Ten percent of Zimbabwe’s population are estimated to be gay or lesbian – they are simply born like this. However, only few dare to disclose their sexual orientation as homosexuality is largely rejected by the Zimbabwean society and considered a taboo.

The current Zimbabwe Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act makes specific sexual acts illegal. According to popular belief, however, homosexuality is a crime. The national media exacerbates this attitude in Zimbabwe with homophobic statements by government leaders contributing to a misinformed, highly discriminatory socio-political environment.

In 2013, Zimbabwe adopted a constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage. It leaves the sexual minorities in a quandary, however, because it is silent on whether or not gay or lesbian love affairs are legal.

The marriage bill that has brought up the concept of civil partnerships has been precise in defining it as a relationship between a man and a woman .The term on its own being interpreted internationally to mean people in same sex relationships has caused the community and cabinet to want to remove it noting that because it has a gay international interpretation thus it does not uphold the countries moral standards. The issue of inclusion of same sex marriages has been removed from conversation totally showing that we are far from realising these rights.

The Bill outlaws same-sex marriages in the definitional section of terms, by defining the term “marriage” as meaning a marriage solemnised, registered or recognised as such in terms of the Act, being a union between persons of the opposite sex.

This is in line with Section 78 subsection 3 of the Constitution, which clearly states that, “persons of the same sex are prohibited from marrying each other”.

Speaking to one of the victims who had to flee Zimbabwe for fear of her dear life, says she was harassed and attacked on a number of occasions whilst she was still in Zimbabwe and now even if she feels that home is best she still fears for her life that if dares returning she might get killed or jailed.

“I have been harassed and attacked on several occasions and that prompted me to flee the country to save my life. There’s this one day I will never forget, I was in the Harare Gardens Park with a woman I was dating, and three men approached us and urinated on us calling us Ngochani (a derogatory name given to gays/lesbians in Zimbabwe).

“Another unfortunate incident took place in 2018 when I was assaulted by six men who stayed in our neighbourhood, these men knew about my sexuality since they always saw me with my partner. I sustained head injuries during the assault, when I reported my case to the police telling them I have been attacked by some men questioning my sexuality. The police said they could not do anything mentioning that my story was a bit complicated to open up a docket for gays/lesbians here in Zimbabwe” she added

Homosexual persons often experience violence and marginalisation due to their sexual orientation. Aggression towards them ranges from verbal abuse and bullying to social discrimination, physical violence and psychological torture. This trend of abuse has been rampant mostly in the central parts of Harare, Gweru, Bindura and Bulawayo.

According to ZimRights, a human rights group, there were approximately 760 reports of attacks on homosexual university students in 2018. Chesterfield Samba leads the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), a civil-society organisation. He says that “suspected gay students are being tracked down by their anti-gay colleagues in clubs, bars and even in their homes. They are openly harassed, assaulted or even killed.”

Zimbabwe is one of the non-accepting countries in the world for gay, lesbian and transgender people. A 2006 revision to the country’s criminal code expanded the penalty for sodomy to include acts that “would be regarded by a reasonable person as an indecent act”. This could include two men/women holding hands or hugging, and it can be punished by an extended prison term.

According to a 2018 survey by the non-governmental organisation GALZ (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe), 50 % of gay men in Zimbabwe had been physically assaulted, and 64 % had been disowned by their families. Twenty-seven percent of lesbians also reported harassment, assault and disownment. Often, they are accused of exposing their parents to “blame and shame”.

Some families in rural areas assume that their gay son or lesbian daughter is possessed by Satan or demons. Traditional leaders evict them from their villages. A young man from western Zimbabwe, who prefers to stay anonymous, recounts that people in his village, believed that “even with a handshake, I would transfer homosexuality”. The elders decided that he was unfit to stay in the community.

The late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is well known for his furious speeches against Zimbabwe’s LGBT community, calling them “worse than pigs and dogs” and must not be allowed in society.

At some point he was asked by an AP reporter if Zimbabwe had no gay rights this was his response: “They have no rights whatsoever! They are an abomination and against human nature and God,” he shouted as he grabbed him by the arm and jostled him, causing his head to knock against a video camera behind.

In an in-depth LGBT article done by Grace Badza early this year she spoke to several victims who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation.

“They say I am the reason why the Biblical towns Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed,” an elderly gay man recounts. “They call me an abomination with no acceptance in the Christian religion.”

Another man says that he was harassed at work: “They fired me. I have no source of income anymore.” Many LGBTI people in Zimbabwe suffer from low self-esteem; they are isolated and often depressed. “I have no place in society,” a young Lesbian in Harare says. “Where do I run to?”

Zimbabwe is no exception. Homosexuality is outlawed in 35 African countries and punishable by death in two countries, Mauritania and Sudan, as well as in some areas of Somalia and Nigeria, according to Amnesty International.

BY CHARLES LAITON

Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri has described Oman-based businessman, Thamer Said Ahmed Al Shanfari as a “fugitive” and accused him of fraudulently attempting to claim properties that belongs to the Zimbabwean military.

Muchinguri said this in her founding affidavit in response to Shanfari’s High Court application, seeking an order for placement of a caveat over four immovable properties namely stand numbers, 98, 99, 100 and 101 Glen Lorne Township 8 of Lot 40A Glen Lorne, Harare.

The businessman approached the High Court after receiving information that his properties were being taken over by the Defence ministry.

But Muchinguri challenged Shanfari’s application saying, the court in Harare cannot, first of all, entertain his application given that he, being a fugitive and a prohibited immigrant, had not offered any security to institute proceedings against the government.

“The applicant (Shanfari) is a peregrinus and in that regard he has not offered any security to institute these proceedings. The applicant is a fugitive from justice. The applicant is a prohibited immigrant and there are disputes of facts which will not possibly be resolved on his founding affidavit. These disputes are clearly apparent from his own founding affidavit,” she said.

“The applicant has no assets in this country, both movable and immovable. The immovable property in dispute does not belong to him, it is a property owned by the second respondent (Defence ministry) through its commercial vehicle which was created for the purpose, among other things, to acquire this property.”

Muchinguri further said Shanfari cannot be trusted given that he has a criminal record culminating from his conviction on charges of forgery in Cairo, Egypt. “The applicant has also been found guilty of forgery for a British passport in Egypt. On the basis of the above points in limine, I submit with respect that the applicant’s application be dismissed with costs,” the minister said.

In his application, the businessman said he filed a court application after realising that chances were very high that he could lose his investments in Zimbabwe given the political power yielded by Muchinguri and her ministry. But, the minister disputed his assertions saying he owned nothing in Zimbabwe.
The matter is pending.

BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE

MPILO Central Hospital yesterday unveiled medical equipment, which include infant incubators, a mobile X-ray machine, radiant warmers, sourced from India by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The institution also received 25 patient monitors, one endoscope unit and two anaesthetic machines, among other equipment.

Chief hospital equipment technician Vulindlela Dube hailed the President for his kind gesture to the health institution.

“The equipment will assist the hospital in saving human life,” he said.

“We received infant incubators; these machines are used for pre-term babies. They stabilise the temperature and create conditions that mimic what was in the mother’s womb.”

Dube also said: “We have also received patient monitors that monitor vital signs in a patient, for example, the blood pressure, oxygen saturation which will ensure the patient is getting enough oxygen.

“We also have a mobile X-ray machine that actually can be transported to a critically-ill patient instead of moving the patient from the intensive care unit.”

Dube said one anaesthetic machine was ready for use, while the other was waiting for components from India.

Meanwhile, 71 general nurses and 58 midwives graduated with certificates and got awards for their achievements at the same institution.

Speaking on behalf of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube, deputy director in the minister’s office, Agnes Makoni hailed
nurses for their perseverance despite facing challenges.

Makoni said health workers must be reminded that their role is to save lives.

“Midwives, as defenders of women’s rights, should support women to make informed health and life choices; empowering them with information and access to services,” Ncube said.

She added that currently the health system world-wide was experiencing a lot of challengers as the quality of healthcare was deteriorating.

Local health institutions are facing shortages of drugs and equipment.

They have also been crippled by the doctors’ strike, with nurses only working two days a
week.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean Afro-jazz musician Darlington “Mhofela” Tanganyika has expressed concern over the reluctance by local music promoters to support artistes who are based outside the country.

Tanganyika told NewsDay Life & Style that he and other musicians were facing challenges winning the confidence of local promoters to assist them in holding shows on the home turf.

“We are having difficulties when it comes to promoters. The challenge is that we do not have people who want to support us to have shows in Zimbabwe. They promote us here in South Africa, but when it comes to Zimbabwe, promoters are hard to come by,” he said.

The Chiweshe-born musician said he had managed to hold shows with some of his role models and great musicians that inspired his music.

“Business here in South Africa is very good and I am having countless shows. I have shared the stage with great musicians, including the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Soul Brothers, Freddy Gwala, Willom Tight, Dino Mudondo, Andy Muridzo and son of the late James Chimombe,” he said.

Tanganyika, who is currently working on two singles, Munamato and Mutei Weshiri — a song to comfort women who have lost their husbands — said he was grateful to God for guiding him in his music journey and was looking forward to doing more shows in Zimbabwe soon after sharing the stage with Jah Prayzah.

He said Tuku played an important role in his life by singing songs that uplifted him socially and spiritually.

With three albums — Rwendo, Nhiyo and Mhaiyo — under his belt, Tanganyika has also released a single titled Matitorera, a dedication to Mtukudzi.

The single Matitorera, which was recorded at Camel Studios and mixed by Isaac Sando, features Nicholas Sando Musonza on lead and acoustic, former Macheso drummer Obert Gomba, and Lucky Andries and Simon Meck on the keyboard.

Tanganyika said he was also working with Pamela Zulu, popularly known as Gonyeti, and has done collaborations with Zenzo Bhekimpilo (Zimbabwean), his producer Isaac Sande on one of his tracks Paruzevha.

He said his music calling emanated from some hardships in life, which became a source of strength.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

ZIMBABWEANS have this year been surviving on a measly health allocation of US$4,80 per capita (per person per year) against the US$36 stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This was revealed by the Health secretary Agnes Mahomva when she appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, which took her to task for failing to urgently resolve the doctors’ strike that has seen government firing 415 medical practitioners.

“In 2019, the per capita budget allocation for health has been US$4,80 per person and even the best scrapping by the WHO is at US$36 per capita and we are nowhere near that,” Mahomva told the committee, chaired by Ruth Labode.

“In 2020, we are moving out of austerity, but it simply means that we are also not making any significant progress. We are moving in a straight line and the per capita allocation is now US$27,29.”

For the 2020 national budget, the Health ministry was allocated $6,4 billion, but out of this, $4,5 billion is expected to come from development partners.

“About 80% of current health funding is from two sources; the Global Fund, providing 43% and Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) 37%, making it more necessary for the government to find more innovative financing methods for health to decrease donor dependency,” Mahomva said.

“Most external funding is allocated towards drugs and medical supplies, leaving the country’s health service delivery vulnerable to donor reprioritisation. For example, the Global Fund allocation to drugs and medical supplies decreased by $30 million in 2019 and 2020.”

Mahomva said the industrial action by doctors had now gone beyond 77 days and disciplinary action was being taken by the Health Services Board under the guidance of the Attorney-General’s Office.

“A total of 578 doctors are to be charged, with 520 charge letters served. Of these, 459 disciplinary cases have so far been heard, of which 415 were given discharge penalties with 212 discharge letters served,” she said.

Labode slammed the Health ministry for using a hard hand on the doctors instead of negotiating with them to save the deteriorating health crisis in the country.

“How do you even plan to replace those 415 doctors? Are you getting doctors from Cuba? Why did government take a decision to ignore the doctors’ grievances? For me, it is like ignoring and then suing your child. A neighbour then negotiates with your child and takes them. This situation will bring shame on you,” she said.

But Mahomva said after the court ruling declaring the strike illegal, it was difficult for the government to reverse the decision to fire them.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa says the end is nigh for the ruling Zanu PF, accusing the party of trying to suppress “inevitable” democratic change.

In his speech dubbed Hope of the Nation Address (HONA) just hours after police assaulted supporters who had come to hear his speech, Chamisa said change would not be stopped by baton stick-wielding cops.

“You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. There is no doubt that the time of change has come. This time is evident and well written in the corridors of government,” he said.

“It is well written in the corridors of our communities and our streets, our villages even in our churches and gatherings. We need change and change must come. Change is coming. We are in a rogue regime. We are in a pariah State, a banana republic, and this is what is very clear. We have a big problem and that problem has to be dealt with in a big manner.

“This is the tell-tale sign of a regime that is collapsing. When you see a regime that is so scared of its own people, you must know that the end is nigh. When you see a regime that resorts to force, know that legitimacy has evaporated. When you see a regime that is so determined to keep our police officers on the streets, you must know that there is now a
vacancy in their scope of imagination on the future of the country.”

The opposition leader accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of leading Zimbabwe back into the dark ages of brutality and dictatorship synonymous with the late former leader Robert Mugabe’s era.

“Nothing has changed. We are back to the old days. If anything, Mr Mugabe is now looking like a small boy when it comes to the manual of dictatorship,” he said.

“Mnangagwa is scaling new levels of dictatorship, literally showing that he was, indeed, the man behind the dictatorship we have seen in this country. He is simply the dictator we must be able to confront.”

Chamisa warned that if there was no thawing of relations and a move towards progressive dialogue between Zanu PF and MDC, then his party would unleash a series of activities which would force Mnangagwa to the negotiating table.

In his HONA, Chamisa said Zimbabweans faced a bleak Christmas because of corruption, bad politics and abuse of human rights which has left hospitals and clinics closed, while hundreds die due to lack of medical access.

Mnangagwa has vowed to fight corruption, but many say his words have failed to match the action, a sentiment captured by Chamisa in his address.

He accused Mnangagwa of preaching the “open for business” message, yet his “conduct and actions were to the contrary”.

“We have just proved that we are not ready for business, reason being our toxic politics. Politics of vengeance, anarchy and chaos. Our politics of butchering citizens, our politics of hurting one another, that is the reason why our country cannot be a good candidate for the family of nations coming together to assist us,” he said.

Chamisa was forced to address journalists, senior members of his party, parliamentarians and a few supporters after police disrupted what was to be a public address on the balcony of the party headquarters.

BY CHARLES LAITON

Flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa’s two sons have been taken to the High Court by Getbucks Microfinance Bank Ltd for failing to repay an $800 000 loan advanced to their company in February this year.

The financial institution recently filed summons against Edmund and Brian Chiyangwa alongside World Grain (Pvt) Ltd and Padley Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd.

The Chiyangwas are also set to lose their Harare property, stand number 712 the Grange Township of subdivision C of the Grange, measuring 2 4076 hectares held under title deed number 4212/2013, which they surrendered as surety for the bank loan.

In its declaration, Getbucks said it entered into an agreement with the two on February 26, 2019, whereupon it extended $600 000 to World Grain, a company in which the two sons stood as sureties and co-principal debtors.

“In terms of the credit agreement between the parties, the plaintiff (Getbucks) has a right to demand payment of the whole amount due under the loan facility in the event of the borrower failing to make payments on the due date or operating its account with the plaintiff in an unsatisfactory manner that exposes the plaintiff to possible loss or prejudice,” the micro-finance firm said.

“In breach of the loan agreement, the first defendant (World Grain), has failed to pay the principal and interest on the loan facility on due dates resulting in arrears of $846 041,52 accruing as at November 7, 2019,” Getbucks said.

The firm further said upon signing the agreement, Edmund and Brian undertook to pay legal practitioners’ collection commission and legal costs on the legal practitioner and client scale, adding that it was also part of the agreement that interest would accrue at the rate of 4% per month and a penalty rate of 15% per annum would be levied in the event of a default.

According to Getbucks, World Grain had made an undertaking to settle the balance by October 31, 2019, but failed to do so.

Getbucks is also seeking an order for The Grange property that was pledged as surety to be declared executable.

World Grain and Chiyangwa’s sons are yet to enter appearance to defend.

BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA/FARAI MATIASHE

CHIREDZI West legislator Farai Musikavanhu (Zanu PF) on Sunday vowed to deny MDC supporters food aid and government-sourced agricultural inputs, and put paid to long-standing allegations that the ruling party disenfranchises underprivileged members of society on political grounds.

In a seven-minute video, Musikavanhu, who was addressing Tongaat Hulett workers in ward 18 before distributing presidential inputs, said the councillor and his supporters will not benefit from the programme.

“This ward was won by an MDC councillor, but when it comes to Presidential inputs he and his supporters will not receive anything. You can mix with MDC thugs at work, but they will not get anything from this programme),” he declared.

Speaking to Southern Eye early this week, Musikavanhu said since MDC supporters had refused to recognise Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as President, they will not benefit from the scheme.

“As the MP for Chiredzi West Constituency my record is very clear in respect of working positively with Chiredzi Town Council whose chairman is from the MDC-Alliance on government projects,” Musikavanhu said.

“The comments I made on 16 November 2019 are in respect of the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme: This is a special and direct intervention by HE President ED Mnangagwa. The MDCA have chosen not to recognise President ED Mnangagwa’s presidency and as such my position is as follows: I will not recognise the MDCA in Chiredzi West constituency in any programme I am tasked with originating from the Office of President ED Mnangagwa until they recognise the legitimacy of our democratically-elected President of the Republic of Zimbabwe HE President ED Mnangagwa.

“This is about our sovereignty as a people and as I stand by the full text of my audio clip.”

MDC Masvingo provincial spokesperson Derick Charamba said Musikavanhu’s remarks confirmed the policisation of aid by Zanu PF officials.

“Zanu PF has been abusing taxpayers’ money to fight MDC, yet the majority of taxpayers are from the MDC. The silent majority is not silent at all. Elasticity breaks at some point,” he said.

MDC proportional representation MP for Chiredzi, Mucharairwa Mugidho said as a party they believe that any programme that is funded by Treasury is supposed to benefit all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.

“In a modern society, it’s not only shocking, but reckless for a community leader to be seen propagating hate and disunity among Zimbabweans on the basis of which political party one subscribes to. Leaders must unite people so that our collective efforts in our diverse ways contribute to the development of the country,” Mugidho said.

“As a party, we cannot hide the fact that we are disappointed by Musikavanhu’s gesture that breeds hate because the food in question is bought by taxpayers’ money. So this is clear evidence that Mnangagwa’s government is using food aid as a political tool against MDC.”

Ward 18 councillor Gilbert Mutubuki (MDC Alliance) described Musikavanhu as politically immature. “How can a whole MP stoop so low to distribute presidential inputs and aid? He should have left that to councillors. It clearly shows that he is not even aware of his role as an MP,” Mutubuki said.

Zanu PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo said he could not comment as he had not seen the video.

However, Khaya Moyo recently said it was not Zanu PF policy to abuse food aid and urged the MDC to report all allegations of food handouts abuse.

Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said: “Government policy is that all Zimbabweans assessed to be eligible for food aid should be given it regardless of their political preferences. The same applies to the Presidential Input Scheme. President Mnangagwa is the leader of this nation. That means he superintends over the interests of everyone and everything in this country, including wild animals. So political preferences are not a consideration at that level.”

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

SUNGURA musician Tatenda “Spannerboy” Pinjisi (pictured) yesterday claimed he has been called back into the music industry through a dream after announcing that he was quitting the industry two months ago.

The musician has since dropped a new album titled Africa Ine Varidzi, which he also said he received in the dream.

Pinjisi told NewsDay Life & Style that although the album — which is the third in his discography — was initially titled Shamhu Yenhubu, he decided to change it following a car crash that nearly claimed his life a few months ago.

“I am back in the music industry after announcing that I was quitting due to depression and insolvency after the accident, but I was called back to the stage through dreams,” he said.

“While asleep, I would dream playing the latest album on stage, hence I followed my dream and came up with this new album. The accident also made me believe that Africa has its maker.

So when I cheated death, I changed the name Africa Ine Muridzi.”

Pinjisi used the dendera sound on the track, Dhikinya, which he said has attracted Sulumani Chimbetu and the two are now working on a collaboration.

The Saina hitmaker reiterated that he was also working with the man of the moment, gospel musician Dalington “Mambo Dhuterere” Mutseta and a Malawian musician, Saint Akazanga on other projects.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

Newly-formed Zimbabwe Golf Course Superintendents Association (ZGCSA) have partnered with Zimbabwe Golf Association to host a two-day workshop meant to update members on the technological advances in turf, machinery and equipment management.

ZGCSA secretary-general Tizayi Tundu Sithole told NewsDay Sport that the workshop is expected to equip golf course staff with specialist skills in their work areas.

“We are hosting a two-day green-keeping workshop with relevant and reliable training. The workshop is designed to equip golf course and sports field maintenance staff with a range of specialist skills that are specific to their jobs.

“We are into sports field maintenance and management, especially golf courses. Our mandate is to spearhead golf course and sports fields’ development projects like research into sustainable golf or sports field management,” he said.

Sithole said they were targeting different sporting disciplines to help improve field management.

“We are mainly targeting golf, but other sporting disciplines such as cricket, soccer and rugby are welcome to participate. We are trying to equip people with necessary skills so that we meet international standards.

“This workshop will have an impact on the way golf courses are maintained so as to have world-class golf course in Zimbabwe. The sports turf, if well managed, will be ever green year round, that’s opening field to play for a longtime. Attendees will gain valuable educational information in turf management and the fact that we just came from South Africa where I attended a workshop and also took part in the volunteer green-keeping programme at the Nedbank Challenge Golf tournament in Sun City, will help us transfer our knowledge to them,” he added.