*Lunchtime News: Friday 28 February 2025* *Headlines* *AMH Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Denied Bail* *72% Of DNA Tests In Zimbabwe Reveal Fathers Are Unknowingly Raising Children Who Aren’t Their Own* *Zim Loses US$5 Billion To Monetary, Forex Policy Chaos: World Bank* *Govt Mobilises Response To Rainfall-Induced Disaster* *Africa’s Medical System Risks ‘Collapse In Next Few Years’, Warns Health Leader* *South Africa Launches Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants Amid Economic Uncertainty* *UN Rights Chief Warns Of 'Mass Deaths From Famine' In Sudan* *Putin ‘Hopeful’ As Russia & US Press On With Diplomatic Reset* *No 'Civil War' Between Clubs Over PSR: Masters* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *AMH Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Denied Bail* Alpha Media Holdings (AMH ) journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who was arrested on Monday on allegations of transmission of information that incites violence or causes damage to property, has been denied bail. Charges against him emanated from interviews he allegedly had with Blessed Geza, a war veteran and a staunch opponent of the Mnangagwa 2030 agenda. Geza is currently being sought by the police to answer to incitement, undermining the authority of the President and theft charges. In denying him bail, Harare Magistrate Farai Gwatima agreed with the state that Mhlanga was likely to interfere with witnesses. “What clearly emerges is that a disseminated message will incite violence. Any interpretation to the contrary is incorrect. Accordingly, the release of the caused will put the nation in unrest and undermine peace and security. In the circumstances, it is the court’s finding that the state has managed to give compelling reasons justifying the continued detention of the accused person. Accordingly, bail is denied. “What is an issue is not that applicant gathered and disseminated information. It is that information which he gathered which was intended to incite public violence,” the magistrate said. “The admission to bail has been elevated to a constitutional right. But our Constitution is not novel. The onus is on the court to determine the bail. “An arrested person is entitled to be released unconditionally, it is only when there are compelling reasons an accused can be denied bail. “The court will need to weigh the reasons for granting and denying bail and weigh. In exercising this discretion, the court should put in balance the interests of the accused person and also not put administration in danger.” He said, “It is a delicate discretion.” Gwatima added that the likelihood that an accused will abscond or interfere with investigations should be strongly supported. “Turning to the present application, it is my considered view that grounds 3, 4, and 5…his position at work, if granted bail, he is likely to interfere. Of critical importance, some of the witnesses have not been retired hence, his release will jeopardise investigations.” *72% Of DNA Tests In Zimbabwe Reveal Fathers Are Unknowingly Raising Children Who Aren’t Their Own* Seventy two percent Of DNA Tests In Zimbabwe Reveal Fathers Are Unknowingly Raising Children Who Aren’t Their Own Recent data from Global DNA Zimbabwe shows that 72% of paternity tests in the country have shown that the presumed fathers are not the biological parents. This means most men are unknowingly raising children who are not their own. In an interview with HealthTimes, Partners Chiriseri from Global DNA Zimbabwe explained that many men who take DNA tests find out they are not the biological fathers of the children they were raising. Said Chiriseri: The current statistics for people who have undergone testing are both shocking and interesting. Most clients come for paternity tests, and currently, 72% of the results issued are negative, while only 28% are positive. Chiriseri explained that paternity tests yield only two possible outcomes: either 0% or 99.99% certainty. There are no in-between percentages, as partial probabilities are only relevant for relationship tests. He said: Most people do DNA tests to confirm the paternity of their alleged children. This usually stems from suspicions of infidelity, particularly on the part of women, leading the alleged fathers to seek confirmation. These tests provide peace of mind to those involved. Chiriseri further explained that DNA tests are not just for checking paternity, but also for other purposes like career development and migration. He said that DNA tests are often required for immigration, especially for people applying for visas to countries like the UK and the United States. In these cases, parents may need to prove their biological relationship with their children before moving. Chiriseri also noted that DNA profiling is becoming more popular, with people choosing to have their genetic information stored for future use. He said: DNA samples can be banked for future identification purposes, such as in cases where human remains are unrecognizable after an accident. The stored profile can then be compared to recovered DNA samples for identification. … in rape cases, DNA testing can help identify suspects if semen or other biological evidence is collected from victims. By comparing the DNA profile of a suspect to the collected sample, authorities can confirm or rule out their involvement. Some countries, including the United States, have already implemented national DNA databases for criminals. If introduced in Zimbabwe, such a system could aid in criminal investigations, identifying suspects, and supporting law enforcement efforts. *Zim Loses US$5 Billion To Monetary, Forex Policy Chaos: World Bank* THE World Bank (WB) has revealed that Zimbabwe lost over US$4,5 billion, or 2,5% of its gross domestic product (GDP), between 2020 and 2023 due to distortions in its monetary and exchange rate policies. The biggest losses, according to the global lender’s statement released on Wednesday, stemmed from inflation-related tax losses (US$1,4 billion), informalisation (US$1,2 billion), and customs duty foregone (US$580 million). “In the absence of such distortions, tax revenue in 2023 could have been as high as 18,9% of GDP, compared to the 14,6% of GDP observed,” the bank said, citing its new Zimbabwe Public Finance Review (PFR) report, also launched on Wednesday. “Tax revenue can be increased in a way that improves both efficiency and pro-poor outcomes. To increase tax revenue, Zimbabwe’s 2024 Budget announced various reforms to broaden the tax base, including removing some VAT (Value-Added Tax) exemptions. “While these reforms can lead to revenue gains, they may also hurt poor households. Compensatory mechanisms can restore the impact of VAT reforms on poor households, potentially at a fraction of the new VAT collections.” Other potential reforms to raise revenue include streamlining corporate tax incentives and strengthening mining tax policy, the statement highlighted. In addition, the report discusses options to better align public-health excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages with World Health Organisation standards, as well as reorganise the newly proposed wealth tax. Considerable benefits may be derived from the newly introduced Tax and Revenue Administration System. Estimates suggest such policies could structurally raise tax collection by between 3,1% to 3,8% of GDP. “Public spending can be streamlined, resulting in greater value-for-money,” the lender said. There are also opportunities to enhance the efficiency of public spending, procurement, and public investments through improved evaluation systems and the use of e-procurement. “Finally, there is a need to improve targeting of social protection through a ‘social registry’. Jointly, this could lead to potential savings of 1,1–1,2% of GDP, out of which around 0,15% could be allocated to compensate low-income households,” the WB said. The WB stated that these policy reforms would lead to a significant adjustment in the fiscal balance, resulting in a fiscal surplus. This could enable Zimbabwe’s debt service-to-revenue ratio to peak in 2025 and thereafter decline rapidly, potentially reducing overall debt. The PFR seeks to support the government’s task of fiscal consolidation by identifying policy options to help rationalise expenditure and increase revenue mobilisation. This can help create fiscal space and move Zimbabwe onto a more sustainable fiscal pathway. In turn, prudent fiscal policy will help stabilise the macroeconomic environment by providing an anchor for price and exchange rate stability, bolstering economic growth and job creation. *thezimbabwemail* *Govt Mobilises Response To Rainfall-Induced Disaster* Government has intensified disaster response efforts as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc across the country, destroying critical infrastructure and claiming lives. In a statement released yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, said the unprecedented rainfall had severely damaged schools, health facilities, homes, roads, and bridges. "Tragically, we have lost lives due to drowning, lightning strikes, and mining accidents. The President, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, extends his deepest condolences to all affected families during these disasters," Minister Garwe said. The Department of Civil Protection, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has intensified search and rescue operations. The minister emphasised the crucial role of local communities in disaster response efforts. "As we anticipate further heavy rains, we urge all citizens, especially those in vulnerable low-lying areas, to heed safety advisories and evacuate to safer shelters when necessary," he said. He also warned against risky behavior, advising citizens to avoid open areas during storms, refrain from crossing flooded rivers, and stay informed through reliable weather updates. Artisanal miners have been urged to suspend operations until ground conditions stabilise. He said government is mobilising resources under the National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan to ensure an effective response and recovery process. Minister Garwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the disasters: "We continue to prioritise the safety of our citizens and the restoration of damaged infrastructure to facilitate normalcy in affected communities." *zimnow* *Africa’s Medical System Risks ‘Collapse In Next Few Years’, Warns Health Leader* Health services in Africa are at risk of “collapse in the next few years” due to soaring chronic diseases, a senior public health leader has warned. Foreign aid to Africa has been focused on infectious diseases, leaving conditions such as cancer and diabetes to escalate, said Dr Githinji Gitahi, group CEO of Amref Health Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease accounted for 37% of deaths in 2019, up from 24% in 2000. They are forecast to become the leading cause of death in the region by 2030 – driven by factors such as unhealthy western-style diets, less active lifestyles and air pollution. “Aid is not charity” and will inevitably follow donor countries’ own interests such as stopping infectious diseases that could spread overseas, said Gitahi, who called for Africa’s leaders to step up their own work on controlling NCDs. Gitahi spoke to the Guardian at the Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, earlier this month, a gathering of more than 700 delegates from 89 countries. The challenge is vast, according to Gitahi. “Africa has a big risk of collapse of health systems in the next few years because of NCDs […] 50% of all admissions in a typical African hospital are NCDs, yet 80% of NCD care is out of pocket. And governments don’t have money to actually take care of NCDs.” The blame lies with multinational corporations chasing profits, he said, and with governments failing to bring in regulations to put a brake on their activities. “Politicians think about the next election,” he said. “This issue is about the next generation.” Gitahi, from Kenya, said global health and foreign aid spending had historically focused on diseases that could affect the donors themselves. Less than 3% of development spending for health goes to NCDs. “That is why there is so much focus on TB, HIV, because when you keep HIV low in Kenya, you keep it out of your country because people travel, and people carry diseases,” he said. “But for cancer, for hypertension, for diabetes … that’s non-infectious. “The people who should care about that are their governments because [NCDs] are taking away people from active social and economic participation. Because the governments don’t have enough money […] it is likely to continue being a neglected problem.” The forum’s delegates were meeting as a result of decisions by the US administration to freeze much of its overseas aid spending and to issue stop work orders to current programmes. Amref’s work has been affected, Gitahi said. “We do about $250m [£197m] of work a year […] about $50m of that is actually US government partnerships,” he said, in areas including maternal and child health, HIV work and laboratory and health system strengthening. Some Amref staff have been placed on unpaid leave, Gitahi said, though he was optimistic that some of the work will restart after the 90-day review period announced by Donald Trump’s officials. “We hope that at the end of it, they will continue with programming, as they say, that’s aligned to their foreign policy, but actually protects communities and community lives and protects Americans themselves,” Gitahi said. “I keep saying aid is not charity. Aid is strategic investment by a country to protect its own internal interests. That’s what it has always been.” African governments will need to become more efficient and to tackle corruption, he suggested, and to embrace taxation of unhealthy goods, such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar, with the proceeds earmarked for health programmes. They will also need to work on the prevention of ill health, Gitahi said, suggesting they “copy and paste” regulations from western countries that ban things such as the advertising of foods high in sugar, salt or fat to children. US funding accounts for half of all development assistance in Africa, he said, or $6.5bn out of $13bn. African governments will not be able to completely replace lost funding, Gitahi said, because their economies are not large enough. It may mean reframing goals to provide universal health care to cover “100% of the poor” rather than the entire population. “Africa cannot raise enough money from its fiscal space, from its GDP, to actually take care of all social services,” he said. “Africa needs solidarity.” In the end, the international community should see that solidarity was important for global security, he said. “When you have a weak health system in any country, it is like having an insecure airspace in any country. That [poses] a risk to the entire world.” *NewZW* *South Africa Launches Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants Amid Economic Uncertainty* South Africa has announced a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, set to begin on March 1, 2025, as the country moves to shield its citizens from potential economic challenges following sanctions imposed by the United States under former President Donald Trump. In a statement dated February 25, 2025, Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza confirmed that authorities would be targeting undocumented immigrants from Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Malawi. “The Department of Home Affairs, under the directive of the Honourable Minister, hereby informs all foreign nationals residing unlawfully in the Republic of South Africa of an impending national operation aimed at enforcing the country’s immigration laws,” the statement read. Qoza added that the operation would involve law enforcement agencies working together to identify, arrest, detain, and deport foreign nationals without legal documentation. He urged those affected to either regularize their stay or leave voluntarily before the deadline to avoid legal consequences. “Foreign nationals without valid documentation are strongly encouraged to regularize their stay or voluntarily depart the country before the commencement of the operation to avoid legal action. The Department of Home Affairs remains committed to a fair and lawful process and urges all stakeholders to respect the legal requirements governing residence and employment in South Africa,” the statement added. The crackdown comes at a time when South Africa’s economy is under strain, exacerbated by recent sanctions imposed by the United States. While the specific nature of the sanctions was not detailed in the statement, analysts believe they could impact key industries, increasing pressure on the government to prioritize South African citizens in the labor market. South Africa has long been a destination for migrants from across the continent, with many seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing instability in their home countries. In 2019, the country was home to approximately 4.2 million international migrants, making up about 7.2% of the total population. Despite regular deportations, thousands of undocumented migrants—particularly from Zimbabwe—continue to cross back into South Africa, driven by economic hardship and political challenges in their home country. Over the years, the issue of illegal immigration has sparked heated debates, with some South Africans blaming foreigners for job shortages and crime, while human rights groups have urged the government to adopt a more humane approach to immigration enforcement. *UN Rights Chief Warns Of 'Mass Deaths From Famine' In Sudan* The U.N. human rights chief warned of the risk of a further escalation of the war in Sudan on Thursday and said that there was a growing risk of deaths from starvation on a wide scale. Volker Turk's warning came a day after the U.N. World Food Programme has temporarily stopped distributing food aid in a famine-struck camp for displaced people in Sudan's North Darfur amid escalating violence. "Sudan is a powder keg, on the verge of a further explosion into chaos, and at increasing risk of atrocity crimes and mass deaths from famine," he told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. "The danger of escalation has never been higher." War erupted in April 2023 amid a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, triggering the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis. Already, famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur, according to the United Nations. Turk said that recent moves by the RSF towards establishing governing authority in areas it controls were likely to "further entrench divisions and the risk of continued hostilities". He also noted continued supplies of weapons to the warring parties from outside the country, including more advanced arms. *Reuters* *Putin ‘Hopeful’ As Russia & US Press On With Diplomatic Reset* President Vladimir Putin has expressed “hope” over the prospect of Russia restoring relations with the United States as the two countries sent diplomats to Istanbul for talks on normalising the functioning of their respective embassies in each other’s capitals. Addressing a meeting of the Federal Security Service, Putin hailed the new administration of US President Donald Trump for its “pragmatism and realistic view”, describing a “reciprocal mood” to reset relations and resolve “systemic and strategic problems … in the world’s security architecture”. The Russian president’s televised comments came as Moscow and Washington sent representatives to Turkiye’s commercial hub on Thursday for more than six hours of talks on thawing diplomatic relations, which had – in the Kremlin’s words – plummeted to “below zero” last year against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The talks, held at the US consul general’s residence, were aimed at resolving embassy issues, in particular the tit-for-tat measures that have seen both countries expelling diplomats and limiting the appointment of new staff at each other’s missions. A US State Department official had earlier made it clear that Ukraine would not be on the agenda, with talks focused primarily on issues such as staffing levels, visas and diplomatic banking. “We will know soon if Russia is really willing to engage in good faith,” he said. Neither country identified the participants, but Russia’s state news agency TASS said the Russian delegation included “foreign ministry representatives”. Ties between Moscow and Washington plummeted to their lowest levels since the Cold War after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The administration of then-US President Joe Biden strongly backed Ukraine with aid and weapons and imposed sanctions on Russia over the war. But Trump has signalled a dramatic shift in relations, holding a phone call with Putin earlier this month as part of a broader outreach effort. On Friday, Zelenskyy is expected to sign an agreement granting the US access to deposits of rare earth minerals, a deal described by Trump as a means of clawing back taxpayer dollars sent as aid to Ukraine throughout the war. During his meeting with Starmer, Trump reiterated his opposition to providing security guarantees to Kyiv, saying that the minerals deal was the only security guarantee Ukraine needed, acting as a “backstop” against future Russian aggression. “I don’t think anybody’s going to play around if we’re there with a lot of workers and having to do with rare earths and other things, which we need for our country,” he said. The US president also expressed confidence that Russia, which has opposed proposals for European peacekeepers to be sent to Ukraine, would not backtrack on any peace deal. “ Right now we don’t have a deal. We have Russia, we have Ukraine. I think we’re very well advanced. I think Russia has been acting very well,” he said. “ I have confidence that if we make a deal, it’s gonna hold,” Trump said. *Aljazeera* *No 'Civil War' Between Clubs Over PSR: Masters* Premier League chief executive Richard Masters insists there is no "civil war" between clubs over financial regulations. Earlier this month, plans to replace controversial profit and sustainability (PSR) rules were delayed amid legal challenges. Clubs had been expected to adopt the new squad cost ratio (SCR) system for the 2025-26 campaign, but a trial is now set to continue. "There's no civil war - that would not be the way that I would put it," said Masters, who was speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit. "Alignment among Premier League clubs has never been easy. Maybe it's a little bit more difficult at the moment. "But to change to a new system, particularly with what's at stake, is a big decision. If clubs need more time to do it, then that's OK. We will carry on that path. "We've agreed in all probability on PSR in 2025-26 and then we'll look again during the course of that season at whether we'll make the move to SCR." Everton and Nottingham Forest were both docked points last season for breaching PSR, which was introduced a decade ago and allows clubs to post maximum losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle. SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial sustainability rules, allowing clubs to spend up to 85% of their total revenues on squad-related costs, with any sanctions applied 'in-season', rather than at a later stage. One of the factors behind the decision to delay the switch was the uncertainty surrounding a fresh legal challenge by Manchester City against the Premier League over new rules governing sponsorship deals. Earlier this month the Associated Party Transaction rules between 2021 and 2024 were deemed unlawful by a tribunal panel, with a second determination on the updated rules pending. The Premier League is also awaiting the outcome of the hearing into City's 115 charges of alleged financial rule breaches. The club denies wrongdoing. When asked when there may be an outcome, Masters refused to be drawn on a date: "You won't be surprised to learn I won't be talking about this. I can't. "The disciplinary panel has heard the case and they must be left alone now to consider their decision, and given the time and space to be able to do that. And that's pretty much as far as I can go." Masters also shrugged off an earlier claim by Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish that the prospect of an independent regulator in English club football has "paralysed the game and driven it into the courts". "The league has wind in its sails, rather than [being] paralysed," said Masters. "I would reject that. "We'll function well next season under whatever financial system. We've got really strong fundamentals. If we were stalling in all areas I would be concerned, but we're not." However, Masters did say he had "concerns" about the football governance bill, which will establish a regulator and is still passing through parliament. "We are talking to the government at the moment about what sensible amendments can be made to the bill to help assuage those concerns some of our clubs have about it. "The general concern is about 'mission creep'. There are very few regulators over time that end up with the same brief they were written on day one, and I worry about that as well. "So if we can keep it light touch, and we can keep it growth-focused, then maybe it can help the game in the way that the people who put this together intended. "By the end of year we'll have a better view as to what 'personality' this regulator is going to have. If it wants to tighten financial regulation in future there's a danger it will go too far and stop the virtuous circle that the Premier League and the EFL have created, and that's our principle concern." *BBC*