adminMan loses US$15 000 at knife-point
Crime ReporterA HARARE man lost US$15 000 cash to three armed men, who confronted him at knife-point, on Monday in Belvedere.
The man was in his vehicle intending to take the cash to the bank when the trio pounced at around 10.45am. One of the men,
Kenyan in tears over ‘greedy’ wife
Fungai Lupande Court ReporterA KENYAN man, who entered into a marriage of convenience with a Harare woman yesterday wept in court claiming his wife was too greedy. The couple exchanged harsh words before civil court magistrate Mr Milton Serima. Constance Tapfumaneyi had
178 miners in narrow escape
Herald Reporters
AT least 178 workers narrowly escaped death at Mimosa Platinum Mine in Zvishavane after being trapped 100 metres underground for nearly 24 hours after a fire broke out in a shaft.
The workers’ ordeal started when a conveyer belt collapsed and caught fire at around 5pm on Monday and ended around 2pm yesterday when the last trapped worker was rescued.
No one was injured in the accident but the rescued workers looked distraught when they emerged from the mining shaft in small groups.
The workers used safe breathing apparatus while underground and had to be attended to on the spot by a resident doctor after being rescued before they were released to go home.
The workers were cut off after smoke contaminated the air above them, virtually closing their way out.
Mimosa officials had to ask for help from Unki and Zimasco Mines to evacuate the workers.
Mimosa Mining Company (Pvt) Limited confirmed the outbreak of the fire that damaged conveyor belt structures.
“This happened when the conveyor belt in the main decline ignited,” officials said in a statement.
“Mimosa wishes to advise that all employees have now been safely evacuated from the mine. No injuries have been reported.”
Land reform promotes human rights — UN envoy
Lovemore Chikova Deputy News Editor
THE equitable distribution of land in Zimbabwe enhances human rights as it ensures that people have access to basic resources, visiting United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navanethem Pillay has said.
Ms Pillay was speaking in an interview on Monday after a dinner hosted for her by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.
“There should be a proper distribution of land so that all the people benefit,” she said.
“Land reform in Zimbabwe is a form of enhancing human rights and it should be commended.
“Human rights issues are about equitable distribution of resources. People must have access to housing and have good health. You cannot say anything beautiful when there is no access to resources by the people.”
Ms Pillay said the recent siege of Wall Street in the United States by disgruntled citizens was an example of what happens when people are denied access to essential resources.
She said no country in the world could claim to have a perfect record on human rights.
“The truth is that the problem in observing human rights is found in every country,” she said. “There is the absence of equitable distribution of resources everywhere, yet this enhances human rights.”
Ms Pillay said access to resources was one of the benchmarks to measure a country’s observation of human rights.
Civil society groups present conflicting reports
Takunda Maodza Senior Reporter
WESTERN-sponsored civil society organisations yesterday presented a damning report on alleged gross human rights violations in Zimbabwe to visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navanethem Pillay.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai endorsed the allegations in a meeting with Ms Pillay at his Charter House offices in the afternoon.
“We are just coming from a meeting with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Ms Pillay and I must say that we raised a number of issues . . . Some of the human rights abuses that have taken place. There is progress. Incidences are still there but we are addressing them,” PM Tsvangirai told journalists after the meeting.
He said he hoped that elections will be held in a free and fair environment. PM Tsvangirai briefed Ms Pillay on the situation before the formation of the inclusive Government and the current state of affairs under the Sadc-brokered political arrangement.
Ms Pillay described her meeting with PM Tsvangirai as “good and constructive”.
She said PM Tsvangirai raised issues to do with the recurrence of violence and steps being taken to address them.
“The Prime Minister convinced me of his commitment to protect human rights,” Ms Pillay said.
Sanctions lawsuit exposes EU human rights violations
Herald Reporter
THE court case filed by Attorney General Mr Johannes Tomana against the
NewZim Steel workers’ children stranded
Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
HUNDREDS of Ordinary and Advanced Level pupils whose parents and guardians work at NewZim Steel failed to register for
Sean Connor unfazed by FC Platinum test
Sports ReporterCAPS UNITED manager, Sean Connor, has taunted FC Platinum as a very small team, despite their fabulous riches, and insists the Green Machine is a bigger brand than the platinum miners.
Labour Court judges to be sworn in today
Court Reporter
CHIEF Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku will today preside over the swearing in of two new Labour Court judges, an inaugural event in the history of the judiciary in Zimbabwe. Only High Court and Supreme Court judges take oaths of loyalty before assuming
Zinara clarifies tollgate collection figures
Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration says it collected from tollgates US$12 million less than what has advertised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development. Transport, Communications and Infrastructural