By Taurai Matunhu

Sakunda Holdings has stepped in to partner Government in the fight against the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Harare Post can report.

The private company owned by Zimbabwean fuel mogul, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, has volunteered to start renovations and refurbishment of two private hospitals, St Annes Hospital in Avondale and Rock Foundation in Mt Pleasant, which have been dormant for years.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been imploring the private sector to partner Government in its effort to fight the pandemic that has so far claimed one life in the country.

In a statement, Sakunda Holdings assured citizens that the medical facilities would be open to everyone thereby rebutting social media claims that the facility has been set up for the elite and senior Government officials only.

It is envisaged that one of the facilities will be operational by Wednesday next week.

Wilkins Hospital, which has been set aside as a Covid-19 designate facility, is being renovated and refurbished by the Chinese business community operating in the country.

Speaking to this publication, a Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) member, Dr Sfundiso Nyoni, applauded Sakunda Holdings for ploughing back into the community during the current crisis. However, he lamented the abuse of social media in the spread of fake news.

“I am most grateful to Sakunda Holdings for stepping in to partner Government at this crucial time. This will go a long way as I am sure it will challenge other private players to step in.

“I am, however, worried about the way people abuse social media to circulate fake news. Right now people are claiming that the two facilities are being refurbished to cater for Government and ZANU PF big wigs, which is wrong. I am really urging Government to take stern measures against fake news peddlers. There must be a clause which makes the circulation of fake news punishable,” he said.

Globally, private entities are partnering their respective Governments in the fight against this global pandemic which has affected the whole world, with hard-hit Italy recording more than 7 000 COVID-19 induced deaths by 25 March 2020.

Argentina’s international football star, Lionel Messi donated US$1 million dollars to the Spanish Government to fight the pandemic. In the same light, Portugal star, Cristiano Ronaldo offered all his hotels to be used as Covid-19 centres.

Presidential Spokesperson, George Charamba has implored more private entities to chip in and help Government fight the pandemic. He mentioned the need for the private entities to lend a hand on Government’s intentions to operationalize Ekhusileni Hospital in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe has so far recorded three positive Covid-19 cases and one death out of the 100 individuals tested.