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In a sombre ceremony on Thursday, 11 July 2024, Enick Makaza, a Cyclone Idai survivor from Chimanimani, collected seven death certificates for his family members who perished in the devastating disaster in March 2019.
According to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/cyclone-idai-man-receives-7-death-certificates-for-family-victims/">The Manica Post</a>, the event was held at Ndima High School in Chimanimani East constituency, where about 30 relatives of the 279 victims received civil documents during the handover ceremony.
Out of the 279 people who lost their lives in Cyclone Idai, 133 were male and 146 were female.
The death certificates were handed over by Benjamin Kabikira, the deputy to the Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, who represented the ministry at the event.
Makaza, who resides in the Kopa area of Rusitu in Chimanimani, was among the worst-affected survivors of the tragedy.
He collected death certificates for his two wives, Shylet Sabona and Letwin Jambaya, as well as his children – Ernest, Enrich, Silma, Shalom, and Enia Makaza.
They were all swept away without a trace by the floods from their Madhomeni residential area. Said Makaza:
<blockquote>
Yes, this somehow consoles me and brings closure to this problem. I have been trying to get these civil documents so that I can know, and accept the fact that they are all dead and will never locate them.
I would have loved to see all their remains, but as it stands, together with others who were affected in the same way, we just have to accept the fact that they are all gone and we will never see them again.
</blockquote>
Makaza recounted the harrowing events of the fateful day when his entire family was swept away by the raging floodwaters, describing how he managed to survive by climbing and clinging to a tree for at least seven gruelling hours. He said:
<blockquote>
I had tried to rescue them from the house since a strong tide of water was almost covering the whole area.
When I had instructed them to go uphill, they met a police officer who ordered them to go back, saying the water would subside.
Unfortunately, the tide increased in force, and our house was struck by rock boulders, resulting in the whole family being swept away.
</blockquote>
Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in Manicaland Province were among the worst affected by Cyclone Idai.
The cyclone caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure across the affected areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Enick Makaza, a survivor of Cyclone Idai, received death certificates for 7 family members who died in the disaster. The ceremony took place in Chimanimani, where 279 victims were remembered. Makaza collected certificates for his two wives and five children who were swept away by floodwaters. He described the tragic event and how he survived by clinging to a tree for hours. The cyclone caused a lot of damage in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts. This event helped Makaza find closure and accept the loss of his family members.

Cyclone Idai Survivor Receives Death Certificates For 7 Family Members

The Government has started processing death certificates for Cyclone Idai victims, with at least 100 families having received the documents following a legal process to declare them dead.
Attorney General, Virginia Mabhiza, who was in Mutare on Wednesday, told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/closure-for-idai-victims-families-govt-starts-processing-death-certificates/">The Manica Post</a> that a class action has started and some families in Chimanimani have since been issued with their relatives’ death certificates.
A class action lawsuit is one person or a small group of people suing on behalf of a larger group of people who have all suffered the same injury.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, the legal process aimed to have the courts declare the 279 people who went missing during the March 2019 tropical storm as legally deceased.
Mabhiza, as the Attorney-General, initiated the process as part of her constitutional mandate to defend the public interest.
Cyclone Idai hit the southeastern parts of the country on March 14, 2019, with Chimanimani being the hardest-hit district. Said Mabiza:
<blockquote>
I have always highlighted Mutare as a typical case of my maiden appearance as the Attorney General where we assisted people affected by Cyclone Idai. That is part of the public interest which my office is largely concerned and seized with.
We have assisted people affected by Cyclone Idai. We filed all the cases of the persons affected by Cyclone Idai at the Mutare office. We won our applications, and we are helping them.
We wanted them to be able to access documentation that include death certificates, and for some, it was for NSSA purposes where people wanted to process the deceased’s estates and so forth.
We are proud to say that we successfully assisted the people of Chimanimani to get those documents.
Even though I may not have the exact number, I think more than 100 families have so far received the relevant paperwork, while others are still at different stages of the process.
</blockquote>
This means that all 279 victims of Cyclone Idai listed as missing have now been declared legally dead by the High Court in Mutare in an unopposed class action.
Under ordinary law, a relative of a person missing can approach the courts after five years to have that person declared legally dead.
In the case of the Cyclone Idai victims, Mabhiza facilitated the class action so that the families, many of whom are less privileged, could have the declaration made without paying legal costs.
Tatenda Mapungwana, who was aged 14 when both his parents and his three siblings were swept away from Kopa Madhomeni Residence Camp, said:
<blockquote>
I have not been able to access my parents’ death certificates that would allow me to derive benefits from whatever was in their name.
Both of my parents were teachers, so the production of death certificates will assist me in getting what they worked for.
</blockquote>
About 340 people were confirmed dead, but not all bodies were recovered in Zimbabwe or Mozambique, where some are believed to have been washed away.
In the end, the police still have 279 people listed as missing, with no hope of ever finding their remains.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Starts Processing Death Certificates For Missing Cyclone Idai Victims

The High Court of Zimbabwe is set to legally declare 279 people who went missing after Cyclone Idai hit the country in 2019 dead, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/class-action-for-idai-missing-persons-unopposed/">The Herald</a>.
This comes after Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza instituted class action as part of her constitutional mandate to defend the public interest, which has not been opposed by anyone.
The court declaration will allow families to obtain death certificates, sort out inheritance issues, and ensure there is a clear responsible parent or guardian for any surviving minor children.
The High Court declaration is expected to give the families at least legal closure.
Cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe on 15 March 2019 and triggered floods which caused massive damage to infrastructure, crops and animals.
Around 340 people were confirmed dead, but not all bodies were recovered in Zimbabwe or Mozambique where many were washed down.
The Police still have 279 people listed as missing with no hope of ever finding their remains.
Under ordinary law, any relative of a person missing can approach the courts after five years to have that person declared legally dead.
Mabhiza brought the matter to the High Court as a class action so that the families, many of whom are fairly poor, can have the declaration made without paying any legal costs.
The Herald reported that Mabhiza followed the legal formalities, publishing her formal notice in The Manica Post on 01 December 2023 and seeking any objections.
At the end of the 10 days set aside for anyone to object, no notice of opposition was filed with the Registrar of the High Court in Mutare.
Therefore, the application by the Attorney General will be set down on the unopposed roll.
This means that the resident judge just has to ensure that all the legal steps have been taken and then grant an order.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe To Declare 279 Missing Cyclone Idai Victims Dead

The victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai who have been missing since the natural disaster struck Zimbabwe on 15 March 2019 have finally been declared dead.
Addressing journalists during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said Cabinet received a report on the Exhumation of Cyclone Idai victims who were temporarily buried in the Dombe, Sussundenga and Moussorize, and Espungabeira districts of Mozambique.
The report was presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
The nation is being informed that following a Cabinet decision to exhume bodies of victims of Cyclone Idai that were swept to Mozambique through the Rusitu River, a team comprising pathologists, the Zimbabwe Republic Police forensic officials, the Zimbabwe National Army and the Civil Registry was set up to carry out the exhumations.
The team, assisted by the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique Ambassador Matemadanda, held consultations with Mozambican officials and traditional leadership before carrying out a total of 31 exhumations. The Traditional Leadership and the gravediggers were paid tokens of appreciation for assisting in the burial of the victims.
An arrangement was made with Chimoio Provincial Hospital for the storage of the remains of the victims.
DNA tests will be carried out in Zimbabwe by the National University of Science and Technology’s Applied Genetic Testing Centre in collaboration with the AiBST Laboratory. The two laboratories have already collected reference samples from the families who lost their loved ones during the disaster.
Government has made arrangements for the remains to be transported and stored in Zimbabwe prior to the release of DNA results. The nation is further advised that Cabinet resolved as follows:
a) to declare the missing persons dead so as to facilitate acquisition of the relevant documentation at the Civil Registry Department and the subsequent registration of the deceased persons estates;
b) that all positively identified remains be conveyed to Mutare General Hospital in order to reduce costs for the grieving families;
c) that a mopping-up exercise be undertaken to identify burial sites and conduct exhumations on the other side of the Rusitu River; and
d) that State-assisted burials be provided to the bereaved families.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/08/17/cyclone-idai-missing-persons-finally-declared-dead/">Health Times</a>

Cyclone Idai Missing Persons Finally Declared Dead

The Government of Zimbabwe has engaged Mozambique in a bid to repatriate the bodies of Cyclone Idai victims.
Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe is ready to send officials to Mozambique to help in the process of repatriation. She said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe requested Mozambique for its cooperation in the repatriation of the remains of Zimbabweans who were washed away by the floods that were caused by Cyclone Idai and buried in Mozambique.
Zimbabwe expressed its readiness to send a delegation to Mozambique at the earliest convenience to assist in the process.
In this regard, the Commission resolved that Zimbabwe would submit to Mozambique a draft MoU on Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation which incorporates a mechanism for dealing with post-disaster situations, including repatriation of remains.
</blockquote>
Cyclone Idai claimed the lives of hundreds of people in Manicaland province in 2019 and some of the bodies were washed downstream by floodwaters and deposited in Mozambique.
The Mozambicans retrieved the bodies and buried them as it was logistically difficult to bring them to Zimbabwe for decent burials.
The tropical cyclone left a trail of destruction in Manicaland and parts of Masvingo Province resulting in deaths and displacement of hundreds of families.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimmorningpost.com/govt-steps-up-efforts-to-repatriate-cyclone-idai-victims/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=govt-steps-up-efforts-to-repatriate-cyclone-idai-victims">Zim Morning Post</a></h4>

Zim Engages Mozambique Over The Repatriation Of Cyclone Idai Victims

Survivors of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani were left in a serious predicament after 200 goats donated to them under the World Bank funded Zimbabwe Idai Recovery project died within a short space of time.
The goats are suspected to have died from a disease which also affected local goat species owned by other villagers not part of the scheme.
A total of 250 households each received three goats from the project’s implementing partner World Vision Zimbabwe.
The goats were sourced by the Food and Agricultural organisation (FAO) under a project called leveraging the economic advancement of the disadvantaged (LEAD) meant to support families affected by the 2019 Cyclone Idai.
Some beneficiaries of the project who spoke to New.Zimbabwe.com said they strongly suspect the animals were not properly inspected and screened before they were distributed in the area. One of the affected villagers said: 

<blockquote>
I have lost two of the goats which I received from World Vision. The health of some of the goats was questionable right from the word go. We do not even know where these animals were sourced from,” 

</blockquote>
Another farmer who was not a beneficiary of the project said he lost three of his high breed goats from a disease that he suspect was transmitted by the donated goats.
He said he is worried that some of the goats might affect his remaining goats.
World Vision staff and local Zanu PF councillors reportedly identified the beneficiaries of the project.
When reached for comment, a World Vision official Edmore Chikazhe said his organisation was only involved in the distribution of the goats.
Brain Nhlema FAO’s Head of Irrigation and Tawanda Msomali the project’s veterinary doctor said the goats might have died because of stress adding that they were still conducting investigations. 

More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/tragedy-for-cyclone-idai-victims-as-hundreds-of-world-bank-sourced-goats-perish/">New Zimbabwe.com</a>

Cyclone Idai Survivors Cry Foul As Their Goats Die In Numbers

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<a href="https://twitter.com/OpenParlyZw/status/1376218599111729154">Open Parly ZW</a> has reported that the District Development Coordinator and CEO of Chimanimani Rural District Council, claimed the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works allegedly stopped efforts to assist Cyclone Idai survivors.
Zimbabwe was hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019 but some survivors are yet to<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Cyclone_Idai#:~:text=Cyclone%20Idai%20was%20one%20of,Mozambique%20%2F%20Southern%20Africa%20on%20record.&amp;text=It%20turned%20East%20on%2017,and%20dissipated%20on%2021%20March."> recover from the disaster.</a> We present Open Parly’s Twitter thread below.
<blockquote>
Parliament of Zimbabwe was notified that most of the survivors of Cyclone Idai were still living in tents, despite the commitment from Government to provide proper housing facilities, no houses have been constructed for the survivors of the Cyclone.
<div class="js-card-container">Survivors in Chimanimani said that the local authority had sited land for housing development in the Westend, Greenmount, Bumba and Nhedziwa areas. In Nhedziwa, the local authority had gone a step further by drilling two boreholes and subsequently pegged and allocated stands…</div>
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However, as gathered from the District Development Coordinator &amp; CEO of Chimanimani Rural District Council, local authority received telephone communication purportedly from Ministry of Local Government &amp; Public Works to the effect that development of that area should be stopped
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Econet Zimbabwe wanted title to the land on which the houses would be built but Government was against the idea as it implied that Gvt was ceding ownership &amp; control of the land as well as the project to Econet Wireless. Resultantly, due to that impasse the project had stalled.
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The situation is exacerbated by the alleged rampant corruption in the selection of beneficiaries &amp; the distribution of food aid. In Kopa, <a class="link-complex" data-user-name="ParliamentZim" href="https://twitter.com/ParliamentZim/" rel="noopener user" target="_blank">@ParliamentZim</a> learnt from survivors that in their camp, there were 2 child-headed families that were constantly left out of food aid programs.
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FULL THREAD: Govt Stopped Efforts To Help Cyclone Idai Survivors

Hundreds of people reportedly moved into tents that had been erected for displaced Cyclone Idai victims in Chimanimani in order to access free food, clothing and cash disbursements.
According to investigations carried out by The Manica Post, Abboretum Camp has 59 deserted tents, Nyamatanda (30), Garikai (83), while Copa has 53.
At the height of the Cyclone Idai recovery efforts, Abboretum Camp had 320 families, but as of Tuesday, only 35 households remained.
Chimanimani District Development Coordinator, Joseph Manyurapasi, revealed that the fake Cyclone Idai victims who were housed in the tents have since moved out. He said:
<blockquote>We cannot rule that out. In fact, it is true. We have a number of people who moved into the tents to enjoy freebies from well-wishers.
They were also hoping to benefit from the houses being constructed for the Cyclone Idai victims.</blockquote>
This was corroborated by Abboretum Camp chairman, Timothy Mufuri who disclosed that some of the imposters were people who had visited their relatives soon after the natural disaster. He said:
<blockquote>We have a good number of people who just came here to benefit from the donations. They were also hoping to eventually get free houses. Most of them have since left.
Some had only visited Chimanimani to mourn their relatives and decided to join genuine victims at the camps.</blockquote>
Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe during the night of March 15, 2019, resulting in massive destruction of infrastructure and deaths in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/fake-idai-victims-desert-tents/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manica Post</a></h4>

Bogus Cyclone Idai Victims Desert Tents

The Zimbabwean government reneged on its promise to assist relatives of the victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai whose bodies were swept to, and buried in Mozambique, to visit the neighbouring country and identify where they were buried.
More than 82 Zimbabweans were swept into Mozambique, where locals buried them as the bodies had become unrecognisable.
Juliet Machangira, 26, who lost her two sons, Tadiwanashe, 4, and Lovemore Maute, 12, told the Washington Post that she wants to see where her sons were buried for her to find closure. She said:
<blockquote>We need closure. The truth will set us free. The government promised us money to go to Mozambique to do our own search, but that was the last we heard about it. I want to talk to the locals who buried the floating bodies to identify my sons.</blockquote>
Kuda Ndima, 37, also lost two children during the storm — her 12-year-old son, and a baby she was five months pregnant with, which she miscarried after she was swept 300 yards downstream and hit a boulder. She said:
<blockquote>They lied to us saying they would help with the repatriation and reburial, but they are doing nothing about it.
We wish they could even make a grave for the unknown victims, like a memorial. Instead, they are just folding their hands as if nothing has happened.</blockquote>
A forensic body recovery specialist, Stephen Fonseca of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who worked in Mozambique after the cyclone said it would be a huge challenge to know the identity of people who were buried at various site in the country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-never-retrieved-the-82-bodies-swept-away-a-year-ago-by-cyclone-idai/2020/03/20/404e14d0-6964-11ea-b199-3a9799c54512_story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Washington Post</a></h4>

'They Are Folding Their Hands As If Cyclone Idai Never Happened', Survivors Slam Govt Officials

The Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, has released the following statement detailing the woes ravaging the country and how he will overcome them.
Professor Ncube said:
<blockquote>ZIMBABWE’S economy will overcome the numerous hurdles which lie before us on the path towards prosperity. These obstacles are patent, and in some cases potent. But with hard work, proper planning, and monetary and fiscal discipline, Zimbabwe will get out of the current economic rut.
Some of these challenges are out of our control. Take Cyclone Idai in March of last year for example. The extreme weather phenomenon destroyed lives and livelihoods. This meteorological mess was followed by another, as drought struck across our lands. Food output has thus been severely hampered by these outside forces; and we have been left with no choice but to subsidise, import and rely on help from the international community to avoid a total crisis. While there were some real achievements in 2019, including a balanced budget for the first time in living memory, we have a commitment to subsidise where necessary to make sure our nation is fed.
As we move into 2020, we will continue to learn from these “unknown unknowns”. We are already investing in ‘climate-proofing’ our agriculture, including new irrigation techniques, and drought-resistant crops. We must now double up our efforts with our international partners – new and old – to protect our agriculture and food supply.
As we look forward to growing our economy, it is incumbent upon us to rein in inflation as quickly as possible. This is crucial for investment. This is vital for job creation. Month on month inflation is already stabilising, down to approximately 16%. Of course, annual inflation remains high. We do not hide this, nor was this unexpected. That is what happens when you liberalise a currency. But this process of reforms is a long-term necessity for our economy.
We are taking steps to prop up the currency, drip-feeding in cash injections in a non-inflationary manner. This has involved exchanging electronic currency for the physical currency. We will also be introducing higher denomination notes over the course of 2020 to make it easier for citizens to transact. We know the current environment is tough. But Zimbabwe’s economy needs tough reforms, not superficial ones. 
In the current environment, both wages and purchasing power have taken a big hit.
The government, therefore, has a responsibility to support consumers and the private sector as a whole. As part of the currency reform agenda, we have had inevitable wage compression. This is part of the liberalisation process. We have responded by propping up the wages of the civil servants, and we hope the private sector acts in kind. Dollarisation inertia, unfortunately, means that retailers are still pricing in US dollars and simply translating it to the local currency. This is squashing the purchasing power of current wages. We are closing that gap by allowing wages to rise.
In order to finance these moves and reboot the Zimbabwean economy as a whole, it is crucial to reform state-owned companies. We have already passed the first hurdle, which was to decide which ones should be partially privatised, which ones should be liquidated, and which ones should be departmentalised, and of course to highlight those which should not be touched. 2020 is now about implementing and enacting these moves.
We will advance the partial privatisation of the telecom company (Netone) and motor-vehicle assembly company (Willovale Mazda Motor Industries), capitalise our Silo Foods Industries, privatise banking assets and more. We want to have a private sector-led economy in Zimbabwe. And for the private sector to lead, we must privatise!
Despite all the hurdles and all the barriers, Zimbabwe in 2019 leapt 15 places in the Global Ease of Doing Business rankings. As we look to improve this in 2020, privatisation is a big part of this story. 
For the first time in living memory,
Zimbabwe achieved a balanced budget. We have our fiscal and monetary fate in our own hands. We have a talented, educated and devoted workforce, ready to get to work. And we have natural resources a-plenty, ready to drive our economy forward. The Zimbabwean future is, therefore, an exciting one. With patience and discipline, we will overcome all the hurdles that lay in our path and build a better future for all.
Hon. Prof Mthuli Ncube 
Zimbabwe Minister of Finance and Economic Development</blockquote>

FULL TEXT: Zimbabwe’s Economy Will Overcome The Numerous Hurdles Which Lie Before Us On The Path Towards Prosperity - Mthuli Ncube

2019 is a year that Zimbabweans will want to forget in a hurry following an economic deterioration that mirrors those horrors of 2008.
The year was characterised by numerous events which made life difficult for Zimbabweans, leaving the majority of citizens with very little hope for the future. Here are some of the major highlights:
<ul>
<li>A 150% fuel price hike announced by President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> on January 12 while the country was in the middle of a fuel crisis.</li>
<li>The government’s brutal response to protests over the fuel price hike, leaving 17 people dead. Fuel has since gone up several times and by year-end, was retailing at Z$17.44 per litre of petrol and Z$17.90 per litre of diesel.</li>
<li>In mid-February, the government floated the currency (bond note), abandoning the three-year peg to the US dollar. From a 1:1 parity to the US dollar, the exchange rate fell to 1:16.65 as of 19 December.</li>
<li>Cash shortages continued throughout the year even when the government promised to inject new notes into the economy. With debilitating foreign currency shortages being experienced, several South African companies such as Eskom, SAA, Multichoice, Tongaat, PPC, Nampak, AB Inbev all have millions of dollars locked in Zimbabwe.</li>
<li>Unprecedented power cuts due to falling water levels at Kariba Dam. The emptying of the dam has meant less than 200MW is being generated from an installed capacity of 1050MW.</li>
<li>The other challenges faced include incapacitation of civil servants especially doctors resulting in the collapse of the health sector, rampant corruption by political elites, drought, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Cyclone_Idai" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cyclone Idai</a> and terrorist acts by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/MaShurugwi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MaShurugwi</a> gangs alleged to be backed by some securocrats and political elites.</li>
</ul>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.fin24.com/Economy/Africa/the-year-zimbabweans-want-to-forget-20200104-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">News24</a></h4>

2019: The Year Zimbabweans Want To Forget In A Hurry - OPINION

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube has said that the security sector in the country must be allocated more funds considering its immense sacrifice to the country.
Speaking after presenting his 2020 Budget statement which like previous budgets have been criticised for prioritising the security sector at the expense of other sectors such as agriculture, industry and health, Ncube said:
<blockquote>The 2020 National Budget will, therefore, strive to provide for medical provisions, school fees and pension for our war veterans given the immense sacrifice to the nation.
“This will also include funds for income-generating projects, with $1,5 million having been already availed for a cattle-rearing project.</blockquote>
He also indicated that the Budget targets to improve accommodation, equipment, mobility, and institutional provisions for security sector personnel.
Ncube’s remarks come when the country is facing severe starvation due to the El Nino induced drought, Cyclone Idai, low power generation in the country and failure of agriculture schemes such as the Command Agriculture.
He also speaks when the health sector is literally grounded as is noted by the inadequacy of medicines and equipment in public health institutions health, salary strike by health caregivers and suspension of mortuary operations by some hospitals.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/security-services-must-be-fully-funded-mthuli/">The Herald</a>

"Medical Provisions, School Fees, Pension, Accommodation, Income-Generating Projects ..." For Security Sector

Heavy winds which swept most of the Eastern parts of Zimbabwe last night are reported to have vandalised Kwirire school in Chimanimani East, Manicaland.
The sad development was confirmed by Manicaland provincial education director, Mr Edward Shumba who told The Herald in an interview this morning that the district schools inspector advised him that four blocks had their roofs blown off. He added:
<blockquote>There were classes that were repaired after the cyclone and I am made to understand that these were not destroyed. We are not yet in a position to close the school.</blockquote>
The school is one of the schools which were this year destroyed by tropical cyclone Idai which left Manicaland Province devastated.
The province is yet to count its losses and recover from the tragedy as some residents are still missing, since March.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-storm-destroys-chimanimani-school/">The Herald</a>

Heavy Winds Destroy School In Manicaland Province

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has today projected that the 2020 Growth Domestic Product (GDP) will be at 3%.
The new projection marks a sharp departure from his earlier projection of 4.6%.
His remarks come when the country’s economy is rapidly deteriorating due to power cuts, drought, cyclone Idai, inflation and cash shortages.
In his earlier presentations, Ncube said his projections were based on the anticipation of good rains between 2019 and 2020 noting that they were key to sectors such as Agriculture and Power.
<a href="https://twitter.com/newswireZW/status/1194963174849683456">More: NewZWire</a>

Mthuli Ncube Backtracks From Earlier GDP Projections

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country will always help Africa with aid to solve some of its humanitarian issues. He said these remarks ahead of the 2019 Russia Africa Summit to be held in Sochi on Wednesday and Thursday.
Said the Russian Boss:
<blockquote>We continue to take an active part in efforts to provide comprehensive assistance to Africa. Russia is involved in the UN World Food Programme’s school meals project valued at US$40 million, which has been implemented in Mozambique since October 2017, and in the project to introduce modern technology and equipment for disinfection worth up to $15 million in Madagascar.</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Cyclone_Idai">Cyclone Idai</a> ravaged parts of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi in March this year and killed close to 1000 people and displaced thousands of others.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/putin-pledges-aid-co-operation-as-president-leads-delegation-to-russia-africa-summit/">The Chronicle</a>

Putin Pledges To Continue Sending Aid To Africa

The German government has donated €10 million through its development bank, KfW towards the second phase of the Education Development Fund (EDF), which seeks to improve access to quality education for Zimbabwean children.
The financial gift will be used to support Disaster Risk Reduction in the drought and cyclone-affected Districts in Zimbabwe. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Paul Mavima, had this to say:
<blockquote>The timely and immense support from Germany to Cyclone Idai emergency response resulted in minimum interruption of children’s schooling and we are pleased that this new funding will enable the Ministry to institutionalise disaster risk reduction and resilience building within our education system.</blockquote>
Since its inception in 2010 as the Education Transition Fund, the Germany government has been one of the major contributors to EDF.
Germany has donated over over €32 million from 2011- 2015; and an additional €14 million to the first phase of the EDF.
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2019/10/17/germany-contributes-e10m-to-zimbabwes-education-sector/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Independent</a></h3>

Germany Donates €10m For Schools In Cyclone Idai Affected Areas

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has together with Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) on Wednesday signed a joint agreement with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to transport 17000 tonnes of maize from Makambako and Vwawa in southern Tanzania to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
TAZARA will relay the grain to ZRL at New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia before it is passed to NRZ at Livingstone for final delivery into Zimbabwe.
A joint statement issued in Dar es Salaam indicated that the entire tonnage is expected to be transported within three months, starting from September 9, 2019.
The development comes when the country is facing severe starvation due to El Nino induced drought and Tropical Cyclone Idai which destroyed crops which were weeks away from harvest.
President Mnangagwa has since declared famine a national disaster saying that the country would need about 800 000 tonnes of maize to head off starvation.
More: <a href="https://newzwire.live/nrz-tazara-to-ship-17000t-of-tanzanian-maize-to-zimbabwe/">Zim Live</a>

Zim Engages Tanzania & Zambia For Transportation Of 17 000t Of Maize From Tanzania

The government of Nigeria donated relief supplies for the victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Zimbabwe took delivery materials which included medical supplies and treated mosquito on Saturday 31 August 2019.
8,100 Kg of materials were delivered at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Harare, Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Said Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information in a statement on Saturday in Abuja:
<blockquote>The airlift missions were executed by NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft, in furtherance of the NAF’s constitutional roles of projecting air power beyond the shores of the Country as well as providing Military Aid to Civil Authority.
The C-130H airlifted 12,000 Kg (12 tonnes) of relief materials from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to the Maputo International Airport, Maputo Mozambique on 26 August 2019, while 8,100 Kg (8 tonnes) of materials were delivered at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Harare, Zimbabwe today, 31 August 2019.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://prnigeria.com/2019/08/31/naf-nema-airlift-materials/">PRNigeria</a>

Nigeria Sends Relief Supplies For Cyclone Idai Victims

Seven senior officers in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) have been held in detention for the past three months without trial, The Standard reports.
The seven soldiers were arrested on allegations of stealing donations meant for survivors of Cyclone Idai and food rations for army recruits.
The officers were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Chivhima, Major Kativhu training coy, Major Masembura, Captain Ncube, Woll Dzoma and an S/Sergeant Madzore.
They are all being held at the Harare Remand Prison under military supervision.
Lawyers representing the soldiers, Chiturumani and Zvavanoda Law Chambers, on August 1 wrote to the ZNA’s legal department seeking for an explanation on why the accused where denied bail during the court-martial. They wrote:
<blockquote>We have been favoured with instructions by seven accused persons currently undergoing a court-martial/ military court trial for theft and abuse of office charges kindly note our interest.
Our instructions are to demand within the next seven days from today (01/08/19) the availing of those reasons denying them bail to us or at your clerk for our convenience.</blockquote>
Chivhima is accused of stealing 200 litres of fuel in Chimanimani, which was meant for Cyclone Idai relief efforts.
He was also implicated in the theft of food rations meant for the Zimbabwe Commando regiment stores, alongside Kativhu, Masembura, Ncube, Dzoma and Madzore.
The stolen rations included mealie meal, rice, cooking oil, eggs, vegetables, meat, fruits, potatoes and sausages.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2019/08/04/seven-senior-soldiers-detained/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Standard</a></h4>

7 Senior Soldiers Arrested For Stealing Cyclone Idai Donations & Army Food Rations

The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu has changed the country’s manufacturing sector growth for 2019 to 1% from the initially projected to 2.5%.
Ndlovu said that the revision was necessitated by several factors which are outside the government’s control, chief among them being two weather extremes experienced last season.
Speaking to delegates at the state of industry breakfast meeting recently, Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>We had initially made a projection of 2.5% which has since been revised downwards to 1% obviously because of many factors that have affected our economy and chief among them is the El Nino induced drought and Cyclone Idai’s devastating effects.
We also encountered several challenges on the currency front and more specifically from accessing the foreign currency needs for our raw materials and retooling needs.
I have however defended our projected 2 % annual growth rate moving into 2020 and beyond. While others feel it is not ambitious enough, there is a need to note that in 2017 and 2018 where I believe we did well, we only grew by just over 1.3%.
So realistically, if we have a target of 2%, I believe we would have done well although there will be scope to do more than the projections.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/govt-revises-manufacturing-sector-growth-down-to-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Govt Alters Projected Manufacturing Sector Growth To 1%

The government will erect shrines at sites where missing victims of the Cyclone Idai disaster are believed to be buried. This, the government said, will provide a dignified farewell to families of the deceased.
Said Information, Media and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana to NewZimbabwe.com:
<blockquote>I am not sure how many shrines there will be in total but there are 42 to 43 sites that were indicated by Cadaver dogs.
It’s going to be very difficult to excavate those sites to bring out bodies because it may damage bodies, which is less dignified than to make those sites burial shrines which is why the government is going to make a decision on where the burial sites will be and obviously during all that we speak to the families that are involved.
It’s a commemoration, it’s immortalising the people that have passed on because they don’t fade away. When somebody disappears and are considered dead, in our culture people find something monumental to bury</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/govt-to-honour-missing-cyclone-idai-victims-with-sacred-shrines/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Government To Erect Shrines At Sites Of Missing Cyclone Idai Victims

Cyclone Idai survivors will be starting next week, receive national documents such as birth and death certificates.
This will be done through a mobile registration exercise bankrolled by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Most of the affected people are in the Manicaland districts of Chipinge and Chimanimani.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Ellen Gwaradzimba said:
<blockquote>The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has committed to funding the programme by assisting the survivors to get their national identity documents in time.
Through mobile registration, we are going to make sure that everyone who lost their documents will be assisted.</blockquote>
The mobile units will be placed in all affected districts.
Meanwhile, death certificates will not be issued for people who are missing but have not been confirmed dead. Added Gwaradzimba:
<blockquote>Death certificates will also be issued. However, this will not apply to missing people that have not yet been confirmed dead.
The Registrar-General’s Office is waiting for the decision to declare them missing and after that, they will register the deaths.</blockquote>
Cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe during the night of March 15, 2019, and within a few hours had wreaked unprecedented destruction in the eastern districts of the country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/gvt-begins-mobile-registration-for-idai-victims" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Mobile Registration For Idai Survivors To Start Next Week

Activist Fungai Chiposi has called for the auditing of all Cyclone Idai donations that. He has called for the government through the Auditor General to audit public as well as private led donation campaigns to check if all contributions went to the intended objective.
Chiposi also suggested that guidelines be put in place for future situations where Zimbabweans will donate to disaster causes.
Said Chiposi
<blockquote>Our budding democracy needs this opportunity to grow stronger. Our listening President, who is the President of all citizens of Zimbabwe, must order the Auditor General’s office to audit all donations and systems that came into play during this disaster. Every donated cent and banana must be accounted for.
The report must be immediately made public so that the nation learns for the future. Systems to handle future disasters must be put in place and guidelines made public. Creation of a disaster fund is of utmost importance. Earmarking independent response organisations will quickly mobilise resources in future.
An audit of Cyclone Idai disaster will also assure citizens that their money and goods were put to good and intended use and thus motivate them to help more in future. Distribution of relief and disaster assistance donations along political lines should be a thing of the past. The international community should rest assured that all their help will be used as intended and accounted for.
The Auditor-general must not focus only on government ministries but everyone who played a part in receiving donations for and behalf of Cyclone Idai survivors</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://chiposi.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/audit-all-disaster-donations/">Fungai Chiposi Blog</a>

'Audit All Cyclone Idai Donations'

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday promised the people of Manicaland that the rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai-induced floods will continue until everything has been restored.
President Mnangagwa said this in an address to a crowd of villagers who were gathered at Ngaone High School in Chipinge soon after meeting 13 chiefs from the district as well as Chimanimani. He said:
<blockquote>My ministers are not going to leave this place until all the roads are rehabilitated.
We are not talking of repairing only those that were washed away but upgrading the whole network. Those that need to be tarred will be tarred for sure.
We received enough medication for various ailments. I want to praise doctors here for making personal sacrifices to assist affected communities. They are doing a great job.</blockquote>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/03/ed-moved-by-the-tales-of-cyclone-idai-survivors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ED ‘Moved’ By The Tales Of Cyclone Idai Survivors</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/02/govt-to-follow-tradition-in-relocating-cyclone-idai-survivors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Govt To Follow Tradition In Relocating Cyclone Idai Survivors’</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/01/cyclone-idai-ed-to-meet-chiefs-from-chimanimani-chipinge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cyclone Idai: ED To Meet Chiefs From Chimanimani &amp; Chipinge</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/06/mnangagwa-say-cyclone-idai-blessing-disguise/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Did Mnangagwa Say Cyclone Idai Is Blessing In Disguise?</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/20/cyclone-idai-mnangagwa-responds-to-critics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cyclone Idai: Mnangagwa Responds To Critics</a></h4>
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More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/president-meets-13-chimanimani-chipinge-chiefs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a>

Mnangagwa Meets 13 Manicaland Chiefs

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that he was moved when he heard the harrowing tales of residents and chiefs from Chipinge and Chimanimani who were affected by Cyclone Idai.
Writing on microblogging site Twitter on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>It was moving to hear from residents and chiefs from Chipinge and Chimanimani, whose communities were ravaged by Cyclone Idai.
We have identified land to house the displaced and those at risk from future natural disasters, and we are mobilising resources to undertake their relocation.</blockquote>
President Mnangagwa on Thursday met 12 chiefs from Chipinge and Chimanimani at Chief Mutema’s homestead in Ngaone to deliberate on early recovery plans for the districts.
<h4>Related:</h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/02/govt-to-follow-tradition-in-relocating-cyclone-idai-survivors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Govt To Follow Tradition In Relocating Cyclone Idai Survivors’</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/01/cyclone-idai-ed-to-meet-chiefs-from-chimanimani-chipinge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cyclone Idai: ED To Meet Chiefs From Chimanimani &amp; Chipinge</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/06/mnangagwa-say-cyclone-idai-blessing-disguise/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Did Mnangagwa Say Cyclone Idai Is Blessing In Disguise?</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/20/cyclone-idai-mnangagwa-responds-to-critics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cyclone Idai: Mnangagwa Responds To Critics</a></h4>
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ED 'Moved' By The Tales Of Cyclone Idai Survivors

The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC refuted suggestions that it turned its back towards the survivors of Cyclone Idai after party officials did not join President Emmerson Mnangagwa together with a few losers in his tour of Ngangu last week.
President Mnangagwa travelled with losing presidential candidates in the July 2018 poll who are parties to the State House Dialogue.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that Chamisa was the first person to visit Manicaland in the aftermath of the Cyclone. It was Chamisa who brought the attention of the world to the calamity. Said Mafume:
<blockquote>We were the first ones at the devastation through our President Nelson Chamisa where we live-streamed the suffering of the people and brought it to the world’s attention to the needs of the people.
We were surprised that the government has decided to use Zanu PF, not government structures, to try and assist the victims.
There are local government structures in the province under MDC who have been on the frontline of the provision of food and other needs in the districts of Chimanimani and Chipinge.
We cannot use party structures when we should have government structures that should transcend political party affiliation, a disaster management system that is made for a purpose that is able to alleviate and channel issues and aid that is needed.</blockquote>
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<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chamisa-visited-chimanimani-against-his-security-teams-advice/">Chamisa Visited Chimanimani Against His Security Team’s Advice</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/full-thread-chamisa-heartbroken-by-what-he-saw-in-manicaland/">FULL THREAD: Chamisa ‘Heartbroken’ By What He Saw In Manicaland</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/soldiers-police-block-chamisa-entourage-on-way-to-chipinge/">Soldiers, Police Block Chamisa Entourage On Way To Chipinge</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/pictures-chamisa-in-scotch-cart-on-a-visit-to-manicaland/">PICTURES: Chamisa In Scotch Cart, On A Visit To Manicaland</a></h4>
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<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chamisa-to-visit-cyclone-ravaged-manicaland/">Chamisa To Visit Cyclone Ravaged Manicaland</a></h4>
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<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-defends-mnangagwa-cyclone-snub/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

It was Chamisa Who Brought World's Attention To Idai Disaster - Mafume

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that the country’s economy would enter into a recession in 2019.
The IMF previously forecasted Zimbabwe’s economy to grow by as much as 4,2 per cent, but its latest report indicates that it will shrink by as much as 5,2 per cent.
An economic recession or slump is a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.
Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe director Godfrey Kanyenze opined that the slump is attributable to two extreme weather phenomena, El Nino and Cyclone Idai. Said Kanyenze:
<blockquote>Well, the government has also indicated that they may also have to revise their (gross domestic product growth) as well. It is very simple and straight forward, it (IMF’s revision) is related to the El Nino-induced drought and the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.
Also, as you know there is the role of the primary factors that have had an adverse effect on the economy and the shortages of foreign currency. As you can see, a lot of companies are closing as a result of the acute shortages of foreign currency.
So, it is the El Nino-induced drought that has had a very adverse impact, the issue of Cyclone Idai which has worsened the situation and the absolute shortage of foreign currency.
These are just forecasts, predictions in terms of the weather, the foreign currency situation and reforms.</blockquote>
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<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/04/zim-will-slide-into-recession-imf/">Newsday</a></h4>

Zim's Economic Slump Attributed To El Nino & Cyclone Idai

The Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube gives an analysis of the impact of the 2% tax on the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. He mentioned the initially intended rationale behind the tax. He also reveals the contribution that was made by the tax in relation to Cyclone Idai. Ncube writes:
 
<blockquote>They say you can only know the true state of a car when you lift its bonnet and look inside. And so it was back in September, when I was appointed Minister of Finance, and got to take a look at the true state of our nation’s finances. The budget deficit was huge, and growing at a rate of hundreds of millions of US Dollars per month, causing spiralling domestic debt and inflation with negative spillovers to the rest of the economy.
If we were to have any chance to resurrect the Zimbabwean economy and build a better life for the people of this country, we would have to take tough and fast.
What was required was to cut unnecessary spending, while at the same time seeking new revenue sources.
We knew that the actions we needed to take would not necessarily make us popular, but they were necessary nonetheless.
I was comforted in this realisation by the wise words of Albert Einstein, who famously wrote that “What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.”
One of the key elements of our strategy to get our finances back on track was the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT), popularly referred to as the 2 percent Tax, which we introduced six months ago in October 2018, to replace the previous flat tax of 5 cents per transaction.
The purpose of this tax was twofold. First, it was intended that the 2 percent tax would raise significant revenue to be used to balance the budget and finance various priority development programmes. The tax’s performance in this regard has exceeded all expectations, and to date, we have collected $449 million. This money has helped to cut the monthly budget, for example from a US$242 million deficit in November to a surplus of US$733 million in December, and has also gone towards key projects such as dualisation of Norton strip of the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.
The second goal for this tax was to give government the ability to fund inescapable and unforeseen expenditures, without recourse to debt creating instruments such as Treasury Bills, through the establishment of a dedicated and ring-fenced fund.
We are well aware that we live in a region in which natural disasters are becoming sadly ever more common, and that therefore, must have the ability to respond to such events without creating further debt. 
The ongoing Cyclone Idai disaster is one such event.
The images of the dead, injured and displaced were heartbreaking, and the nation has been united in grief for the lives ruined by this devastating and unexpected disaster.
From a governmental perspective, Cyclone Idai necessitated an urgent and immediate need for resource mobilisation to mitigate against its effects and support those affected.
In the past, this would have meant further Government borrowing, leading to extra debt and long term economic ramifications.
But fortunately, funds from the 2 percent tax that were put aside for exactly this eventuality, and became available exactly when they were most needed.
We had initially earmarked $50 million to cover the emergency requirements for mitigating the impact of such a disaster, yet due to the increased performance of the fund, we were able to increase this allocation to a much needed $100million.
These funds are being used to help those who most in need of our help. 
This article is not intended to be self-congratulatory. Far from it. There is so much more to do to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Idai, and this sum we have put aside amounts to around one tenth of the estimated one billion dollars we require to cater for non-infrastructure supplies as well as quick infrastructure rehabilitation of roads and bridges, power, communication, irrigation, housing and water. The scale of the need will require the coordination and support of public, private and development partners, and while we greatly appreciate all the support we have already received, much more is needed.
But what Cyclone Idai has done is to reaffirm the need for long term economic planning and sobriety, even if it is unpopular. Nobody likes to be asked to pay more taxes, certainly not those who are already struggling to make ends meet. We are aware of this, and are doing all we can to spread the burden evenly, and minimise what we ask for from those who have the least.
But in just six months, the 2 percent tax has helped us to cut the deficit, invest in vital infrastructure, and put aside a sizeable sum that is being used to mitigate the effects of Cyclone Idai. Simply put, the 2 percent tax enables us to help those desperately in need of our assistance. Whatever your politics, whether popular or not, it is the right thing to do.
<h4>About the author</h4>
Hon. Prof Mthuli NcubeZimbabwe Minister of Finance &amp; Economic Development
</blockquote>
 
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More: <a href="https://www.financialgazette.co.zw/mthuli-ncube-discusses-impact-of-2-tax-in-aftermath-of-cyclone-idai/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Financial Gazette</a>

FULL TEXT: Impact Of The 2%

<blockquote>I have been involved in many disaster responses, in many countries and on 3 continents and I keep coming back to the same thoughts on events in the last 3 weeks.
I have never seen a response so spontaneous and in such volume from the average citizen of the affected country as I have seen in Zimbabwe over the last month. Usually, it is always the International NGOs and a bit of help from the national government which brings relief to the affected areas.
However as INGOs were rocking up to Chipinge they were met by Zimbabweans coming out of the area, having been there for a week already! Another unique aspect of this response is that it has involved Zimbabweans from across the socio-economic and geographic spectrum.
<ul>
<li>Local farmers in the area opening tabs at shops in the growth points for anyone who needs anything (sometimes up to $5,000)</li>
<li>The Zimbabwean 4×4 club assisting with road clearing and towing heavily laden trucks to distribution points.</li>
<li>Members of mountain bike and dirt bike clubs finding routes for aid convoys whilst relaying vital information about damage and accessibility.</li>
<li>The amazing donations coming from the average citizen and business owner in places like Harare and Bulawayo, where one church delivered 62 tonnes last week to Chimanimani and currently needs 100 volunteers to daily categorise and box the donations they have since received.</li>
</ul>
The many churches and pastors who began going into the affected areas before it had stopped raining to help with the recovery work. Some walking over 20 miles through muddy mountainous terrain to reach their friends in ministry to provide counselling and the vital medical supplies that they had brought in backpacks.
What makes this so amazing? Zimbabwe has been through a massive upheaval in the last 20 years. The wealth of our nation has been eroded, individual and company profits have been wiped out (twice), yet tonnes of aid and thousands of dollars are pouring in from all over the country.
Zimbabweans still love Zimbabweans. It is sad that it has been so long since we have seen such a groundswell of support and action for our fellow citizen.
As encouraging as all this is, let us not forget what this is about, and that is the victims of Cyclone Idai. Having spent time in the affected areas I am deeply moved by the devastation I have seen.
Thousands of tonnes of mud and debris with rocks the size of vehicles strewn down valleys that until recently had homesteads, bridges, police stations, schools etc. In one valley we covered, every wall that faced East was destroyed and many homesteads had multiple structures flattened.
The evidence of the power of the mudslides and wind during the storm was evident wherever you looked. Hearing story of after story from survivors has given me a glimpse of the horror they faced. Some pointing to the rubble in tears wishing they were buried with their missing family members who lie under 3m of mud and rock.
Yes food, blankets etc are needed but what is very clear to me is that we need to have professional and appropriate counselling and psychosocial care for these communities. As Africans this is something we do not like to get into, however, this needs to be prioritised in the short and medium term.
In the last week, there have been some cynics complaining about the slow progress of the response to the cyclone. To them, I would say “what would you expect?” This part of the country is already very remote with bottlenecked access and cell phone reception at the best of times.
The journal Nature has already written a paper on Why Cyclone Idai is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most devastating storms. Like most government departments the CPU has received very little in order for them to operate effectively over the last 10 years.
Most NGOs in Zimbabwe are not equipped to respond to such a disaster or at least need some time to relocate resources and staff from other offices and warehouses in the region. If our organisation had a helicopter on standby for the last 6 years waiting to respond to a flood, our donors would have said it would be an extravagance.
People are working tirelessly with a work ethic that is to be admired by any profession. What we need is better coordination from everyone involved, putting ego’s, retweets and funding opportunities to one side.
Unfortunately having spent time in affected communities I have seen first hand how entrenched the lack of professionalism and the corruption is within the local government offices, Police and CPU offices. This was no earthquake; the government knew this was coming before it arrived and simply calling it an “act of God” is a pathetic excuse for poor preventative measures.
One DA insisted that communities were exaggerating the damage from the cyclone and dismissed information from a ward saying that “those people just want things for free”. Officially only 6 people have been killed in the district, however, we know that 152 bodies were recovered from one location!
Aid agencies continue to be blocked or intimidated by local government officials with the intention to confiscate some or all of the items beings distributed. I know of civil servants bragging that they have plundered so much from the aid efforts that they are opening shops to sell all that they have plundered.
As we speak there are still thousands of households throughout the eastern districts of Zimbabwe that are cut off and desperately need food, clothing, medicine etc but local government offices are seizing aid shipments insisting that they, and only, they will decide who and where the aid will go.
Aid needs to be delivered to communities who have been affected by the cyclone, not to individuals and wards that “belong” to a certain party. If Zimbabwe is open for business, maybe we are not open to assistance?</blockquote>

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