ZimNews

10/07/2022

*Headlines*

```‘Technocratic’ ministers under fire```

```UK: 26 out of 30 patient mistreatment charges upheld against Mugabe farm grab doctor```

*News in detail*

*‘Technocratic’ ministers under fire*

‘…you are not super ministers’

CALLS for action against so-called technocratic ministers are growing louder, with Zanu PF lawmakers accusing them of sabotaging the party and its leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa in ways that would alienate the masses agead of the 2023 general elections

MOSES MATENGA *News Hawks*

*UK: 26 out of 30 patient mistreatment charges upheld against Mugabe farm grab doctor*
By UK correspondent

BIRMINGHAM: A Zimbabwe-trained doctor’s bid to resume practice in the United Kingdom (UK) hangs in the balance after 26 out of 30 allegations of patient mistreatment were upheld by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal (MPT)

The Tribunal, during a hearing that is ongoing in Manchester “found that Dr Sylvester Nyatsuro’s fitness to practise remains impaired by reason of his misconduct both because of the need to protect the public and in the wider public interest”

“The tribunal acknowledged that Dr Nyatsuro’s failings arose in an exceptionally difficult situation in which there were staff shortages,” said Tribunal chair Andrew Lewis

“The tribunal was impressed by Dr Nyatsuro’s insight
He accepted his failures, the risk to which they gave rise and the damage to patient confidence

“He explained where he had gone wrong and why it was important
He set out in appropriate detail how he should have acted to employ Ms A (a healthcare assistant) without giving rise to risks to patients and public confidence

“The tribunal was encouraged by Dr Nyatsuro’s efforts to gain insight and remediate his misconduct and it considered the risk of repetition to be low
”
Dr Nyatsuro – a British citizen – was appointed chairman of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) board by then health minister Obadiah Moyo before the latter was sacked over Covid-19 procurement fraud

Nyasturo had returned to his naïve Zimbabwe after making headlines in the UK over the controversial takeover of a thriving to***co farm with the claimed help of then President Robert Mugabe’s powerful wife Grace
*New Zimbabwe*

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09/07/2022

*Soiled, Damaged US Dollars Remain Legal Tender: US Embassy*

The United States Embassy in Harare says all US dollar notes including soiled and damaged ones remain legal tender amid complaints that businesses were rejecting them.

Illegal money changers are making a killing by exchanging old and torn US notes for a fee, while some shops totally reject them or undercut their value.

A torn US$10 note is being exchanged for anything up to US$8.

In a statement, the US Embassy said all notes remain legal tender unless advised by the Federal Reserve.

“US government policy is that all designs of US Federal Reserve notes remain legal tender or legally valid for payments, regardless of when they were issued. This policy includes all denominations of Federal Reserve notes from 1914 to present,” the Embassy said on Thursday.

“The US government provides information on its currency through its US Currency Education Programme which ensures users of US currency around the world have access to education, training, and information about Federal Reserve notes.

“Any badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn or worn out currency note that is not mutilated and does not require special examination to determine its value, is considered legal tender by the US government.”

The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) director, Samuel Wadzai welcomed the clarification by the US Embassy.

“We welcome the clarification because there was a lot of confusion in the market and we hope this will help ensure certainty. We urge our members not to reject the notes. It’s not our money,” Wadzai said.

Economic analyst Vincent Musewe said banks and businesses must take the lead in instilling confidence on the use of damaged bank notes.

“It all depends on whether people accept them. Our banks must educate people and convince them of this fact and also easily exchange the notes. Banks must take the lead and instill confidence in the public,” Musewe.

Chitungwiza Business Association Secretary General David Ndoro said: “It’s possible only if the banks accept those soiled notes. In turn we can accept from customers. Major wholesalers and retailers are refusing the notes also, so it’s a real challenge. *Newsday*

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09/07/2022

*Headlines*

```Mohadi’s daughter struggled with job interview questions```

```Appointment of Mohadi’s daughter to Zec scandalous```

```New ZEC commissioners challenged to be non-partisan amid Mohadi outrage```

```Another robbery gang arrested in Kwekwe```

```Cops critical in hospital after severe public beating as illegal Kombi operation kills pedestrian```

```‘I had actually never heard of them’ – says Masiyiwa as he dismisses Suspersport Utd reports```

*News in detail*

*Mohadi’s daughter struggled with job interview questions*

FORMER vice-president Kembo Mohadi’s daughter Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose (AMA), who is part of six recently sworn-in Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioners, had a difficult time answering job-interview questions when she appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders

She was among the 32 shortlisted candidates who were interviewed for possible appointment to serve as commissioners

In view of her controversial appointment by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a Zec commissioner on Thursday this week, The NewsHawks publishes below – in the public interest – the unedited excerpts of her interview: *News Hawks*

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*Appointment of Mohadi’s daughter to Zec scandalous*

THE appointment of former vice-president and Zanu PF co-deputy leader Kembo Mohadi’s daughter Abigail Millicent Ambrose to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) will further compromise the integrity and credibility of the elections body mainly run by the ruling party’s cronies, analysts have said

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday appointed Abigail a Zec commissioner, together with Catherine Mpofu, Jane Mbetu Nzvenga Kudzai Shava, Rosewita Murutare, and Shepherd Manhivi

Zec is already staffed and stuffed with sympathisers of the ruling party accused of swaying the vote in Zanu PF’s favour
*News Hawks*

*New ZEC commissioners challenged to be non-partisan amid Mohadi outrage*
By Anna Chibamu

THE Election Resource Centre (ERC) has warned the newly appointed Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioners to shun partisanship and be independent in the discharge of their duties

President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in six commissioners – Catherine Mpofu, Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, Jane Mbetu Nzvenga, Kudzai Shava, Rosewita Murutare and Shepard Manhivi – to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

The six replaced members whose term of office ended on July 6

The development came at a time the Commission is preparing to carry out the delimitation of constituencies ahead of the crunch 2023 general elections

In a statement released soon after the swearing ceremony at State House in Harare, ERC insisted that the Commissioners should be “transparent, non-partisan and independent”

“… the ERC encourages the Commissioners to conduct their duties in a non-partisan and independent manner as stipulated by the Constitution and in line with their oath of office,” said the organisation

“In an environment marred by a ZEC credibility crisis, the ERC reminds the newly appointed Commissioners’ that their mandate is to ensure that elections are conducted efficiently, freely, transparently and in accordance with Constitution, Regional and International principles binding free and fair elections
”
The presence, among the new commissioners of Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, daughter of Zanu PF vice president Kembo Mohadi has outraged the opposition
*New Zimbabwe*

*Another robbery gang arrested in Kwekwe*
By Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of yet another robbery gang which had been terrorising people in the Midlands city of Kwekwe

Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko said the so-called ‘Maketo gang’ was arrested in connection of robberies committed in Mbizo High Density suburbs in Kwekwe

Six arrested members of the group were identified as Edmore Shoshore (33), Kelvin Machado (20), Munashe Chipaga ( 19), Nelson Shunya ( 31), Admire Jefias (30), Nyasha Nyahuma ( 30) all of Mbizo 15 Kwekwe

Mahoko said they were arrested while seated in a Nissan Caravan vehicle belonging to Shoshore after a tip-off from the public

Shoshore himself was later arrested separately

“The gang has so far been linked to two robbery cases where they allegedly robbed a Honda Fit motor vehicle on 15 June 2022 in Mbizo 15, and a Mbizo 4 robbery case where they robbed a man of mobile phones and cash,” said the ZRP spokesperson

“The total value stolen in the two cases amounted to USD$4,270-00
The stolen Honda Fit motor vehicle was recovered by the police on 17 June 2022 in Simbi Park Redcliff
”
The six appeared in court on 6 July 2022 and were remanded in custody to July 20
*New Zimbabwe*

*Cops critical in hospital after severe public beating as illegal Kombi operation kills pedestrian*
By voazimbabwe
com

TWO policemen were left nursing severe injuries at a Harare hospital after they were attacked by an angry crowd, which accused them of conducting an illegal traffic operation in the country’s capital city, Harare, resulting in the death of a local resident

The ZRP confirmed the incident saying the two officers involved in the incident would face disciplinary action

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the force was taking stern action against the cops who attempted to illegally stop a commuter omnibus, leading to the death of a 54 year-old Harare man

“The ZRP regrets the fatal incident that occurred this (Friday) morning at around 1140 hours, along High Glen Road near Mashayabhande Road in Harare, where a man (54) died after police officers who were not deployed for that activity engaged in an unsanctioned act,” said the ZRP on Twitter

“The ZRP Command has directed that criminal charges and disciplinary measures be taken against the officers and definitely the law will take its course
The ZRP passes its deepest condolence to the bereaved family
”
The policemen involved were allegedly assaulted by members of the public and taken to a local hospital

A police memo leaked to the press indicated that the two police officers – identified as Constable J
Mapfumo and Constable Demetrius Chimutanda – conducted an “unsanctioned deployment” when they arrested a kombi driver working for a Kuwadzana businessman while “clad in police reaction group kit”

The kombi driver resisted arrest and wrestled with the police officers when the vehicle was in motion
*New Zimbabwe*

*‘I had actually never heard of them’ – says Masiyiwa as he dismisses Suspersport Utd reports*
By Agencies

Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa has dismissed reports suggesting that he is set to buy South African top-flight club, SuperSport United

Rumours emerged on Tuesday that a deal for Masiyiwa to take over was ‘almost complete’

The Pretoria-based side is owned by MuitiChoice Group and it was reported that its sale was more to do with cashflow, since the company is now bankrolling the South African top-flight, the DStv Premiership

Masiyiwa posted on Facebook, rubbishing these reports and claimed that he doesn’t even know about the club

SuperSport United have also denied the rumours in a “club update” that was sent to the players and staff

The billionaire said: “Over the last few weeks there has apparently been a lot of social media chatter started by an article by a South African journalist, claiming that I have made a bid to buy a South African sports team called SuperSport United

“With all due respects to the club and its fans, I had actually never heard of them
I’m sure they must be a great club but this is not my business
I don’t go round trying to buy sports teams

“Even if you offered me the best sports team for $10, I would still not buy it because I don’t believe in buying businesses one knows nothing about
Sports is a serious business just like telecoms or mining or fashion; only I’m not into the business of sport
And anyone who has been on this platform knows that
*New Zimbabwe*

09/07/2022

*US$157m lost monthly to gold plunder, illicit financial flows in Zim*

A NEW investigative report by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), a civil society watchdog on the extractive industry, says Zimbabwe is losing at least three tonnes of gold valued US$157 million monthly through illicit financial flows

MOSES MATENGA

The report, titled Zimbabwe’s Disappearing Gold: The Case of Mazowe and Penhalonga, officially released yesterday, says the country is losing three tonnes of gold monthly worth US$157m through siphoning by top and influential Zanu PF politicians and government officials, as well as their business cronies

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*News Hawks*

08/07/2022

*Headlines*

```Assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe stuns world leaders```

```Angola’s former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos dies at 79```

*News in detail*

*Assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe stuns world leaders*
By Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR: Friday’s shocking assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in one of the world’s safest countries stunned leaders and drew condemnation, with Iran calling it an “act of terrorism” while European leaders slammed the “despicable” attack

Tributes poured in as governments expressed sorrow and solidarity with Japan over the loss of Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons

Abe, 67, was shot from behind in Nara in western Japan while giving a campaign speech
He was airlifted to a hospital and later pronounced dead

U
S
President Joe Biden said he was “stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened” and offered his condolences to Abe’s family

“This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” Biden said
“His vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure
Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service
”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who hastily returned to Tokyo from campaign events around the country, condemned the “unforgivable act
” He said campaigning as well as Sunday’s elections for parliament’s upper house will proceed

“The free and fair election, which is the root of democracy, needs to be protected no matter what
We will not be defeated by violence,” Kishida said

Leaders from Turkey to Singapore condemned the attack
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the French foreign ministry called the shooting “despicable” while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez slammed the ”cowardly attack
” *New Zimbabwe*

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*Angola’s former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos dies at 79*
By Reuters

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — José Eduardo dos Santos, once one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers who during almost four decades as president of Angola fought the continent’s longest civil war and turned his country into a major oil producer as well as one of the world’s poorest and most corrupt nations, died Friday
He was 79

Dos Santos died at a clinic in Barcelona, Spain following a long illness, the Angolan government said in an announcement on its page

The announcement said dos Santos was “a statesman of great historical scale who governed … the Angolan nation through very difficult times
”
Dos Santos had mostly lived in Barcelona since stepping down in 2017 and had been undergoing treatment there for health problems

Angola’s current head of state, João Lourenço, announced five days of national mourning starting Saturday, when the country’s flag will fly at half-staff and public events are canceled

Dos Santos came to power four years after Angola gained independence from Portugal and became enmeshed in the Cold War as a proxy battlefield

His political journey spanned single-party Marxist rule in post-colonial years and a democratic system of government adopted in 2008
He voluntarily stepped down when his health began failing

In public, dos Santos was unassuming and even appeared shy at times
But he was a shrewd operator behind the scenes
*New Zimbabwe*

08/07/2022

*Gold Coins: Confused Senators Summon Mthuli Ncube ... As Debate Rages Over Their Imminent Introduction*
The Deputy President of the Senate Mike Nyambuya has summoned Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to Parliament to present a ministerial statement explaining the purpose of soon-to-be introduced Mosi-oa-Tunya coins (gold coins).

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This comes after the leader of government business in the Senate Monica Mutsvangwa failed to “satisfactorily” respond to questions on the issue from senators.

Mutsvangwa said: "The fundamentals of the economy are in the right place, the issue of the gold coins is a clear plan to move the economy forward.

"The issue of the introduction of gold coins is meant to provide a store of value and strengthen our local currency and minimise the volatilities of the exchange rate.

"I think it will be better for the Minister of Finance to come up with a paper in this August House to talk in detail to the last point."

Nyambuya then ordered that Ncube has to come to the Senate to address questions on the coins. He said: "We need the Minister of Finance to come here and address the Senate. These issues have been outstanding for a long time.
"Make sure that in the next sitting he has to be here to answer the questions."

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) said the gold coins will be introduced on 25 July and will be used as a store of value among other things.

The gold coins were named after the mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, which are known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, that is “The Smoke That Thunders”.

Meanwhile, several experts have raised concerns over the gold coins’ tradability and begging questions around how these coins will convince people to part with their Zimbabwean dollar and foreign currency for the new store of value.

During deliberations of the central bank’s monetary policy committee on June 24, it was announced that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) would introduce gold coins as an alternative store of value.

This is because the Zimbabwean dollar continues to depreciate, reaching a current ZW$379,22 to the United States dollar, down from ZW$108,66 at the beginning of the year at the official forex auction.

To counter the depreciation of the local currency, the economy is dollarising.

Just last month, the government had to codify the use of the greenback into law.

The RBZ introduced the gold coins to offer greenback holders an alternative store of value in exchange for the Zimbabwean dollar and the USD.

“The idea was to reduce the very high demand for the United States dollar by offering an alternative and equally valuable asset in terms of gold. That high demand is what is worsening the situation,” an RBZ source told the paper.

However, questions have risen around the tradability of these gold coins.

One coin will weigh about 31 grammes with a 22-carat purity and will be tradable locally and internationally, convertible to cash. The coins can be used as collateral for loans, and have liquid and prescribed asset status.

“They have to provide mechanics further to this because there are a lot of grey areas. At what stage are you allowed to dispose of the coin?” a mineral expert queried.

“And at what rate? Because if I acquire, say for example, at a certain bank rate that they say is the prevailing rate, then it so happens that the prevailing rate has been eroded or there is an adjustment, what happens in between?”

The expert went on: “Am I going to be allowed to recover the full amount or at a profit from whatever amount I would have paid. Gold is volatile, it goes up and down. It is not a price where you can say it’s US$4 and it remains like that forever, it’s cyclical. Then, in terms of purity, if they are to say is 22 carat, its fine, but the public would want to know why at 22 carat instead of 24 carat.

“At 24 carat, that is bullion (a high standard of purity), so if I am to export it out of the country, in terms of paper trail and questions being asked outside, what answers can I give? Are they also liberalising gold exports? Because according to the Gold Trade Act, Fidelity Printers and Refiners has the sole right to export, so are they now saying it is a free for all?”

“They can only do that if there is Statutory Instrument to amend the Gold Trade Act or a parliament amendment to allow anyone to export the mineral,” the expert said.

The point on the legality of the sale of gold coins amid the regulations of the Gold Trade Act was also raised by lawyer and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere.

“This illegal press statement by violates Section 3 of the Gold Trade Act which criminalises the possession and trade of gold in the manner proposed,” she said wrote on Twitter last week.

“You can’t wake up and pretend the rule of law doesn’t exist. Gimmicks won’t fix the economy. We need new leaders.

“Where is the legal framework for this? Rule by decree offends Section 68 of the Constitution. You can’t create an instrument of trade by a press statement. How does this reconcile with laws governing the trade of gold that are currently in force? What a mess,” she said.

Section 3 of the Gold Trade Act states that: “(1) No person shall, either as principal or agent, deal in or possess gold, unless— (a) he is the holder of a licence or permit; or (b) he is a holder or tributor; or (c) he is the holder of an authority, grant or permit issued under the Mines and Minerals Act [21:05] authorising him to work an alluvial gold deposit; or (d) he is the employee or agent of any of the persons mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) and is authorised by his employer or principal to deal in or possess gold in the lawful possession of such employer or principal; and deals in or possesses gold in accordance with this Act and the licence, permit, authority or grant, if any, held by him”.

There are also questions around the exchange rate disparity which can create arbitrage.

Currently, the official forex rate is US$1: ZW$379,22 compared to the parallel market rate at US$1: ZW$750.

“It will create a situation where people are going to invest in gold using local currency then they are motivated to export to get foreign currency,” another market analyst said.

Economist Prosper Chitambara also believes there could be arbitrage.

“That is likely to happen given the widening black market premiums and every investor would want to take advantage of every arbitrage opportunities to maximise their gains. Given that, there is going to be a lot of speculative and arbitrage trading of the gold coin,” he said.

Chitambara said the coins would provide some measure of stability but added that until fundamentals were put in place.

Former finance and economic development minister Tendai Biti suggested that the government should have just used the gold to back the ailing Zimbabwean dollar.

“Running an economy requires a philosophy, strategy, ideas and competency. The Zimbabwe dollar is in tatters due to among other things, lack of reserves and the absence of anything to back it up. There is, therefore, no sense in selling gold when it can be used to back up the tattered currency,” Biti wrote on Twitter.

“Selling gold particularly in local currency allows cartels with billions in Zimbabwe dollar to hedge same with gold the same way they have been buying the US$ on black market. It also allows foreign crooks to launder their money in Zimbabwe via gold coins. Only a kakistocratic state does this.” *AMH*

08/07/2022

*JUST IN: Japan Ex-PM Abe Dies After Being Shot While Making A Speech*
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving leader, died on Friday after being shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election, an official from his political party said.

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A man opened fire on Abe, 67, from behind with an apparently homemade gun as he spoke at a drab traffic island in the western city of Nara, Japanese media showed earlier.

It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese premier since the days of prewar militarism in the 1930s.

Speaking before Abe's death was announced, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the shooting in the "strongest terms" while Japanese people and world leaders expressed shock at the violence in a country in which political violence is rare and guns are tightly controlled.

"This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections - the very foundation of our democracy - and is absolutely unforgivable," said Kishida, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

A fire department official had said Abe appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when airlifted to hospital.

Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. NHK quoted the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him.

Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out at about 11:30 a.m. (0230 GMT). Security officials were then seen tackling a man in a grey T-shirt and beige trousers.

"There was a loud bang and then smoke," businessman Makoto Ichikawa, who was at the scene, told Reuters, adding that the gun was the size of a television camera.

"The first shot, no one knew what was going on, but after the second shot, what looked like special police tackled him."

TRANSFUSIONS
Earlier, Kyodo news service published a photograph of Abe lying face-up on the street by a guardrail, blood on his white shirt. People were crowded around him, one administering heart massage.

Nara emergency services said he had been wounded on the right side of his neck and left clavicle. His brother, Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, had said Abe was getting blood transfusions.

NHK showed live footage of Abe's wife, Akie, on her way by train to the hospital where he was being treated.

Airo Hino, political science professor at Waseda University, said such a shooting was unprecedented in Japan. "There has never been anything like this," he said.

Senior Japanese politicians are accompanied by armed security agents but often get close to the public, especially during political campaigns when they make roadside speeches and shake hands with passersby.

In 2007, the mayor of Nagasaki was shot and killed by a yakuza gangster. The head of the Japan Socialist Party was assassinated during a speech in 1960 by a right-wing youth with a samurai short sword. A few other prominent postwar politicians were attacked but not injured.

Police said the suspected shooter was a resident of Nara. Media said he had served in Japan's military for three years until 2005. Defence Minister Kishi declined to comment on that.

Abe served two terms as prime minister, stepping down in 2020 citing ill health. But he has remained a dominant presence over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), controlling one of its major factions. [nL4N2YP1N8]

Kishida, Abe's protege, had been hoping to use the election to emerge from Abe's shadow and define his premiership, analysts have said. Kishida suspended his election campaign after the shooting. All main political parties condemned the attack.

'VERY, VERY SAD'
Speaking before Abe's death was announced, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern over his condition.

"Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan," Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali.

The United States is Japan's most important ally.

The yen rose and Japan's Nikkei index (.N225) fell on news of the shooting, partially driven by a knee-jerk flight to safety.

Abe is best known for his “Abenomics” policy of aggressive monetary easing and fiscal spending. read more

He also bolstered defence spending after years of declines and expanded the military’s ability to project power abroad.

In a historic shift in 2014, his government reinterpreted the postwar, pacifist constitution to allow troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.

The following year, legislation ended a ban on exercising the right of collective self-defence, or defending a friendly country under attack.

Abe, however, did not achieve his goal of revising the U.S.-drafted constitution by writing the Self-Defense Forces, as Japan’s military in known, into the pacifist Article 9.

Abe first took office in 2006 as Japan’s youngest prime minister since World War Two. After a year plagued by political scandals, voter outrage at lost pension records, and an election drubbing for his ruling party, Abe quit citing ill health.

He became prime minister again in 2012.

Abe hailed from a wealthy political family that included a foreign minister father and a grandfather who served as premier. *Reuters*

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08/07/2022

*Measles Wipes Out Four Siblings As Johane Marange Devotees Resist Immunisation*
Four children from the same family died of measles within ten days, while six more are bedridden in Nyamayende Village of Honde Valley as Johane Marange Apostolic Church devotees resist immunisation.

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A whistleblower in the area who contacted The Manica Post said police and health officials were informed of the developments.

Said the whistleblower: "We have a serious challenge of measles in Honde Valley near Nyamayende Primary School, particularly in the Makoko family. They are members of the Johane Marange Church.

"One child died of measles on Wednesday, June 23. Two more children died on Saturday, June 25. At the same time, there are five more children suffering from measles. We request for police and the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s urgent assistance, otherwise all those bedridden will die."

The whistleblower later sent another message to the publication saying another child from the same family had died.

Reads the message: "Good evening Sir. Another child from the same Makoko family has died, taking the number to four within one-and-a-half weeks.

"Six members of the same family are now suffering from the same disease. More cases are being reported in the same area. Please, is there no other means or option for the team to get there? It is now a disaster there."

Mutasa District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Cephas Fonte confirmed receiving reports of Honde Valley apostolic devotees resisting vaccination citing their religious beliefs.

Although he could not deny the death of the four children, Dr Fonte only confirmed the death of two children from the same family.

He said: "We managed to talk to Chief Mutasa and the Civil Protection Unit. There were a number of measles cases noted where children clearly showed signs of measles, but their families were denying them access to medical care.

"We also managed to send a team on the ground for vaccination. While we cannot deny the figures stated by the whistleblower, we have confirmed that a 14-year-old died on June 23 while a two-year-old died on June 25.

"We also gathered that more children from the same family are still bedridden and that the family is denying them medical care. We also understand that there are more cases of measles in the area."

He said villagers in the Nyamayende area have always been problematic and health officials have decided to find a diplomatic way of approaching them.

Said the Mutasa DMO: "We have always had problems with the Nyamayende area because of the people’s religious beliefs that do not allow them to seek medical attention. This time around we are trying more diplomatic means of reaching out to them. We do not want to be confrontational in our approach.

"At times we have witnessed cases of children running away from schools whenever we go there for vaccination programmes.

It is not new. The last time we went there for a different vaccination programme, we only got nine children from the whole school." *