Let’s weed out rogue elements within our security organs

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) have been commended for their patriotism amid machinations by the opposition and other country’s detractors to cause division within their ranks. In his Defence Forces Day address on Tuesday President Mnangagwa said the ZDF Day commemorations were taking place under yet another wave of aggression manifesting through illegal sanctions and hostile anti-Zimbabwe propaganda being disseminated through social media meant to divide the country’s forces.

President Mnangagwa commended the force for remaining united despite these attempts to cause division within its ranks.

He said the ZDF had managed to defend Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against the country’s detractors. “Thank you for remaining calm and peaceful in the wake of some misguided calls for violent protests and demonstrations by the opposition elements with the support of foreign agents and civil society,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

He said since its formation, the ZDF had acquitted itself with distinction and high professionalism in executing its constitutional mandate much to the chagrin of the country’s detractors. We are therefore, not surprised by desperate attempts by fugitives like Professor Jonathan Moyo to foment divisions within the rank and file of the ZDF.

Prof Moyo who is in self-exile and is wanted home to face justice, claimed that some police officers in Plumtree, Matabeleland South, were defying orders from superiors as they now supported illegal demonstrations.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has said nothing of that sort has happened within its ranks and command.

The country’s detractors like Prof Moyo are obviously frustrated by the security forces’ ability to thwart violent demonstrations hence are now peddling falsehoods in an attempt to cause divisions within the force.

The security forces have said they will never allow a repeat of the January 2019 violent demonstrations that left one police officer dead, 78 others injured and destruction of property worth millions of dollars.

The officers’ crime was to protect life and property as the hooligans went on an orgy of violence destroying property, infrastructure and looting goods from retail outlets and other buildings.

The hooligans also torched vehicles including some found parked at police stations.

The country’s detractors are abusing social media in their bid to incite citizens to engage in similar violent demonstrations as they push for regime change but have found our security forces unyielding hence these attempts to sow seeds of division within the force.

It is not in dispute that there could be some few rogue elements within the ZRP, army and other security organs and the challenge is to identify these rogue elements and weed them out.

We want at this juncture to implore our security forces to continue executing their constitutional mandate professionally. Zimbabweans should sleep soundly knowing very well that their security is guaranteed.

Established 1894

I HOPE you are well and in good spirits.

The past fortnight has seen a lot of institutions being closed down and have had to undergo deep/thorough cleaning to disinfect after a Covid-19 case has been diagnosed among staff or visitors to the organisation. The idea has been to kill potential virus that would be lingering on the surfaces at the premise. The World Health Organisation ( WHO) has set guidelines that will help institutions, cleaning companies and even homes taking care of Covid-19 patients tailor their own standard operating procedures.

One laboratory (controlled) study found that Covid-19 remains viable on: cardboard and wood for one day,

two days,

Stainless steel, copper and plastic for four days,

Medical mask outer surface for seven days. The environmental cleaning techniques and cleaning principles should be followed as far as possible. Surfaces should always be cleaned with soap and water or a detergent to remove organic matter first, followed by disinfection. Therefore, chlorine or alcohol should be applied after cleaning to kill the remaining micro-organism.

Environmental surfaces include sinks, toilets, electronics, furniture, counter tops, stairway rails, floors, light switches and walls. These environmental settings need to be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent further transmission. Washing of hands and avoiding touching of face remain the primary prevention approach in reducing the transmission associated with surface contamination. Particular attention should be paid to environmental cleaning of high-touch surfaces and items, such as light switches, bed rails, door handles, tables, water/beverage pitchers, trays, mobile cart rails and sinks, which should be performed frequently.

The number of cleaning staff should be planned to optimise cleaning practices.

Cleaning should progress from the least soiled to the most soiled areas, and from the higher to the lower levels so that debris may fall on the floor and is cleaned last in a systematic way to avoid missing areas. Use fresh clothes at the start of each cleaning routine. Discard clothes that are no-longer saturated with cleaning solution.

Detergent and disinfection become contaminated during cleaning and progressively less effective if the organic load is too high; therefore, the continued use of the same solution may transfer the microorganisms to each subsequent surface. This makes it prudent to discard solution after each use in areas with Covid-19 patients. Use fresh solution for each day.

Cleaning equipment should be well maintained, colour coding of equipment used in isolation area for patients should be done and separated from other equipment. Buckets should be washed with detergent, rinsed, dried and stored inverted to drain fully when not in use.

Personnel preparing or using disinfectants in health care settings require specific personnel protective equipment (PPE), due to the high concentration of disinfectants used in these facilities and the longer exposure time to the disinfectants during the workday. Thus, PPE for preparing or using disinfectants in health care settings includes uniforms with long-sleeves, closed work shoes, gowns and/or impermeable aprons, rubber gloves, medical mask, and eye protection (preferably face shield).

Before using any chemical read, understand and follow the manufacturer instruction and manual specifications. Disinfectant solutions should always be prepared in well-ventilated areas. Avoid combining disinfectants, both during preparation and usage, as such mixtures cause respiratory irritation and can release potentially fatal gases, in particular when combined with hypochlorite solution.

Commonly used and effective disinfectants are:

Ethanol 70-90 percent,

Chlorine-based products (eg, hypochlorite) at 0,1 percent /0,5 percent; high concentrations of chlorine can lead to corrosion of metal and irritation of skin and mucous membranes, it can also trigger asthmatic attacks,

Hydrogen peroxide > 0,5 percent,

Contact time of a minimum of 1 minute is recommended for these disinfectants or as recommended by the manufacturer. INDOOR SPACES

Routine application of disinfectants to environmental surfaces by spraying /fogging/ misting/fumigating is not recommended for Covid-19. Contaminants outside the direct spray zone are not destroyed. Spraying increases the risk of eye respiratory and skin irritation and the resulting health effects. Chemicals like formaldehyde, chlorine and ammonium compounds have adverse health effects when sprayed. Spraying environmental surfaces in both health-care and non-health care settings such as patient households with disinfectants may not be effective in removing organic material and may miss surfaces shielded by objects, folded fabrics or surfaces with intricate designs. If disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant.