Sunday, October 18

Akahwanda Musango Job Sikhala Writes A Letter To Zimbabweans

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
31st July Movement

Isolated from family, friends and acquaintances gave me time and opportunity to deeply reflect and search in heart and soul the meaning of everything that is happens in my life and many other Zimbabweans as well. I was six years old in 1980 and l remember vividly my Uncle, the youngest of my father’s siblings Samuel Sikhala who is my closest friend today of all my family members arguing with my father and my other Uncle. The argument was on why it was right to vote for PF ZAPU and Joshua Nkomo for a new independence leadership of our country as they prepared to go to Pamushana Mission to vote. They agreed all of them including their wives, to vote for PF ZAPU. Although young, l understood what they were conspiring to. As a young boy l was always taken to pungwes of ZANLA forces by one Chidoori who purported to be a Svikiro possessed by the Spirit of Mbuya Nehanda who was given sanctuary by my father at our family farm after he ran away from his Mandivengerei village from Bikita. He claimed that the Smith regime security agencies wanted to kill him for the role he was playing for the liberation struggle. On daily basis ZANLA freedom fighters led by comrades Kasikai, Bonde and others were always camping at our farm as it had mountainous and forest hideouts.

I always witnessed my mother’s chickens eaten daily. On other days, young village boys would be send to neighbouring farms to get chickens and mealie meal to feed the guerrillas. Chidoori would smear the ZANLA combatants with snuff (Bute) after making some growling noises which he said was some form of communication and conveyance of the messages to the ancestors and Spirits above. Chidoori lived 23 kms from the Smith forces that were hounding him from his village in Bikita. For almost 2 years he stayed at our home from 1978 to 1980. For all this long they wouldn’t know where he was. He only went back to his village after independence.

It did not take long for people in independent Zimbabwe to live the same life which Chidoori lived. PF ZAPU supporters everywhere started to be hounded for alleged insurrection. Anyone supporting PF ZAPU was labelled a dissident, terrorists as opponents of the current government are being labelled. This included men and women in villages who only had their hoes and ploughs as their weapons of survival. Dear Zimbabweans, some Zimbabweans of deflated mindset urged on the ZANU PF government to assassinate Joshua Nkomo. They labelled him all sorts of names that are currently being thrown against all opponents of the system.

Dear Zimbabweans, in our sober reflections today many of those who supported the persecution of Joshua Nkomo and his supporters are regretting. The sin of omission and commission haunts all of them to the present day. We lacked unity and persued parochial sectoral and party interests. Our daily preoccupation was obsession with power. The hunting for power superceded the core challenges of our society. We sow evil, division among ourselves and normalised absurdities. We lacked compact unity and voice to say this is wrong and we can not allow it. A wrong is a wrong.

Those who are abducting and killing our kith and kin do not have anything or a decent home they call theirs. They are suffering like all of us when their masters eat in abundance. They kill someone for pittance reward and nothing more. It is common in cursed societies, where someone kills for a dollar.
Never again shall we ever be divided by the rulers for them continue plundering our nation. Today, all Zimbabweans have found their voices. Let the voices continue to echo. From Human Rights organisations to Catholic Bishops, to Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe to every men and women in the streets, professional bodies to everyone. Speak Zimbabwe Speak. Let nothing divide us again as a people. Lets remain resolute.

#Free Hopewell Chin’ono
#Free Jacob Ngarivhume
#Free Godfrey Kurauone
NO to Corruption
NO to Looting
NO to Abductions
NO to Torture
NO to Violence Against the Citizens
NO to All Forms of Human Rights Abuses
#ZimbabweUnited
##ZimbabweansLivesMatter.

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Personal Injury Law: What You Need to Know After an Accident

    Personal injury law is designed to help accident victims recover compensation after incidents like car accidents, workplace injuries, or medical negligence. When someone is injured due to another party’s actions, they may be entitled to financial recovery for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. This makes topics like accident claims, injury compensation, and legal representation highly relevant for people seeking immediate help.

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Taking the right steps after an accident can significantly impact the outcome of a case. Gathering evidence, seeking medical attention, and speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney are all critical actions. Many successful claims depend on early intervention, proper documentation, and understanding your legal rights from the beginning.

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Navy Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Claims for Veterans

Navy mesothelioma lawyer, veterans mesothelioma lawyer, Navy asbestos exposure, asbestos claims for veterans, mesothelioma veterans benefits, shipyard asbestos lawyer

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Navy Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Claims for Veterans

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Many veterans, especially Navy veterans, were exposed to asbestos during military service. Ships, shipyards, engine rooms, boiler rooms, insulation, pipes, gaskets, valves, pumps, and other equipment commonly involved asbestos-containing materials.

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A Navy mesothelioma lawyer helps veterans and families investigate asbestos exposure and pursue compensation options.

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These claims may involve lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, asbestos trust funds, and possible veterans benefits.

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Why Navy Veterans Faced Asbestos Exposure

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Navy ships historically used asbestos because it resisted heat and fire.

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Asbestos may have been found in:

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Boiler insulation
rnPipe insulation
rnEngine rooms
rnTurbines
rnPumps
rnValves
rnGaskets
rnElectrical equipment
rnFireproofing materials
rnDeck materials
rnShipyard repair areas

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Veterans may have inhaled fibers during repair, maintenance, overhaul, or demolition work.

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Military Exposure and Civilian Companies

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Veterans usually do not sue the military for asbestos exposure. Instead, claims often focus on private companies that manufactured, supplied, or sold asbestos-containing products used by the military.

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A mesothelioma lawyer can help identify those companies.

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Veterans and Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after asbestos exposure. A veteran exposed in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s may not be diagnosed until many years later.

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ATSDR notes that asbestos-related diseases usually appear many years after first exposure.

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What Compensation Options May Exist?

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Veterans may have several possible options:

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Asbestos lawsuit
rnAsbestos trust fund claims
rnVA disability benefits
rnDependency and indemnity compensation for survivors
rnMedical care benefits
rnWrongful death claims

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The right path depends on diagnosis, service history, exposure evidence, and family situation.

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What Evidence Helps a Navy Asbestos Claim?

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Useful evidence may include:

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DD-214
rnShip assignments
rnRate or job title
rnService records
rnShip repair records
rnShipyard employment records
rnCoworker statements
rnProduct identification
rnMedical diagnosis
rnPathology reports
rnVA records

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A lawyer experienced in Navy asbestos cases may already know which ships and equipment were associated with asbestos products.

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Common Navy Jobs With Exposure Risk

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Potentially exposed Navy roles may include:

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Machinist mates
rnBoiler technicians
rnPipefitters
rnElectricians
rnFiremen
rnEngine room workers
rnShipyard workers
rnHull technicians
rnMechanics
rnMaintenance crews
rnInsulators
rnSeabees

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Exposure may also have occurred during ship repair or overhaul.

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Can Family Members File Claims?

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If a veteran died from mesothelioma, surviving family members may be able to file wrongful death claims or trust fund claims, depending on state law and deadlines.

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Families should gather medical records, death certificate, service records, and work history.

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Final Thoughts

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Navy veterans with mesothelioma may have legal and benefit options connected to asbestos exposure.

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A Navy mesothelioma lawyer can help investigate shipboard exposure, identify asbestos products, file trust claims, and pursue compensation from responsible companies.

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Veterans served their country. They deserve clear answers when asbestos exposure leads to serious disease.

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