Home Blog Page 110

Come for consultations – Council urged

TellZim News
-
0
Come for consultations – Council urged

By Own Correspondent

Villagers from Mutasa Dristrict Council’s ward 18 have urged the local authority to prioritise consultative meetings in order to promote participation by ordinary members of the society.
Speaking during a community dialogue meeting organized by TellZim News, members of the public said they were worried by the fact that they had never been involved in budget consultation meetings and urged the ward Councillor Johanne Mandirangana to make sure the local authority comes to the people.
“We have seen government coming down to us for budget consultations and we make our contributions to national budget but surprisingly we have never seen our local authority doing the same here.
“We have always seen you (Councillor) here and we do meetings with you and we are happy with you thus far- however, your council has not managed to come down for budgets reviews. We are surprised with new levies and taxes that are just imposed on us without consultations,” said Village had Chauruka.
Villagers said there were a number of projects and activities that they would want to see local authority executing.


Councillor Mandiringana said he was happy to hear people’s views and promised to do his best in addressing concerns raised. He also urged the Ward Development Committee (WDCO) to be very active and be ready to do their work.
“I can’t be everywhere or the council may not be represented at every level however, your Ward Development Committee – the people I introduced to you when we started this meeting must be there always to push for our interests as a ward. Those people must be active to promote healthy dialogue between you and local authority. I will be happy as Councillor to always have this committee come for follow-ups and suggestions of the things that we must do together,” said the councilor.

Villagers from Mutasa South’s ward 18 during a dialogue meeting at Chidazemba Primary School

…as pregnant women travel 12 km to nearest clinic

Speaking at the same event, locals told the Councillor that there was need to fast-track the completion of a clinic being constructed at Chidazembe Primary School since expecting mothers were travelling almost 12 km to the nearest health facility.
“We appeal to you to help that we finish our clinic as soon as possible since expecting mothers are travelling very long distances for services. In many instances, women are walking for 12km and we think this is not good,” said village head Chauruka.
Other villagers also raised issues of human wildlife conflict saying they were facing challenges from wild animals like warthogs that were invading their fields and destroying crops.
“We are failing to get better yields because of wild pigs. Right now the yams we planted are being eaten by the pigs. The mealies that are almost ready in gardens are being eaten and even in the fields when we plant, they will also come, so this is affecting our yields,” said one villager.

Car theft on rise in Masvingo

TellZim News
-
0
Car theft on rise in Masvingo

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Police in Masvingo have expressed concern over the increase in reported cases of motor vehicle theft this year following reports of two motor vehicles stolen over the past weeks.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said this while confirming the recent theft of two motor vehicles that occurred on the weekend of October 18, 2024 and urged car owners to be careful.
“Cases of car theft are on the rise in Masvingo. We have a report of two vehicles that were stolen over the past few weeks though the police managed to recover them.
“On September 13, a motor vehicle was taken from Victoria Ranch and on September 20 another vehicle was stolen from the same area. Another one was stolen on October 7.
“I would like to urge car owners to put security measures in place to avoid car theft or make it easier for police to track like putting car trackers, alarms and lockable garages. Trackers will make it easier for the police to track stolen vehicles whilst alarms and locked garages scare away thieves,” said Dhewa.
He said the stolen vehicles belonged to Clayton Nyakanyanga (34) whose car was stolen along Leopold Takawira Street near Windows Hardware, valued at approximately US$4500. The other one belonged to Rashid Mutsvaire (35) that was valued US$3500 and was stolen at Mucheke Rank.
Circumstances are that on October 18 at around 1120 hours Nyakanyanga left his black Honda fit vehicle parked near Windows Hardware, Masvingo CBD while the car keys were on ignition.
Nyakanyanga went into the hardware to make a purchase, only to discover upon his return that the vehicle was missing and he reported the incident to the police.
During the investigations the police received information indicating that Tinashe Moyo (24) had been seen driving the stolen vehicle.
On the second incident, a Toyota Sedan Sprinter was stolen at Mucheke rank and was found in possession of Ephraim Chivenge (19) from Masvingo Industrial Street and Nickson Chizengwe (24) from Majange Street.
It is reported that on October 18, Mutsvaire from Zimuto Street parked his Grey Toyota Sedan Sprinter near Chifamba shop in Mucheke and locked it before going to his homestead. The following day at 0900 hours he found the vehicle missing and reported the incident.
The police received information about the two suspects at Yeukai attempting to tow another vehicle using the stolen vehicle and they were arrested.

Masvingo poet set to release collection

TellZim News
-
0
Masvingo poet set to release collection

By Tatiana Mhararira

A Masvingo poet Tecla Nyengeterai Mwoyo is set to release a poetry anthology which she says was meant to promote Zimbabwean culture, with the project running from end of October to December 2024.
Mwoyo said the anthology is state funded and learners from primary and secondary schools as well as college students will be contributing their work in it.
She said after the success of her first poetry album ‘Voiceless’, she was inspired to work on the second project which she said is meant to equip people from various ages with poetry skills as there are many talented people out there with most of them lacking kills.
“Following the success of the ‘Voiceless’ album, I am working on my upcoming project called My Hearty Zim Culture Poetry Anthology running under the theme ‘The best way to understand a different culture is to live among’.
“The anthology aims to equip leaners and students with necessary poetry skills in promoting shared standard of interactions, to enable Zimbabweans to embrace their culture with pride, to promote multiculturalism and to facilitate translation of indigenous languages used in anthology into English Language being supplementary tourism industry efforts,” said Mwoyo.
Mwoyo said each province will have its own poetry book and there were some key outputs which she aimed to see after the launch of the anthology.
“The key outputs of the anthology include increased responsiveness from schools covering all ten provinces to district levels, technical facilities, raised awareness and publication of information,” said Mwoyo.
Mwoyo is a poet registered with the National Arts Council and can perform on a number of events including local and international events.
Some of the poems on the ‘Voiceless’ album include Dear God, Valentine, I’m sorry, Girl Child, Dzimba Dzemabwe, Kutenda, Wandakada, Kubaira Zanhi and Ndakatamba nepwere.

2 more awards for Junior Enterprises

TellZim News
-
0
2 more awards for Junior Enterprises

By Virgina Njovo

Junior Enterprise which runs a thriving Driving school, two private schools and a security company won two more awards at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Masvingo Chapter at Flamboyant Hotel recently.
Junior Driving School was crowned MSME of The Year while Junior Enterprises Director Noah Marima won the Businessman of The Year award.
In Septermber, Junior Primary School was recognised as the Best Private School while Marima was crowned Entrepreneur of The Year at the Sundrive Annual Business Awards.
Junior Driving School was crowned Outstanding Driving School at the Masvingo Agricultural Show.
Marima was named Outstanding Business Personality in 2020 at the Megafest awards while Junior High School bagged the Diamond Award in 2022 cementing the enterprise as one of the best in the province and beyond.
Speaking to TellZim News, Marima said he was humbled by the awards which he said were a testament to the organisation’s quest for excellence.
“These awards are not just a testament to my hard work, but also to the incredible support I’ve received from my team and colleagues.
“They came as a reminder that our efforts are making a difference, and as Junior Enterprises, we are honoured,” said Marima.
Junior Driving School has also been named best in the Motor Trade Industry several times at the Masvingo Agricultural Show.
One of Junior Driving School Drivers recently came third in the driver-of-the-year competitions held by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TCSZ) recently.

Rains threaten Mucheke, Chimusana Bridges completion

TellZim News
-
0
Rains threaten Mucheke, Chimusana Bridges completion

… as financial hurdles delay progress

By Perpetua Murungweni

The long-stalled Mucheke and Chimusana Bridges projects have suffered another setback ,with construction crushing to an end due to financial challenges.
With Masvingo town having received first rains on the evening of October 23, continuous delays could draw back the work as rains could fill in excavations that had already been done at the two bridges.
Construction of the Mucheke Chevron Bridge and Chimusana Bridge commenced in June this year and was expected to be completed by next year February.
However, progress at both bridges seem to be slow and Ministry of Public works Engineer Shadreck Kativhu confirmed the slowing down of progress claiming it was due to financial challenges.
“Currently we are experiencing financial constraints, but will notify you once our funding situation improves. We are awaiting for disbursement of funds through the timelines are unclear,” said Kativhu.
Timelines remain a maze as responsible authorities are failing to provide information as well as the amount of money to be used for the projects. Kativhu refused to comment on completion timelines and way forward since they were struggling with finances before referring this reporter to Engineer Zindoga from the head office who also failed to comment referring questions back to Kativhu.
“Procedurally I am not allowed to comment on that, Engineer Kativhu can assist you,” said Zindoga
Ministry of Public Works routine report seen by this publication however indicated that the construction of the Mucheke Chevron Bridge was expected to be completed in February 2025 and gave an outline of the bridges.
In their 2012/13 budget, Masvingo City Council had proposed US$800 000 for the widening of Chimusana Bridge and in 2014 council then indicated that the same project needed at least US$2.5million. The council, then under the late Town Clerk Adolf Gusha claimed that the money that was proposed in the 2012 council budget was never collected as residents failed to pay their bills.
In 2018, government cancelled a tender to modernize the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway that had been awarded to Austrian firm, Geiger International and awarded it to five local companies namely Masimba Holdings, Exodus and Company, Fossil Contracting, Bitumen World and Tensor.
In 2022 Masimba Construction Company was then contracted to construct additional bridges on Mucheke River in Masvingo which were aimed at reducing congestion along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2).
Recently, Masimba Holdings issued a notice on the closure to traffic of Chimusana Bridge starting from September 17, saying it was meant for the continuation of the Harare-Beitbridge roadworks, but to date, the bridge is yet to be closed and there is no progress.

Village heads bemoan water challenges in Mutasa

TellZim News
-
0
Village heads bemoan water challenges in Mutasa

By Own Correspondent

Village heads in ward 18 of Mutasa District are appealing to the government to intervene and solve water challenges affecting the area.
Speaking to the ward councilor Johanne Mandiringana at a TellZim News facilitated interface meeting recently, village heads said although they were happy with government interventions in many areas, they were appealing for a lasting solution to water problems.
Village head Onias Chasauka said people from his village were walking several kilometers in search of clean water for drinking and other domestic uses.
“I am faced with serious water problems in my village. Women and children are walking over five kilometers looking for water to drink and often they end up fetching unclean water from rivers. We are sitting on a health time bomb because of the obtaining situation,” said Chasauka.
Nyakurima Village head also weighed in saying the situation was no longer bearable and suggested that the solution may be obtained if they are assistance in getting pipes that can be connected from main water pipes that take water from Pungwe River to Mutare.
“We do not have water at Shamhu shopping center, business is highly affected there and yet there is an option of diverting water from Pungwe River to our community,” said Nyakurima.
Councilor Mandiringana said he was not aware of the dire situation as explained by village heads but promised that the issue would be treated with urgency and priority it deserves.
“You see the reason why these dialogues are important, I now have a full picture of water woes in this area and I will go and approach our Member of Parliament (MP) for assistance. We must never allow people to drink unclean water or let them walk long distances to get water. I promise you that we are bringing a solution soon,” said Mandiringana.
Mandiringana said with the help of local MP Misheck Mugadza, a number of boreholes including the one at Nyakatsapa garden were drilled but said due to the time of the year, water was generally becoming a challenge.
“As you already know, a number of boreholes were drilled here but some of those boreholes are dry because the water table is generally low during this period of the year,” said Mandiringana.

Normal to above normal rainfall expected this season

TellZim News
-
0
Normal to above normal rainfall expected this season

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

The Meteorological Services Department has issued its seasonal rainfall forecast, expecting above normal rainfall across Zimbabwe for the majority of the 2024/2025 season.
Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) confirmed the forecast, which is expected to benefit agriculture, water resources and economic development.
Parastatal Agritex and the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) have urged farmers to gear up for the upcoming rainy season in anticipation of successful harvests.
Speaking to TellZim News, Chiredzi District Agritex Officer Tongai Bodi said farmers were supposed to gear up for the farming season which he said would be different from last year’s.
“We anticipate normal to above-normal rainfall, suggesting that this season is expected to be better than the previous one in terms of agricultural prospects. Farmers are encouraged to commence farming when there is sufficient rainfall, reaching a minimum of 30mm.
“In areas like Chiredzi, we advise them to begin planting their initial crops or small grains such as sorghum, millet, groundnuts, and cotton. The commencement of the season is indicated by a rainfall of 30 mm and there shouldn’t be 20 consecutive dry days.
“We do not encourage farmers to cultivate with light rainfall amounts less than 30 millimetres. For instance if there is accumulative rainfall within ten days this indicates the possibility for them to begin farming,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of farmers collaborating closely with their Extension Officers to receive comprehensive advice and guidance before commencing farming activities once the season begins.
“We urge all farmers to collaborate with their Agricultural Extension Officers and Agronomists to receive guidance on identifying the signals that mark the beginning of the rainy season. This assistance is important in determining which crops to plant and when to plant them,” said Bodi.
ZFU Masvingo District Chairperson Chrispen Chiuswa said farmers were showing signs of preparedness and the union urged them to implement conservation farming.
“Farmers are demonstrating evident readiness by applying manure in their fields and some have already begun implementing Pfumvudza or Intwasa. We advocate for utilizing the initial rains to speed up land preparation and ensure preparedness.
“The Union is recommending the adoption of conservation farming methods like Pfumvudza and Nhimbe system to enhance agricultural sustainability,” said Chiuswa.
Chiuswa added that modern farming demanded careful planning and timely decision making.
“In the present agricultural environment, farming is a successful industry that demands careful planning. Farmers need to think ahead and buy necessary resources quickly. This way of thinking allows them to take advantage of chances, gain benefits and guarantee a stable future,” he said.

Villagers applaud Minister Mugadza’s responsiveness

TellZim News
-
0
Villagers applaud Minister Mugadza’s responsiveness

By Own Correspondent

Scores of villagers from Mutasa South’s ward 18 have applauded their Member of Parliament (MP) and also Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza for his swift response in addressing challenges being faced by the community.
Speaking at a TellZim News organized dialogue meeting at Chidazemba Primary School recently, members of the public said Minister Mugadza had demonstrated dedicated leadership by quickly coming to their rescue whenever they had challenges.
“We have several problems that we are facing here but we are lucky to have an MP who is very swift in addressing the challenges that we have. Each time we approach Minister Mugadza, he is quick to bring solutions on the table and we are very happy about that,” said Village head Chauruka.
Ward 18 Councillor Johanne Mandiringana also thanked the MP saying he was satisfied with responses he receive each time he goes to him with requests from the ward.
“I am happy to let you know that we have done a number of projects in this ward such as borehole drilling for communities and schools, established community gardens, supported projects such as apiculture as well as cooperatives manufacturing detergents.
“We also managed to clear a football pitch here at Chidazemba Primary courtesy of the MP. The projects and programmes that we are doing are so many, I however, encourage you to also take your part in helping the MP and the government. We expect you to also participate in development by either donating your labour or skills whenever necessary,” said Mandiringana.
Councillor Mandiringana assured villagers that a clinic which was being constructed near Chidazembe Primary was going to be completed without fail.
“I know that people are worried about the progress at our clinic. Let me assure you that this clinic is going to be completed. Delays were caused by circumstances beyond our control, however, the projects remains very critical and on top of our to-do list,” said Mandiringana.
Regarding a secondary school for the area, Councillor Mandiringana said he was spending sleepless nights trying to find the quickest way to establish a secondary school.
“I would have liked a situation where learners would start going to a new secondary school here before the end of the year. It is no longer possible to open a secondary school this year but I am hoping we will be successful next year. I will sit down with our MP and explain the need for a secondary school here. I know he will be able to help us,” added Mandiringana.

Another accolade for Mukaratirwa, Masvingo City

TellZim News
-
0
Another accolade for Mukaratirwa, Masvingo City

By Staff Reporter

Masvingo City Council Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa was recently crowned Best Manager for the year 2024 by the Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC).
Masvingo City Council was also recognized as the Best Customer Centered Organization at the same event and it was all smiles for the city managers led by Mukaratirwa as well as the councilors as they received the awards.
Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe said they were honored as council to receive such awards and that showed that the council’s efforts were being recognized despite working under difficult conditions owing to economic conditions.
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award. It marks a milestone terms of how the city is performing in trying to improve service delivery to residents. These efforts are the reason why we are receiving these accolades.
“We try our best to provide basic services like water, for at least eight hours a day and timeous collect refuse. It’s very hard because we are operating in a very difficult environment, we are in a hyperinflation with the currency losing value every day, we however try to offer affordable service to our residents,” said Tabe.
He went on to thank council management and the residents whom he said were supportive which results in the city being recognized for their efforts.
“I want to thank council management, all council employees, and fellow policymakers for the maximum effort they are putting to make sure that the city continue to be recognized. I want to thank all residents and our stakeholders for the support,” said Tabe.
In 2023, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa won President Emmerson Mnangangwa’s Award for the Best Town Clerk in Zimbabwe, a government recognition for excellent performance in service delivery.
At the 64th edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) held in Bulawayo in April, Masvingo City Council won the Most Innovative Creative Local Authority Award which shows that the city is performing well in terms of providing services to residents.
Masvingo has also seen an improvement in terms of water provision though of late, persistent power cuts have seen reduced flow of water to residential areas and even the Central Business District (CBD).
In 2022, Masvingo City Council hogged the limelight after scooping four accolades at Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Awards held on February 25, 2022 in Harare.
Then Mayor Cllr Collen Maboke was the Outstanding Mayor winner, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa won the Outstanding Town Clerk, Public Relations Officer Ashleigh Jinjika won as the Outstanding Public Relations Officer and Masvingo City won in the Best Performing Local Authority category.

Teen ‘ritualist’ haunted by troubled past

TellZim News
-
0
Teen ‘ritualist’ haunted by troubled past

By Perpetua Murungweni

On October 14, 2024, a video of a 17-year-old boy from Masvingo town, who had allegedly ‘stolen’ an 11-year-old minor for rituals went viral.
Coupled with the video were voice notes narrating what had happened, to the point where the minor was rescued from the clutches of a supposed painful death, taking people’s memories back to the Tapiwa Makore story which is still fresh in people’s minds.
However, missing from the social media posts as is usual with many other viral social media posts was the agony faced by the mother of the alleged ritualist, who woke up to his son being demonized for almost becoming a notorious murderer.
Far from the rumors circulating online, teenager (name withheld for ethical reasons), who shared a friendship bond with the minor despite their six-year age difference has a troubled past that often makes him hallucinate, as his mother narrates.
The mother alleges that her son, who attends a local private college in Mucheke sometimes behaves weirdly and when it gets worse, hears voices instructing him to do certain things that included in this case, killing the 11-year-old boy.
Her voice shakes as she retells the story, recalling how she has endured one too many episodes of her son’s behavior since he was 14—a son she swore could never harm a fly just like any mother would say.
“I left my son in the custody of his paternal aunt going to South Africa to look for greener pastures when he was 14. Little did I know that over the two years I left him and his two sisters with their aunt, they were being abused. I also later found out that this left emotional scars especially on my boy, who then started behaving weirdly.
“This is not the first time he has done something this weird. He once ran away and was stopped by the police at the Tollgate walking towards Harare where he told police the same bizarre stories of ritual involvement and claimed he was walking to Harare,” the mother said, wiping tears.
She broke down again when she narrated how she believes her son had been initiated into the dark world, which may have been triggered by his abuse when he was younger.
“I don’t know what has gotten over my son, but I believe he needs help. He courageously opens up to police about his past abuse and sexual abuse by his aunt.
“He also said the said aunt forced him to participate in some rituals where she gave him a clay pot wrapped in a red cloth, subsequently wrapping his whole body with another red cloth,” she said.
The mother also said the teenager always claims to hear her aunt’s voice demanding that he either kills someone to survive or his parents will die instead. She worries that one day her son may wound up dead or worse still, kill a child and disappear into thin air.
“When I left for South Africa, all I ever wanted was the best life for my children. I never meant for them to suffer, but that decision has cost me dearly. I am desperate for my son to receive the support and healing he needs,” she said.
The mother dismissed allegations of drug abuse against her son, whom she vouches for his discipline through it all.
“I know my child better and I know he is not using drugs. He has always been a well-disciplined child and he is not a drug addict like what is being claimed in social media circles. He is just a boy who needs help,” the mother said.
On the other hand, the mother to the teenager’s 11-year-old friend he allegedly kidnapped for ritual killing said her son returned home safe and on his own, after having disappeared for two days and told them he was with his older friend.
She is neighbours with the family that almost robbed her of her son.
“My son ran truant from school on Monday October 14 after having lied to his grandmother. His grandmother later found out that he was not at school and threatened to beat him up, that is when he ran away from home.
“He later told us he slept under the bed at the teenager’s house, later going to the hills on Tuesday morning where they spent the night. Thankfully my son was unharmed and he told me his friend gave him a cloth to keep him warm at night while he kept warm by the fire.
She said the teenager was very close to her son, which took them by surprise when he came back claiming to have failed to kill her son because he did not have enough manpower to pin him down.
“His behavior raises a lot of questions about potential mental health issues or substance abuse,” said the boy’s mother.
“I don’t think this teenager’s behavior is normal. I think it’s true that he might have been bewitched by his aunt because there are so many stories around his growing up in the hands of his aunt,” the woman said.
Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe failed to confirm the incident saying the case was not reported to police despite the teenager’s mother confirming that her son spent a night in police cells on the night he returned home after disappearing with his minor friend.
“The police did not receive a missing child report, it’s something that we only saw on social media,” said Dhewa.

1...109110111...975Page 110 of 975