26 Feb 2019
Prison is as far as the sentencing road goes for offenders in Zimbabwe, but does not need to be the end of the world. ”We want to give inmates a shot at being a good member of society – that’s what we’re here for,” echoes Leeman Dube the Director of Simphiwe Development Trust. Simphiwe Development Trust in affiliation with the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), piloted an inmates’ ICT skills training program at Grey Prison in Bulawayo. A first of its kind program in Zimbabwean Prisons. A total of Seventeen (17) inmates after undergoing a 4months training graduated with an ICDL certificate on the 19th of December 2018 at Grey Prison in Bulawayo. The course was facilitated by facilitators from Simphiwe Development Trust and accredited by the National University of Science and Technology.
The graduation event was graced by ZPCS Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Advisory Board member Dr Lucky Mlilo, senior ZPCS Officers from the Bulawayo Province, representatives from the National University of Science and Technology, NANGO Board members and guests from other CSOs programming in the prisons.
The Simphiwe Development Trust Director Mr LeemanDube says the training was a pilot project meant to equip inmates for life after prison. Mr Dube states that the program seeks to complement governmet efforts t reducing crime and also the number of repeat offenders. Comprehensive crime prevention programs must include effective measures to prevent repeat-offending and to stop the cycle of failed adaptation by repeat offenders. When inmates released from confinement, they face a variety of challenges that may hinder their ability to become law-abiding citizens. A key feature to reduce repeat offending is the attention to the social reintegration of ex-inmates into the community and through equipping them with skills to successfully reintegrate and become productive members of society.
Mr Dubeasserts that the program started with 25 inmates but eight dropped out due to several reasons. Most who dropped off cited that the course was too challenging for them since they just did not have basic education having only went as far as grade 7 in formal education. Thus they could not master the basics in computing so they quit. The highest scoring student got 82 percent in the final assessment.
In separate interviews, graduands said they were happy that they are now competitive in the economic transformation agenda as computers are fast becoming a transformation agent in all walks of life across the globe.
The best graduating student, Amos Ncube (20) who was sentenced to two years for unlawful entry and theft said it has been his ambition to learn computers and his vision got fulfilled while in prison.
“Today I stand proud as a graduate, it may not be from a university as most people would want it to be but to me it’s a dream that has come true. The world is gradually changing to a technologically driven society hence to have a course in ICTs is an achievement worth cherishing,” he said.Ncube whose prison term is about to end said he wants to further his studies by suing Computer Aided Art and Graphics.
Another inmate, David Ndlovu (57), said he is a script writer and since he has acquired basic computer skills including using Microsoft word, he is going to be typing his ideas on a computer rather than writing on pieces of paper as he used to do.“When you are not computer literate, your life is hard as you do everything manually. Now it will be easy for me to type a document of my script and I proof-read it there. It’s now different from using pen and paper and having to correct word for word,” he said.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, ZPCS Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Advisory Board member Dr Lucky Mlilo said imparting computer skills to inmates is vital as it makes them fit in the vast technological growing economy where ICTs are slowly becoming a prerequisite in industrialisation and development.Dr Mlilo said his council will continue working with Simphiwe to find ways of improving the program and replicating it to other prisons across the country. “I am reliably informed that the 17 of you shared only 10 desktops which disabled your speed in operations. As an advisory board we feel challenged, we will try and assist with the acquisition of new computers,” he said.
In their vote of thanks, the inmates’ representatives said they have finally realised that prison is not the end of the road in life’s journey.
26 Feb 2019
Hwange ward 9 community members are calling on Hwange Colliery Company and well wishers to improve sanitation facilities that have been in a dire state for over a decade.
The residents asserted the need for resuscitation of water point committees and capacity enhancement of committees so that there is community stewardship in management of water resources and infrastructure.
Ward 9 community members also call on the convention of an all stakeholders’ conference that will come up with agreed short, medium and long term solutions to water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in most parts of Hwange.
The convention will address laws and policies on access to clean and portable water, social accountability and billing systems.
It is daunting that there are parts of Hwange, which are under the Hwange Colliery Company administration, that spend 20 hours a day without water supply. The areas have domestic tap water for two hours from 5am and another two hours from 6pm.
It is alleged that some residential areas have not had clean and portable water for the past 20 years. A gross human rights violation.
The Hwange Colliery Company draws water from a trans-boundary water source Zambezi River and the water is treated before distribution to residents in Ward 9. The infrastructure supplying water in Hwange is old, dilapidated and has been vandalised too.
Community Water Alliance implores Hwange city fathers and providers of water, sanitation and hygiene services to respect and fulfill Section 51 and 77(a) of the Zimbabwean Constitution. The sections expound on the right to human dignity and the right to safe, clean and portable water, respectively.
Well wishers are also invited to improve Hwange residents’ access to water and proper sanitation facilities.
#PotableWaterIsAPriority
#TakePartInPreventionOfAHealthDisaster
22 Feb 2019
Community Water Alliance has been receiving increasing reports of water meter theft from most high density suburbs in Harare.
A visit to Budiriro by Community Water Alliance staff revealed that more than 200 households have had their water meters stolen by mid-February.
Some residents have reported the cases to the local police while others have lost faith in the willingness of local police to stop this wave that has exposed water infrastructure to vandalism.
Affected residents who spoke to Community Water Alliance said the unavailability of potable water has exposed them to thieves that steal the meters. In the past, the gushing of water after meter removal made deterred thieves from this manner of vandalism.
The theft of water meters is likely to increase non-revenue water in Harare. It gravely affects the non-revenue water reduction target set by Harare Water in its 2018-2028 Strategic Plan. Theft of water meters kills financial sustainability of water services in Harare and residents are encouraged to report suspects.
Preliminary findings by Community Water Alliance revealed alleged involvement of carpenters in the business of manufacturing coffins. The brass from the water meters is allegedly used for coating of coffin handles.
We implore City of Harare officials, particularly municipal police together with Zimbabwe Republic Police to do a thorough job and get to the bottom of this matter.
#PotableWaterBy2020
#AccessToWaterIsAHumanRight
22 Feb 2019
Loving Hand Organization engaged authorities of a school in Bulawayo to enroll two boys aged seven and nine to start school despite not having birth certificates at the time.
This came after Loving Hand Organisation identified a couple that is struggling to cater for three sons and makes a living through menial jobs, land tiling and ploughing. The two have never received formal education and cannot afford to take their three sons to school.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child Article 28 every child has the right to primary education which should be free. Sustainable Development Goal 4 also supports that education of children should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest. This inspires Loving Hand to assist children to enroll at schools, access education and get donations in the form of uniforms, school fees, stationery and food.
Well wishers re therefore called upon to make donations to the family. Those interested in making donations may contact Mr. K. Hweta +263-29-883693 or 0773472825 or email lovinghand2004vpo@gmail.com or info@thelovinghand.co.zw
MISA Zimbabwe is concerned with the increase in cases involving attempts by government officials within the southern African region to curb legitimate media investigations.
This follows the recent detention and deportation from Malawi of Ntombizodwa Patience Makhoba, a City Press journalist.
On Monday 18 February 2019, Makhoba travelled from South Africa to Malawi to investigate a story involving a Malawian entrepreneur based in South Africa.
According to media reports from Malawi, police confiscated Makhobana’s mobile phone and detained her overnight at a Blantyre police station while awaiting the next available flight from Malawi to South Africa. Malawian immigration officials said Makhoba did not have the necessary documentation to carry out investigations in Malawi.
15 Feb 2019
Zimbabwena civil society and disability sector lost a gallant advocate of the rights of people with disabilities, Tsarai Mungoni.
He was 53.
At the time of his passing Mungoni was the Director of the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) and sat in the NANGO, Zimbabwe Election Support Network and National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Boards.
With endorsement from NASCOH, an umbrella body of over 70 organisations of and for people with disabilities, Mungoni served three terms in the NANGO board championing the cause of the socially disadvantaged.
As an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities Mungoni achieved numerous milestones. He successfully carried out Disabled Persons Organisations’ needs assessment and the results were used to implement the rights-based approach to programming whose thrust was the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, conducted research to unearth violations of the rights of people with disabilities, and developed a disability advocacy manual and trained 350 disability activists from all the country’s 10 provinces.
Mungoni was part of the team that mobilised disabled persons’ organisations and people with disabilities for the purpose of crafting a National Disability Policy which is currently awaiting government approval, he lobbied for the inclusion of disability in the national Constitution and National AIDS Policy, lobbied for disability mainstreaming, conducted a research on challenges faced by rural women with disabilities and he also co-developed NASCOH’s National Disability Advocacy Strategy.
The late Mungoni held a Masters in Public Policy and Governance, Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Work Honours Degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law. At the time of his passing he was working on admission into Doctoral studies.
Mungoni passed away on 6 February 2019 and was laid to rest on 8 February 2019 at Nhakiwa village in Murehwa.
Mungoni fought a good fight and his work will forever be remembered.
24 Jan 2019
Preamble
Cognizant of the current socio-economic and political challenges Zimbabwe is facing, the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), an official umbrella body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, convened membership meetings in the NANGO Northern, Western, Eastern, Midlands and Southern Regions on 21 to 23 January 2019.
Noting that the last 18 months have not been easy for the general citizenry who continued to experience cash, food and fuel shortages and an escalating cost of living amid suppressed salaries for the bulk of the labor force. This has undermined the propensity to progressively realize the socio-economic and political rights of the general citizenry.
Alive to the economic recession, coupled with governance deficit, impunity, social, economic and political exclusion that has seen the majority of the population particularly the marginalized susceptible to hunger, social dislocation of families, high levels of poverty, unemployment and underemployment, human rights violations as well as severe shrinking of NGOs’ operating space.
NANGO is concerned and notes that intra and inter political party violence and discord is escalating at the expense of national development. This further results in disenfranchisement of the already marginalized communities. This comes amid incessant corruption in government, poor service delivery, decline in health care and education systems and the general contempt for the rule of law by the military and the police.
Desirous to see Zimbabwe emerging from the economic, social and political doldrums and adhering to the fundamental principles, norms and ethos that entrench the drive to a common and shared vision for the nation which is critical for the attainment of sustainable development.
NANGO reaffirms the need to adhere to section 59 of the Constitution. When demonstrating citizens should not infringe on other people’s rights and demonstrations should be done in a peaceful and non-violent manner.
In this vein, NANGO condemns the looting, theft and vandalism of property and assets that was done during the demonstration and encourages the general citizenry to shun such practices as they are detrimental to both the agenda and spirit of demonstration and ultimately cause untold economic destruction.
We condemn lawlessness and human rights abuses and demand return to rule of law and constitutionalism.
We further, condemn all forms of overt and covert violence perpetrated by the state on citizens and by citizens on other citizens and demand all community and political leaders to foster peace and inculcate a culture of tolerance.
In the context of protecting the rights of children, we note with great concern the abuse of children that was rife during the protests we therefore condemn the incarceration, beating and unprocedural handling of minors in the justice delivery system.
We are still concerned with the continued presence of soldiers within communities and demand that soldiers immediately go back to the barracks and police play their role of protecting and serving citizens. In the same vein, we condemn the law enforcement agents that exude a semblance of being political. Law enforcement agents should at all times stick to their constitutional mandate. We therefore demand that political parties should refrain from giving instructions to law enforcement agents.
We deplore the use of live ammunition on civilians as the right to life is enshrined in the national constitution, regional and international instruments.
We strongly condemn wanton attacks and abductions of civilians and demand an immediate end to abuses and that security of the citizens is ensured.
We condemn the clampdown on NGOs and any threats on leaders of civil society organisations by government officials and state security officers. Acting within the provisions of the constitution NGOs should be left to serve communities as well as advance peace and development.
We note with concern the unwarranted internet shutdown that was experienced across the country and urge the government that this should not be repeated in future as it constitutes a gross violation of human rights. Citizens should at all times enjoy their freedom to access information
Recommendations
In pursuit of a Zimbabwe people want, which is characterized by rapid and sustainable economic, social and political development underpinned by the rule of law, constitutionalism and unity, NANGO proffers the following recommendations for consideration:
NANGO reiterates that, NGOs in Zimbabwe adhere to their mandates in accordance with the Private Voluntary Organisations Act section 10 and other instruments within which they were constituted and they contribute positively to national development. Non-state actors strongly feel that the continued labelling and heavy handedness by the state is compromising development and will further marginalize vulnerable groups and communities. Therefore, all organs of the state are implored to desist from willy-nilly labelling any organized or non-organized mass protests and also cease threatening the security of civil society leaders.
NANGO is a non-party political, non-profit making organisation and non-denominational official coordinating body of NGOs in Zimbabwe with a membership complement of over a thousand organisations. It carries under its wings an amalgam of various issue constituencies and representative groups all with the singular focus of meeting the development needs of men, women and children in Zimbabwe.
24 Jan 2019
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), the official umbrella body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, implores President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration to understand that a fuel price hike under the current economic conditions may have untold repercussions.
The price increase comes at a time when most companies have halted production and in a country where unemployment is very high. This new fuel prices will spiral into price increases of many other basic commodities, systematic erosion of salaries, charging of some basic commodities in United States Dollars and resultantly increase the cost of living.
Social media is awash with civil society, workers unions, pressure groups and economics experts proffering advice and solutions on how the situation can be abated. This brings the realisation that government should engage all interested stakeholders before imposing exorbitant fuel prices.
The nation looks forward to a nation building endeavour premised on homegrown solutions albeit with assistance from external investors. This does not negate the need for structural reforms with inclusion of youth, women, children and people with disabilities in the decision making process as well as observance of human rights.
NANGO encourages all citizens to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and looting. The police and army are also encouraged to respect human life and not suppress constitutional liberties.
NANGO is a non-party political, non-profit making organisation and non-denominational official coordinating body of NGOs in Zimbabwe with a membership complement of over a thousand organisations. It carries under its wings an amalgam of various issue constituencies and representative groups all with the singular focus of meeting the development needs of men, women and children in Zimbabwe.
24 Jan 2019
High Court judge Justice Owen Tagu on 21 January 2019 ruled that the Minister of State in the President’s Office Responsible for National Security does not have the authority to issue any directives in terms of the Interception of Communications Act.
This means that the directives issued by Minister Owen Ncube to shut down Internet in Zimbabwe are illegal and therefore, without effect. The Interception of Communications Act is one of 12 Acts directly administered by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The President does have the right to assign any other Cabinet members to act on his behalf to administer any of these 12 Acts.
Click on the PDF below to read the entire statement.
High Court judge Justice Owen Tagu on 21 January 2019 ruled that the Minister of State in the President’s Office Responsible for National Security does not have the authority to issue any directives in terms of the Interception of Communications Act.
This means that the directives issued by Minister Owen Ncube to shut down Internet in Zimbabwe are illegal and therefore, without effect. The Interception of Communications Act is one of 12 Acts directly administered by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The President does have the right to assign any other Cabinet members to act on his behalf to administer any of these 12 Acts.
Click on the PDF below to read the entire statement.
