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Free outreach program targets children with hearing loss

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BY BAYANDA NKATHA

Hear to Aid, an organization run by a dedicated couple, Nick and Jenny Pedersen, extended free medical services to children with hearing impairments and other ear conditions this week.

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The outreach program, which began in Harare, expanded to Bulawayo, Hwange, and Victoria Falls over 10 days, targeting children aged 0-18.

The audiologist couple, working with partners Love for Africa and Great Nordic Danish, provided free consultations, testing, and treatment.

Those found to require hearing aids will receive them in the next round of the program.

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The aim is to give hope to children affected by ear infections or deafness, ensuring their growth and education are not impacted.

“The programme has been running for many years in Zimbabwe as we are hoping to help these children who have no access to services. We are attending to those with ear infections and permanent hearing loss,” said Pedersen. “We were doing this in partnership with Nordic Danish from Demark and Love for Africa. We have seen hundreds of kids during this outreach.”

Pedersen expressed gratitude to Love for Africa for their instrumental support in helping Hear to Ear register and scale up operations. “We are grateful to Love for Africa who have been instrumental in helping us to register and scale up our operations as a fully-fledged organisation,” he said.

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Fagness Phiri brought her son Denzel, who suffers from hearing problems and delayed speech, saying, “Our biggest challenge is the lack of teachers who are trained to teach someone with such a condition.”

Shyleen Mbewe sought help for her two-year-old son Aldrin, who has been experiencing ear discharge since birth. “It started when he was young, and now he will be turning three years in September. So today I brought him here, and they said the kind of medicine he needs is not available, hence they wrote me a prescription. I really appreciate this service and hope my child will be healed,” Mbewe said.

Dozens of Victoria Falls residents took advantage of the outreach program, seeking help for their children’s hearing and ear-related issues.

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National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

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Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

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Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.

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Retailers send Mnangagwa SOS as shops continue shutting down over operational woes

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BY ZIMLIVE

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and save the sector which has seen various formal retail and wholesale businesses closing shop countrywide due to operational challenges.

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In a statement on Sunday, CZR president Denford Mutashu said the continued closure of formal retail and wholesale businesses is a direct consequence of the tough economic environment that has consistently failed to support formalised sector players who face stiff competition from informal businesses and vendors the majority of whom have no tax obligations to deal with.

Mutashu said his association was concerned that authorities continue to downplay the crisis.

“The recent closure of several outlets under the N. Richards Group, coupled with Spar Zimbabwe’s painful decision to shut down Queensdale Spar, Choppies Zimbabwe’s exit from the market, and Mahommed Mussa’s significant reduction of shop space by 60%, highlights the growing crisis.

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“As the representative association for these and other brands, CZR is alarmed that while formal businesses face enormous challenges, the authorities continue to present a different picture of the operating environment,” he said.

Given the situation, Mutashu said, only President Mnangagwa can rescue the troubled sector.

“CZR therefore calls for urgent intervention from His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to rescue what remains of the formalized retail and wholesale sector,” said Mutashu.

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He said the sector was in urgent need of rescue.

“While CZR acknowledges the continued support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it is clear that the root causes of these challenges are fiscal and monetary in nature. These require urgent and decisive action to ensure the survival of formal businesses.

“CZR therefore appeals to the Presidium to prioritize interventions aimed at saving jobs and mitigating the ongoing wave of shop closures and retrenchments,” he said.

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Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition vows to resist term limit changes

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Zimbabweans are speaking out against proposed constitutional amendments that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutional limit of two five-year terms.

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A stakeholder engagement meeting convened by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition today brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including labor, church, and business representatives, to devise a collective strategy against the proposed amendments.

“The participants firmly argued that such changes would significantly undermine the spirit and collective will of the Zimbabwean populace,” the meeting noted.

They characterized the amendments as “self-serving maneuvers orchestrated by a small clique of politicians pursuing personal ambitions over the broader interests of the nation.”

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“This clique’s pursuit of power undermines the very foundation of Zimbabwe’s democracy,” the meeting emphasized. Furthermore, the participants noted that the proposed amendments “fundamentally contradict the democratic principles enunciated in the country’s constitution.”

The meeting expressed concern that enacting such changes would exacerbate the lingering legitimacy crisis, leading to increased international isolation and a further decline in Zimbabwe’s global standing.

The participants also reflected on how these ongoing attempts to alter the constitution demonstrate a profound disregard of the will of Zimbabweans, as expressed in 2013 when they unanimously voted for the supreme law.

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The meeting further noted that the relentless efforts to amend the constitution will continue to limit the democratic space in Zimbabwe. “The shrinking environment poses a serious risk of consolidating authoritarian practices and eroding the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens,” the meeting warned.

In addition to the constitutional amendments, the meeting highlighted the ongoing economic crisis in Zimbabwe, which has severely impacted the daily lives of ordinary citizens. “As inflation spirals and basic necessities become increasingly scarce, many families struggle to meet their fundamental needs,” the meeting noted.

The participants expressed concern that political elites and a small group of individuals with close ties to the government are exploiting the nation’s resources for their own gain. “This systematic looting occurs with little regard for the welfare of the populace, exacerbating the country’s economic plight and contributing to widespread hardship among the general population,” the meeting emphasized.

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To resist these developments, the meeting resolved to:

– *Build a Broad-Based Movement*: Unite various stakeholders to defend democratic space and resist the proposed constitutional amendment. This comprehensive approach seeks to unite stakeholders, including the media, diplomats, community mobilizers, and rapid response teams, to ensure ordinary Zimbabweans are empowered to engage in this righteous and noble cause.
– *Mobilize Nationally*: Prioritize community consultation to safeguard the constitution and nurture a culture of constitutionalism. This mobilization effort must extend across all political affiliations and should commence without delay.
– *Convene a National Convention*: Organize an inclusive national all-stakeholders convention that incorporates all stakeholders to prepare for a united response, specifically a collective VOTE NO campaign, should a referendum be called regarding any constitutional changes.
– *Employ All Permissible Channels*: Utilize mass mobilization initiatives, organize demonstrations, engage in diplomatic discussions, and pursue public interest litigation to challenge and stop the encroachments on democracy.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition emphasized the urgency of mobilizing citizens across the country to defend democratic ideals and resist any proposed amendments to the constitution.

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