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BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE A TOP official in the Health and Child Care ministry, Portia Manangazira appeared in court yesterday charged with criminal abuse of office after she illegally facilitated the recruitment and training of 28 family members as community health workers. She also allegedly authorised the procurement of goods amounting to US$280 529 without following due process. Manangazira (52), who is the principal director of epidemiology and disease control, was remanded in custody to today for bail ruling by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande. She was represented by Harrison Nkomo. Former Health minister Obadiah Moyo was also arrested and later fired on corruption charges last year and the matter is still before the courts. The State alleges that sometime in July last year, Manangazira requested for funding to recruit and train voluntary community workers to assist in raising awareness on COVID-19. An allocation of US$796 675 was availed by the Africa Centre for Disease Control through the African Field Epidemiology Network,a non-governmental organisation to fund the line items and services meant to be used at training workshops for 800 community health workers. It is also alleged that between July 2020 and last month, she identified 1 000 health community workers meant to be deployed throughout the country on a COVID-19 awareness campaign, without involving provincial and district medical directors and officers. The State alleges that the health workers were paid US$600 each for a period of three months and preliminary investigations revealed that 28 of the recruits were related to Manangazira. It is also alleged that between July 16, 2020 and last month, Manangazira acted unlawfully and contrary to or inconsistent with her duties as a public officer and authorised the procurement of goods and services amounting to US$280 529 without following due processes after she showed favour to selected suppliers. Manangazira is also accused of sanctioning the payment of facilitation fees amounting to US$8 835 to undeserving Health ministry staff. She also faces another charge of authorising the issuance of 3 290 litres of fuel coupons to privately-owned vehicles not registered with the ministry. Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State. Follow Desmond on Twitter @DChingarande1
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
Living with HIV as a Refugee
For most of the Ethiopian refugees who fled the conflict in Tigray to Eastern Sudan, life at the camps has been hard. But there are even more challenges for those living with chronic illnesses without access to medication. Aksamaweet Garazgerer, an HIV+ Ethiopian refugee, explains the stark difference in how she feels depending on the availability of her prescription drugs, \"When I take the medication with the food, I am good. I don't get sick. I don't have a fever. I don't have a cold. But now my supply has finished. I am so tired. I keep fainting.\"
Many living with HIV are going without antiretroviral medication. A situation compounded by the inadequate shelter and difficult daily survival conditions — fearing for their lives for different reasons.
Terhas Adiso, another Ethiopian refugee living with HIV, is worried about her health as time goes by, \"This week if I don't find this medication, I will suffer. Now when you see the dead they don't get up. I'll be as good as dead. I am scared for myself and my son, he is young. He will be left alone. For my son, I am crying and I am scared.\"
Exhausted, stressed and having to stay strong for their families in light of the already dire situation at the camp is a lot for anyone to carry, but all hope is not lost for these Ethiopian war survivors.
by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Students, teachers, parents, and administrators face ever-rising challenges as the coronavirus pandemic continues to force changes in how young people receive their education. The challenges are particularly pronounced in the African American community, where access to the internet, working parents, and a haphazard learning model have … Continued
The post The challenges Black Americans face with distant and virtual learning during COVID-19 appeared first on New Pittsburgh Courier.
[Monitor] The government has said they have had to review the National Development Plan programmes as the country struggles to control the spread of Coronavirus and learning to live with it.
A parliament brawl broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo Monday with ministers overturning desks and throwing chairs after President Felix Tshisekedi moved to scrap the ruling coalition.
Tshisekedi announced on Sunday he planned to form a new coalition, in which ministers loyal to his predecessor Joseph Kabila command more than 300 seats in the 500-member parliament.
He said he may have to dissolve parliament and hold a fresh election if he could not form a new coalition.
\"The present majority has crumbled and a new majority is required,\" he said, adding that if he failed to form a new coalition, fresh elections would be the solution \"using the constitutional prerogatives that have been invested in me to come back to you, a sovereign people, and ask for a majority\".
In 2019 Tshisekedi took over from Joseph Kabila, who was in office for 18 years. But he need to forge a coalition with the pro-Kabila FCC, which has prevented much-needed reform.
In October, Tshisekedi revealed there had been discord over major issues with the FCC-dominated government.
These included national security, the management of state assets, the independence of the judiciary and the organisation of elections.
Parliament said the plenary session had been deferred to another date, denouncing the \"destruction\" of furniture and \"the presence of armed bodyguards inside the assembly.\"
Tshisekedi meanwhile held emergency talks with pro-Kabila Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga on Monday afternoon.
The FCC said on Monday that Tshisekedi's declaration was \"a flagrant and intentional breach of the constitution\".
It said it would ask Kabila to give \"his version of events\", and asked the \"people to remain mobilised against an attempt to hijack its will freely expressed at the ballot box\".
Last week, the FCC accused Tshisekedi supporters of trying to bribe deputies to switch parties. The president's supporters then sought the resignation of the pro-Kabila speaker of the lower house.
The growing tensions have sparked international alarm with the African Union calling on the country's leaders to \"work resolutely and sincerely for national harmony and to preserve peace and stability\".
There has never been a second round in Ghanaian elections and the two parties have handed over power peacefully seven times since the return of democracy more than 30 years ago.
\"I'm feeling fine, happy that the process is going well and peacefully,\" the 76-year-old Akufo-Addo said.
Mahama, 62, of the National Democratic Congress party (NDC) was less gushing.
\"It’s too early to make an assessment, but I understand there have been a few hitches,\" Mahama said.
A few polling stations opened late and isolated cases of ballot tampering were reported by the electoral commission but there were no major incidents across the country's 38,000 polling stations.
-Symbolic peace pact -
The stability in Ghana contrasts with that of other countries in the region, with deadly unrest this year in Guinea and Ivory Coast.
EU's chief observer Javier Nart told AFP that in Ghana \"it's not the Kalashnikov that commands, it is the ballot box.\"
The two major parties have always pursued their grievances through the courts.
To ensure its continued tradition of peaceful polls, Akufo-Addo and Mahama on Friday signed a symbolic peace pact.
\"The one thing we think is worth laying emphasis on is the overall message by the major contesters that peace matters,\" former South African president and current head of the African Union observer mission, Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe told AFP.
\"There are lessons to be picked up, good practices to be shared with other African Union members.\"
The coronavirus pandemic has posed a challenge in this year's election, with 10,000 more polling stations than usual set up for the nation's 17 million registered voters.
Hand sanitisers were made available for voters, who underwent temperature checks before being let into polling stations.
CHICKEN INN are set to absorb veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu into their coaching structures after the ex-Warriors player ended his playing career. BY TERRY MADYAUTA The 38-year-old has decided to end the long and illustrious career which spans more than a decade. Matawu announced that he was done with playing on his social media handles yesterday. Thank You Lord for the blessings “Today I announce my retirement from professional football, it has been a journey filled with all emotions and memories, the journey of a lifetime,” he tweeted. “Since my return to PSL from my European endeavours in 2013, year-in-year-out I contemplated coming to this very hard decision. Would have loved to play until forever, but the robot is saying stop, I guess the playing has to change (sic). “To all the Coaches I’ve had, thank you for your time in shaping me as a footballer and person. To all my teammates good and bad memories, will definitely miss the pre-match rituals and post-match parties regardless of the result, you were like family.” An official at the club yesterday told NewsDay Sport that Matawu would not necessarily leave the club after wedding his playing career. His coach Joey Antipas with whom he had success at Motor Action wants to tap into the player's expertise and experience. He was one of the longest playing players in the PSL, where he played for Motor Action and Chicken Inn. He also played in Poland for Polonia Bytom and Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala. However the main highlight of his career was in 2006 when voted Soccer Star of the Year. A Chicken Inn official confirmed that Matawu would be retained in the coaching structures. “He had an illustrious career. We respect him and we will miss him but we will remember him for his discipline and his astute leadership qualities,” he said. “He made us what we are. He was a good player for us. And we will do as much as we can to honour him. We are very impressed and it's left to the young players to carry own his legacy and to use what he taught them during his time here. We are not losing him altogether as he will be absorbed into the structures” Matawu graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Sport Science and Coaching last year, becoming one of the few football players who took the academic route.
A homeless count typically conducted in the Los Angeles area that relies on the help of thousands of volunteers during the month of January could be canceled amid concerns that it would be unsafe and impractical in the middle of a pandemic. In recent years, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has been conducting […]
South Africa’s gross domestic product saw an expected surge in growth between July and September this year. The country’s annual figures rose by 66.1 percent after the Covid-19 restrictions were uplifted.
The economy had in the prior three months recorded a contraction of 51 percent during the nationwide lockwide.
The Africa’s most industrious economy was in a major recession even before the pandemic hit and later on proceeded to a further contraction.
Compared with the same period a year earlier, GDP shrank by 6% in the third quarter after a revised 17.5% contraction in Q2.
This major growth was mainly recorded from manufacturing, trade, and mining.
However, the recovery remains vulnerable, with power shortages and slow structural reforms likely to weigh on sentiment.
Unemployment also remains low at 30 percent yet it needs 5 percent economic growth to guarantee jobs. But the current projected growth rate is expected to be -8 percent.
In Columbus, Ohio, a venue hosted an R&B concert, which hosted 500 people despite the coronavirus pandemic. According to The... View Article
The post 500 people attend Trey Songz concert, club cited for virus violations appeared first on TheGrio.
As President-elect Joe Biden and Vice president-elect Kamala Harris continue to staff their incoming administration, plans are underway for the nation’s 59th inauguration. The inaugural ceremonies are slated to take […]
The post Plans Are Underway For Inauguration Of Joe Biden And Kamala Harris appeared first on Essence.
JAMAICA and the rest of the Caribbean will just have to wait to see how the Administration of United States (US) President-elect Joe Biden will engage the region.US officials yesterday told journalists at the round-table discussion at its Kingston embassy that they would not speculate on the possible posture of the incoming Administration.
[The Herald] Brazzaville -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 3 launched a new alliance, the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), to coordinate actions and pool resources in combating misinformation around COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies in Africa.
The formal bail application of Willah Mudolo has been delayed after it was postponed on Tuesday.
Burberry Launches Program To Donate Leftover Fabric To Fashion Students In Need
Three police officers, accused of murdering 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Title: Victor Trammell for Your Black World | Photo credits: NBA/The Associated Press
BULAWAYO residents have expressed concern over the state of the city’s drainage system that they claim is likely to cause flash floods and lead to loss of lives and property as rain season gets into full swing. PRAISEMOPRE SITHOLE They urged the city council to move with pace to improve the drainage system. On Monday, flash floods hit parts of Bulawayo resulting in several houses being flooded with water while some roads were waterlogged. The heavy downpour pounded the city for several hours. In an interview with the Southern Eye, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said they had received complaints from residents about the poor drainage systems. “For example, some of the complaints came from Cowdray Park where residents said that the water was flowing into their houses due to poor drainage systems,” Sibindi said. “In the central business district there are also quite a number of places experiencing the same problem. “Other complaints were received from Pumula South and Old Pumula. I think the BCC needs to come up with teams that will look into these issues because if it is not looked into effectively we may end up losing lives.” He said residents needed to play their part because in some situations, they were responsible for blocking drainage systems through dumping of waste. Meanwhile, Kadoma Progressive Residents Association (KPRA) chairperson George Goliati said the recent incessant rains had exposed that many councils did not improve their drainage systems. “The city's old suburbs, Rimuka and Munhumutapa, have contended with poor drainage systems for over a decade with the council engineering department failing to repair a single drain over the years,” Goliati said. “Rimuka Street particularly near Ndiweni up to Munda Street around Zengwe has endured poor drainage and of late raw sewage is flowing on the streets, putting residents’ lives at the mercy of communicable diseases.” Ibhetshu lika Zulu secretary Mbuso Fuzwayo said: “Our failing economy is the key contributor because the council is no longer servicing its drainage systems like what used to happen in the past. “The prevalence of vendors at all the corners of the city is another factor causing problems because some sell mangoes at places where there are no refuse bins to place litter.” Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni was not available for comment, while the deputy Mayor Mlandu Ncube said he was in a meeting.
The City of Cape Cape Town will be closely eyeing liquor outlets this festive season, as alcohol-related trauma incidents could place an unnecessary burden on the city's hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tanu Henry | California Black Media This past weekend, Martin Jenkins, California’s first openly gay and currently only African American Supreme Court Justice, swore in former California State Sen. Holly Mitchell to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. For the first time in history, the five-member leadership team that Mitchell is joining, which represents nine […]
The post Holly Mitchell Sworn in to Serve on All-Women LA County Supervisors Board appeared first on Black Voice News.
President-elect Joe Biden plans to have retired Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III to be secretary of defense, according to three officials in the know with the decision. If confirmed, Austin would be the first Black Pentagon chief, according to a Washington Post story. Austin, 67, grew to become a four-star general in the Army and … Continued
The post Biden to Name Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as Defense Secretary appeared first on The Michigan Chronicle.
PAN-African telecoms group Liquid Telecom has won the prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award for excellence in Environmental Management Practices. BY Harriet Chikandiwa The award was presented by CSR Zimbabwe in partnership with the Environmental Management Agency. It is awarded for achievement in protecting natural resources, reducing impacts to the environment and promoting environmentally sustainable operations. “We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts in this area. Liquid Telecom Zimbabwe has made substantial strides in creating an environmentally-friendly business, and we believe that it is this ongoing commitment that is helping to deliver accelerated economic development in Zimbabwe and expanding job opportunities for its youth,” regional chief executive officer of Southern Africa at Liquid Telecom Wellington Makamure said. The Environmental Stewardship Award is in recognition of organisations that have displayed leadership in environmental compliance — associated with the organisation’s activities including the creation and implementation of an environmental awareness management programme. “As the chosen recipient of this year’s award, Liquid Telecom was commended for continuously reviewing and enhancing its environmental and safety risk registers by identifying potential impacts and risks of its activities and end products,” Makamure said. He said the company had put measures in place to mitigate against any potential environmental and safety threats while complying with environmental legislation and international best practice. “Liquid Telecom values its employees, contractors, customers, and the environment in which we operate. We, therefore, recognise the importance of continuously reviewing our integrated approach to safety as well as responsible and sustainable environment management,” Makamure said. Follow Harriet on Twitter@harrietchikand1
By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated the expected approval of the first U.S. vaccine for the coronavirus as the White House worked on Tuesday to instill confidence in the massive distribution effort that will largely be executed by President-elect Joe Biden. Trump declared that the expected approvals are coming before most people thought possible. 'They say it's somewhat of a miracle and I think that's true,' Trump said. He led the event celebrating 'Operation Warp Speed,' his administration's effort to produce and distribute safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19. The first […]
The post Trump takes vaccine victory lap, boosting shots confidence appeared first on Black News Channel.
The Hoa Binh Group launched the Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel - the first gold-plated hotel in Hanoi - earlier this year.
