263Chat - Zimbabwean media organisation focused on encouraging & participating in progressive national dialogue

MISA Zimbabwe, a media watchdog, has filed an urgent High Court application for an order compelling key ministries to, to disseminate information on ongoing Covid-19 testing, isolation and treatment programmes. The Minister of Health and Child Care, Constantino Chiwenga and the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa, are cited in the application as first and second respondents respectively. Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise. As at 18 January 2021, Zimbabwe has recorded…

MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti has applauded the decision by Harare Magistrate Trynos Utahwashe to grant bail to the party’s national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere saying the court was able to break the precedence where victims of political prosecution were being locked up only to be released by the High Court. Mahere was granted ZWL$10000 bail by Magistrate Utahwashe following her arrest last week together with Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on charges of publishing falsehoods…

MUTARE- A local youth led environmental justice organization, Green Governance has launched a poetry slam for youths in Zimbabwe as it seeks to raise consciousness on rampant tax abuse in the mining sector. Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust said the Poetry Slam seeks submissions which speak out against rising inequalities affecting youth and women in mining communities, and set an agenda for increased oversight, adherence and compliance to tax regulations. The poetry slam is supported by an international organisation,…

Caledonia Mining Corporation has recorded an unprecedented total of 57,899 ounces of gold production at its Blanket Mine in the year ended 31 December 2020. This is despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw Zimbabwe effecting a total lockdown to try and curb the spread of the disease. Speaking on the announcement, Caledonia CEO Steve Curtis expressed delight over the results while indicating projects earmarked to help Blanket Mine to hit between 61,000 – 67,000 ounces in 2021. "I am delighted by…

MUTARE- In a bold call to curb abuse of children in the mining sector, a network of youths have urged parliament to push for progressive laws that promote increased participation of youths in the sector. In a series of letters to authorities including Parliament, the network advocated for a progressive Mines and Minerals Act which they said will reinforce protection of environment rights, strengthen education and create opportunities for youths to participate in decision making. Operating under the banner of the Zimbabwe…

Shareholders of listed property investment firm, First Mutual Properties (First Mutual) are set for a ZWL$7.4 million dividend pay check valued at 0.5982 ZWL cents per share from profits for the quarter ended 30 September 2020 this month. The company recorded a profit of ZWL 105. 431 million during the quarter. "At a meeting held on 17 November 2020, your Board resolved that an interim quarterly dividend of ZWL 7,398,431 being 0.5982 ZWL cents per share be declared from the profits for the quarter ended 30 September…

A former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Development during the late President Robert Mugabe's rule has questioned Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s state of mind accusing the government of failing to provide care in hospitals. Posting on Twitter Dr Godfrey Gandawa said there are a number of remedies that the health ministry can take to ease the pandemic. “Apart from vaccines, there are a number of therapies that have been shown to be effective in alleviating critical Covid-19 cases. The…

Concern has been raised over the conditions of service for frontline security personnel who are manning checkpoints to ensure compliance with Covid-19 lockdown regulations. By Shelton Muchena A survey conducted by this publication observed that at almost all road blocks around the country there are no toilet facilities, tents and other necessary essential services for use by security agents. A female police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity complained over the non-availability of toilets at roadblocks, a…