US President-elect Joe Biden Monday hailed as a cause for “hope” the news that a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective — but warned of a long battle still ahead.
Joe Biden attends a coronavirus briefing on October 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware, with participants including two people he later named as co-chairs on his Covid-19 advisory board: Vivek Murthy and Marcella Nunez-Smith
“I congratulate the brilliant women and men who helped produce this breakthrough and to give us such cause for hope,” Biden said in a statement, adding that he received advance notice of the announcement on Sunday night.
“At the same time, it is also important to understand that the end of the battle against COVID-19 is still months away,” he added — stressing the continued importance of mask-wearing for the foreseeable future.
He spoke as European stock markets and oil prices jumped on the vaccine announcement.
Pfizer and BioNTech said that according to preliminary findings, protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first.
The companies said they expect to supply up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
US President Donald Trump also hailed the news, calling it “great” on Twitter.
Soaring coronavirus cases across the world have forced many millions of people back into lockdown, causing further damage to ravaged economies.
In the US cases have been surging across the country in recent weeks. Trump’s defeat to Biden last week was blamed in part on his administration’s response to the pandemic.
Also on Monday Biden named the scientists who will lead his administration’s pandemic response, signaling his plans to prioritize Covid-19 from the outset.
The advisory board will be led by three co-chairs: epidemiologist and former Federal Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner David Kessler, former surgeon general Vivek Murthy, and Yale public health professor Marcella Nunez-Smith.
In addition, the board will have 10 members, ranging from immunologists and epidemiologists to biodefense experts and leading public health officials.
Among them is Rick Bright, the virologist who was ousted by the Trump administration in April from his post as head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the agency charged with developing a vaccine.
A month later he warned Congress that Trump had no “master plan” to fight the pandemic.
Covid-19 has left more than 237,000 people dead in the US, the worst death toll globally.
According to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, the number of new US cases has topped 100,000 every 24 hours for several days running, and is nearing 10 million in total — despite Trump’s claim the world’s biggest economy is “rounding the corner”.
Biden said the board will help shape his approach on the surge in cases across the country as well as ensuring a safe vaccine is distributed efficiently, creating a blueprint he will begin implementing on day one of his presidency.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will receive a joint virus briefing Monday in Wilmington, Delaware from their advisory team.
Biden will then deliver remarks on coronavirus and economic recovery. AFP
Veteran comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora has died. He was 47. Gringo who was admitted at Westview Hospital in Zimre Park died this morning barely a day after his doctor had to deny premature reports that he had died over the weekend.
Lazarus Boora (centre) popularly known as Gringo
According to family members, Gringo was battling intestine obstruction and had a sitting discomfort, backache, hearing and talking difficulties.
Last year the actor underwent surgery for an appendix rupture before he relocated to his rural home in Rusape. He recently returned to Harare where had been staying with his wife and three children.
Local showbiz was yesterday plunged into mourning following the death of popular businessman and “party animal”, Genius Kadungure (pictured) in an accident along Borrowdale Road in Harare.
Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure
Kadungure, affectionately known as “Ginimbi” by his legion of fans, died together with his three friends — Limumba Karim from Malawi, Mitchelle Amuli (Moana) and another girl from Mozambique who was identified as Elisha.
Karim and Elisha had come for the weekend at Ginimbi’s house and when tragedy struck.
They went out for Moana’s 27th birthday party at Dreams Night Club and died while driving back to Ginimbi’s Domboshawa mansion.
The quartet died on the spot.
Ginimbi managed to briefly get out of the car but collapsed and died on the spot while the other three were burnt beyond recognition.
People from all walks of life gathered at the accident scene.
Condolence messages poured on social media platforms.
Prophet Passion Java who appeared like a rival to Ginimbi on Twitter, yesterday said he enjoyed cordial relations with the socialite and their “social media wars” were more of a game.
“My condolence to Ginimbi family. I lost my big brother today (yesterday). Death is not a good friend, whom shall I play with? I come to you with a heavy heart because of the passing of my partner, friend and brother. He has gone to be with the Lord. Some of you would think that me and Genius were enemies but we were friends. We would create content for the internet. It was all about drama. We could speak over the phone and I remember the conversation a day before my birthday and the wisdom he shared with me. I am deeply hurt, may God comfort his family. He was a hero, a great man,” he posted his video.
Local designer Richmond Mlambo of “Ric Chasers” designer fame who used to design Ginimbi’s outfit said; “never thought they would be a moment I would type RIP Ginimbi. Thank you for believing in me since day one, the plans you had for my champagne line in your club. Your mentorship and advice for my brand on how I should take it global, the people to work with and the people you linked me with. I am still in disbelief. Rest in Power my brother.”
Godfrey Bakasa (Vokal) said the death of his Moana and Ginimbi was disturbing.
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there and yet death is destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. You ran your race my friend. It was short and you but you played your part. Till we meet again Mitchell,” he said.
Musician Sulumani Chimbetu found it hard to accept Ginimbi’s death.
“It is so hard to process but who are we to understand and question God’s ways? In the end no one knows what tomorrow holds, let us love one another and stop wasting time on hurt,” he said.
Award-winning music producer Mac Donald “Macdee” Chidavaenzi posted; “May your soul rest in peace, oh young people. May God preserve our young people. The future is supposed to be driven by you,”.
United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur, Summer Rose who specialises in her perfume range posted; “Never in a million years did I expect to wake up to this nightmare. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for everything baby-girl. I am so sorry. Rest in peace, I love you,” she said.
Businessman and one of Ginimbi close friends, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, described Ginimbi as a larger-than-life character.
“I’m totally devastated by Ginimbi’s death. I’m in pain right now as I just can’t believe that he is gone. Ginimbi was a just a man of the people… a larger-than-life character who was always there for everybody in good or bad times. Go well my good friend and May Your Soul Rest in Eternal Peace,” Bako said. The Herald.
Warriors striker David Moyo believes the quality in the team can help them pick at least four points in the upcoming back-to-back 2021 African Cup of Nations football qualifiers against Algeria.
David Moyo (left)
Zimbabwe face the continental champions in Algiers on Thursday before they host the same opponents at the National Sports Stadium four days later in Group H.
And the Hamilton Academical forward, who has been drafted in for the first time for a competitive fixture, believes the team has enough quality to defy the odds against the North African giants.
Algeria have gone for 20 matches without conceding defeat but the dreadlocked striker is convinced the quality in the Warriors fold is enough to break that impressive Algeria run.
“Firstly, I am glad for this selection in the national team. You know when you are a football player, you thrive to do as much as you can to help your team attain their goals but you also dream to be picked for your national team in the ultimate,” said Moyo, who plies his trade in Scotland.
“I have represented Zimbabwe just once in a friendly match against Morocco about half-a-dozen years ago.
“I am happy to be back in the team and I am grateful for the faith shown in me by the technical team.
“I promise to work hard, very hard to justify my inclusion in the team. I will give everything and leave everything on the pitch.
“Obviously Algeria are the continental champions and they have the form at the moment.
“It takes an out of the ordinary team to go for an incredible 20 matches without conceding defeat.
“That shows their class as a unit. They are a massive team and they have the pedigree and quality in their ranks.
“We know exactly what they are capable of doing and we are braced up for the challenge.”
Moyo, who is as comfortable playing as a centre striker, as he is as a winger, said Zimbabwe will be out to prove that the form book can be shredded after all.
“While Algeria’s current form is incredible, we remain confident as a team that we can squeeze a result both away and at home.
“Look, we have always done well against them even when the chips are down on our side.
“We are Zimbabwe and they know we are the Warriors, fighters.
“We have always made their lives difficult. When you look closely at our team you will realise that we have quality.” The dreadlocked player, who is making waves in the Scottish Premiership with Hamilton, said Zimbabwe has as many talented players just like their opponents.
“Who doesn’t know Khama (Billiat) the whole continent. We have the likes of captain Knowledge (Musona), Elvis (Chipezeze) , Marvellous (Nakamba), Nyasha (Munetsi) and all the guys around.
“We have that much-needed depth and we know what’s at stake.
“It might be a case of David versus Goliath as I see it and we are ready to pounce.
“No one doubts the Algerians’ pedigree. They are good, very good. They have big players who are dotted around the world’s biggest leagues.
“They have the talent in their ranks but I know we also have the quality and we can upstage them both at home and away.
“We acknowledge their quality but that’s where our respect for them ends, outside the field, when in the field, we are the Warriors and ready to die for the badge.” Algeria lead the standings in Group H on six points after two rounds of fixtures while Zimbabwe are second on four points.
Botswana, on a single point, are third with Zambia anchoring the standings without any points to their name.
Match days three and four were originally scheduled for March but the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to those plans.
The finals were supposed to be played next year in Cameroon but CAF have postponed the tournament by a year but the venue remains unchanged. The Herald.
Caps United boss Farai Jere at the Harare Magistrates Court
By Nyore Madzianike
The trial of businessman Farai Jere and two Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) engineers — Leonard Chisina and Freeman Kuziva — on fraud has been slated for January next year at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Caps United boss Farai Jere at the Harare Magistrates Court
The trio appeared before magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe on Friday where the State led by Mr Panganayi Chiutsi set January 21 as their trial date.
Jere, Chisina and Kuziva are charged for allegedly defrauding the power utility of US$3 566 878 in a botched supply of smart meters and accessories deal.
It is alleged sometime in 2016, Jere won a tender to supply 1 151 smart meters to ZETDC.
According to the State, key elements of the contract required that the factory acceptance test (FAT) be done at the factory where they are manufactured and that Helcraw Electrical was also to cater for flights, food and accommodation for the delegation.
The court heard that the meter specifications were 5amps base current and 120amps maximum current and head end system was to be a two-way wireless system.
It is alleged that Jere misrepresented to ZETDC that Secure Meters (Pvt) Ltd had a manufacturing plant for smart meters and had a head end system in the United Kingdom, yet there was none.
On November 24, 2018 three engineers Julius Mapipi, Tshuma and Chisina all from ZETDC and Freeman Chikonzo went with Jere to the UK to carry out the FAT.
While in the UK, Jere took the engineers to a warehouse with smart meters and not a factory, it is alleged and as a result the required standards were not met.
Further accusations are that on the meter specifications the engineers tested had a base of 10 amps and maximum current of 120 amps.
It is claimed that the meters were tested while connected to a laptop and again the tests on the head end system failed.
Jere allegedly produced a fake FAT report to the effect that the meters met the required standards by ZETDC and he asked the four engineers to sign the false FAT report.
Engineers Chisina and Chikonzo signed the false FAT report while engineers Mapipi and Tshuma expressed reservations as no test had been done, a court heard.
The State alleges that Jere asked Chisina to talk to the two other engineers after they initially refused to sign and later did so under duress.
He also alleges that Jere then made a shipment of 1 151 smart meters, which were delivered to ZETDC and it paid US$3 566 878,02.
Further allegations are that upon return into the country engineers Mapipi and Tshuma were removed from the project by Chisina.
ZETDC management allegedly requested all the engineers to complete a questionnaire on the test visit and Chisina and Chikonzo allegedly indicated that the test met the standards required while the other two indicated that there was no factory as specified in the contract but a warehouse.
In January this year ZETDC ordered an investigation and it was discovered that no FAT was done and resolved to remove all the meters supplied by Jere from their system resulting in the loss of US$3 566 878,02. The Herald.
The stage is shaping up for the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations football qualifiers between Zimbabwe and Algeria after the Desert Foxes announced a star-studded unit led by Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez at the weekend.
Tonderai Ndiraya and Zdravko Logarusic
The Algerians, who top Group H and followed by Zimbabwe in the 2021 AFCON qualifying race, have drawn together players from some of Europe’s top leagues like the English Premiership, the Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1, the German Bundesliga and the Spanish La Liga.
With a few exceptions, Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi called on virtually the same team that won the last AFCON finals in Egypt in 2019.
Some of the notable names in the selection include Said Benrahma (West Ham, England), Yacine Brahimi (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Adam Ounas (Cagliari, Italy), Andy Delort (Montpellier, France) and Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan in Italy.
France-based defenders Youcef Atal and Djamel Benlamri, who did not take part in the recent training camp in Europe from October 5 to 13, were also called-up in the 24-member side.
Belmadi also did not recall a few players who participated in this training camp, which was marked by the two matches played by Algeria against Nigeria (1-0) and Mexico (2-2). They are Zinedine Ferhat (Nîmes, France), Abdel jalil Medioub (CD Tondela, Portugal) and Maxime Spano-Rahou (Valenciennes, France).
The squad is also missing Youcef Belaili, who played a role in the Greens’ coronation in the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. The international midfielder has been without a club for several months.
The Algerians will host the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers on Thursday night (9pm Zim time) before coming down to Zimbabwe for the return leg four days later at the National Sports Stadium.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic said he was not intimidated by the strength of the Algeria team. The Croat sounded confident and was content with the underdog’s tag in this Group H contest.
“Firstly, what is important is that I am optimistic. If I am somebody who is scared in life I would not have been here in Zimbabwe; I would not have been here in Africa,” he said.
“Plus, in football, in 90 minutes, I have to talk on the bench and the players have to talk on the field. Why should we be scared?
“At this moment Algeria are really the best but I want to see where we are now. We don’t know where we are. We want to see because there are always some stories like we were unlucky in AFCON, we were unlucky in maybe this and maybe that. Let’s see really where we are.”
The Warriors began trooping into camp on Friday but they could not arrange training sessions since they had only eight players by yesterday. The majority of the Zimbabwe internationals could not travel early as they were expected to feature for their clubs on Saturday and Sunday.
Skipper Knowledge Musona is expected to be among the 10 foreign-based players scheduled to arrive today. Also expected today is Jimmy Dzingai, Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa, Adam Chicksen, Tafadzwa Rusike, Kuda Mahachi, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Khama Billiat and David Moyo.
The quartet of Teenage Hadebe, Marvelous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere and Marshall Munetsi will be the last to arrive tomorrow. The United States-based duo of Tendai Jirira and goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva could not make it because of the travel complications in the USA.
Zimbabwe will depart for Algeria aboard a charter flight later tomorrow.
Unlike their opponents who had a week-long training camp in Europe during the recent FIFA window, Logarusic bemoaned the limited time he has had with the Warriors.
His players could not make it for the international friendly match against Malawi because of logistical challenges.
“Do we will bring the best of what we have at this moment?” Logarusic said.
“It’s not realistic because we could not have trainings together. Look at those boys, they are traveling 15 hours from Europe and to travel to Algeria nine to 10 hours, that means they will be 24 hours in the plane.
“Plus, they are eating this and that and the changing climate for sure they will have so many disadvantages. But let’s try our best. Let’s see, can we compare with them (Algeria)?
“If we cannot compare with them 90 minutes, can we compare 70 minutes, can we compare 60 minutes, then we know if we cannot compare 60 minutes maybe it’s lack of fitness or maybe lack of this and that but let’s see exactly where we are at the moment.
“That’s most important for us, then we know that is our fundamental and from there we can build up more. We must be realistic they are the favourites.
“First game is out there, secondly we are coming without proper training, am I right? We are coming with some players that didn’t meet the coach but we are Warriors. Sometimes you have to go into a fight without knowing what’s going on out there but we have to do our best,” said Logarusic.
Squads:
Zimbabwe
Goalkeepers – Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka, SA), Talbert Shumba (Nkana, Zambia).
Defenders: Jimmy Dzingai (Nkana, Zambia), Alec Mudimu (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth, England), Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows, SA), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest, England), Adam Chicksen (Notts County, England)
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s lawyer says reports that military personnel were used to dump his estranged wife’s property at her house in Eastlea were not only misleading, but a vain attempt to scandalise their client’s name by a newspaper struggling to make sales.
Mrs Mary Chiwenga – Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda
In fact, the Vice President hired a vehicle to deliver the personal items, which cannot be part of a divorce settlement to Ms Marry Mubaiwa after a pre-trial conference agreement that the property would be delivered.
But her family suggested it should be handed over at Ms Mubaiwa’s house, rather than her parents’ house.
It was only after this delivery that a letter was received from Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer asking for the delivery of the personal items to be delayed until Ms Mubaiwa had given her lawyer instructions on where the personal property should be sent.
The Vice President and his estranged wife Ms Marry Mubaiwa are entangled in a divorce action at the High Court, centred on a custody dispute for their three children and the usual discussions over how property should be divided.
The private weekly newspaper, The Standard, in its article titled “Chiwenga humiliates ‘seriously ill’ ex-wife Marry”, claimed that VP Chiwenga used military personnel to embarrass his estranged wife by dumping her property at her house in Eastlea on Friday.
The VP’s lawyer, Mr Wilson Manase, dismissed the report as meant to deliberately scandalise the good name of his client.
“We read with utmost dismay the report which is replete with falsehoods,” he said.
“We are studying the purport of the article in order to correctly advise our client on whether he should take an appropriate action, more particularly when they claim that military personnel were involved.
“I do believe this is a headline to sell the newspaper, more particularly in an economic environment where people are not buying their paper.”
Vice President Chiwenga, said the lawyer, never wanted to humiliate his estranged wife, with whom he has children together.
“VP Chiwenga never used military personnel to transport the property in question but hired a truck.”
To set the record straight, Mr Manase said the property alluded to in the report was delivered to Ms Mubaiwa following an arranged meeting attended by both parties in Advocate Lewis Uriri’s chambers and an agreement that purely personal property belonging to Ms Mubaiwa should be delivered to her.
Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, and her father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa and his wife Helga, were all present and made a request that they be urgently given immediate access to all outstanding clothing, her vehicle and her personal items, said Mr Manase.
According to the lawyer, Ms Mubaiwa had alleged that the Vice President was denying her access to clothes which are not part of the dispute over the sharing of property now before the courts.
“These sentiments were aptly captured in the pre-trial conference minutes drafted and filed with the High Court,” he said.
Initially the property was supposed to be delivered to where Mubaiwa is staying, which is her parents’ home in Folyjon Crescent in Glen Lorne.
According to correspondences between the parties’ lawyers, an attempt was made to deliver the property at the agreed address, but Ms Mubaiwa’s father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa, indicated that the goods should not be delivered there since his house was not his daughter’s home, as she had her own house in Eastlea.
Mr Manase said after delivering the goods to the Eastlea house, he afterwards received a letter from Ms Mtetwa advising them that she had not got full instructions from her client on the delivery of the property to Eastlea house.
“Without instructions from client, we are unable to respond to your letters,” wrote Ms Mtetwa to VP Chiwenga’s lawyer, requesting for stay of the delivery until she has received full instructions.
In this regard, Mr Manase said the reporter should have verified the facts from both parties to come up with an accurate and objective piece imbued with credibility.
“The article clearly insinuate that our client was abusing his position which the paper is repeating for the second time now, just to tarnish the image of the Vice President,” he said. The Herald.
Classes for learners from Early Childhood Education up to Grade Five, as well as Form Ones and Twos start today amid calls for Government to avail more buses to ferry day scholars.
Government is implementing the last phase of the school re-opening strategy.
The phased reopening, approved by Cabinet in September was being done in three stages.
Yesterday, learners who were going to different boarding schools were gathered at various pick-up points dotted across Harare.
Some parents who spoke to The Herald appealed for more buses to ferry children to and from school.
Zupco marketing and public relations officer Ms Sikhanyisiwe Ncube assured parents of a more efficient service.
“The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company will scale up its operations and scheduling initiatives to ensure that the commuting public is not disadvantaged.
“We have a schedule of pick up points which we published September 30, 2020 to notify commuters, especially learners of the designated pick up points for our buses.
“We have positioned point monitors at these points to ensure that order prevails as well as to keep updating our operations team on the prevailing situation at designated points,” she said.
However, parents felt that the initiative by Zupco is not enough since children were spending long hours in queues.
Some suggested that learners should be given first preference, especially in the morning while others said Government should provide more buses.
“We are happy that at last schools have opened. However, our children are facing transport problems. I have a child who goes to school in Mbare yet I stay in St Mary’s in Chitungwiza. I am pleading with the Government to avail more buses through Zupco so that our children can attend school in time.
“Now that private commuter omnibuses have been banned from operating, it is incumbent for more buses to be on the roads, for the sake of our children,” said Mr Wilson Chikomo from Chitungwiza.
Another Chitungwiza resident, Mrs Vongai Mhizha also pleaded with Government to avail more buses for school children.
In keeping with social distancing rules, classes must be smaller and so more teachers are being employed, classes might be split and steps taken to ensure no class will have more than 30 pupils in one classroom, a measure that will help teachers in the catch-up process.
Also Government is encouraging hot-sitting at schools that may have inadequate infrastructure and resources to properly implement Covid-19 prevention regulations.
Further, Government has put in place guidelines to monitor learners’ individual performance levels and compare them to where one was at the close of the first term when schools were shut. The Herald.
The wreckage of the Rolls Royce in which Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure and his three friends were killed following a head-on collision with a Honda Fit in the Philadelphia area, along Borrowdale Road in Harare. — Picture: Tawanda Mudimu
By Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, who died on the spot along Liberation Legacy Way in Harare, ordinarily known by many as Borrowdale Road, when his speeding Rolls Royce collided head-on with a Honda Fit, veered off the road and hit a tree before catching fire, was with two foreigners who had come for the Saturday night party.
The wreckage of the Rolls Royce in which Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure and his three friends were killed following a head-on collision with a Honda Fit in the Philadelphia area, along Borrowdale Road in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Tawanda Mudimu
Limumba Karim from Malawi and a Mozambican, who was only iden- tified as Elisha and the birthday girl, Mitchelle “Moana” Umali were burnt beyond recognition after the doors of the Rolls Royce jammed on impact and it took many hours for police and the Fire Brigade to retrieve their remains from the wreckage.
Yesterday, Ginimbi’s sister, Nelia, said her brother was having fun at Dreams Nightclub and had invited his other two friends — Karim and Elisha — to celebrate Moana’s birthday.
I did not meet the two who were involved in an accident with my brother. I only heard him saying he was going to Moana’s party with friends.
“The next thing I get a phone call that my brother was involved in an accident. I am still in shock and it is scary. I arrived at the scene and saw the remains of my brother and his friends. “I am hurt. We were now four in our family thus, my sister Juliet, myself, Ginimbi and my father Anderson. The funeral wake will be at his Domboshawa home,” she said.
Tinotenda Marimo, popularly known as “Dj Rimo”, who was Ginimbi’s close friend, described the accident as a shock. “It seems mukomana (Ginimbi) was speeding. I am trying to think of how the car exploded and hit the tree. Usually that is his time of going home after partying, the wee hours of Sunday. I am saddened and at a loss for words,” he said.
Ginimbi’s friends, family and other local celebrities and businesspeople gathered at the accident scene as they tried to comprehend what could have happened.
Notable faces included comedienne Madam Boss, Albert Ndabambi, Jackie Ngarande, Thompson Dondo, Keen Mubaiwa and Wanisai Mtandwa (Mahwindo) among others.
One security guard identified as Martin said that he was patrolling the area when he witnessed the accident.
“I always see Ginimbi at this hour (5am) when I finish work and he will be driving to his Domboshava house. Today he had his Rolls Royce and was speeding as usual. I heard a bang and I rushed to investigate. I saw him trying to open the doors with a view to rescuing his friends.
“He was struggling to breathe and was visibly shaking. Genius was shouting for help. When I arrived, the car exploded. “The fire was scary and we could not do anything to help.
“Some neighbours gathered at the scene of the accident. We unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire using water buckets and tree branches,” he said.
Ginimbi’s manager identified as Shally said she was deeply hurt.
“I feel like hell. I don’t even know which words to even use. Genius Kadungure has been called by God. He is no more. He was in a terrible accident around 5am and he died on the spot with three of his friends in the car, Karim, Elisha and Moana,” she said.
Moana’s father Mr Ishamel Amuli said he last saw his daughter early last year and was distressed and worried about her partying behaviour.
Speaking at the funeral wake in Highfield, Mr Amuli (58) told The Herald that his relationship with Moana went sour in 2017 when she left her husband.
“In 2017, Mitchelle had problems with her husband, who came to drop their child in Domboshava. Mitchelle later came to pick her daughter and I sat down with her, telling her that I wasn’t happy with her behaviour. I heard a lot about my daughter that she had become a party animal and was featuring in several musical videos. I got angry and slapped her twice and she left home for good.
“Last year I saw her, but we never talked much. I am a Muslim and what she was doing was against our religion. Now how do I tell my elders at church and how will she be buried? We are now at her mother’s house in Highfield because I did not fully pay lobola for her mother. I still owe in-laws, but that is a story for another day,” he said.
Mr Amuli said he broke up with Moana’s mother while his daughter was still a toddler.
“I quit my job to look after my children. I had five children and Mitchelle was the second born and only girl. She had a daughter named Tyra. I stay in Domboshava in Chirombo Village. I used to hear some neighbours telling me that my daughter was at Ginimbi’s house. Today, was told that she had a birthday party at a night club in Harare and she died on her way back,” he said.
Mr Amuli broke down during the interview. Moana’s funeral wake is at Number 547 Engineering, Highfield.
Burial arrangements will be announced after post-mortem.
Moana featured in several musical videos which include Takura’s popular track “Zvemoyo”, Enzo Ishall’s “Mwenje” and Freeman’s video “Muridzo”.
Apart from being video vixen, she was a fitness trainer.
Burial arrangements for Ginimbi, Karim and Elisha were by last night yet to be announced. The Herald.
Listed clothing retailer, Truworths Zimbabwe’s earnings for the year to July 2020, took a dip due to Covid-19 induced restrictions to trade.
During the second half of the year under review the country was in a lockdown, which started in March as part of efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic. For Truworths, its stores were closed the entire month of April and the first two weeks in May in compliance with lockdown restrictions.
As a result, units sold went down 59,9 percent on an overall basis and 57,5 percent on a like for like basis.
“The second half period was negatively affected by the Covid-19 lockdown,” said chief executive officer Br Bhekithemba Ndebele in a statement accompanying the financial results.
Despite the movement restrictions effected, the debtors’ collection teams worked virtually and the collections for the months of April and May were acceptable, according to Mr Ndebele. The period was also characterised by high inflation, reduced disposable incomes and foreign currency shortages, which had a knock-on effect on product availability.
The foreign currency situation has, however, improved since the introduction of the Foreign Exchange Auction by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). During the year under review, revenue went down seven percent to $165 million from $177 million recorded in the prior year. Operating profit came in at $17 million, which was 56 percent below prior year’s $39 million.
Profit for the period took a 60 percent dip to $9 million compared to $23 million recorded during the same comparable period. Basic and diluted earnings per share came in at 2,46 cents from 6,15 cents. Gross profit margins held firm at 64 percent with no merchandise markdowns.
Total assets went down 26 percent to $157 million from $213 million in the prior year.
During the paid under review, active accounts decreased by 0,5 percent as the hyper-inflationary conditions forced the business to conservatively and judiciously manage the granting of credit.
The tenure of the credit period was also reduced and monthly interest charges were reviewed upwards.
Mr Ndebele said the doubtful debt provision as a percentage of gross debtors was 13,5 percent compared to 15,2 percent in the prior period. Although lockdown restrictions have eased with the environment slowly returning to normal, the business environment is expected to remain constrained due to waning disposable incomes as well as Zimbabwe dollar liquidity shortages.
The adverse impact of Covid-19 is also going to pose challenges for businesses across sectors due to international supply chain disruptions.
Said Mr Ndebele: “Since the easing of the lockdown restrictions, trading has been in line with our expectations in the current environment except for Harare CBD stores.”
Truworths did not declare a dividend due to the need to finance increased working capital requirements in a hyperinflationary environment with limited or reduced supplier credit terms. The Chronicle.
During the second half of the year under review the country was in a lockdown, which started in March as part of efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic. For Truworths, its stores were closed the entire month of April and the first two weeks in May in compliance with lockdown restrictions.