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A 29-YEAR-OLD Nyau dancer from Mvurwi was last week jailed to three months by a Guruve magistrate for torching his colleague’s hut accusing him of revealing their secrets and positively identifying masked dancers on stage. Wellington Lameck (29) of Forester C Farm, Mvurwi was sentenced to three months imprisonment by magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe before the […]

Source: . . . Idai to subside | The Herald March 18, 2019

Tropical Cyclone Idai

Paidamoyo Chipunza and Nesia Mhaka
Sunny breaks are expected countrywide today as the intensity of Tropical Cyclone Idai continues to decrease and weaken while the centre is now heading in a north-easterly direction towards the Malawian border, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said.

It said light rain is, however, still expected in parts of Harare Metropolitan, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces with conditions expected to be warmer in the daytime and mild in the morning and over night.

The MSD said Cyclone Idai, which initially showed signs of moving from Chimanimani towards Mutare, Mutasa and Nyanga areas, has also affected other areas such as Chipinge, Birchenough Bridge and Masvingo.

In a statement last night, the MSD said significant rainfall was, however, still recorded in Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces.

“Ex-Tropical Cyclone Idai continues to weaken and decrease in intensity as its centre drifts north-eastwards towards the Malawian border, though behind it significant rainfall was still recorded in provinces such as Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East,” read part of the statement.

According to the MSD, within the last 24 hours (Saturday 16 March till Sunday 17 March) notable rainfall was recorded in Chipinge (219 mm), Chisengu (127 mm), Buhera (102 mm), Mukandi (89 mm), Rusape (56mm), Wedza (54mm) and Mutare (52 mm).

“The public should take caution and avoid crossing flooded rivers, parking under trees and moving to higher ground whenever they notice flooding in their area as downstream flash flooding still remains a potential,” said the MSD.

Tropical cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have sustained winds of 63 km/h near the centre.

The gale force of winds can extend hundreds of kilometres from the cyclone centre. They derive their energy from the warm tropical oceans and do not form unless the sea-surface temperature is above 26.5 degrees celcius.

Once formed, they can persist over lower sea-surface temperatures for days.

They usually dissipate over land or colder oceans. Cyclone Idai has also affected neighbouring Mozambique and Malawi.

Hundreds of people in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi have died while others are still missing.

Homes, schools, businesses, hospitals and police stations have been destroyed. Roads have been washed away and thousands are stranded due to heavy flooding.

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Source: Abu Dhabi visit an eye-opener | The Herald March 18, 2019

President Mnangagwa (left) with UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday characterised as an eye-opener his visit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saying its rapid development was confirmation of the extent unity can fast track a nation’s modernisation.

Zimbabwe is pursuing an economic transformation agenda under President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the Southern African country into a middle-income economy in the next 11 years.

From a desert, UAE has transformed into an economic giant not only in the Middle East but globally with an economy largely dependent on oil, gas and tourism.

Its rapid economic growth becomes a lesson for countries like Zimbabwe aiming to achieve the same.

In an interview with journalists after touring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Wahat Al Karama Memorial Centre in Abu Dhabi yesterday, President Mnangagwa exhorted unity and joint pursuit of a national vision.

‘‘I am so happy that His Honour Sheikh Mohammed invited me. I had no appreciation before of the level of development that has taken place in the Middle East of this nature. It (visit) is an eye-opener that if people are united and have vision they can create institutions and infrastructure of this nature,’’ said President Mnangagwa.

Commenting on the Wahat Al Karama Memorial — UAE’s version of a national heroes acre — President Mnangagwa said the shrine preserved the history of that nation’s patriotic sons and daughters.

‘‘Well, this is a shrine which preserves the history of this nation, the UAE. It preserves the history of the patriotic sons and daughters of the nation both military and civilian, who laid down their lives for the good of humanity and for generations to come. This shrine shall remain a historic lesson for those generations that will come. We must congratulate the leadership of this country for creating this shrine,’’ he said.

The Wahat Al Karama is a war memorial honouring the UAE’s soldiers and other citizens who sacrificed their lives serving their nation.

The President described as magnificent the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque whose construction took about 11 years.

It ranks among the world’s largest mosques and has attracted millions of tourists.

‘‘Honestly, I have never seen a mosque of that size, of that beauty, so magnificent it was beyond my belief. I understand it took 11 years to build but we must congratulate the vision of the founder who envisioned that design, that mosque. It stands as a most magnificent mosque in the world in my view,’’ said President Mnangagwa.

He said African countries, Zimbabwe included, have a lot to learn from the UAE’s economic transformation experiences.

‘‘I have been told that there was a sea in some place where there are structures. It boggles the mind how a sea can be converted into land and be able to have structures of that nature sitting where in the past it was a sea. It is a big lesson to us who are coming from Africa, coming from the countryside, mountains and bushes, we must congratulate the imagination and ingenuity of these people here,’’ he said.

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Source: ED returns to be with his people | Herald (Top Stories)

Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa returns home today, cutting short his visit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to make sure he is directly involved with the national response to victims of Cyclone Idai disaster that has struck the country mainly in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo.

The cyclone has killed 70 people and destroyed infrastructure especially in the eastern and southern parts of the country and the President will provide leadership during one of the darkest moments of disaster.

President Mnangagwa landed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for strategic engagements with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

President Mnangagwa’s visit was at the invitation of the Crown Prince and part of his vigorous re-engagement agenda aimed at establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relations with other countries.

Zimbabwe has endured close to two decades of international isolation and illegal Western sanctions which have harmed the economy.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday after touring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Wahat Al Karawa Memorial Centre in Abu Dhabi, President Mnangagwa said he was rushing back home ‘‘to be with his people’’ following the cyclone-induced challenges.

‘‘It is true that we have the Cyclone Idai that has come from the Mozambique Channel. It has caused devastating damage both on human and property, on the Mozambican side extensively, and also affected the eastern and southern parts of Zimbabwe, so I am rushing back home to be with my people as they go through this period of challenge,’’ said President Mnangagwa.

Following the cyclone, the President incorporated in his schedule a plea for assistance for cyclone victims that resulted in engagements with representatives of UAE Red Crescent.

A list of immediate requirements for the victims of the cyclone was submitted to the UAE Red Crescent.

These comprise food, shelter, medicines, sanitation and ablutions, power, logistics and lighting requirements and educational facilities

On medium term, it is largely building and roofing material for homes and institutions including schools.

Requirements for the medium to long term include earthmoving equipment, road reconstruction, water rehabilitation, borehole drilling and power restoration.

Zimbabwe also requires water treatment tablets for at least a million litres.

The Herald understands that the UAE Red Crescent is sending a team to Zimbabwe to carry out disaster assessment inventory requirement.

The President has declared a State of disaster in respect to areas that were affected by Cyclone Idai.

The post ED returns to be with his people appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is reportedly planning to visit the Cyclone Idai-ravaged Manicaland province this week for a first-hand assessment of the disaster and appreciate the needs of the affected families. “The president is praying for the people in Manicaland and his team is preparing for him to visit affected areas, while through party […]