Sex workers in Zimbabwe have cried foul over the skyrocketing prices of condoms in the country warning that this could lead to a rise in the number of infections of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The sex workers have called on the government to scrap import duty on the condoms or to subsidize them. This comes after the price of a pack of Durex Condoms shot up to between ZWL$107 and $119. To put these prices into perspective, the government recently gazetted that the minimum wage for domestic workers is ZWL$900 per month. Some of the sex workers who spoke to local publication, HealthTimes, said that the new condom prices posed a risk to their profession and the health of many people. Shamy, a Chemical Engineering Student with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT)
The price of bread has gone up yet again in Zimbabwe, a day after the country abandoned the fixed foreign currency exchange rate and introduced the foreign currency auction system. According to information reaching iHarare, a standard loaf of bread from Proton Bakeries is now retailing for ZWL$87 in some supermarkets in the capital. The is an increase of ZWL$26 from the previous price of ZWL$61. This price increase translates to a massive 40 per cent price increase. This also means that a loaf of bread is now going for US$1.50 using the official foreign currency exchange rate established at yesterday’s first foreign currency auction system. According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe foreign currency auction system held yesterday, the official rate of one United States Dollar
Zimbabwe conducted its first weekly foreign currency auction on Tuesday with the local dollar trading at an average of 57.3582 to the U.S. dollar, ending a fixed exchange rate of 25 in place since March. The southern African country reintroduced its local currency last year after a decade of official use of the U.S. dollar in the economy. But the local currency rapidly lost value, sending prices rocketing and raising fears of renewed hyperinflation. Since the end of dollarisation, the government has flirted with a managed float exchange rate, which it announced on March 11, before fixing the exchange rate at 25 Zimbabwe dollars to the U.S. dollar on March 26, citing the need to support the economy against the COVID-19 pandemic. The new foreign currency auctions were announced last
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has taken the battle to control the heart and soul of the opposition to party structures, dispatching his top leadership to conduct branch meetings across the country in an effort to outfox his rivals. Chamisa himself was in Mbare, Chitungwiza and Mabvuku from Friday to Sunday where he met party members, danced to local dancehall music with ghetto youths and was mobbed by hundreds of supporters as the MDC Alliance said it was mobilising for mass action against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. Chamisa’s presidential affairs secretary, Jameson Timba confirmed that the party was gearing to demand living wages for the people, a stop to corruption and a better Zimbabwe. “The president has been about meeting the people, listening
Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has finally been arrested over the Covid-19 tender scandal that saw him allow a dodgy company, Drax International to get a US$42 million contract to supply Covid-19 drugs and equipment without going to tender. According to multiple reports the Minister he is being held at Rhodesville Police Station in Harare. Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the arrest. The minister is likely to appear in court tomorrow (Saturday). Delish Nguwaya, the “local” representative of Drax International was arrested last week and is in remand prison after he was denied bail. Three senior officials from NatPharm who were also involved in the tender scam, appeared in court Wednesday and were granted $10 00
Nelson Chamisa’s MDC issues out a press statement: Video. MDC National Spokesperson Fadzai Mahere has condemned the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for alleging failing to investigate the Coronavirus tender scam that has sucked in Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo. The fiery spokesperson also took aim at the government for using state apparatus to block people from getting into CBD to attend parliamentary hearings on the constitutional amendment.
The MDC faction led by Thokozani Khupe yesterday held its first meeting at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House (formerly Harvest House), two weeks after seizing control of the building from rivals with the help of the army and police and resolved to recall more defiant legislators and councillors. The building, seen as the citadel of opposition politics, is largely symbolic and was named after the party’s late founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who died in February 2018. Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance occupied the building until June 5 before being muscled out by armed soldiers and police on behalf of Khupe.Chamisa’s allies led by party vice-president and former Finance minister Tendai Biti were arrested after they attempted to reclaim the premises. They were, however
‪The man whose farm was invaded by Kirsty Coventry is battling for his life in a Zambian hospital.‬ ‪Robert Zhuwao, the son of national heroine Sabina Mugabe and nephew of Robert Mugabe is losing his farm to Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry.‬ ‪A lesson to young people that ZANUPF has NO friends, and that you will also lose what you have once you lose power. ZANUPF is a party of nothing but greedy and corruption. Tomorrow Kirsty Coventry will also lose that farm to the new powerful rulers. We need a proper land tenure system if our country is to prosper, and we should do away with politics of vindictiveness. ZANUPF will kick you when you are down, that is ZANUPF.
HARARE WEST MP Joanna Mamombe and two female MDC Alliance activists, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri were Monday denied bail by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande. The State is accusing the trio of faking an abduction last month. Makwande said the three are facing very serious charges and are likely to be given custodial sentences if convicted, which may force them to abscond or commit a similar offence. “It (bail) can only be denied if there are compelling reasons,” she said before postponing the case to 26 June. The State argued the three committed a very serious offence and are likely to flee if granted bail while the police said the trio supplied fake addresses and investigations will only be completed after 14 days. “As alluded the accused vehemently d
Apostle Talent F Chiwenga says a great sicknesd to affect Bigwigs in the Zimbabwe government. Speaking during his online Sunday service, Chiwenga said individuals in top positions will be affected by a strange sickness varying from person to person. The man of God said medical practitioners will not be able to tell the type of the disease and its cure. Chiwenga said the pestilence will cause the flesh and skin to rot giving out a bad smell, worms will eat people alive. He added the situation will be God’s way of addressing matters that have not been judged properly in worldly institutions. Chiwenga said individuals who find themselves in the situation should personally give him a call because God instructed him on how to address the situation.
