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CSOs express concern over PVO bill on operations

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By Perpetua Murungweni

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Masvingo have expressed concerns over the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment bill that seems to be seeking to tighten regulations on their operations, arguing that its provisions will erode the foundations of civil society.
This came out at a CSOs Movement meeting that was hosted by National Association of Non-governmental Organisation (NANGO) in partnership with Centre for Humanitarian Analytics (CHA), Citizens in Action Southern Africa (CIASA) and Citizen Engagement for Accountability Activity (CEAA), held on September 25, 2024 at Chevron Hotel.
The meeting was aimed at fostering a unified approach to challenges faced by CSOs such as the PVO Amendment bill.
In his presentation during the meeting, NANGO Director, Ernest Nyimai highlighted the clauses in the PVO bill that will affect operational flexibility of CSOs and compromise their independence.
“Regulatory constraints of the PVO bill will compromise our independence and CSOs will face significant difficulties in securing and managing funding due to tighter financial regulations and reduced donor support affecting their sustainability and impact,” said Nyimai.
Rufaro Deshe from Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) also said there were many issues of concern in the bill that will hinder the day-to-day operations of the CSOs and these include issues of definitions like beneficial owner and controller.
“We have definitions in the bill that we feel like will affect the operations of CSOs, definitions like controller and beneficial owner. A beneficial owner or controller is a person who exempts a significant voice in the affairs of an organization.
“In CSOs operations there are no such persons and we wonder who the bill is referring to. We have problems with these terms because we don’t know and don’t understand how they are being interpreted,” said Deshe.
Deshe said the registration requirements and processes as per the bill were problematic to CSOs.
“Registration is supposed to be done in the period of three months and the process demands a lot of documents from CSOs to the registrar and these requirements are unclear. The bill mentions some of the documents and went on to say ‘other documents’, and no one knows what those other documents are and we don’t know what else will be required.
“On registering the organization, CSOs are required to submit their documents to the board in three months and the board is given reasonable time to look into the registration and no one can define how long reasonable time is. During the reasonable time the organizations are not allowed to receive funds and to operate,” said Deshe.
She also said the unclear duties of the PVO board and the registrar that were introduced by the board are problematic to CSOs operations.
“The bill has reintroduced the PVO board which is the one that deals with applications for organizations that want to be registered as PVOs and its roles have not been clearly defined. What will this board be doing and at what point does its duties intersect with the duties of the registrar that was introduced by this bill?” she said.
She added that the other challenges with the bill were the terms like ‘illegal activities’, ‘legitimate’ and ‘moral’ as they are mentioned in the bill.
“There are no same definitions to these terms, as what might be illegal to one person might be legal to another. It is not clear what these terms mean in the bill,” she said.
The battle for control of civil society operations by the government has been on-going for some time with the government accusing NGOs of being agents of regime change.

Outcry over Mavhaire’s return to Zanu PF

By Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO –Members of Zanu PF Masvingo District are complaining over former politburo member Minister Dzikamai Mavhaire’s return to the party, with the District Coordinating Committee alleging that proper procedure was not done as they did not recommend his return.
Sources within the party claim that Mavhaire’s readmission into the ruling party was imposed from the Provincial and National executive, against the normal procedure where the district recommends to the Provincial Coordinating Committee which will then recommend to the national executive.
“We were shocked to just see pictures of Mavhaire with the President and the provincial leadership. Protocol was not observed as we at the district are supposed to receive a letter from an appellant who is seeking re-admission. We then recommend or decline. If we accept the appellant we then recommend to the province and then national,” said the source.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo DCC Chairperson Tawanda Dube said Mavhaire was yet to be introduced to the district as his readmission started from the national executive.
“Yes Cde Mavhaire is back in the party but procedurally he is yet to be introduced to us as the district. His admission came from the national executive. However we are happy as a district that he is back,” said Dube.
Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said there was nothing amiss about his admission coming from the national executive, saying his level warranted that.
“Cde Mavhaire was a politburo member and that is why his admission came from the top. It is normal and if the President or any other authority asks us to welcome a returnee then who are we to refuse? Infact he had been a member of Zanu PF and he has just decided to come back home to others,” said Mavhenyengwa.
Other sources said Mavhaire was not comfortable approaching the district executive as he felt that would belittle him, with the likelihood of his appeal being blocked, hence he decided to approach the national executive.
“Mavhaire is a threat to many in the province so he saw that the district would mock and block his return considering his proximity to former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa. Many feel threatened by his return, even other provincial executive members,” said a source within the party.
Mavhaire, who last week was paraded at State House in the presence of party leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other high-profile party leaders was readmitted into Zanu PF after being expelled from the party by former President Robert Mugabe in 2014.
Until his return, he had become opposition leader Chamisa’s close ally, often speaking at CCC rallies mocking Mnangagwa’s administration.

GZU wins Agriculture Innovation awards

By Tatiana Mhararira

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) was recently recognized as the best innovating university in agriculture and won the best innovator award at the Presidential Innovation Award Fair held at Harare’s Rainbow Towers recently.
GZU received the awards following its agro innovations for rural industrialization at the innovation centre for dry land agriculture in Chivi.
The university received US$10 000, a trophy and a certificate for best innovating university and also US$5 000, a trophy and a certificate for best innovator in Agriculture.
Speaking to TellZim News, GZU Director of Information and Public Relations, Anderson Chipatiso said it was an important achievement for the university to receive two awards and working towards National Development Strategy 1.
“It is a significant milestone for GZU to receive two awards at once. It demonstrates GZU’s leadership in advancing knowledge, driving change and contributing to national development,” said Chipatiso.
Chipatiso said the institution was proud of the awards and thankful for the support from the parent ministry.
“GZU has received a number of awards from the past. Last year we won runner up prizes at the Presidential Innovation Fair and this year we got the ultimate prizes in the categories which we were nominated in.
“As GZU we are very grateful for the support the institution gets from government through its parent ministry and other stakeholders,” said Chipatiso.
The Presidential Innovation Fair was running under the theme Innovation for attainment of vision 2030 and the awards aimed at celebrating learning institutions and individuals’ achievements that are found in education 5.0 which is a heritage based initiative.
The 2024 2nd Presidential Innovation Award of the Year was given to Verify Engineering Zimbabwe which won US$50 000. University of Zimbabwe was the first runner up who walked away with US$30 000 and National University of Science Technology was the second runner up who won US$20 000. The Best innovation in Environment was presented to Chinhoyi University of Technology.

JSC commissions Chiredzi, Triangle Magistrate courts

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – In a move aimed at improving the justice delivery system in the country, the Judiciary Services Commission (JSC) recently commissioned Chiredzi and Triangle Magistrate Courts.
The official commissioning of the two courts, that both have a witnesse sheds outside, was done by the Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
The two courts will improve efficiency in justice delivery, a constitutional right of every citizen as well as easy access to justice, a thing that was lacking over the past few years.
In his address at Chiredzi Magistrates Court, Justice Malaba said the milestone development was evident to the commission’s dedication to improve constitutionalism.
“In light of this understanding, it is therefore evident that today’s ceremony is the latest milestone that the Judiciary has achieved to entrench constitutionalism. This is so because the duty to cater for access to justice for the public is specifically imposed upon the Judiciary by the Constitution.
“However, I must also add that the JSC’s strategic focus on access to justice is not only attributable to the Judiciary. Justice systems are simply a reflection of the constitutional values that society upholds.
“As such, the Judiciary is joined by the public in taking ownership of the transformative drive to capacitate local communities with court facilities that provide an avenue to world-class justice,” said Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
Justice Malaba said the new courts had witness sheds to help safeguard the integrity of testimonies by witnesses.
“The court facility is also equipped with a witness shed. This is a critical machinery for the judicial process as it safeguards the integrity of testimonies by witnesses. The shed is also key to help preserve the privacy of witnesses. This is expected to protect their identities and ensure that their testimonies remain uncontroverted throughout the court proceedings,” Justice Malaba.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays in the justice system, Justice Malaba said the institution was designed with two courtrooms and that will help decrease backlogs.
“The present court facility has two courtrooms to facilitate the expeditious public hearing of matters. It is anticipated that the two courtrooms will be effectively utilised to prevent any unnecessary delays in the administration of justice. The construction of two courtrooms is a deliberate scheme meant to combat undue postponements of hearings and increases in court backlogs, “he said.
Speaking at the same event, Prosecutor General Loice Matanda-Moyo said the commissioning of the magistrate court will help in the upholding of rights for all individuals.
“This court will play a vital role in addressing the unique needs of this community, providing a platform for the resolution of disputes and upholding the rights of all individuals.
“It will also serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking justice and a symbol of our unwavering dedication to the principles of fairness and equality. As the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe we stand ready to prosecute at this new court without fear, bias and favour. We are a friend of the people of Chiredzi and an enemy to all who break the laws of our land,” she said.
She said Chiredzi was endowed with various wildlife conservation systems so there were prevalent cases of poaching by both employees and external poachers, which the advert of the new court will help in dealing with such cases.
“This particular court is located in a fast-growing town which prides itself in large scale sugarcane farming, livestock production, and is surrounded by conservancies such as the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, the Malilangwe Trust, the Humani, Senuko Ranches, parts of Save Valley Conservancy is a testament to the vacuum we are pleased will now be filled.
“The court, I am certain has long been awaited like the birth of a new born, with expectations from all and sundry. Due to the location of the court, it is the National Prosecution Authority’s hope and belief that prevalent crimes in this area such as those related to Parks and Wildlife, Stock theft, Fraud and assault will now be attended to locally and thus expeditiously,” she said.
The event was also attended by Minister of State of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira and Minister of State in the President’s Office Lovemore Matuke.

Opposition for ED: gift that keeps giving

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Ladies and gentlemen, or should I say esteemed chairmen and chairwomen, I hope you have now seen that just like the weather, things in this country change real quick and fast! Who would have known that a week that started with a cold spell, even cooler than winter will end in a heat wave? But you Zimbabweans should not be surprised by this. Infact by now you should be used, and if not kunenge kutori kuzviitisa. Mr Strong Zigi ukooo, how far Cde Trabha? Kkkkk, but Mutsvangwa should be arrested for mocking the President, because surely, I highly doubt that he didn’t know that Mushayazano’s currency was going to bite the dust huku isati yarira katatu. Remember Mutsvangwa’s boy Nevy is the godfather of the parallel market, and was even caught and released as a diversion to us the brainwashed. Kana ndatuka sorry kwacho. I can bet with my last bunch of rotten bananas that the average Zimbabwean citizen’s brain now feels like it has been shaken in a jar or something like that because zvinhu zvacho hazvimbonzwisisiki. One moment people are celebrating a new currency, excited about the gold-containing notes as was being rumoured in the streets, and the next moment we are back to where we began. It’s an endless cycle, and trust me, this abusive relationship we are in with Baba Two’s administration will leave us all bonkers. Kutopenga chaiko. Opposition for ED, just like in 2017, was in the streets with all of us celebrating the new money in April, now vanaLinda are writing mirabaraba yemastatements castigating RBZ. Ukaonawo Linda otsamwiswa nemusangano, haa pakonekwa, because she usually has a very strong character, imagine finding out your own child had an affair with your husband and you forgive him, even after he brutalizes you upon being caught. Handiti you see what you are doing VaMushayazano naMthuli wenyu ikokoko? President Linda had to voice out, even though it’s being said she may be protesting the reduction of her allowance for kurakasha opposition online. It’s said allowances are being cut in half, that’s why we are seeing elements of disgruntlement in a number of varakashi’s tones. Coffers are running dry in the corridors of power ka, remember its all looting and no meaningful production apa maelections achiri kure so priorities change. Also remember the Polad benefits didn’t accrue this time around, Baba Two realized that he was wasting resources on people who still love him regardless. A hungry man is an angry man remember, although in this case we can say woman, mubiyangu. Another member of the Opposition for ED Dhagi was recently grinning like a fool at the Labour Party conference in the UK, praising and trying to bootlick the Prime Minister weko, without even considering that those things do not move those people like that. The Chief Attender, Cde Participant, Invitee-In-Chief Bango Rako could not miss the opportunity to take selfies there, just like he did kuSadc when him and his boys vanaRicerechibhoyi waited for everyone to leave so they could take some pictures. I sincerely hope that one day Cde Raa Raa will be able to use these photos to apply for something because he is really working on his collection.
Who would have guessed that Roki would wield such power? That guy used to wear slippers, boarding mushikashika and did not even have a single waist belt that matched with any of his clothes zuro uno, now he holds the power to recall and appoint. Taizviona paaiita tuck in ka, coming to council meetings when he was newly elected kuti belt nderemutaro mutaro aya ekumarunner aya. Hanzi he just says ‘ndakutofona’ macouncilor otohwa mudumbu, kkkkk. He has become Opposition 4ED Chief Member Senator Tshabangu’s trusted lieutenant here in the province. From slippers to D4D, just like our Senator Chapfudza, from vendor to senator. Chandinoona ini, zvakaoma. From street cleaner to council vana Alaica. Then you hear someone saying Mwari haasimudze marombe from the dust, imika.
Yet another revered member of the Opposition for ED was recently in Gutu down there in Muchekayaora drinking mukumbi with traditional leaders in preparation of God-knows-what. We all know that access to traditional leaders is tricky turf when one is opposition, moreso if one is at Nero’s level. I cannot help but believe that some hands are being greased behind closed doors kuti titambiswe chipokoround. One thing for sure though is that all what has happened since he stepped down from Changu Chete Chete will further embolden him since no one has risen to the occasion and tried to lead a vibrant opposition. Daddy journalist’s GIE died before it lived. I can tell you for free that Nero is going to use that whenever he feels like using the electorate again, and this time he will be bolder. Whoever advises Nero knows very well that the goal is not to end up on the helm of this country, because some of the mistakes he makes seem too well calculated, just to piss people off, imposing candidates, making political blunders. I think nayewo he wouldn’t want to inherit nyika yava mamvemve kudaro. Unotangira pai kusona kana ndimiwo? Also, I think he has lost the popularity and support of the people who initially supported him, who now see him for who he truly is. It’s just another 4ED ladies and gentlemen, plus let me remind you kuti vanobva kusame area naBaba Two. I bet Mavhaire saw that it was taking time akati ko kukurumidza ndaenda ndega ndinei. Food will be finished at home while you are waiting to get a sign, ukafa nenzara, kkkk. Even those in Zanu are baffled at the speed at which chimudhara managed to squeeze his was back in such style. Also, they know the man is a short fuse and retains some power, nekutoziva musangano so they can’t help but feel the threat. Let’s wait and see but I know there is gnashing of teeth within the province about Dzika’s return, mark my words. Right now members of the Bootlickers Association are positioning themselves strategically, so that they remain in our “Motherly mother” Oksy and her husband’s good graces. I saw that UBH banner and instead of laughing, ndakanzwa tsitsi at the level of bootlicking. I thought the younger generation of Zanu leaders will be better, bva iihh, what would you tell someone like Machakaire when the bootlicking bug has bitten him? If you try to advise him against it he may even donate his family members to Baba Two. VanaMachakaire, Paradza and Mudhumi we thought they would be more rational but alas. Speaking of, nhai Hon Mudhumi maakuitana sei futi with our friends from the east? It happens, just do the community service mupedze zvenyu imi cde, don’t forget to carry your sunhat and water bottle in this heat, before you know it, zvinenge zvatopera. Good thing is you have learned your lesson, madhiri anombodhirika.
I hear that chiefs have gotten new vehicles on top of what they have. That is happening at a time when drought and hunger are showing people red kumamisha uko. But wait, I am yet to receive my own chimukuyu chenzou here at Chitima, I hope some corrupt government official will not dribble me please ndasuwa nyama. The rotten bananas and maputi diet is making me malnourished with each passing day. Chete, I am a child from Masvingo, so food poverty has been normalized here. The province that is crying for Baba Two’s third term has made headlines for topping in child food poverty. Probably the malnutrition and stunted growth got into the heads yamDCC nemaPCC members that’s why they started pushing that 2030 agenda. Varegererei kumwe kutorwara maybe.
Let me go ndindokanga maputi angu for lunch. These days I usually stroll to the showgrounds to pick some leftovers since I finished those I picked at the monuments during the birthday. Ko ndini ndadiiwo handiti even the legend Mutukudzi’s children vaingodyawo zvasiiwa nevamwe? Before I go, please hug a civil servant whenever you see one because with what the Zig rates have done, they need it. Asi Zanu ka, Mwari ave nemi. Especially you members of the Opposition 4ED, muchandotsva kudenga. Also, greet my friend Mphoko when you see him and beg him not to let them close Choppies please, ngavataurirane negovernment varombo vawanewo kwekutenga. Until next week, mboko imboko!

Dr Zulu acquitted for culpable homicide

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By TellZim Reporter

Masvingo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Noel Zulu was earlier this week acquitted of culpable homicide charges he was facing by Masvingo Magistrate Bishard Chineka.
Zulu had been charged after being arrested following a police report by relatives of the late Gladys Sibanda Mapwashike after an autopsy on the latter’s body discovered a cotton gauze in her abdomen that was allegedly left after an operation by Zulu eight years ago.
He was acquitted on the basis that the evidence brought forward by the state witnesses held no water.
The pathologist who did the autopsy, Dr Godfrey Zimbwa said the cause of death was liver cirrhosis and the swab that was found in the abdomen could have contributed to a lesser extent.
The magistrate also said it was not the duty of the surgeon to account for the missing cloth as there are nurses who are responsible for that so the court could not prosecute Zulu for that.
The state led by Liberty Hove stated that the actual cause of Gladys Sibanda Mapwashike’s death was not clear since she died eight years after the surgical operation.
The evidence brought forward stated that Mapwashike died after attending a rally and there was suspected food poisoning and a post mortem was done on July 18 2023 at Masvingo Provincial Hospital by Dr Zimbwa.
The postmortem’s results stated that Mapwashike’s liver had shrunk and there were also abdominal fluids outside the intestines which contributed to her death as she had liver cirrhosis.
Dr Zulu’s defense lawyer Tymore Tabana said the cloth was sterilized to avoid harm to the patient and also liver cirrhosis, abdominal fluid and the cloth might have caused the death although the three are not related.
Court observations stated that it was not the duty of the surgeon to account for the consumables during an operation as it was the duty of a scrub nurse to account for them before and after the operation thus the fault was the scrub nurse’s for failing to account for the cloth.
The judgement also stated that the state failed to bring any of those who were present during the operation to also give an account of what transpired during the surgery.
The court also relied on Dr Zimbwa’s evidence who said the primary cause of death was liver cirrhosis and the cloth was a peripheral cause.
The court further said the state was hunting in the dark as it did not know the actual cause of death since the case had poor evidence to show that Zulu committed the culpable homicide offense and could not speculate without clear evidence since Dr Zimbwa dismissed the cloth as the cause of death.

Four die in Roy-Chiredzi road accident

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By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Four people died after a Nissan Serena vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Roy-Chiredzi road on September 14, 2024.
Police confirmed the incident on its official X handle and said four other passengers who were injured are admitted at Msiso Hospital.
Circumstances are that on the day in question at around 0725 hours, upon reaching the 60-kilometre peg, the vehicle, with eight passengers on board veered off the road and overturned before landing on its side after the rear right tyre burst. Subsequently four people died on the spot while four others were injured.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Msiso Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were admitted at the same hospital. The victims’ names could not be disclosed at the time of writing as they had not yet been identified by their next of kin.
The Roy-Chiredzi road has emerged as a hotspot in Masvingo Province due to the frequent occurrence of accidents.
On August 31, 2024, another accident occurred at the 867-kilometer peg along the same road when Caston Masara from Zaka failed to negotiate a curve. The car lost control and overturned several times. Masara was thrown out through the front windscreen, sustained a deep cut on the head, and died on the spot.
On March 28 another road traffic accident occurred at 30km peg along the Roy-Chiredzi where about 55 passengers’ cheated death when an Inter Africa bus driver failed to negotiate a curve before the bus overturned.
The road has one of deadliest steeps nicknamed ‘Perirendava’ where several haulage trucks get stuck after failing to pull through the steep causing congestion and accidents.

Shamba City wins Shurugwi South Anti-Drug Abuse tournament

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By Tavonga Munyanyi

Central region Division Three side, Shamba City FC won the Shurugwi South Anti-Drug Abuse Tournament after defeating Young Bullets FC with a goal to nil in the finals at Vungwi Primary School sports grounds on September 14.
The tournament was sponsored by Shurugwi South Member of Parliament Wilson Mhuri while Deputy Minister of Health Sleiman Kwidini was the guest-of-honor.
The winning goal was scored in the 85th minute, breaking Young Bullets FC supporters’ hearts and securing Shamba City FC’s Championship title.
The match was a thrilling clash of giants as the teams were applying pressure on each other throughout.
Speaking to TellZim News after the match, Shamba City Head Coach Shepherd Karasao expressed his excitement for the team’s commitment and effort.
“I’m very thrilled with the boys’ performance, their enthusiasm for football is producing results and is commendable, and the players were preparing tirelessly for this match they have won. It is my desire to see tournaments like this opening opportunities for our players to go beyond the Premier League,” Karasao said.
Four teams participated in the tournament and the other two were Highway FC on third position and Chinyavada FC which came fourth.
On his part, MP Mhuri, thanked the teams for participating, saying they should continue working hard to make sure they produce players who would play in top flight leagues and abroad.
“I thank all the teams for their efforts to make this tournament a success, you must continue working to produce prominent football players in Shurugwi,” said Mhuri.
Mhuri also emphasized the importance of unity and for people to build a better Shurugwi.
Also present at the event were ZANU PF Midlands Provincial Youth League chairperson, Ernest Dzoro, Shurugwi North Member of Parliament Joseph Mpasi, Zvishavane District Coordinating Chairperson (DCC) and Zvishavane Ngezi Member of Parliament Meki Jaravaza attended this event.

Notorious Ngundu robbers jailed

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By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Two of the four armed robbers that had caused sleepless nights to Ngundu residents were finally sentenced to 11 and 18 years jail terms respectively after being convicted on two counts of robbery each by Masvingo Regional Magistrate Bishard Chineka on September 14, 2024.
James Masunda (28) from Mateza Village, Chief Nyajena was slapped with 11years imprisonment after pleading guilty in court while his accomplice Prosper Cephas Mushandu from Village 19 Mukosi Resettlement, got 18 years after he pleaded not guilty.
The other two accomplices, Eria Ziwurawa and Kudzai Farara are still at large.
It was the state’s case as presented by prosecutor Nickson Chamisa that on May 13, 2024, around 1900 hours, the four proceeded to Varaidzo Zimhunga’s homestead, with the common purpose of committing robbery. They used Ziwurawa’s motor vehicle, a Toyota Fun Cargo.
Upon arrival at Zimhunga’s house, Masunda who was armed with a rifle entered the house while Mushandu remained outside. Masunda found Zimhunga seated in the house counting her money and pointed the rifle threatening to shoot her if she screamed or failed to comply with his demands.
Masunda demanded cash and took a cash box containing R53 000 and a Samsung Galaxy A23 cell phone. Mushandu who was armed with a machete entered the house and instructed Zimhunga to surrender her Honda fit vehicle ignition keys.
Zimhunga asked her son Wisdom Munete to fetch the keys in the kitchen unit but he failed to locate them. Mushandu pressed machete against Wisdom’s back and forced him to get into the bedroom where he took the car keys and later handed them to Masunda.
Farara armed with a pistol, went into another bedroom where he threatened Tadiwanashe Munete and demanded a laptop. Instead, he took a cell phone Hisense Infinite E30 and an itel P40plus and locked Tadiwanashe in the room before they fled the scene using Ziwurawa’s motor vehicle.
On the second count, Masunda, Mushandu and Farara went to Petunia Matewe’s shop at Mukosi Resettlement Area at around 2230 hours where Munyaradzi Mudende (23) was employed as a security guard.
Masunda was armed with a long riffle and an iron bar which he used to break the door while Mushandu remained outside as a sentry armed with a knobkerrie. Ziwurawa remained in the getaway car. Farara was armed with a bolt cutter and they were all dressed in black outfits and balaclavas.
Masunda and Farara entered the shop where they ordered the security guard to lie on the floor and remain silent. They stole 2 x 200 AH Sosola batteries, 210 litres deep freezer, two Dixon speakers with amplifier, royal speaker, Afritech inverter, phonic amplifier, Huawei Y7, Huawei Y5, Samsung A32 and groceries.
Farara tied up the security guard using electric cables before they drove away.
Another shop owner, Anold Matavo, who was sleeping in his shop heard the noise and went to the village to alert Matewe. The two untied Madende and reported the incident to the police.
Police received information that Masunda’s wife, Letmore Vimisai was selling a solar battery believed to be part of stolen property and carried out investigations leading to the arrest of Masunda on May 29, 2024.
He admitted to have committed the offence swith Mushandu and Farara. Police recovered a Samsung Galaxy A23, Hisense Infinite E30, Tippman rifle, a long machete, two dragon blades, a knobkerrie, a blue bolt cutter, an iron bar, a BSA meteor air gun and further leading to the arrest of Mushandu.
This led to the recovery of the other stolen items including an Afritech inverter, Phonic amplifier, Dickson speaker, and speaker stand. Vimisai’s cooperation led to the recovery of stolen goods that are 25 pampers, a Dickson speaker, 210-liter Defy deep freezer fridge, amplifier, and 22 pampers from Ziwurawa’s homestead.
The total value of stolen property is US$1 821:50 and total value recovered was US$1 211.

Junior High driver qualifies for national drivers’ competitions

By Meditation Mposi

A Junior High School bus driver has raised the flag of the school high after he qualified for the national drivers’ competitions to be held in Bulawayo.
He qualified after being recognized as one of the best drivers in Masvingo Province’s 2024 edition of Driver Of The Year competitions hosted by Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) on September 14 at Flamboyant Hotel.
55-year-old Tongesai Mudyiwa who secured third position in the bus category said he was expecting victory ahead of national competitions to be held in Bulawayo next week.
Drivers who participated during the provincial competitions and managed to secure positions one to three in different provinces in different categories are to participate in the nationals in Bulawayo.
“Though it is my first time to participate in this competition l have hope that l will bring a medal back home and proceed to the internationals to be held next year in Germany,” said Mudyiwa.
Mudyiwa said the competitions empowered drivers with knowledge and skills hence it was important for drivers to take part.
“I am happy to participate in these competitions because they improve our driving skills and knowledge. There are some driving skills that we learn and some errors that we correct during these competitions. I encourage other drivers to participate in these competitions—one might not win but there is a lot to learn,” said Mudyiwa.
Mudyiwa has been working with Junior Investments since 2015.
Various entities participated, including the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply (ZESA), Masvingo City Council, various schools across Masvingo, including Junior High School, Kyle College and St Don Bosco among others.
There were four categories which were the Bus category, Rigid category, Kombi category and Articulated category.
Tumai Chikaka and Tatenda Makovere from ZNA secured positions one and two respectively in the bus category while Mudyiwa secured third position.
TSCZ holds the driver of the competitions as a way of standardizing and improving driving. The competitions serve as a benchmark to check whether drivers know the basic rules of driving and how to apply them.
The competition was last held in 2018 due to disruptions by Covid-19 induced lockdowns.