By ALBERT MASAKA

THE War Victims and Survivors Association of Zimbabwe (WVSAZ) has accused Africa’s former colonisers of insincerity on human rights issues and dared them to pay compensation for the deaths and suffering they caused during the colonial and war of liberation eras.

WVSAZ chairperson Vongai Mutokoti said this in a statement while responding to a recent US government human freedom index report which ranked Zimbabwe among the worst performers in terms of human rights.

Mutokoti came to the defence of the country’s human rights record after the report’s contents recently appeared in the local media.

She also accused Africa’s former colonisers for practicing double standards on human rights issues.

“The magnanimity and statesmanship shown by our President and his government is in stark contrast to Western governments, who despite not only colonising, bombing and maiming innocent Zimbabweans for decades in complete disregard of human rights, are given an olive branch.

“Despite this Western countries do not even have the decency to offer reparations or apologise to its victims.”

She cited Mnangagwa’s government signing of the Global Compensation Agreement of 2020 as evidence that it was a champion defender of human rights.

Zimbabwe signed a US$3.5 billion dollar compensation agreement with former white commercial farmers for improvements the later made on farms acquired under the land reform programme.

She added that Mnangagwa has set the position of Zimbabwe to the world as being “a friend to all and an enemy to none.”

“This stance has been exemplified by the signing of the Global Compensation Agreement of 2020. The magnanimity and statesmanship shown by our President and his government is in stark contrast to Western governments, who despite not only colonising, bombing and maiming innocent Zimbabweans for decades in complete disregard of human rights are given an olive branch. Despite this Western countries do not even have the decency to offer reparations or apologise to its victims.

The WVSAZ rejected any categorisation of Zimbabwe as a human rights performer.

“Zimbabwe has recognised and continues today to respect and uphold the human rights of its people, its victims, its victims and survivors.

“The government of Zimbabwe led by His Excellency President Doctor E.D. Mnangagwa is for us a champion and defender of human rights. He had done this by supporting our organisation and driving this country towards Vision 2030”

By ALBERT MASAKA

POWER Giants CEO Eng. Edzai Kachirekwa’s star continues to rise after being selected as one of Africa’s most influential persons soon after he was  honoured with the prestigious Zimbabwe Community Trailblazers Awards’ Distinguished Clean Energy Champion trophy.

Kachirekwa’s award is from a new innovative awards scheme on the continent, the 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Awards 2024 (Afrimpa), a letter signed by Business Executive Media Group Group CEO and  Executive Director Baroness Paulette Kporo stated.

The West African sub-region magazine publisher said the awards ceremony is set  to be held on May 30 at The Cresta Lodge-Harare, Sango Conference Hall.

The awards identify and recognise 100 people across Africa whose personal and professional conduct, accomplishments, authority and consequent influence, have led them to exercise the most influence on the socio-economic, political and cultural fortunes and trajectory of Africa.

“ Let us be the first to congratulate you on your thoroughly deserved award which formally positions you as one of the most positively influential persons in Africa as a whole, and thus one of an elite group of people whose conduct and activities are key to positive political, economic, social and cultural behavior in your country.”

The strictly-by invitation event will host awardees and their guests; top multilateral and bilateral institution chieftains, government functionaries from various jurisdictions across Africa, selected leaders in various aspects of Africa’s collective polity, community leaders and leaders of thought, identified social influencers, members of the diplomatic corps, and international media. 

By ALBERT MASAKA

PERSISTENT concerns raised by the  Senior Pastor of Loveworld Ministry, Chris Oyakhilome popular as Pastor Chris on the dangers of Covid 19 vaccines, have became a reality as global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has removed its vaccine worldwide after it admitted in court that the jab can cause a rare and dangerous side effect linked to several deaths in the UK.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine, once touted as a ‘triumph for British science’, recently came under the spotlight for a side effect that causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

Following 80 deaths linked to the side effects more than 50 alleged victims and grieving relatives have sued the company in a High Court case.

Ministering during a session of the 5-day broadcast of the  ‘Your Loveworld Specials with Pastor Chris’ (Season 3, Phase 3) held in 2021, the man of God asked “what will happen to those who already took the vaccines in five years’ time?”

Pastor Chris called on the world to awaken to truth by asking the right questions about vaccines.

 “Normally vaccines would be tested on animals for 10 years before their widespread distribution,”

He added that the drug manufacturers had fast-tracked the untested vaccines as they had sinister agenda for people around the world to never return to normal life again.

In less than five years spoken of by Pastor Chris the jab, developed by Oxford University, can no longer be used in the European Union after the company voluntarily withdrew its ‘marketing authorization.

According to international media reports AstraZeneca admitted in court in  February that the vaccine can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome – which has been linked to more than 80 deaths in the UK as well as hundreds of serious injuries.

However, AstraZeneca denies that the decision to withdraw the vaccine is related to the court case, insisting that the vaccine is instead being removed from markets for commercial reasons.