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WHAT a low-spirited start to the New Year it has been. All the dark episodes of 2020, with all the grief and death seem to have spilled to 2021 with COVID-19 arguably the worst nightmare. This time, it appears it is more deadly and has a strong appetite to devour judging by the soaring numbers of infections and deaths. After the reckless partying that ushered merrymakers into the New Year, authorities had to act and indeed, the lockdown was the only viable action. The swift reaction by the government to impose a lockdown that includes closure of bars, bottlestores, gyms and other facilities could not have come at a better time. It was timely and life-saving but of course with its own negativity. In the last week alone, Zimbabwe recorded 1 342 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths, representing the highest number of cases recorded to date. On January 2, 2021, 407 new cases were recorded and eight deaths and such numbers are nothing to ignore. The reality we all feared is with us now. COVID-19 is a killer and is ravaging communities hence the need to stop the recklessness that had taken centre stage. The lockdown will, however, mean nothing if there is no proper enforcement and this time, vigilance is needed by enforcers. Of course we are not saying the military and police should use maximum force that borders on human rights violations like we witnessed last year. Soaring cases, particularly in the last two months have risen to terrifying levels and we have been waiting for the government to act. Government was relaxed in that period with some of its officials posting on their social media platforms pictures of themselves partying, completely oblivious of COVID-19 regulations. That was inexcusable recklessness by Cabinet ministers at a time the people needed to be shepherded into responsible behaviour. As if such carelessness by ministers was not enough, President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed hundreds of Zanu PF supporters in Chivi, Masvingo province, exposing them to the deadly disease. Well, that is now in the past but the point remains that it is incumbent upon the leadership to lead by example so that the followers will follow responsibly. We also witnessed towards the end of the year a “super-spreader” event in the form of a chaotic MDC-T extraordinary congress and that Thokozani Khupe was immediately taken ill after the indaba. This is no longer a joke and the deaths, some of them of prominent people in the last two days, should be enough lessons for authorities to act responsibly. Thankfully, the lockdown is a step in the right direction. It will, however, come to naught if it ends just as a lockdown without putting in place other measures including availing ventilators in hospitals and improving testing for the virus. In these trying times, we must not forget those in the frontline, the health workers who are daily exposed to COVID-19 as they try to save lives. The government needs to act and provide all the necessary support. It is a fight we must win together, and we will.
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.
By Miriam Mangwaya THE Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has called on local police officers to adopt the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) guidelines to instil discipline in the force. The call came at a time the police are being accused of heavy-handedness, especially when deployed to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown measures. In its latest COVID-19 lockdown weekly monitoring report, the human rights body said police should stop unlawful attacks on citizens. Since the beginning of the lockdown on March 30, the police throughout the country have subjected more than 800 people, including journalists, to beatings, torture, abductions and harassments, according to statistics released by the forum. “Government should ensure ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) develops a code of conduct in line with SARPCCO guidelines to help strengthen police discipline,” the human rights group said. “The forum remains concerned by the conduct of police and other law enforcement officers, who continue to use excessive force during law enforcement.” The rights group added: “The forum urgently calls upon the Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to ensure that members of ZRP stop perpetrating human rights violations, including, but not limited to beatings, excessive use of force, torture, abductions and intimidation of civilians.” The report also reveals that cases of police brutality are on the rise following the return of commuter omnibuses in major cities and towns after relaxation of lockdown restrictions by the government. The forum commended the Judiciary for upholding human rights through recent court orders which include instructing Harare City Council to ensure that pregnant women receive emergency medical services.
The Irfaan Ali cabinet last week rejected multi-million dollars payment submissions for works undertaken under the last government on the Infectious Disease Hospital and rental for the facility, sources say.
The article Cabinet rejects payments for Liliendaal hospital works under last gov’t appeared first on Stabroek News.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000, a still-high level but the lowest figure since March and a further sign that the job market might be slowly healing. Yet the improvement will be put at risk by the sharp resurgence in confirmed viral infections to an […]
MANGWE District social welfare officer Sicelo Nyathi has expressed concern over the rise in the number of young girls from Mangwe district in Matabeleland South province that are engaging in wild parties and drinking. BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE His concerns come soon after a visit to Matabeleland by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education last week, which expressed concern over a relatively high number of school girls that fell pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Matabeleland. In an interview with Southern Eye, Nyathi said he had received complaints from concerned locals who asked him to investigate the parties, which they said were putting children at risk of falling pregnant and contracting COVID-19. “We have received the reports that there are a lot of parties going on and young girls are drinking and later they are sexually abused. We have planned that this week we will go on the ground and see what exactly is happening,” Nyathi said. “We have tried in vain to get the names of the individuals that are organising these wild parties. “However, we have since received an anonymous tip off about a party which will happen this week so that we go and investigate who is organising these parties,” he said. One of the concerned parents, who spoke to Southern Eye, said very young girls were no longer sleeping at home. She said they came the next day drunk after spending the whole night partying, which made them prone to sexual abuse and risk contracting sexually transmitted diseases. “We are facing a serious problem of young girls from the age of 14 years who are now engaging in drinking binges and partying. “Night parties are now trending in this area and it is a big risk to the girl child. “Girls are being made to drink and after they get drunk they are lured into the dark where several things are done to them by those men. We are really in a crisis, some of the girls no longer sleep at home.” She said what pained her most was that many of the girls attending the parties where schoolchildren, especially Form threes and fours. “As parents we have lost control over these girls because if we try to talk to them they will go and tell those who are buying them alcohol and we end up fearing for our lives because we do not know who they are,” she said. She added that on December 11, there was another party being organised in the area.
Bhamcityschools.org The number of positive COVID-19 cases at Hudson K-8 School has prompted Birmingham City Schools to shift to remote learning at that school until after the Thanksgiving break. A total of six positive cases have been recorded at the school in the last week among staff members, and several other staff members are under […]
It’s a good idea to conduct a financial health check-up to know where you currently stand. You can do this by reviewing your credit report to be on the lookout for any discrepancies, calculating your debt to income ratio, and assessing your emergency savings. It’s also important to determine if you need to obtain health insurance or plan for retirement. Depending on the results of your financial health check-up, you may need to consider more proactive strategies to help you gain financial stability.
Beyonce reveals via her Instagram account, after early voting, that she has officially endorsed the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris ticket!
Rep. Gregory Meeks etched his name in history as was elected the first Black Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs... View Article
The post Rep. Meeks elected first Black Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee appeared first on TheGrio.
(Jamaica Gleaner) A Jamaican who expressed concern last week that his deportation from the United Kingdom could be a “death sentence” as he had no known relatives here has tested positive for COVID-19 after landing last Wednesday.
The article Positive for COVID, Jamaican deportee decries treatment by UK authorities appeared first on Stabroek News.
… 15 per 100,000 for African-Americans.
The death rates for Latinos … 2 per 100,000 for African-Americans.
Copyright © 2020 KABC-TV. All …
Young Nigerians have been chronicling the protests that began earlier in October with the hashtag #EndSARS and now the international community is joining in.
Three hours of heavy rainfall. That is all it takes for floodwaters to come rushing over a concrete bulwark and into Letna Clarke’s home by the buckets. This is how it has been for the last decade as poor drainage on a section of the Bull Bay main...
Texas A&M’s Destiny Pitts was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list for the second straight season.
Source
[Dalsan Radio] At least six people were killed and eight others injured as a result of an explosion that targeted General Kahiye Police Academy in Hamar Jajab district attacked but exploded at a restaurant in close proximity to the police base.
More than 4.5 million Californians have already cast ballots in the 2020 general election - and there're still 12 days to go. Roughly one-fifth of the 21.5 million ballots mailed to registered voters had been processed as of Tuesday evening, blowing away previous election totals. About three times as many California residents have participated in […]
The post Early voter turnout smashing California election records appeared first on Black Voice News.
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000, a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels. Last week's figure was down from 842,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. The government also revised down the number of people who sought aid in the two weeks before that. The revised total for the week that ended Oct. 3 was 767,000, the fewest since the viral pandemic erupted in March, though still more than three times the […]
The post US jobless claims drop to 787,000, but layoffs remain high appeared first on Black News Channel.
Ding-ding, round two is already on the cards: The Zondo Commission is seeking ConCourt's support to get Jacob Zuma in the hot-seat once and for all.
Wondering what the day has in store for your star sign? Here's a quick glance at horoscopes and more for today - completely free!
It’s Monday 7 December, and this is TheSouthAfrican.com Daily News Wrap - with the latest news you really need to know - when you need it.
According to the Department of Justice, Smith used third party accounts to conceal his income and commit tax evasion from 2000 to 2015. The DOJ stated that Smith, who is the CEO of Vista Equity Partners, intentionally did not report over $200 million of partnership income.
… legacy of government experimentation on African-Americans and the disadvantaged as well …
A missing painting by renowned artist Jacob Lawrence has been rediscovered more than 60 years after it disappeared from the public eye. The picture was […]
There are rumours that an alcohol ban will be implemented by government over the festive season. Is there any truth to it?
South Africa has made some sweeping changes to its high-risk travel list, allowing tourists from a further 38 countries to freely visit Mzansi.
