BY FARAI MATIASHE

CARDIAC patients in the country face an uncertain future because private medical facilities are selling medical necessities such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECOs) in United States Dollars (USD) or in RTGS$ equivalent to the US dollar.

Cardiac patients are people with a cardiovascular disease which refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain or stroke, coronary artery disease, chest discomfort and congestive heart failure.

ECG and ECOs are pegged at US$240 and are required once a year for heart patients and regularly if one’s condition is unstable.

In Zimbabwe, cardiac tests in public hospitals are done only at Parirenyatwa, Harare Central and Mpilo Central hospitals against a population of more than 13 million, forcing many heart patients to seek services in private institutions and out of the country.

These patients came together and formed an association, Zimheart Trust established in 2017 and registered it in 2018, to source funds for those due for heart surgeries in countries like India and South Africa.

Addressing a Zimheart get-together event in Harare recently, physician Golden Fauna said there was need to provide support to people diagnosed with heart problems from the people who would have passed through such a situation other than doctors.

“There are certain things that health care professionals cannot do and one of them is to regularly communicate with patients in a clear manner such as patient-to-patient.

“Often when us doctors tell a patient about diagnosis a lot is lost in translation because our understanding of a medical condition is different from a patient. This is the role this organisation will play,” he said.
Fauna urged Zimheart Trust to provide support to people who are affected with heart diseases and to provide guidance in terms of how to approach certain decisions and processes towards treatment.

“Apart from providing a supportive role, I hope that this trust is going to be a key stakeholder in health care policy formulation, in advising especially giving a perspective in what challenges people with heart problems are facing,” Fauna said.

Zimheart Trust co-founder Farai Chirikure said after their interactions with heart patients and guardians they created the formal organisation to share their experiences and lobby for assistance.

“We have so far assisted several people with counselling and a little bit of funding. Our main objectives are to develop programmes and strategies to enable, empower, motivate and develop medical professionals and health care providers in the public and private sectors in the pursuit of objectives of this trust,” he said.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO IN CAPE TOWN

BRENDAN Dawson, a mainstay of rugby in Zimbabwe for nearly three decades, says what he has seen during the country’s participation in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge gives him confidence that the future of the game is bright.

Dawson is coach of the local team playing in South Africa’s tier two competition under the name Zimbabwe Academy.

The team, which has been based here in Cape Town since April, is yet to register a win in its debut season despite putting on some encouraging performances in some of their games against South African provincial sides.

Before their final game against Eastern Province Elephants at Villagers Rugby Club on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Academy suffered defeats to Border Bulldogs, Western Province, Sharks,
Free State Cheetahs XV, Boland and SWD Eagles.

Results, though, are not something Dawson read too much into.

“I really do believe that the team has done exceptionally well, I believe that they have followed what I wanted and I’ve got out what I wanted to get out of this whole tour,” said Dawson.

“The main focus of this whole tour was about growth and development. Results were not the most important thing to me in the sense of the final score lines, all I wanted to see is players growing with every single game. I really and truly believe that they have grown.”

The former Zimbabwe captain, who is now tipped for another tenure as the national team’s coach following the sacking of former Springbok mentor Peter de Villiers, doesn’t lack the ambitions to cause an upset or two in the SuperSport Challenge.

“Yes we’ve had a few disappointments; the last two games didn’t go according to plan,” conceded Dawson.

“I believe that the youngsters that have come through the system have learnt a tremendous amount from our participation in this competition.”

Dawson, who has ex-Springbok winger Tonderai Chavhanga as his assistant coach, said due to the support from various sponsors who made the tour possible, they have tried to embrace a professional approach in preparing for matches.

The ex-Sables loose forward reckons this will lay a solid foundation for the team as the Zimbabwe Rugby Union look to build a squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve tried to incorporate a professional approach in the way we do things from our gym and training sessions and the guys got better and performed. They are in the most professional set-up that they can ever better. We go to the gym and train every morning; we’ve also had supplements for the players. This has all been made possible through support
from the sponsors, which has been phenomenal and without them we would never be here. They’ve really taken local rugby to the next level, so at the end of the day if we can do this and continue to grow by exposing as many youngsters as we look to rebuild for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, we can do it,” he said.

BY CHARLES LAITON

HOME Affairs minister Cain Mathema and Commissioner-General of police Godwin Matanga have been taken to the High Court by the family of an artisanal gold miner who was shot and killed by a retired police officer at Chiadzwa diamond fields last month.

The family is seeking a court order to compel the law enforcers to conduct a post-mortem on their deceased relative and release the body for burial.

According to the court papers, the now deceased Terrence Masendeke was on May 15, 2019 allegedly killed by one Dulula Chinamano in full view of his colleagues as he attempted to flee an area where police were raiding illegal miners in the protected Chiadzwa diamond fields.

Masendeke’s uncle, Richard recently filed a court application seeking a court order to compel Matanga, Mathema and officer-in-charge for Marange Police Station to conduct a post-mortem to establish the cause of death although it is apparent that he was shot and killed at point blank.

In the court application, Richard also cited clinical director for Mutare General Hospital and Health permanent secretary as co-respondents.

Masendeke said he feared that his nephew’s body would decompose since the police had indicated that it could only be examined by a pathologist on June 25, 2019 due to the shortage of specialist doctors in the country.

“We are dissatisfied with how the State is failing to provide doctors to carry out the post-mortem. The deceased’s body is decomposing making it increasingly futile to carry out the post-mortem. We fear foul play given Chinamano’s close relations with the police as he worked with them to secure the prohibited area,” Masendeke said.

“…We are traumatised by the ongoing delay in carrying out the post-mortem because it means we cannot bury our nephew. Family members have come from afar to bury him and want to go home having buried their relative.”

In his founding affidavit, Richard said on the day in question and at around 10am his late nephew was with a group of miners in the Chiadzwa area when security guards and police officers approached and dispersed them claiming they were close to a prohibited mining area.

“The now deceased tried to run away, but was shot in the back and leg several times by Chinamano and died on the spot. His body was taken into the custody of police at Marange Police
Station and Chinamano was arrested,” Richard said.

“However the police have not kept us, as family members, informed with regard the current status and or outcome of any criminal proceedings against him (Chinamano). I fear that they may
be rushing the case without all relevant witnesses being called to give evidence.”

The matter is pending.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has challenged church women and students to be entrepreneurial and work hard in order to provide for their families.

Speaking at the just-ended Zimbabwe Christian Church (ZCC) Zuva Romweya gathering in Chegutu, Mnangagwa said there were many examples in the Bible where women were as enterprising as they were prayerful.

“There is great potential for income generation through the castor bean oil seed production, fish farming, poultry projects, market gardening, among others to be undertaken by women and youth clubs in many ZCC parishes,” she said

ZCC leader, Nehemiah Mutendi commended the role being played by the First Lady in helping the needy.

“She also does some pastoral work, going into hospitals helping the needy. We will always support you on that, but if you decide to fight with each other, you go alone,” Mutendi said.
The ZCC Zuva Romweya day is an annual celebration held in Chegutu to commemorate the genesis of the church founded in 1913 by Samuel Mutendi.

The First Lady was accompanied by various government officials, among them Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Environment minister Prisca Mupfumira and Minister of State in Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s Office, Davis Marapira.

EDITORIAL

WE earnestly and whole-heartedly pray that what Labour minister, Sekai Nzenza has told us is not going to happen, especially given that Zimbabwe is reeling under a debilitating socio-economic and political crisis.

“There is a new Bill that is going to be introduced soon, and is known as the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Bill, which will assist government in ensuring that there are no stayaways before negotiations between the government and its workers. This Bill will be signed by President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) on Wednesday (today), and it is a new initiative introduced so that workers and the government first engage in negotiations alongside the Apex Council. Workers, therefore, can no longer engage in stayaways before engaging other TNF stakeholders,” Nzenza has told us matter of factly.

For a nation whose workers have for years waited for the TNF to be enacted, to then wake up to a situation where one party to the negotiations has suddenly drawn out their AK-47 assault rifle and placed it on the negotiating table before the negotiating has even started, is barbaric, to say the least.

The minister and government’s declared position, we are sorry to say, is brazenly confrontational. This new development is grossly crude given that for the past six months the government and employers have been playing hide and seek with workers. If the clause mentioned by Nzenza is, indeed, part of this new Bill – although it works perfectly well for government and employers, it is not only unconstitutional as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has already said, but it will embitter the TNF relations.

What, for instance, are the workers supposed to do when either the government or employers, or both, drag their feet to the negotiating table? Further still, what are the workers supposed to do in the event that there is a deadlock at the negotiating table?

In fact, did our lawmakers actually pass this Bill, with such a clause, as good for our troubled nation? Does Nzenza and company really believe they are helping the situation by holding a gun to the head of the workers? This clause is fit for the archives of draconian rulers. This is a piece of law which some of us least expected from our beloved “new dispensation”.

BY OBEY MANAYITI

THE family of the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said it would not hesitate to continue approaching President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assistance should need arise, saying the country’s leadership had come to the fore in their times of need.

Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer of the colon last year and the government bankrolled his funeral and his memorial service held last month in Buhera.

Family spokesperson and brother to the late MDC founding leader, Manase said they were grateful for what the government and Mnangagwa have done so far and in future, should they face challenges, nothing will stop them from extending a begging bowl once more.

Although this will likely anger many opposition supporters, Manase said the family saw nothing wrong with it.

“The family will not hesitate to approach the President or the government if we see the need as a family. As of now things are still okay, but if we face any form of challenge we will definitely approach him,” he said.

“We want to thank Mnangagwa as a person and as Head of State because on our own we were not going to be able to mobilise the resources that were required.

“These include food, tents, chairs, mobile toilets, road repairs, catering services and enough security. Had it not been for them, we wouldn’t have achieved what we did,” he said.

Manase also thanked police boss Godwin Matanga and his subordinates for the security and other logistical support.

He also thanked other individual MDC leaders for contributing towards the memorial of Tsvangirai as well as other institutions such as the Methodist Church.

Tsvangirai’s daughter and Glen View legislator, Vimbai is currently hospitalised after she was recently involved in a road accident in Kwekwe. The family spokesperson said if the hospital bills balloon beyond their reach, they will approach the government.

Asked if this will not create problems for them with the MDC family, Manase said because the party leader Nelson Chamisa thanked the government at Tsvangirai’s memorial in Buhera for the material support there would be no problems.

Tsvangirai was one of the first opposition leaders to come close to snatching power from Zanu PF. He is credited for revolutionising opposition politics in Zimbabwe.

SPORTS REPORTER

THE Australian Embassy in Harare has come to the rescue of Zimbabwe’s financially-struggling World Cup-bound national netball team with a kit donation.

Having qualified for the World Cup that will be staged in England this July, the Gems have been up and around with their begging bowl, seeking both financial and material support.

Just days after telecommunications company TelOne chipped in with some financial support, the team received another boost of a training kit from Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bronte Moules on Monday evening.

Moules said her embassy was honoured to host the Gems who are an inspiration to other young girls and women following their achievement.

“Qualifying to the World Cup was a wonderful achievement and we are delighted to have the team this evening,” she said.

“There is so much talk about Zimbabwe and where it’s going in the world and how it is re-engaging, so I think It is wonderful to have Zimbabwe on this world stage at this point of Zimbabwe’s history. Sport diplomacy speaks a universal language, it is such a wonderful way to communicate. Sport is one of the most powerful messages. The message to young girls to be able to aspire to do whatever they want to do. When sports heroes carry that message everyone listens. You (Gems) are inspiring young girls and women and you are encouraging a culture of respect among young boys. We would want to wish you all the best at the World Cup. We don’t underestimate the hard work that has been put for the team to achieve this. We are delighted to be able to celebrate that with you.”

Zimbabwe Netball Association boss Leticia Chipandu said: “On behalf of the Gems I want to thank the Australian Embassy for this gesture. It will go a long way in cushioning the girls and the team’s needs. Thank you very much for caring,” she said.

By Rex Mphisa

BEITBRIDGE police’s slow reaction in the last three days have been blamed for three sudden deaths.

A Good Samaritan was fatally stabbed as he tried to rescue a woman being attacked by robbers whose presence police had been advised of, NewsDay has heard.

The other two sudden deaths were of men who took their lives by hanging.

Matabeleland South police spokesman Philisani Ndebele said he was out of the office and did not have information.

“Please get hold of those in the office, I am out in Hwali,” he said.

Police sources at Beitbridge confirmed the three deaths.

“Thirty-year Jeremiah Mutasa was stabbed close to the border post when he lept in to help a woman under attack by robbers. He was stabbed in the chest,” said the source,

“Police had been warned about the suspicious people, but they did not take preventive action. A woman got off a bus at a roundabout near the Customs and Excise gate and the robbers
swarmed her. The deceased successfully rescued the woman, but paid with his life,” a source said.

Residents said there are usually more than 10 policemen close to the point where Mutasa died.

The incident occurred around 2am and has sparked debate on the role of the police deployed at the border post.

Elsewhere in Dulivhadzimo, 34-year-old Emmanuel Ndlovu hanged himself in what is suspected to be a result of depression after losing his job.

Ndlovu was a clerk at a local wholesaler but lost his job. His body was discovered by passers-by in the bushes in Dulivhadzimo.

In the same high-density suburb, Jeffrey Masiya took his life following a domestic dispute.

It is understood that Masiya and his wife had disagreed over an undisclosed issue leading to the 34 -year-old taking his life.

By Garikai Mafirakureva

MDC spokesperson for Chikombedzi district John Mazhata, who is facing charges of intimidating teachers during the January fuel protests, was further remanded to June 14 for ruling.

The trial ended in April with all the witnesses denying being intimidated by the opposition party activist.

Chiredzi magistrate Constance Mtandwa, however, reserved ruling to May 14, May 31, before it was again rolled over to June 14.

Mazhata, a farmer from Chikombedzi, who was charged with violating Section 45 of the Criminal Law (Codification and reform Act) [Chapter 9-23], handed himself to Law and Order officers at Chikombedzi Police Station on February 18, 2019, after several days in hiding.

He is the only person in Chiredzi who has been arrested and arraigned before the courts to face charges relating to the January protests. Although Chiredzi residents participated in the stayaway, there were no reports of violence in the town. The protests were triggered by a 150% fuel price hike announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

According to Chiredzi area prosecutor, Moreblessing Rusere, on January 16, Mazhata made various phone calls to Amos Hlongwani, Chikombedzi Primary School headmaster, Jealousy Mupomba of Alpha High School and Ruzai Vhare of Zhou Primary School threatening them with unspecified action if they reported for duty during the mass protests.

The State alleges that Mazhata’s actions were unlawful and caused the teachers to live in fear. When questioned by the defence lawyer, Vhare, however, denied being intimidated by
Mazhata and so had no reason to report the accused to the police.

He said he was surprised to be summoned to court to testify against Mazhata.

Mazhata is denying all charges.

BY GERALD MUTSVAIRO

ZIMBABWE men’s national basketball team coach Addison Chiware was pleased with the performance of his team on Monday night when they defeated Mozambique 67-61 in the opening match of the AfroCan Zone Six tournament being hosted in Harare.

The hosts paraded their star player Vitalis Chikoko, who is based in France. He contributed 12 points with Warren Tegama making 22 points, which was the highest individual score on Zimbabwe’s scorecard.

Chiware was pleased that they finally managed to beat Mozambique who are one of the regional giants.

“I’m very happy with the result and it’s a good feeling when you win against a big opponent like Mozambique. Mozambique is a powerhouse. It is good that we have managed to win which is what we wanted,” he said.

Zimbabwe will take on Zambia in their next match today and Chiware yesterday said his team was in the best condition to take on their northern neighbours.

“We are preparing for the match against Zambia and everything is running smoothly. We have no injuries recorded from the last match and everyone is looking forward to play tomorrow. Following the last performance, we will go into the next match with a lot of confidence, but we know we will be in for a tough match against Zambia and we will not take anything for granted.”

The match against Zambia will be played at the City Sports Centre starting at 6pm.

Chiware said he will employ a different approach to the one they used against Mozambique when they tackle Zambia.

“Zambia is a good team, and we will use different strategies and we hope to also maximise on the opportunities we get in the match .The aim is to win this match again, but we will see what will come out.”

Zimbabwe Team: Tawanda Chitsinde, Warren Tegama, Tatenda Maturure, Agrippa Masvisvi, Simbarashe Mungomezi (vice-captain), Allen Danga, Noah Penduka, Benson Nyatanga, Henry Chizah, Neville Chivhanganye, Everisto Pasipamire, Vitalis Chikoko (captain).