Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: AU to donate US$350,000 towards Cyclone Idai | The Herald March 20, 2019

Moussa Faki Mahamat

Tendai H. Manzvanzvike Group Foreign Editor
AS humanitarian assistance continues to pour in towards victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai that ravaged Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the African Union Commission yesterday announced a US$350,000 emergency fund for disaster mitigation.

According to a statement by the AU Commission Chairperson Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, the contribution is “in support of response efforts being made by the governments of the affected countries and the (Southern African Development Community) SADC secretariat”. Mozambique, which is the hardest hit will receive US$150,000.

The AU Chairperson also announced the immediate dispatch of a High-Level Assessment Mission to the three countries, as he thanked neighbouring countries and partners that have already rendered assistance to the affected countries.

Mr Mahamat called on all “AU member states and the larger international community to urgently step up their support in order to effectively address the immediate response challenges at hand.”

The AU Chairperson made the announcement after meeting Malawi’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Mhimango Edward Chirwa.

Mr Chirwa was briefing the Chairperson on the scope of the disaster in Malawi, which he described as “unprecedented and beyond his country’s capacity to respond”.

Meanwhile, Namibian President and current SADC Chairperson Hage Geingob has sent a message of condolence, saying how his country will contribute towards the disaster.
Writing on his Twitter handle, President Geingob said: “Following Cyclone Idai, SADC stands in solidarity with the people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.”

He called on the corporate world to assist, saying Namibia would “provide quantities of fish as part of the relief contribution. I call on business to assist our brothers and sisters affected by this unbearable natural disaster.”

Earlier in the week, South Africa’s International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu made an urgent appeal to NGOs, companies and individuals to give humanitarian aid to people affected by the cyclone.

“We have directed all our embassies and diplomats to continue to work with the three countries to assess the damage,” said Minister Sisulu.

She also sent a message of condolences on behalf of the people of South Africa, and wished those in hospital, speedy recovery.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday also sent a message of condolence and encouragement. Writing on his Twitter handle, President Kenyatta said, “to my friends Presidents @FNyusi (Filipe Nyusi), @edmnangagwa (Mnangagwa) & Peter Mutharika, Kenya stands with you and your people as you mourn and recover from the destruction.”

Cyclone Idai is one of the worst natural disasters to affect the SADC region in a long time. It has affected more than two million people, displaced hundreds of thousands others, destroyed vast areas, cut off communications and made roads impassable for first responders. Hundreds of people have been killed in all countries.

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Source: NRZ to open new rail routes | Daily News

Train trips between Hwange and Harare will become smaller, as a new transportation link is set to shorten travel times. NRZ is inaugurating new routes, from Harare to Mutoko and the shortened Hwange to Harare as part of the much-touted reforms.

NRZ press officer Nyasha Maravanyika said new trade routes will help the struggling entity improve on efficiency and revenue generation. “We have a number of projected new routes, one of which intends to cut the distance from Hwange to Harare by avoiding passing through Bulawayo and going straight to Kwekwe.

“There is also the projected route from Harare to Mutoko which will stretch over to Nyamapanda and the Lion’s Den to Kafue route.
“The Kafue route will easily connect the country to Zambia while the Mutoko link will connect with Mozambique…,” Maravanyika said at a recent Zimbabwe Infrastructure Summit in the capital, Harare.

This comes as NRZ is posting staggering losses, with the crisis worsened by the recently introduced heavily-subsidised commuter train services that has left the State rail company in turmoil.

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HIGH Court Judge Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo on Wednesday 20 March 2019 outlawed the ban of a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose operations had been suspended by a government official.

Source: Zim court overturns NGO ban – The Zimbabwean

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One of President Mnangagwa’s children, Emmerson Junior, yesterday hired three helicopters to assist with the recovery efforts for victims of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Manicaland Province where over 100 people have been confirmed dead while hundreds others are missing and feared dead. Ongoing rescue and recovery efforts have brought relief to thousands of households, with President

Source: Uproar over illiterate councillor | Daily News

Resident from Gwanda town’s ward 1 have slammed the opposition, MDC for seconding an illiterate councillor to represent their community.

According to sources, the councillor, Mkhululi Tshuma allegedly had to step down from chairing the Environment Council Committee after it came to light that he could neither read nor write.

“The councillor had to resign from chairing a council committee which eventually was taken up by a Zanu PF councillor. The ward is situated in a low-density area where most government heads of departments and most professional people and business persons reside,” said a source who requested anonymity.

“Members of the community have also complained that the councillor in question is living in the MDC offices where he is doubling up as a security guard for the party.” Although he could not confirm Tshuma’s illiteracy, Gwanda mayor Jastone Mazhale said the councillor was replaced as Environment committee chair by a Zanu PF councillor, Thulani Ncube.

“I don’t have information about the residents’ complaints, I doubt very much residents have raised such complaints. Yes, he was replaced as committee chair, but it was because we were trying to strike a balance and deal with the issue of political divide. We are trying to deviate from the old culture; when we are now dealing with council issues it ceases to be party business,” he said.

Residents have, however, indicated that they want Tshuma out of council altogether because the Urban Councils Act says a councillor should at least be able to read and write. Ncube was reportedly voted to chair the 10-member Environment committee by four Zanu PF members and two out of six MDC councillors.

Tshuma reportedly stepped down as chair in February and community representatives have since written to the residents’ association and the Mayor about the issue. The residents are also reportedly questioning why the councillor is staying in an MDC office when he is meant to be accessible by all in the ward.

Gwanda Residents Association leader, Bekezela Maduna Fuzwayo confirmed that residents had raised concerns about the councillor’s illiteracy. “The problem is that during elections, people don’t vote for individuals but political parties. At the end of the day it is up to the political parties to provide the rightful candidates. According to the Urban Councils Act a councillor should be able to read and write, he said.

“We will have to stand with the residents on this matter.”

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