Scholarship Opportunities

Part-Time Welder/ Fabricator (Harare)

Part-Time Repairs/ Faults Technicians (Harare)

Part-Time Solar Systems Installation Technician (Harare)

Part-Time Bookkeeper (Harare)

Business Development Officer (Harare)

Accountant

Deputy Librarian

ICT Technician (Bulawayo)

Library Assistants x2 (Harare)

Security Guards x3 (Harare)

Digital Campaign Officer (Harare)

Risk Analyst (Harare)

Furniture Designer (Bulawayo)

3 Wheeler Van Salesman (Bulawayo)

Regional Finance And Administration Assistant x4 (Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo & Gweru)

Homebased RGN (Harare)

DHIS2 Specialist (Tsholotsho)

Database Modeller (Bubi)

Provincial ICT Intern x3 (Tsholotsho)

Systems Support Specialist (Lupane)

Systems Engineer

Economic Strengthening and Household Officer x5

No Means No Officer (Bulawayo)

District Team Leader and Clinical Services and Mentorship Officer

Education, Parenting, and In-School Officers x5

GBV, RBM, and Child Protection Officers x5

HIV Prevention and ASRH Officer

Clinical Services and Mentorship Coordinator (Bulawayo)

GBV, Child Protection and Key Populations Coordinator (Bulawayo)

Strategic Information Officer (Bulawayo)

Data Officer (Bulawayo)

HIV Prevention and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator (Bulawayo)

Branch Managers (Kadoma & Shurugwi)

Products & Research Officer

Lecturer/senior Lecturer/associate Professor/ Professor: Department Of Agribusiness And Management

Livestock Technician

Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor/ Professor: Soil Biology And Fertility

Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor/ Professor In Ndebele

Sports Director

Catering And Accommodation Manager

Internal Auditor

Chief Security Officer

Director, Information And Communication Technology

Attachees (Harare)

Assistant Shelter Coordinator (Harare)

Branch Manager (Chiredzi)

System Release Analyst x2

Bancassurance Agents

Strategic Information & Evaluation Interns x6

Medical Laboratory Scientist (Bindura)

SHE Officer (Shurugwi)

Personal Assistant to the CEO (Harare)

Trainee Parts Picker

Cook Or Chef (Harare)

Graduate Trainee: Management (Harare)

Fabricator/ Boiler Maker Class 1: Contract (Mutare)

Maintenance Fitter: Contract (Mutare )

Receptionist (Harare)

Driver: Confucius Institute

Business Intelligence Specialist (Harare)

Network Technician

Telecommunications Technician

Graduate Trainee: Software Developer

Webmaster

Principal Accountants x2

Graduate Trainees x4

Assistant Accountants x2

Staff Development Fellows: Industrial Biotechnology Department x2

Field/ Greenhouse General Hand:Industrial Sciences And Technology Department x2

Staff Development Fellows: Biotechnology Department x3

Technician: Pharmaceutical Department (Post A)

Technician: Pharmaceutical Department (Post B)

Technical Assistant: Pharmaceutical Department

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor: Chemical & Process Systems Engineering Department x5

Staff Development Fellows: Chemical & Process Systems Engineering x4

Staff Development Fellows  x3

Clerk x2

Graduate Trainees ICT x4

Student Interns ICT x4

Electrician

Farm Manager

Goat Manager

Quality Assurance Auditor

Business Development Managers x2

Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator (Harare)

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Lecturer (Bulawayo)

Systems Support Analyst

Information & Communications Advisor (Harare)

Programme Quality Learning And Accountability Advisor (PQLA)

Grant Accountant (Harare)

Finance Assistant (Harare)

2024 Intake

Graphic Designer (Harare)

Lecturer: Motor Vehicle Mechanics

Lecturer: Automobile Electrics & Electronics

Mobile Equipment Operators (TLB, Bulldozer, Front-End Loader, Excavator and Grader-Final Cutter)

Drivers: All Classes (Harare)

Stores Timber Clerk (Bulawayo)

USAID Project Management Specialist (Budget)

A Zimbabwean healthcare worker has been awarded more than £25 000 after she was fired by bosses only days after arriving in the UK when they found out she was pregnant.
The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12314927/Healthcare-worker-30-came-UK-Zimbabwe-better-version-awarded-25-000-employment-tribunal-sacked-pregnant.html">Daily Mail</a> reported on Wednesday, 19 July that Felicity Khupe did not tell bosses she was pregnant when offered employment.
She left Zimbabwe for Britain in 2022 while expecting her second child after a UK firm sponsored her to come.
The 30-year-old was fired after they found she was six months along on her second day.
Khupe then sued Comforting Hands Recruitment for unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination and a tribunal said she “missed out on the excitement of being a mother” and now “lives in fear of being deported”.
The company, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, trains staff for deployment to residential homes and nursing homes across Yorkshire, East Riding and the North East.
Giving evidence to the tribunal, Khupe said when she said she was pregnant, the care coordinator said it was a bit tricky and she needed to talk to the director about it.
She said the director visited her the next day, telling her that “unfortunately” because of her pregnancy she could not continue working there. Said Khupe:
<blockquote>
[She told me] she was cancelling her Course of Sponsorship so I have to go back to Zimbabwe and I have to do it as soon as possible as I would be given 30 days by the Home Office after which my visa would be cancelled.
</blockquote>
Khupe further told the tribunal that she left company accommodation the following Saturday, just one week after arriving from Zimbabwe.
She said she would have taken six months of unpaid maternity leave if she had been able to keep her job, from October 2022 until April this year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

UK: Zimbabwean Healthcare Worker Fired For Being Pregnant Awarded £25 000 Compensation

The United Kingdom has offered millions of public sector workers salary increases in an attempt to end strikes triggered by a cost-of-living crisis.
The pay rise comes as thousands of junior doctors walked off the job in protest for five days.
So-called junior doctors, those who are in the early stages of their careers in the years after medical school, started their strike at 7 AM, demanding a 35 percent pay rise. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said:
<blockquote>
This five-day walkout by junior doctors will have an impact on thousands of patients, put patient safety at risk and hamper efforts to cut NHS waiting lists … A pay demand of 35 percent or more is unreasonable and risks fuelling inflation, which makes everyone poorer.
</blockquote>
The UK government decided to accept recommendations for pay increases, Treasury Chief Secretary John Glen said on Thursday.
Junior doctors will now get a 6 percent pay uplift and a lump-sum pay increase of 1 250 pounds (US$1 633.25).
Teachers will get 6.5 percent, police officers 7 percent and armed forces will receive a 5 percent salary increment.
Glen said there would be no new borrowing or spending to fund the increases.
However, teachers’ pay rises will be funded by a reallocation of the existing education department budget.
The pay increases are below the current 8.7 percent inflation rate but are aimed at bridging the gap.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to halve inflation and ministers have stressed the danger that increasing wages too far will undermine that goal and fuel rising prices.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

UK Govt Offers Civil Servants Pay Rise As Junior Doctors Strike

The United Kingdom (UK) is refusing to recognise metal driver’s licences for Zimbabweans living in that country.
This comes after the Zimbabwean Government recently launched plastic driver’s licences to replace metal discs.
The new licence has 13 categories which conform to the requirement of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic International Organisation for Standardisation and International Electro-Technical Commission.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200013242/uk-spurns-zim-metal-drivers-licences">NewsDay</a> has established that Zimbabweans living in the UK are failing to get their metal licences converted for use in that country.
The UK’s Driver’s Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is refusing to convert the licences saying the old metal licences no longer meet the criteria set by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans are now required to obtain an original “Certificate of Competency” to have their licences converted for use in the UK.
A certificate of competency is a temporary licence valid for 30 days which is issued to drivers who have passed the practical test at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID).
A Zimbabwean living in the UK told NewsDay that the development has affected a lot of care workers. Said the Zimbabwean national:
<blockquote>
Affected are a lot of care workers who have to drive from client to client to provide their services.
Also affected are Zimbabwean drivers in the UK who had been using their licences temporarily before converting.
</blockquote>
Responding in an email to Zimbabweans who had sought the embassy’s assistance, the consular officer for Ambassador Tendai Chimbandi said:
<blockquote>
The embassy has been consulting with DVLA and they have specified that for purposes of converting a licence they will only accept the Certificate of Competency (Blue paper issued by CVR to a person who has completed their driving test in Zimbabwe) and without it, they are not prepared to convert.
Regrettably, most people discard this document upon issuance of the metal disc.
Without the Certificate of Competency, UK DVLA has insisted that to drive in the UK, an applicant will have to complete the practical and theory tests.
</blockquote>
The Government says the plastic licence enables Zimbabweans to drive in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia, without conversion.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

UK Rejects Zimbabwean Metal Driver’s Licences

ZANU PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was not part of the heads of State and government who had a photo opportunity with King Charles III because Zimbabwe is not a Commonwealth member.
Mutsvangwa said this in response to reports Mnangagwa was snubbed during King Charles III’s coronation in London on Saturday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the burial of national hero Abraham Kabasa in Harare on Monday, Mutsvangwa said:
<blockquote>
We are not a member of the Commonwealth, the President is determined that we should be readmitted into the group of nations.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa added that Zimbabwe does not have the right to get close and personal with the king as it is not a Commonwealth member. He said:
<blockquote>
But as for Zimbabwe, we did not have the right because we are not yet a member of the grouping.
When we become a member, we would be part of those who will be close to the king.
We want to engage with countries that we have cordial relationships and re-engage those we have had frosty relationships with in the past.
Our President always says we are friends to all and enemies to none.
We were happy that our President was invited to King Charles III’s coronation.
When he was still a prince, he lowered the Union Jack (British flag) and raised the Zimbabwean flag after we had won the liberation struggle in 1980.
It’s a person who we like a lot and it was imperative for the President to attend.
This shows that the engagement between Harare and London is going in a good direction.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, other African leaders who attended Charles III’s coronation had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak but Mnangagwa got to meet the United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Andrew Mitchell.
Mnangagwa also met Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland who emphasised Commonwealth values in their discussion centred on re-admission.
Scotland said she was “pleased o welcome the President of Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa to Marlborough House for a courtesy call.”
She said they discussed a range of issues, including Zimbabwe’s ongoing application to rejoin the Commonwealth and reaffirmed the commitment to the values of the Commonwealth.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mutsvangwa Explains Why ED Missed Photoshoot With King Charles III

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described his meeting with the United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa Andrew Mitchell as an opportunity to work on the full restoration of relations between Zimbabwe and Britain.
Mnangagwa had travelled to the UK to attend the coronation of the new British monarch, King Charles III and returned home on Sunday. <a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1655316583378501635">Mnangagwa tweeted</a>:
<blockquote>
During my trip to London, I had the fantastic opportunity to sit down with the UK Minister for Africa, [ 
Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP].
Understanding what steps the UK thinks we must take and developing the relationship between the UK and Zimbabwe is an exciting opportunity for all of us.
</blockquote>
However, Team Pachedu, a group of data analysts active on Twitter, derided Mnangagwa’s trip to London, calling it “a trip of shame.” <a href="https://twitter.com/PacheduZW/status/1655185758930567168">They wrote</a>:
<blockquote>
ED was snubbed by both King Charles and the Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak.
He only met the UK Minister for Africa and the Commonwealth Secretary General, both of who expressed concern over the worsening Human Rights situation in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Other African leaders had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak but Mnangagwa got to meet Mitchell.
Mnangagwa also met Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland who emphasised Commonwealth values in their discussion centred on re-admission. <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-mnangagwa-missing-from-king-charles-iiis-historic-picture-with-state-leaders/">Said Scotland</a>:
<blockquote>
Pleased to welcome the President of Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa to Marlborough House for a courtesy call.
The President and I discussed a range of issues, including Zimbabwe’s ongoing application to rejoin the Commonwealth and reaffirmed the commitment to the values of the Commonwealth.
</blockquote>
Since Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 on the back of a military-assisted transition, a euphemism for a military coup, he has attempted to mend relations with the UK.
But despite his unexpected invitation to Charles III’s coronation, relations seem not to have thawed between Zimbabwe and its former colonial master.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Hails UK "Trip Of Shame"

UK Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, who is also the Justice Secretary has resigned after months of allegations about bullying behaviour in the Ministry of Justice and other Whitehall departments.
Raab, a senior Conservative MP, had faced multiple formal complaints over his dealings with civil servants.
It was alleged that he bullied and belittled staff, driving some to tears or causing them to vomit before meetings.
The resignation follows a five-month probe, by a senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC, which was set up by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after complaints about Raab’s behaviour as a minister.
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65333983">BBC</a> reported that Tolley was investigating eight formal complaints of bullying against Raab, who was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary in October 2022.
The bullying complaints, which involved 24 people, relate to Raab’s previous periods as Justice Secretary and Foreign Secretary under Boris Johnson, and his time as Brexit secretary under Theresa May.
Below is Dominic Raab’s resignation letter in full:
<blockquote>
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC.
I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word.
It has been a privilege to serve you as deputy prime minister, justice secretary and lord chancellor.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015 and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked.
Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me.
I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government.
First, ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise, the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility will be lost.
This was particularly true during my time as foreign secretary, in the context of the Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by cabinet.
Second, ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expects of us.
Of course, this must be done within reasonable bounds. Mr. Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone.
I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice.
That is, however, what the public expects of ministers working on their behalf.
In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government – and ultimately the British people.
Finally, I raised with you a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry.
They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated private secretaries from my Ministry of Justice private office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed.
I remain as supportive of you and this government, as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July.
You have proved a great prime minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches.
Yours sincerely,
Dominic Raab
</blockquote>
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More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
</div>
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UK Deputy Prime Minister Quits After Bullying Allegations

The United Kingdom (UK) has announced that Zimbabwe is now on the Red List therefore, active recruitment is not permitted from Zimbabwe.
Active international recruitment in the code is defined as the process by which UK health and social care employers target individuals to market UK employment opportunities, with the intention of recruiting to a role in the UK health or social care sector. 
It includes both physical or virtual targeting, and whether or not these actions lead to substantive employment.
In a notice seen by Pindula News, the UK government said the only exception to this definition is where a candidate has already been appointed by a UK employer following an independent direct application and selection without the support of a recruitment organisation, agency or collaboration (defined below).
In this case, if required, these organisations can support and facilitate the employee’s passage to the UK. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the recruitment organisation, agency or collaboration, if challenged, to provide evidence that the services they are providing are permitted under this exception.
<h3>Direct application</h3>
A ‘direct application’ is when an individual makes an application directly and on their own behalf to an employing organising. Direct applications do not use a third party, such as a recruitment organisation, agency or collaboration.
Individual health and social care employers may consider direct applications from individuals who are residents in countries on the <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240069787" rel="external"><abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023</a> if they have made a direct application to a vacancy at their organisation. See ‘Annex A: red and amber list countries below.
A direct application can only be made in response to a vacancy that is hosted by and recruited to, the same sponsoring organisation.
Resident: For the purpose of this code of practice, ‘resident’ refers to the country an individual is living in when they apply for a health or social care job. The rules on active recruitment and direct applications are based on the country within which an individual is a resident when they apply for a health or social care job, rather than the nationality of the individual or their original country of training.
Red and amber list countries: Countries on the <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240069787" rel="external"><abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List</a> are graded red, which means no active recruitment is permitted from these countries.
The WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List is updated by WHO every 3 years, or more frequently if required.
<h4>Red countries – active recruitment is not permitted</h4>
<ul>
<li>Afghanistan</li>
<li>Angola</li>
<li>Bangladesh</li>
<li>Benin</li>
<li>Burkina Faso</li>
<li>Burundi</li>
<li>Cameroon</li>
<li>Central African Republic</li>
<li>Chad</li>
<li>Comoros</li>
<li>Congo</li>
<li>Congo, Democratic Republic of</li>
<li>Côte d’Ivoire</li>
<li>Djibouti</li>
<li>Equatorial Guinea</li>
<li>Eritrea</li>
<li>Ethiopia</li>
<li>Gabon</li>
<li>Gambia, The</li>
<li>Ghana</li>
<li>Guinea</li>
<li>Guinea-Bissau</li>
<li>Haiti</li>
<li>Kiribati</li>
<li>Lao People’s Democratic Republic</li>
<li>Lesotho</li>
<li>Liberia</li>
<li>Madagascar</li>
<li>Malawi</li>
<li>Mali</li>
<li>Mauritania</li>
<li>Micronesia, Federated States of</li>
<li>Mozambique</li>
<li>Niger</li>
<li>Nigeria</li>
<li>Pakistan</li>
<li>Papua New Guinea</li>
<li>Rwanda</li>
<li>Samoa</li>
<li>Senegal</li>
<li>Sierra Leone</li>
<li>Solomon Islands</li>
<li>Somalia</li>
<li>South Sudan</li>
<li>Sudan</li>
<li>Tanzania, United Republic of</li>
<li>Timor-Leste</li>
<li>Togo</li>
<li>Tuvalu</li>
<li>Uganda</li>
<li>Vanuatu</li>
<li>Yemen, Republic of</li>
<li>Zambia</li>
<li>Zimbabwe</li>
</ul>
Amber countries – international recruitment is only permitted in compliance with the terms of the government-to-government agreement
<ul>
<li>Kenya</li>
<li>Nepal</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

UK Says Zimbabwe Is Now On Red List, Active Recruitment Not Permitted

The North Yorkshire County Council in the United Kingdom has recruited 29 qualified social workers from South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The first group of social workers arrived in Harrogate towards the end of last year and the second group arrived in January and February of this year.
The new arrivals have been given three weeks of training and will also be assisted to settle in the United Kingdom.
The <a href="https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/social-workers-recruited-from-zimbabwe-and-south-africa-begin-work-in-harrogate-4047049">Harrogate Advertiser</a> quoted North Yorkshire County Council’s Conservative executive member for health and adult services, Councillor Michael Harrison, as saying:
<blockquote>
We have recruited 29 qualified social workers from South Africa and Zimbabwe using a network of specialist agencies and working alongside other councils.
They will work across the county in what is a great opportunity to help this group of professional social workers further their careers in North Yorkshire whilst filling vacancies in specialist areas where there is a national workforce shortage.
We will monitor the success of this recruitment campaign closely, whilst continuing to advertise our current vacancies regionally and nationally.
</blockquote>
The report says the North Yorkshire County Council decided to recruit social workers from Zimbabwe and South Africa after several large recruitment campaigns in the United Kingdom for more than 30 social worker vacancies had “very limited” success.
The report says the new recruits were also often newly qualified social workers and were not yet ready to manage more complex work.
On any given day, there are at least 1 000 care jobs available across the United Kingdom.
More <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Social Workers Recruited From Zimbabwe Begin Work In Harrogate, UK

Zimbabwe could lose more qualified teachers to brain drain in the coming months after Britain said it will start recruiting teachers from the country and three other African nations.
Zimbabwean teachers are eligible for a qualified teacher status (QTS) in the United Kingdom with effect from 1 February 2023.
Qualified teacher status is a confirmation that one has the right training and meets the standards required to teach in most primary and secondary schools in England.
Local unions representing teachers on Wednesday warned that the country could face a mass exodus of teachers in the coming months.
Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said:
<blockquote>
There are calls for teachers even in the southern African region countries such as Botswana and South Africa, among others.
This year alone, we have 15 teachers who have formally bid farewell to us, not talking of those who are silently packing their bags.
Teachers have also been captured by UK job vacancies. It is a sad story. Elderly teachers should be enjoying the fruit of their work in Zimbabwe, but they are going to other countries to work there.
We are suffering a serious brain drain in the country that will affect starting this year and beyond.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said:
<blockquote>
It is not surprising that we will see a massive exodus of teachers, even school heads and their deputies this coming year.
Teachers have been calling for better wages and the stampede to apply for the UK and other countries’ vacant posts is a cause of concern.
This is a wake-up call for the government, which should act with urgency to improve the conditions of service and retain the teachers.
</blockquote>
Thousands of teachers have reportedly formed groups on social media where they share and access information on the opportunities since the UK announced that it will be recruiting teachers from Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean teachers and other civil servants have been pushing the government to be paid pre-October 2018 salaries of at least US$540, but the government says it doesn’t have the money. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005043/mass-teacher-exodus-looms">NewsDay</a>

Mass Exodus Of Teachers Looms - Unions

China has recalled six diplomats from the United Kingdom who police wanted to question over the alleged assault of a man while protesting outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester in October.
British foreign minister James Cleverly welcomed the removal of the officials, including the Consul General in Manchester.
Cleverly had raised British concern over the incident with Chinese diplomats.
British police had been investigating allegations that a protestor was beaten by several men after being dragged inside the grounds of the consulate in Manchester during a demonstration against Chinese President Xi Jinping.
On Wednesday Cleverly told reporters that the UK police had requested six Chinese officials waive diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned and the embassy had been informed. He said:
<blockquote>
We set a deadline that expired today, making it clear that we expected them to take action.
In response to our request, the Chinese government has now removed from the UK those officials, including the Consul General himself.
This demonstrates that our adherence to the rule of law, the seriousness with which we take (this) instance, has had an effect… it is right that the Chinese government has now removed these officials from the UK.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20221214-china-recalls-six-diplomats-from-uk-after-manchester-consulate-violence">France24</a>

China Recalls Six Diplomats From UK After Consulate Violence

A Zimbabwean woman, Josephine Siziba, was recently elected councillor on a Labour Party ticket in Benton Ward, in Newcastle, United Kingdom (UK).
Siziba celebrated her victory with a cultural inauguration ceremony presided over by dethroned Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni this weekend.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/another-zim-woman-elected-ward-councillor-in-the-uk/">CITE</a>, Ndiweni said that the more Zimbabweans are elected to political office around the world, the more the diaspora community will influence Zimbabwe’s domestic politics. He said:
<blockquote>
The election of Josephine Siziba is important because it begins a road map that is beneficial to Zimbabwe, in a profound manner.
Such benefits are observed in the election of Rishi Sunak as the first British Prime Minister with an Asian background.
Indeed, the more Zimbabweans are elected to political office all over the world, the more they will influence and change Zimbabwe’s domestic politics.
The last time a black Councillor was elected here was some 48 years ago. Now it was a Zimbabwean woman that had been elected. That is history in the making.
</blockquote>
The former chief claimed that there are now over 90 Zimbabweans serving as councillors in various countries, as well as a handful of Members of Parliament. He said:
<blockquote>
This is how we raise the profile of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean diaspora achieving such positions, enables them to bring jobs to Zimbabweans, bring investment to Zimbabwe, bring resources to Zimbabwe, open markets for Zimbabwe, and encourage trade between Zimbabwe and other nations among other benefits.
</blockquote>
Siziba had been active in fighting to reduce racism activities as a refugee. In 2016, she appeared in the news participating in a protest in Newcastle against the English Defence League (EDL), a far-right movement.

Zimbabwean Woman Elected Ward Councillor In Britain

The United Kingdom says it does not support or fund any political party in Zimbabwe and has no view on who should win the 2023 general elections.
The British Embassy in Harare on Wednesday released a statement stating its position on the matter.
It also called for an environment that allows all political parties to campaign freely and peacefully, without violence and intimidation. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The UK does not support or fund any political party in Zimbabwe. We have no view on who should win next year’s elections; that is for Zimbabwean voters to decide. We talk to the Government and to all political parties.
Zimbabwe’s constitution provides for an election process where all political parties are allowed to campaign freely and peacefully, without violence and intimidation, and where voters can vote for the party and the candidates of their choice, without fear of reprisals.
Fulfilling these conditions will allow Zimbabweans to have full confidence in their electoral process.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, the Political Parties (Finances) Act [Chapter 2:11] of 2001 prohibits foreign donations to political parties or individual candidates.

Britain Says It Does Not Fund Political Parties In Zimbabwe

The United Kingdom is set to engage South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead other African leaders to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure that Zimbabwe holds free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
The issue was debated in the British House of Lords last Thursday after it was raised by Baroness Kate Hoey. She said:
<blockquote>
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Oates has outlined the shocking violence perpetrated by ZANU PF and Mnangagwa on anyone, really, who opposes the regime.
The economic situation is dire, and hunger is being used against anyone who opposes the regime.
Does not the visit of the South African President — the first state visit under His Majesty the King — give the government a wonderful opportunity to work with the South African government and talk to them about how they, and other countries in Africa, can influence together to ensure that there really will be free and fair elections next year in Zimbabwe?
</blockquote>
In his response, the UK’s minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith said the issue of Zimbabwe will be discussed during Ramaphosa’s visit. He said:
<blockquote>
There is no doubt that South Africa, and indeed southern African countries, not least through SADC, have a particular ability to influence Zimbabwe, far more so than we can.
I am sure that the topic we are discussing today will be on the agenda when the visit happens.
</blockquote>
Lord Robert Hayward, who was one of the Commonwealth election observers in the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe, said the elections were not free and fair and challenged the UK to put pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). He said:
<blockquote>
My lords, reference has already been made to the elections in 2018; at that time I was one of the observers from this country on behalf of the Commonwealth, with the noble Baroness, Lady Jay.
The report was pretty damning, particularly in relation to the events after the general election in 2018.
Can my noble friend (Goldsmith) ensure that very strong representations are made to the electoral commission because it has been lamentable in any action?
It was before the 2018 election, and there is no sign that it will enforce any form of free and fair elections next year.
</blockquote>
Goldsmith said the British government was aware that Mnangagwa is keen on re-establishing cordial relations between the two countries and that gives the UK an opportunity to put pressure on Harare to reform. He said:
<blockquote>
We will use whatever leverage we have to maximise the chance of free and fair elections.
I make a broader point: we know that President Mnangagwa wants more engagement with the UK — that is clear— and in many respects we want him to have that too.
However, deeper re-engagement with the UK will require meaningful political and economic reform and respect for human rights and the rule of law in line with the President’s own stated commitments when he took office.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/zim-2023-polls-britain-to-engage-ramaphosa/">The NewsHawks</a>

Britain To Engage Ramaphosa Over Zimbabwe's 2023 General Elections

Rishi Sunak was on Tuesday, 25 October confirmed as the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister taking over from Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Truss, who was on the job for only 44 days.
Sunak won the Conservative leadership contest after rival Penny Mordaunt failed to secure enough backing from Members of Parliament.
Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about Rishi Sunak:
<h2>He is Rich</h2>
According to BBC, Sunak’s wife is Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy.
Sunak himself has worked for the investment bank Goldman Sachs and at two hedge funds.
The Sunday Times Rich List estimates the couple’s fortune to be worth about £730 million.
Sunak and Murty’s combined fortune is double the estimated £300m-£350m wealth of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, according to The Guardian.
They own four properties spread across the world and valued at more than £15m.
<h2>His Family</h2>
Sunak is the UK’s first ever person of colour to lead the country and the first Hindu prime minister.
He was born in Southampton in 1980 to Indian parents who had moved to the UK from east Africa.
His father was a GP and his mother ran her own pharmacy. He is the eldest of three children.
Sunak and his wife Akshata have two daughters.
<h2>Age</h2>
At 42, Sunak is younger than every predecessor except William Pitt the Younger who became Prime Minister aged 24 and was in office from 1783 to 1801 and then again from 1804 until his death in 1806 at the age of 46. 
<h2>Rise to the top</h2>
He has gone from Member of Parliament to Prime Minister in just seven years – faster than any other PM in the modern era.
Pitt the Younger holds the overall record with just two years.
<h2>Friends and hobbies</h2>
Sunak “collects Coca-Cola things”, as he told two school pupils, before saying “I am a Coke addict, I am a total Coke addict,” then, as the pupils sniggered, clarifying “Coca-Cola addict, just for the record”. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/25/who-is-rishi-sunak-everything-you-need-to-know-about-britains-next-prime-minister">The Guardian</a>
<h2>He ran for office twice in 2022</h2>
He lost to Liz Truss in September, but she resigned six weeks later.
In the latest leadership contest, Sunak racked up the support of his fellow MPs early, and fast.
He crossed the 100 nominations he needed long before the deadline – including from MPs that had previously backed Truss or Boris Johnson. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63345272">BBC News</a>

"Richer Than The King", A Quick Guide To The UK’s New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak is set to become the United Kingdom’s New Prime Minister after being elected leader of the Conservative party following his victory against Penny Mordaunt. 
Former Prime Minister Theresa May sent Sunak a congratulatory message saying he will provide the competent leadership the UK needs. In a statement seen by Pindula News, May said:
<blockquote>
Congratulations @RishiSunak on becoming Leader of the Conservative Party. Rishi will provide the calm, competent, pragmatic leadership our country needs at this deeply challenging time. He has my full support.
</blockquote>
Sunak is taking over from Liz Truss who resigned just 44 days after assuming the Prime Minister position.
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/britishs-conservative-party-picks-liz-truss-to-replace-boris-johnson-as-prime-minister/">Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Truss who took over from Boris Johnson</a> was expected to curb the country’s cost-of-living crisis, industrial unrest, and recession.
The situation further deteriorated further during her reign forcing her to resign after just 44 days in office making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.

Rishi Sunak Set To Become UK's New Prime Minister

The Liberal Democrats, a UK opposition party, has urged the ruling Conservative party to ban former Prime Minister Boris Johnson from standing for leadership again.
This follows the resignation of Liz Truss on Thursday after only 44 days in office.
Truss was voted Prime Minister by members of the Conservative party Johnson following his after a string of scandals.
Johnson is among Tories who are thought to be interested in taking over from Truss, but the Lib Dems say that should not be allowed to happen.
In a statement the Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said:
<blockquote>
The fact that Conservative MPs are even considering putting Boris Johnson back in Number 10 shows how out of touch they really are. They think there’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.
Boris Johnson was forced to resign in disgrace after countless lies, scandals and failures. He shattered public trust in the government and plunged the UK into a political crisis. He must never be allowed near Downing Street again.
</blockquote>

UK: Lib Dems Urge Tories To Ban Boris Johnson From Leadership Contest

The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Truss has resigned after just 44 days in office.
She made the announcement outside Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The previous record was set at 119 days by George Canning who died in office in 1827.
Truss’ resignation follows her near-complete loss of political authority which has seen her lose two key ministers and the loss of confidence of almost all her own MPs. 
Truss said she has spoken with the King to notify him that she is resigning as the leader of the Conservative party., reported <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/oct/20/uk-politics-live-liz-truss-tories-turmoil-suella-braverman-resigns-fracking">The Guardian</a>.
She said she would remain as prime minister until a successor is chosen.
Earlier Truss met with the chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, where they “agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week”. She said:
<blockquote>
I recognise though given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party.
</blockquote>
Truss’ finance minster Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled £45bn of tax cuts in her third week, in what they called a “mini-budget”.
However, the measures were widely blamed for causing huge economic problems and this resulted in Kwarteng’s sacking as chancellor.
Dozens of Tories (Conservatives) called on Truss to step down and her Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned.
She had to hire former rivals Grant Shapps and Jeremy Hunt to plug the gaps in her top team. Shapps replaced Braverman while Hunt took over as Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) from Kwarteng.
<h2>Liz Truss’s resignation speech in full</h2>
<blockquote>
I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability.
Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills.
Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent.
And our country had been held back for too long by low economic growth.
I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this.
We delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.
And we set out a vision for a low tax, high growth economy – that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.
I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.
I have therefore spoken to His Majesty The King to notify him that I am resigning as Leader of the Conservative Party.
This morning I met the Chair of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady.
We have agreed there will be a leadership election to be completed in the next week.
This will ensure we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.
I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen.
Thank you.
</blockquote>

UK Prime Minister Quits After 44 Days In Office

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has fired Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) Kwasi Kwarteng, the first black person to hold the portfolio, and replaced him with former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Hunt.
Kwarteng, who held the portfolio for only 38 days, cut short a trip to the United States and met Truss for crunch talks in Downing Street.
Truss is expected to announce a U-turn on business tax cuts at a news conference in Downing Street on Friday afternoon.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Kwarteng said he still supported Truss’ vision for economic growth. He wrote:
<blockquote>
You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted.
When you asked me to serve as your Chancellor, I did so in the full knowledge that the situation we faced was incredibly difficult, with rising global interest rates and energy prices.
However, your vision of optimism, growth and change was right.
As I have said many times in the past weeks, following the status quo was simply not an option.
For too long this country has been dogged by low growth rates and high taxation – that must still change if this country is to succeed.
The economic environment has changed rapidly since we set out the Growth Plan on 23 September.
In response, together with the Bank of England and excellent officials at the Treasury, we have responded to those events, and I commend my officials for their dedication.
It is important now as we move forward to emphasise your government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.
The Medium-Term Fiscal Plan is crucial to this end, and I look forward to supporting you and my successor to achieve that from the backbenches.
We have been colleagues and friends for many years. In that time, I have seen your dedication and determination.
I believe your vision is the right one. It has been an honour to serve as your first Chancellor.
Your success is this country’s success and I wish you well.
</blockquote>

UK's First Black Minister Of Finance Sacked After 38 Days In Office

The United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Mary Elizabeth Truss, has appointed Kwasi Kwarteng (47) as the country’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) becoming the first black person to hold the post.
Truss is the third female UK Prime Minister after Margaret Hilda Thatcher (1979 to 1990) and Theresa May (2016 to 2019), with all three coming from the Conservative party.
According to BBC News via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/uk-appoints-first-black-treasury-head/">The Herald</a>, Kwarteng was born in the UK in 1975, but his parents came to the UK from Ghana in the 1960s as students.
He takes over from Nadhim Zahawi, an Iraqi-born Kurd, who himself succeeded Rishi Sunak, of Indian origin.
As the UK government’s chief financial minister, Kwarteng is responsible for raising revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling public spending. Below is Kwarteng’s profile according to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/chancellor-of-the-exchequer#:~:text=Kwasi%20Kwarteng%20was%20appointed%20Chancellor,Business%2C%20Energy%20and%20Industrial%20Strategy.">GOV.UK</a>:
<blockquote>
He was previously Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy between 8 January 2021 and 6 September 2022.
He was previously Minister of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Kwasi was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Exiting the European Union from 16 November 2018 to 24 July 2019.
Kwasi read classics and history at Trinity College, Cambridge, and then attended Harvard University on a Kennedy Scholarship. He earned a PhD in economic history from the University of Cambridge in 2000.
Before becoming a Member of Parliament, Kwasi worked as an analyst in financial services.
Kwasi was elected the Conservative MP for Spelthorne in 2010. From 2010 until 2013 he was a member of the Transport Select Committee, and in 2013 he joined the Work and Pensions Select Committee where he was a member until 2015.
In October 2016 Kwasi joined the Public Accounts Committee, where he was a member until May 2017.
In 2015 Kwasi was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords, and in 2017 he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
</blockquote>

UK's Third Female Prime Minister Appoints First Black Minister Of Finance

Investigations by the Telegraph have found out that Zimbabwean nurses are being tricked into going to the United Kingdom by unscrupulous middlemen who withhold up to half their wages and force them to live in poverty.
The agencies – often run by Zimbabweans in the UK and unregulated – are reportedly taking advantage of the acute shortages of nursing and care staff across Britain’s hospitals and care homes as well as poor wages in Zimbabwe to lure the health care workers to the UK.
Jim Moyo (not real name), who moved to the UK from Harare in November 2018 to work in a care home in Margate, told Telegraph that exploitation of Zimbabwean health professionals in the UK is rampant. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
When you are working for an agency [in the UK], they pay you 50 per cent of your total salary.
You are getting paid £14 per hour, but then these guys will pay you £7.
</blockquote>
He added that, once the tax was deducted, he was left with just £4 per hour for “rent, food and all sorts of expenses”. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
[The agency] tells you: ‘I paid for your accommodation, flights, visa, [I’m] your sponsor’. It’s like a hideous loan.
</blockquote>
Hillary Musarurwa, a Zimbabwe-born social scientist in England, said:
<blockquote>
Exploitation does not start on arrival [in the UK]. It starts during the application process [in Zimbabwe].
</blockquote>
Not only health care workers are leaving Zimbabwe for the UK but also ex-teachers and geologists are retraining for UK care work, according to Joseph Zuze (not real name), a trainee nurse at Mutare Hospital, who plans to emigrate to the UK when he graduates.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) is highly coveted, which has led to it being exploited by middlemen, according to Zimbabweans.
Zuze told Telegraph that he and his wife had been scammed by “agents” who charged $380 to put her on the training waitlist, despite the official Red Cross certification costing just $300.
These agents are not in any way employed, endorsed or contracted by Red Cross Zimbabwe and there is no evidence Red Cross Zimbabwe is aware of them. Said Zuze:
<blockquote>
This has created another huge web of corruption; care agencies in the UK, run by Zimbabwe nationals, [are] gifting the COS to their relatives and friends first and anyone else [faces] hefty fees that reach £4,000.
</blockquote>
Another Zimbabwe-born nurse working for the NHS in North London claimed that she knew someone in the UK “charging £7,000”.
Taffi Nyawanza, head of immigration at Mezzle Law in Birmingham who is well-known in Zimbabwe’s UK diaspora community, said:
<blockquote>
UK law is clear. A recruitment agency cannot charge a fee for ‘placing’ an employee.
The person who ‘assigns’ or prepares and allocates the [COS] must not be related to the prospective employee.
[If] this is the case, the relationship must be fully disclosed to the Home Office.
</blockquote>
However regulation of these agencies is weak. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) suggested that although it is unacceptable that some overseas-based agencies are charging fees to place candidates with jobs in Britain, it cannot do anything about it because the actors are not under UK jurisdiction. Said a spokesperson:
<blockquote>
We understand repayment clauses may be used by some organisations to recoup upfront costs if internationally recruited staff do not meet the terms of their contract.
The vast majority of care workers are employed by private sector providers who ultimately set their pay, terms and conditions independent of central government. 
However, we would be concerned if repayment costs were disproportionate or punitive.
</blockquote>
According to Tich Dauramanzi, a Zimbabwe-born engineer who ran a legitimate care staffing agency in Stoke-on-Trent until 2017, the health care workers are also subject to zero-hours contracts, which means an employer does not guarantee the individual any hours of work. He said:
<blockquote>
This is slavery happening in front of our eyes. I strongly believe we are going to have a court case very soon. Most of these employers owe people more money than they can ever pay.
[Recruitment companies] are recruiting a lot of young [Zimbabweans]. For some, this is the first time they have been employed.
Most of them are gripped by the fear factor. They’re told ‘here’s your only chance to come to the UK.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/how-nurses-recruited-zimbabwe-caught-uk-bonded-labour-schemes/">Telegraph</a>

Nurses Recruited From Zimbabwe Are Being Exploited In UK | Report

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned as leader of the Conservative party.
Johnson signalled his intention to quit as Prime Minister, saying the process of selecting a new party leader will begin next week, with a new Prime Minister expected to be in place by the Autumn.
In a statement outside Downing Street this Thursday, Johnson blamed the “herd instinct” of Tory MPs for pushing him out of office, after a series of cabinet ministers told him he had lost the support of the party.
Johnson’s resignation comes following dozens of resignations from his government, including former chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Sunak’s replacement, Nadhim Zahawi, also called for Johnson to go.
Sunak, Ben Wallace, Liz Truss, Sajid Javid, Penny Mordaunt, Jeremy Hunt, Tom Tugendhat, and Suella Braverman are likely to be among those who will stand to become the Prime Minister.
Johnson’s exit follows three years of scandals, including anger over his handling of harassment allegations against Chris Pincher, the deputy chief whip; a police fine over lockdown parties in Downing Street, attempts to change the standards system, and accusations of breaking international law.
He became prime minister in 2019, taking over from Theresa May with a promise to “get Brexit done”.
Johnson won an 80-seat majority in a general election in December 2019 and took the UK out of the EU.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/07/boris-johnson-resigns-as-conservative-leader-after-cabinet-revolt">The Guardian</a></h4>

Boris Johnson Resigns As Leader Of UK's Ruling Party

A Zimbabwean nursing couple based in the United Kingdom has established a recruitment agency targeting Zimbabwe’s health workers.
Mqondisi and Shine Ndebele established a recruitment agency, “GoodNews For Life” targeting Zimbabweans from Bulawayo and Matabeleland region in particular.
They registered their organisation with the National Health Services (NHS), which handles health workers’ employment issues in the UK.
Shine, who is the company’s chief executive officer, said Zimbabwean health workers have over the years fallen prey to fraudsters. She said:
<blockquote>
My husband and I are nurses and we came here last year. While I came to the UK on a spousal visa, meaning I didn’t face many challenges as my husband was already here, his experiences are what prompted us to start this company.
He spent almost a year trying to get a reputable organisation to bring him here, which causes a lot of desperation.
So from those experiences, we realised that there is a gap that exists that can be exploited.
So, we decided to set up our own agency. Most of the recruitment agencies are not run by Zimbabweans and this is part of the problem that we want to address.
</blockquote>
She urged her compatriots to exercise due diligence before migrating to other countries for economic opportunities to avoid being exploited by human traffickers. Said, Shine:
<blockquote>
If someone is offered a job, they should make sure they thoroughly check if the company that is offering them employment opportunities is in existence, is registered and all the necessary information.
These days through information communication technology it is easier to conduct background checks on organisations for their authenticity.
There is no need to rush, people have to be patient because as a result of the pressure of seeing others leaving some people end up being desperate and falling into wrong hands.
We have heard of cases where people end up getting into trouble while trying to seek employment outside the country.
</blockquote>
She said they will be recruiting nurses, social workers, radiographers, scientists and health care assistants in line with the NHS expectations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/uk-nursing-couple-sets-up-recruitment-agency/">Chronicle</a></h4>

UK-based Zim Nursing Couple Sets Up Recruitment Agency

Zimdancehall artiste Freeman, real name Energy Sylvester Chizanga, has cancelled his tour to the United Kingdom on the eleventh hour
The musician was scheduled to stage shows in Manchester tomorrow (16 April) and in Birmingham on the 17th and 18th.
In a statement this Friday, Freeman said he was forced to cancel the tour due to travel logistics that could not be arranged in time for the show. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s with a heavy heart we regret to inform our fans in England Freeman HKD &amp; HKD Band will not be present for Zim Independence Weekender which is scheduled for April 16th Manchester, April 17th Birmingham, and April 18th Birmingham.
Unfortunately, it is beyond our control, circumstances with our travel logistics and requirements have left us with no choice but to cancel our performance. Our travel documents were not returned to us on time to make it for the shows.
As HKD we thrive to bring you the best experience we can offer and we cannot do that without our full team on the ground.
We sincerely apologize to all our fans in England, sometimes things just don’t go the way you want. We hope soon we can be together.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Freeman Cancels UK Tour, Cites Travel Logistical Challenges

The United Kingdom is set to scrap all remaining COVID-19 travel rules on Friday.
UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, confirmed in a tweet that the rules will end at 4 AM on Friday.
People who arrive in the UK after 4 AM, Friday 18 March, will not need to take any COVID-19 tests before they travel or after they arrive.
Travellers will also not be required to fill in a UK passenger locator form before they arrive.
Passengers who are not fully vaccinated will no longer have to take COVID-19 tests before and after travelling to the UK.
Travellers also will not need to quarantine when they arrive, in line with current rules. Shapps tweeted:
<blockquote>
These changes are possible due to our vaccine rollout and mean greater freedom in time for Easter.
</blockquote>
The changes in UK travel rules have been welcomed by some figures in the travel industry. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said:
<blockquote>
Today’s announcement sends a clear message to the world – the UK travel sector is back.
With travellers returning to the UK no longer burdened by unnecessary forms and testing requirements, we can now look forward to the return to pre-Covid normality throughout the travel experience.
</blockquote>
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson welcomed the latest move saying it will help further restore consumer confidence.
<blockquote>
The removal of all remaining UK travel restrictions is the final important step towards frictionless air travel, helping to further restore consumer confidence as we welcome more customers back to the skies this spring and summer.
To uphold the experience of all travellers, it’s vital that the UK Government works closely with industry to ensure the UK border is ready for increasing passengers, as international travel ramps up.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60741158">BBC News</a></h4>

UK Govt To Remove All COVID-19 Travel Rules On Friday

Human Rights groups in the United Kingdom say they fear for the safety of Zimbabwean nationals deported on a Home Office charter flight on Wednesday night.
The deportation flight left Birmingham Airport for Harare, despite concerns raised about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.
The number of the deportees could not be ascertained but some campaign groups estimated 10 people were on board.
One of the deportees, according to Karen Doyle of the Movement for Justice group, had lived in Britain for more than 20 years and suffered from mental health difficulties.
Black Activists Rising Against Cuts national chair Zita Holbourne, who has been campaigning to stop the flight, said the majority of men targeted for deportation had fled political persecution in Zimbabwe. Said Holbourne:
<blockquote>
It’s disgraceful to deport people knowing their lives will be at risk in Zimbabwe and whose only family are here in the UK. Many came to the UK as children with their parents fleeing persecution.
</blockquote>
The campaigners fear that some of the deportees were human rights and political activists and are in danger from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government which allegedly uses abductions, torture, arbitrary arrests and violent assaults to silence critics.
Meanwhile, the UK Home Office has defended the deportations, saying those being removed are criminals. It said:
<blockquote>
The government makes no apology for removing murderers, rapists and child abusers and those with no legal right to be in the UK.
Since January 2019 we have removed over 10 017 foreign criminals.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/campaigners-fear-for-the-lives-of-zimbabwean-nationals-deported-on-home-office%E2%80%93charter-flight">Morning Star</a></h4>

UK Human Rights Groups Fear For The Lives Of Zimbabwean Deportees

If you’re planning to travel to Zimbabwe, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/coronavirus">Coronavirus section</a>.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check your cover. See the <abbr title="Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office">FCDO</abbr>’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance">guidance on foreign travel insurance</a>.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/coronavirus#covid-19-vaccines-if-you-live-in-zimbabwe">Coronavirus page</a>.
You should avoid any political gatherings or demonstrations. These can be unpredictable, can turn violent without notice and the response from the security forces may be disproportionate. You should exercise a high degree of caution and monitor local media and this travel advice for updates.
Taking photographs of police and armed forces personnel and of demonstrations and protests is not permitted. You should avoid political activity or activities which could be considered political, including political discussions in public places. Ensure you carry identification, so that you can produce it if required to do so by the security forces. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security#Political-situation">Political situation</a>
Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains unpredictable. Whilst the primary legal tender in Zimbabwe is the “Zimbabwe Dollar”, it is currently possible for tourists to transact using the US Dollar at the official exchange rate. This may change without notice.
There is a shortage of physical cash so it is not always possible to make cash withdrawals using an international bank card. You should check with your tour operator or hotel what payment methods will be accepted. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/money">Money</a>
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing some electricity shortages resulting in extended periods without power. During blackouts, you should exercise a high degree of caution when driving as traffic lights may not be operational.
Water rationing is being experienced in certain parts of the country. Contact your tour operator or hotel for the latest updates.
Availability of fuel can be sporadic. You are advised to check in advance if you can make payment with an international payment card. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security#Road-travel">Road travel</a>
There is a moderate level of crime in Zimbabwe. Remain vigilant, especially after dark, and make sure accommodation and vehicles are secure. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security">Safety and security</a>
Always carry identity documentation or a copy of your passport. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/local-laws-and-customs">Local laws and customs</a>
Holiday and business visas are available at the port of entry. Don’t violate the conditions of your visa. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements#Visas">Visas</a>
Dual British-Zimbabwean nationals who travel to Zimbabwe must have a valid travel document to re-enter the United Kingdom.
It’s not possible to re-enter the UK using a Zimbabwean passport or emergency travel document without a visa or entry clearance endorsed. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements#Dual-nationals">Dual nationals</a>
Air Zimbabwe has been refused permission to operate flights to the EU because the airline has been unable to demonstrate that it complies with international air safety standards.
British government employees travelling to and within Zimbabwe have been advised to use carriers that aren’t subject to the EU operating ban. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security#Air-travel">Air travel</a>
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Zimbabwe, attacks can’t be ruled out. See <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/terrorism">Terrorism</a>
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies">nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission</a>.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/coronavirus">UK Government</a></h4>

UK Govt Zimbabwe Travel Advice {Press Release}

The United Kingdom is reportedly set to deport dozens of Zimbabweans on 2 March this year, in a move campaigners says will rip families apart.
According to Detention Action, a group that is providing support to several Zimbabweans currently being detained, a new deportation flight to Zimbabwe is imminent.
Those at risk of being deported from the UK could be anyone with a 12-month sentence, including those with first time or low-level offences, Detention Centre said.
Reports indicate that with the imminent threat of family life being torn apart, some of the potential deportees have been left to deal with trauma, resulting in self-harm and refusal to eat. Bella Sankey, a director at Detention Action, told The Voice:
<blockquote>
Priti Patel’s charter flight regime is a dangerous piece of political theatre that risks mass injustices and returning people to acute danger.
Mass expulsions to Black Commonwealth countries are particularly offensive; the UK’s use of force and shackles to rip Black families apart under the cloak of darkness is reminiscent of past horrors.
We urge anyone at risk of expulsion from the UK to urgently seek good legal representation so that they can defend their rights.
</blockquote>
Priti Patel is the current British Home Secretary (Minister of Home Affairs).
The UK Parliament recently passed the Nationality and Borders Bill that could see millions of people born overseas stripped of their citizenship without notice and left vulnerable to possible deportations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2022/02/22/deportation-flight-to-zimbabwe-is-imminent-say-campaigners/">The Voice</a></h4>

UK Campaigners Fear Another Deportation Flight To Zimbabwe Is 'Imminent'

Timothy Jones Jr, 37, a father who murdered his five children was on Thursday sentenced to death. A jury unanimously sentenced him to be executed after deliberating to determine whether he would die or live the rest of his life in jail.
Jones reportedly strangled four of his children, aged 8, 7, 2, and 1, after forcing his 6-year-old son to exercise until he died as punishment for breaking an electrical outlet in August 2014 in Lexington, South Carolina.
Jones pleaded guilty by means of insanity and was convicted of murdering his children on June 4. His lawyers and witnesses had argued that he was just a victim of mental illness. According to investigators, Jones stated that he believed the children were going to kill him, chop him up and feed him to the dogs.
Witnesses gave heartbreaking testimony about his mother’s insanity and three generations of rapes, molestation by relatives, violence, drugs, voodoo rituals, prostitution, and fights in Jones’ family.
Nevertheless, the jury decided unanimously that Jones should be put to death. Authorities said Jones killed the first child by making him exercise until he collapsed. Several hours later, he strangled his other four children, using a belt to choke his two youngest children to death.
Timothy Jones Sr also revealed that his son was no longer normal and this was a condition he inherited from his mother. Jones is said to have buried the bodies in a hillside near Camden, Alabama after driving around with the children’s bodies in his car for over a week.
More:<a href="https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/13/dad-murdered-five-kids-sentenced-death-9949705/?ico=pushly-notifcation-small&amp;utm_source=pushly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> MetroUK</a>

USA Man Sentenced To Death For Killing His 5 Children Over Electrical Outlet

The United States of America and the United Kingdom have condemned all forms of political violence after an <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/06/23/video-footage-of-the-explosion-at-mnangagwa-bulawayo-rally/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">explosion occured at White City Stadium in Bulawayo</a>. President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was holding a political rally there was not injured in the explosion. In separate statements, the embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom condemned the violence. The US Embassy said:
<blockquote>The US Embassy in Harare condemns the attack at the ZANU-PF rally in Bulawayo this afternoon. Political violence in any form is unacceptable and contrary to the positive progress required to move Zimbabwe forward as it seeks to take its place on the global stage. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.</blockquote>
And the UK:
<blockquote>We have seen the reports and videos of an explosion in Bulawayo at a ZANU rally. There is no place for any form of political violence in Zimbabwe. We want to express our sympathy and concern for all those who have been injured.</blockquote>
<hr/>
Also read,
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/06/23/nelson-chamisa-speaks-on-terrible-events-at-white-city-stadium-after-explosion-at-mnangagwa-rally/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Nelson Chamisa Speaks On “Terrible Events At White City Stadium” After Explosion At Mnangagwa Rally</a>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/06/23/mnangagwa-speaks-on-bulawayo-explosion-says-explosion-will-not-be-affected/">President Emmerson Mnangagwa issues a statement after the incident</a>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/06/23/video-people-of-bulawayo-not-to-blame-for-explosion-president-mnangagwa/">Mnangagwa says people of Bulawayo are not to blame for explosion at his rally there</a>
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United States, United Kingdom Condemn Political Violence After Explosion At Mnangagwa Rally

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