that similar advice is being followed in Zimbabwe and observers say it is futile to expect informal traders to let their families starve. 

Other points

  • Because of the coronavirus, we can no longer physically meet outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, so we have started a virtual Vigil. We asked our activists to put on Vigil / ROHR / Zimbabwe regalia and take a photo of themselves holding an appropriate poster reflecting our protest against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The photos are uploaded on our Flickr site (see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72157713664725127). Our first virtual Vigil activists were Esther Munyira and Rose Benton who both also kindly contributed to Vigil funds.
  • The Minister of Lands, Air Marshal Perence Shiri, has made it clear that Zimbabwean white farmers are not included in the government’s recent announcement widely seen as reversing the land takeover. Phiri said only dispossessed ‘indigenous’ farmers and those covered by bilateral agreements would have the opportunity to get land back. Human rights campaigner Ben Freeth spoke of racial discrimination and said the move would not persuade the world that Zimbabwe is a secure investment (see: https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2020/03/zimbabwe-governments-land-for-compensation-offer-is-misleading/).
  • For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

  • The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
  • The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
  • Facebook pages:
    Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
    ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/
    ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

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Govt tightens screws on COVID-19 information 

Source: Govt tightens screws on COVID-19 information – NewsDay Zimbabwe GOVERNMENT has introduced stringent measures and penalties meant to curtail the flow of information during the 21-day national lockdown, with those accused of spreading falsehoods on coronavirus being liable to a 20-year jail term, a hefty fine or both. BY MOSES MATENGA/SILAS NKALA The measures […]

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Source: Govt tightens screws on COVID-19 information – NewsDay Zimbabwe

GOVERNMENT has introduced stringent measures and penalties meant to curtail the flow of information during the 21-day national lockdown, with those accused of spreading falsehoods on coronavirus being liable to a 20-year jail term, a hefty fine or both.

BY MOSES MATENGA/SILAS NKALA

The measures were gazetted on Friday under Statutory Instrument 83 of the 2020 Public Health, COVID-19 Prevention, Containment, Treatment and Lockdown Order.

“For the avoidance of doubt any person who publishes or communicates false news about any public officer involved with enforcing or implementing the national lockdown in his or her capacity as such, or about any private individual that has the effect of prejudicing the State’s enforcement of the national lockdown, shall be liable for prosecution under section 31 of the Criminal Law Code and liable to the penalty there provided, that is to say a fine up to or exceeding level 14 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years or both,” the Gazzete read.

But media rights activists yesterday warned that the measures were meant to silence other voices and entrench State propaganda as government moves to manage dissemination of information relating to the deadly virus. The country has to date recorded seven cases and one death, with government accused of understating the infection figures.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a complete lockdown that began last night, with a special taskforce led by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in charge of everything to do with management of the disease.

Government has also banned hoarding of medical supplies and food.

“No person shall, at his or her home or in any other premises or location, hoard medical supplies needed to combat COVID-19.

“No person shall, at his or her home or in any other premises or location, hoard food in excess of what is needed to be stored for himself or herself and his or her family during the period of the national lockdown.”

In the event of suspicion of hoarding an enforcement officer, armed with a warrant, would conduct a search and seizure at the premises.

Human rights activist Siphosami Malunga, who is also executive director of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, said the penalties were grossly excessive and likely to stifle scrutiny, muzzle social media and shield accountability of public officials.

“The government must reconsider these provisions. A draconian enforcement of the lockdown will make an already potentially inflammatory situation where frustrated and hungry people are confined to their homes incendiary and explosive. There’s going to be no winners otherwise.

“The provision regarding “false reporting during national lockdown” is vague and violates constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression . . . The penalties are grossly excessive and the consequence is that it is likely to stifle scrutiny, muzzle social media and shield accountability of public officials.”

He said the order impinged on citizens’ constitutional rights.

“This provision is unconstitutional and violates the right to private property. It makes it illegal for people who have stocked up their own food before the coronavirus, totally unreasonable in a food insecure country. It opens the door for abuse by law enforcement to confiscate people’s food supplies. The penalty has a fine or one year imprisonment or both,” Malunga said

“This provision renders anyone who has food to last more than the 21 days lockdown in their house in violation of the law. It is completely ridiculous!”

Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi defended the tough measures.

“There is no human rights law that permits hoarding of food stuffs,” he said.

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Mnangagwa’s 21 day Coronavirus lockdown: Harare CBD turns into a ghost town (SEE PICS)

The ever boisterous city of Harare has become a ghost town after the government enforced a national lockdown which commenced at midnight. On Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa decreed that the nation would go on a 21 days lockdown in a bid to try and…

The ever boisterous city of Harare has become a ghost town after the government enforced a national lockdown which commenced at midnight. On Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa decreed that the nation would go on a 21 days lockdown in a bid to try and contain the Coronavirus. Pictures from Harare CBD show that all shops […]

Chitando invites miners for lockdown exemptions

Source: Chitando invites miners for lockdown exemptions | Newsday (News) MINES minister Winston Chitando has called on mining companies seeking exemption or temporary relief to continue operating during the 21-day national lockdown to apply through the Chamber of Mines. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE In a statement, Chitando said coal mining companies were exempted since their operations […]

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Source: Chitando invites miners for lockdown exemptions | Newsday (News)

MINES minister Winston Chitando has called on mining companies seeking exemption or temporary relief to continue operating during the 21-day national lockdown to apply through the Chamber of Mines.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

In a statement, Chitando said coal mining companies were exempted since their operations relate to generation of electricity, but were obliged to adhere to hygienic standards prescribed for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mining operations which face implementation challenges are requested to apply for partial exemption to the Ministry of Mines through the Chamber of Mines,”he said.

“The application should indicate clearly the nature and modus of operation during the lockdown period and the measures which will be taken to safeguard employees and other stakeholders from potential spread of the COVID-19.”

Just a few service industries have been allowed to continue operating during the lockdown, which starts today and ends on April 18.

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US dollar/Zimbabwe dollar official and black market rates today…Black market rates fall

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows: USD = ZWL$25.0000 ZWL$ = RAND0.6973 (Friday’s rate) Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Black Market Rates: USD = ZWL$$40 zimrates USD = ZWL$$39.2 zwl365 USD = ZWL$$37 …

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows: USD = ZWL$25.0000 ZWL$ = RAND0.6973 (Friday’s rate) Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Black Market Rates: USD = ZWL$$40 zimrates USD = ZWL$$39.2 zwl365 USD = ZWL$$37 bluemari USD = BOND$29.2 zimrates – Marketwatch