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B & B Owners – Beware there is a scam going on whereby a person books someone into your B & B,  in my case, a Dr. Mussa for visitors coming in from Zambia for 1/2 nights.  Visitors name Morris Mulenga.  They arrive in a taxi, fill out a registration form and pay for one night.  No incidents,(but they have obviously done a recci of your place) they check out next day but come back later to say they have to stay one more day for some reason like, missed the plane, or business meeting moved etc.,  same story, get their keys, remote for the gate and then steal from other guests.  They seem to have keys that open certain doors and of course as they have “luggage”, pack all their stolen items in the case or bag and leave for lunch, or their business meeting and never come back, taking with them remote, house keys, room keys etc.  In my case, 3 x I phones, money and a cannon camera stolen.  Details on the registration form are false.  Phone Numbers when called are “not available” or not answered.  Please be careful.  They actually pay for their rooms because the rewards of what they steal are far greater.  Police of course not able to help.  Same visitors had a “smash and grab” returning from the airport on the late flight arrival.  Very traumatised. 

I have followed your mails and comments about drinking drugs etc and feel compelled to  warn others of the dangers we face. I would like to share our families experience in a hope that other normal families can try and prevent possible devastating consequences of addiction. One of our children was recently admitted to a rehab facility in SA for alcohol and drug addiction. He went to the best schools and had good jobs. During school breaks and after leaving school he was one of the “boys”. Work hard and play hard. We perceive this to be normal and see it all the time. It is common for people to go for an outing with a cooler box full of drinks. It is the culture of the average white Zimbabwean. The problem is this can lead to addiction which is an illness. Ever person has different levels at which once they cross that  line they become addicts. This is a disease which has no class barrier. The perception is that drug addicts or alcoholics are those that you see on the park bench with a needle sticking out their arms or a brown paper bag with a bottle of hard tack who came from the slums. Those people quite often have not come from dubious back grounds and could have been senior company executives or professionals, doctors, lawyers and the like but have ended up in this predicament because of the disease. They need help and any person can get help from AA anon, and NA (narcotics anon). The frightening thing is (please sit up and listen) not only do our youngsters in general drink far too much but a lot are taking cocaine at parties. (this is the cool thing to do) Cocaine is a rich man’s drug (used by film stars etc) It is sometimes given out at parties for free which if the taker has the means they will buy it on their own accord having had a taste. (other drugs are also being used) At this stage they may not be addicts but it can very easily lead to addiction. This has happened to our child so I have first had experience. If you have a problem admit it to yourself and get help from those who have very effective recovery programmes. AA & NA

Broken Heart.

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I was very distressed to hear how my friends who are in their 60’s were attacked and beaten up and then robbed at gunpoint a few weeks ago at 7 pm in their house in Borrowdale. The power had been off and came back on at around 7 pm. On going outside to turn off the generator, 2 men were waiting at the back door to pounce on the first person to come outside. With a gun held to his head, his wife was then made to open the safe and the house was raided by a 2nd person. What a terrible experience.

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In early February my wife and I were talking to a woman who had her necklace yanked off her neck in broad daylight on the pavement near Megawatt House in Samora Machel Street by thieves.      Three days ago my wife was talking to another woman who experienced the same robbery this week in March.        I know many women do not wear valuable articles for normal activities any more, however perhaps a reminder that it is happening, particularly in that area, would help.        On both the above occasions the items stolen were of sentimental value too.  

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Just wanted to let you know of some guys going around with fake money. They come in to buy something and they give a real note of $100, the product will be $8, once you give them the change they get a phone call from the person wanting the product saying they don't want it anymore, they give you back the change with a fake note in it. This happened to us this afternoon, thankfully we saw the note.They drive a  small black Toyota Starlett looking car.  

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I went into cows guts in town this afternoon and parked in Harare street.  Where as before I was always a bit nervous about leaving a vehicle parked there due to all the touts, there are now

City of Harare parking attendants on most streets.  They can be easily spotted with their dayglo yellow vests, and are very courteous, friendly and helpful.  It is a dollar per hour to park, same as everywhere else, but what a pleasure to know that your vehicle is at least being watched by someone responsible.   They have wireless machines and printers that print out your parking ticket immediately so you just place that in your window and off you go.  I was very impressed, and its great to see service delivery improving from City of Harare.

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We had a client up from South Africa and they went to lunch at Allo Allo, thieves broke into the car and stole his laptop and bag containing his laptop and passport. People need to be wary of these thieves and do not leave any valuables in the car.

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I have also just been to get our passports stamped. I also found the same situation. I joined a queue but a smiling official came over to me and told me I was not allowed to stand in a queue as I was a senior citizen and I use a stick. I was ushered to the front and a smiling officer behind the counter stamped my passports and I was out. The whole thing took about 5 minutes. What a pleasure. Well done immigration! 1959 immigrant.

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I have not been able to drink any sort of alcohol for more than two years.  Believe it or not I have developed an allergic reaction to it, particularly to wine. Also some juices i.e. apple, lemon etc. Results in me getting a blocked nose, wheezing and then an asthma attack.  I also break out in a rash all over my body and it is very uncomfortable.

 I have been asked several times Why I do not drink alcohol, do I miss it and what is my problem?? Surely that should not be the issue, it is my choice what I eat and drink and what agrees with me. I don’t ask any one why they don’t eat meat or vegetables, smoke etc. It would seem we are a very alcoholic society and because someone is ‘different’ it would seem very strange to most other people.  Water is Best

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To concerned Medic, whose  item you  put  onto  our screens Mike.   Thank  you for this, it is sorely  needed, but I wonder if the  very people  who most need to peruse  and absorb its statistics will do so, or  have access to Bambazonke nhasi.   The" nouveau riche " in their ego boosting  flashy  vehicles, have a disregard for  the  rest of the  world  in direct proportion to their egos .
It  seems to me that the attitude, even with the  poorer  society members, is that  this is their country   which   permits  them therefore, any  behaviour however inconsiderate  and/or dangerous, knowing full well that there will be no repercussions. If mothers are willing to permit their children to stand  almost anywhere  the child wishes to,  these "custodians" of our  future  should have the full letter of the law brought down on their heads. "what has happened to  our society"
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While we on the topic of driving with youngsters not properly belted up in the back seat. I ask you the madness of some woman in this town that drive with their dogs on their laps and SOME with the dogs paws on the steering wheel. I shake my head when I see a lap dog hanging out the window and the drivers arms are tangled through the dog some how trying to drive! Some of these woman even have kids in the car ALSO not sitting where they should.

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Everyone , which I am very pleased to read on how concerned we all are about our kids in vehicles, now let us also target the people who drive with their small dogs hanging half out of their drivers side windows. There is no control of your vehicle in an emergency. I love my dogs as much as I love my boys (that are now adults). The right place for them is on the back seat if you dont have a back for them . I have made a car hammock for my big dogs so if I have to brake they wont hurt themselves by falling off the seat. This can be used by small or big dogs. Mum to All