LOCAL NEWS

By Christopher Makaza

The United Nations has expressed its willingness to support Zimbabwe under the Zimbabwe UN Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo has said.

By Rudo Saungweme

…as congress draws closer

As the MDC’s make or break national congress draws closer, the battle for position continues with violence and chaos characterising and marring the mini congresses being held across the country.

By Gift Mashoko

The appointment of former MDC legislator for Mabvuku-Tafara, James Maridadi as ambassador-designate has been highly commended by citizens who have applauded the new dispensation for exhibiting high level of democracy and tolerance.

Gift Mashoko

Government has been applauded for contributing a lot and looking into the issues of people living with disabilities, that is the African Disability Protocol (ADP).

Zivanai Dhewa

Cabinet has reviewed progress on the Cyclone Idai, the establishment of an Open Merchant Ship Registry, approved the amendment of the Public Service Act in order to align it with the Zimbabwe Constitution and also raised concern over the basic commodity price hikes, during Cabinet’s Tenth Meeting Decision Matrix.

By Christopher Makaza

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade continues to promote bilateral ties through exchange of visits, holding consultations and joint Commissions, and to further unlock economic opportunities that exist within the African Continent and abroad, Minister Sibusiso Moyo has said.

By Derick Tsimba

The Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri visited Buhera South constituency recently to assess the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Idai.

By Bevan Musoko

Despite spirited efforts by various Government agencies to open up Cyclone Idai damaged roads for search, rescue efforts, efficient and timeous distribution of aid, several roads in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts remain impassable due to the massive damage by the ferocious cyclone.

By Bevan Musoko

… praises security forces

Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Cde Victor Matemadanda yesterday visited victims of Cyclone Idai and various aid distribution centres in Chimanimani as part of an assessment of Government rescue and relief efforts.

Cde Matemadanda first toured the Silverstream main aid distribution camp before travelling to another aid distribution camp at Skyline near Chimanimani. While at Skyline, members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces briefed the Deputy Minister on the various on-going search and rescue activities to account for people who are still missing in Ngangu and Rusitu, which were the worst affected areas by the cyclone.

A senior ZDF member told the Deputy Minister that they have deployed troops in Ngangu and Rusitu who are working with locals to search mountains of rubble and boulders for survivors and dead bodies. It was disclosed that, with the assistance of sniffer dogs from South Africa, the search teams had identified 16 points in Ngangu where trapped people could be located, while nine points were identified in Rusitu.

It was also disclosed that a tremor hit Ngangu area in December 2018 while another tremor was felt on 14 March 2019, a day before the devastating cyclone obliterated parts of the District capital, leaving entire families, either dead or missing.

The Deputy Minister was told that other soldiers were deployed at Silverstream, Machongwe, Wengezi where they are working with other Government departments, non-governmental organisations and other aid agencies in coordinating and distributing aid. It was disclosed that the soldiers are providing security at the distribution centres and escorting the delivery trucks.

The Zimbabwe National Army has 14 trucks distributing aid. The senior ZDF member disclosed that the aid distribution exercise was being led by the Department of Social Welfare, while the ZDF was playing a supporting role.

In response, Cde Matemadanda expressed Government satisfaction with the systems put in place to rescue and assist the cyclone victims. He also thanked the various agencies working day and night to ameliorate the plight of the cyclone victims.

The Deputy Minister thanked the security forces for putting national interests ahead of their comfort during the disaster. He hinted that Government was considering ways to reward them for their resilience during the disaster.

"We, as the leadership, are aware of the difficult conditions under which you are operating. Government is aware of that. We are looking at ways to acknowledge and reward such dedication once these missions are over."

Cde Matemadanda, who is also Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, was accompanied by Chairpersons of the Association from the country's ten provinces.

By Dorcas Rumano

There is fair distribution of humanitarian aid at Ndiadzo village centre in Chimanimani, where victims of cyclone Idai are receiving their aid, a Government official has said.