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Women’s club donates sanitary wear to Mucheke High

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Women’s club donates sanitary wear to Mucheke High

By Decide Nhendo

Masvingo Urban Women in Progress Community Group (UWPCG), a savings club, recently donated sanitary wear to Mucheke High School and the group intends to extend the donations to other local schools from the money they get from their cooperative.
UWPCG chairperson Regina Chabhanga said they were helping girls to inspire them to do the same when they grow up.
“We are helping girls because we want to make them learn to help others from what we are doing. We encourage guardians to make sure they help the girl child because she represents motherhood,” said Chabhanga.
One of UWPCG members Rebecca Magomo said they chose Mucheke High because that’s where most of the group members learnt and the gesture was a payback to the school.
“We chose to start by donating sanitary wear to Mucheke High because most of us did our secondary education here, so it is a way of paying back to the school and community,” said Magomo.
Magomo said they bought 110 packs of sanitary wear that will be distributed at the school to ease period poverty which at times affects their learning.
“We have handed over 110 packs of 10 to Mucheke learners because we thought as mothers that we need to help the girl child,” said Magomo.
She said the group was hoping to help young ladies who are victims of unwanted pregnancies and are sent away by parents from their homes, which was a common feature within communities, but financial constraints were still holding them back.
“We have plans to help young ladies who get unwanted pregnancies with necessities since most of them are being sent away by their parents who will not want to look after their children, however, our main challenge is lack of resources,” said Magomo.
UWPCG started in 2019 as a savings club and they contributed money which will then be lent out to members who would return it with interest. They would buy furniture among other things before they ventured into helping others.

Gweru City Council goes after heavy vehicles

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Gweru City Council goes after heavy vehicles

By Tinaani Nyabereka

MIDLANDS – Gweru City Council is set to go after heavy vehicles whose drivers they are accusing of violating road regulations and damaging roads in Gweru.
The move was announced by Gweru Mayor, Cllr Martin Chivhoko during a full council meeting that was held at the townhouse recently.
He said for long, truck drivers have been violating traffic regulations in the city with some cutting through the Central Business District (CBD) using the wrong routes.
“What are we going to do with the trucks that are violating the road? We see most truck drivers cut across the CBD but what bothers us is, we are our law enforcement agencies.
“We need to bring sanity to the city, trucks need to use authorized routes and move at the periphery of the city, we can’t have both heavy and light motor vehicles congesting the city. We have vehicles from Chinese companies who are using our roads.
“We see trucks carrying heavy loads of chrome, they are not supposed to congest, the suburbs so these companies must take part in the rehabilitation of most of the roads as trucks are heavily damaging the roads,” Chivhoko said.
Chivhoko added that the heavy trucks were flouting council by-laws by driving through residential suburbs where they are not allowed to.
“The heavy trucks are violating council by-laws by driving through residential areas. Heavy vehicles are not allowed in residential suburbs because the roads are not designed for their weight.
“They are destroying our roads causing potholes.
Council is going to clamp and fine such vehicles,” said.

Man sells dead man’s tipper left in his custody for 3 years

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Man sells dead man’s tipper left in his custody for 3 years

By Bright Zhou

A 51-year-old man who resides in Chatsworth, Masvingo was arrested after swapping a dead man’s tipper truck left in his custody with a mini-bus and has appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Bishard Chineka on theft charges on May 29, 2024.
Chineka remanded the accused Absalom Masvinge, in custody for continuation of trial on June 3, 2024.
The state heard that in mid-2021 Masvinge was left in custody of a red tipper truck which had a breakdown by the now deceased Shepherd Chara and was asked to keep it safe until he came back to repair and collect it.
Three years passed and Shepherd did not collect his truck from Masvinge’s homestead as he had unfortunately gotten ill and died before collecting the truck.
Masvinge later swapped the truck for a white Iveco Minibus with Takunda Takawira who resides in Limpopo View, Beitbridge.
Sharon Chara, the deceased’s wife then sent a mechanic to repair the truck at Masvinge’s homestead, only to find out that it was not there.
Sharon called Masvinge who told her he had swapped the truck because her husband owed him US$700.
Chara reported the matter to the police and investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of Masvinge.
In his defense, Masvinge said he did not swap the truck because the owner was dead but because he owed him a storage fee at the time of his death since they had agreed that the now deceased would pay US$15 every day but did not get a single cent for three years.
“The deceased promised to pay me US$15 for safekeeping his truck but he did not do so for three years. Apart from that the deceased owed me US$700 so I swapped his truck to get back my money although I did not know he was dead,” said Masvinge.

Man kills shebeen owner after losing US$80 gambling

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Man kills shebeen owner after losing US$80 gambling

By Staff Reporter

MWENEZI – A beer-drinking spree and gambling game ended tragically after one man from Mutandavadze Village in Chief Mazhetese area, Sovelele, Mwenezi stabbed and killed a shebeen owner whom he accused of stealing cash and his bicycle.
The incident happened after the accused lost US$80 while gambling at the deceased’s place where they were drinking beer.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and urged people not to solve disputes by use of violence especially when drunk and to value the sanctity of life.
“We have a report of murder from Mwenezi where a man stabbed and killed another whilst they were drinking and gambling at the now deceased’s place. We urge members of the community not to solve disputes using violence and whilst drunk. We also encourage people to value the sanctity of life,
said Dhewa.
Sources privy to the incident said on May 27, the deceased Wellington Zhou (38) was drinking and gambling with the accused, Takura Hove. Hove asked for US$40 Zhou which he lost in the gamble and went home where he brought another US$40 and lost it again.
The following day around 2 am whilst at the deceased’s place, the two had an altercation with Hove accusing Zhou of stealing his Itel Cellphone, US$100 and a bicycle.
Hove drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed the now deceased once on the chest and he died instantly.
The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and found the alleged stolen cellphone in the deceased’s pocket and the bicycle in his house.

ZRP Gutu commissions dog Kennel

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ZRP Gutu commissions dog Kennel

By Precila Takabvirakare

Zimbabwe Republic Police Gutu Camp has commissioned a four dog kennel, a development that will see the camp having a canine department which will come in handy to combat crime.
The kennel was officially commissioned by Officer Commanding Masvingo East District Superintendent Crime Musafari Mahwite on May 30, 2024.
The kennel was constructed at Gutu Police Station by Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe (BACFOZ) and Crime Liaison Committee (CLC) to help police execute their duties.
Speaking during the ceremony, Supt Mahwite applauded the support from the two organizations saying the development had lasting advantages in fighting crime.
“I want to appreciate the support that we are getting from the community, this partnership helps in fighting crime. The community and the police will help each other to identify, prioritize and solve contemporary problems such as drug abuse, social disorder and overall neighborhood decay with the goal of improving the general quality of life in the area,” said Mahwite
He said the development came at the time when the police were working tirelessly to deliver on its policing theme.
“The construction of this dog kennel came at a time when ZRP is making frantic efforts to deliver its mandate in line with 2024 policing theme (ZRP for Peace and Security towards National Development).
“This theme resonates very well with the national vision of becoming an upper middle income economy by year 2030. So for this to happen resources such as dogs and human capital are needed in the fight against crime,” said Mahwite
He further said the donated dog section will help in crime scene attendance saying dogs were handy in police work.
“Dogs are very important, they can be used to search for drugs, explosives, locate missing persons and help crime scene attendance. I therefore encourage the community to report crimes where dog services will be required timeously,” he said.
Speaking at the same event Officer in Charge Gutu Police Station Inspector Cames Muyambo thanked the community for the support which he said results in promoting peace and security.
“I would like to thank BACFOZ AND CLC for this donation, it is very crucial as it will improve our service delivery to promote peace and security. This will in turn help in developing our community,” Inspector Muyambo
Giving vote of thanks Chief Makore born Jemetias Muzenda praised the collaboration between the community and the ZRP.
“I am grateful to BACFOZ and CLC for this great initiative it shows that we are one family. As Chiefs we are also police officers, we work very well with ZRP. They even use our cars to attend crime scenes when they have challenges with their own vehicles so let us keep on working together,” said Makore.
Apart from constructing the dog kennel, the two committees also helped with resuscitation of the ZRP Gutu canteen whose profits are being used to sustain the station’s operations such as procurement of fuel, stationery as well as fleet servicing.

Council still awaits devolution funds for Trunk Sewer completion

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Council still awaits devolution funds for Trunk Sewer completion

By Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council has appealed to government for early disbursement of devolution funds for the continuation of the critical 12-year-old Mucheke Trunk Sewer project.
Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe told TellZim News that the project which is said to be 78 percent complete relied on funding from government and is waiting for disbursement for the completion of the remaining 1.8km.
“We have been appealing to government for the release of devolution funds, the Mucheke Trunk Sewer project has been funded by devolution allocations money so we are pleading with government to disburse this year’s allocation so that we finish the project.
“The city is growing but there is no progress as it stands and there have been outcries over sewer bursts with Victoria Range also in consideration. We are still on the same place and have not done anything as we have not received any funds from government,” said Tabe.
Tabe becomes the third Mayor to inherit the critical project after Hubert Fidze and Collen Maboke.
Residents have raised concerns over continued delay of completion of the project and called upon council to take action and complete the infrastructure.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) board Chairperson Thomas Mbetu said the delay was disheartening.
“The lack of tangible progress on the construction of this project is extremely concerning to our community, we were promised that this project would be finished within the shortest possible time, but it has now stalled for years.
“It is disheartening to hear that council is still waiting for devolution funds to resume work on the Mucheke Trunk Sewer. Residents have been paying their dues, and we expect the project to be completed without further delay.
“The community is growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress, and MURRA is urging council to provide a clear timeline and plan for the project’s completion. Residents have been patient for far too long. We demand that council fulfill its responsibility and deliver this essential service to the people of Masvingo,” said Mbetu.
The city is said to have advertised a tender to upgrade the Mucheke Trunk Sewer to link it with a sewerage plant in Eastvale back then in 2012 and extend to the new suburbs in Victoria Ranch where residents are using Blair toilets.
Masvingo City chose Harare-based Mutual Construction (Pvt) Ltd and acquired a US$2.1 Million loan from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the project development began. Council is said to have borrowed another US$1.7 million and US$900 000 from the same organization.
However, the company is said to have removed all its equipment from the project site except for asbestos pipes that had been purchased from Turnall Holdings. The following year, council is alleged to have put a notice intending to borrow a further US$1.7 million for continuation of the project with barely a quarter of the project completed.
In 2022 the project was derailed after then Minister of Local Government and Public Works compelled all local authorities to channel devolution funds toward purchasing fire tenders from Belarus. Masvingo City was classified as a metropolitan local authority and got three fire tenders to the tune of US$464 296.

DBSA to fund Zim on Sango Border Post upgrade

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DBSA to fund Zim on Sango Border Post upgrade

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- The Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has secured funding from the Development Bank of South Africa for the upgrade and modernization of Sango Border Post, as well as construction of the 149.9-kilometer Sango-Rutenga/Chiredzi road.
This was revealed in Parliament by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joshua Kurt Sacco after Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament, Ropafadzo Makumire raised a motion asking government’s plan towards the construction of a 149.9 kilometer stretch of road from Sango border post to Rutenga and Chiredzi.
Sango Border Post is the shortest route to Maputo Port, which is one of the busiest ports in the region.
In his response to Makumire’s question, Deputy Minister Sacco highlighted that the Government had secured funding for the upgrade and modernization of Sango Border Post.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development acknowledges that this road is part of the Maputo Corridor and as such requires immediate attention.
“In this regard, the Ministry is seized with negotiations with an investor but had secured funding from DBSI, which is the Development Bank of South Africa to fund the cost of work within the scope, including the upgrade and modernization of the Sango Border Post.
“The same investor has been awarded the Sango-Chikwalakwala Border Post and the road on the Mozambican side to ensure that there is no dead end. Direct access to Maputo Post which is one of the busiest ports in the region. We intend to implement the project through public-private-partnership with more earthworks earmarked to commence this year, 2024.
“The Investor shall self-finance the initial cost of the road and get repaid through ring-fencing trophies accruing at Toll Plazas to be constructed along the road as part of this work,” said Sacco.

Power outages affecting Longdale Irrigation Scheme

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Power outages affecting Longdale Irrigation Scheme

By Decide Nhendo

Smallholder farmers at Longdale Irrigation Scheme in the Bhani area of Masvingo are concerned with intermittent power cuts which are likely to affect winter wheat production.
The situation is further worsened by high electricity bills they are paying to Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
Speaking during the belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Longdale Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme chairperson Davison Makangavaya said intermittent power cuts were a nightmare for production. He explained that sometimes there is no electricity at critical times when plants require water, resulting in yield losses.
“Irrigation farming requires electricity to pump water from the ground, but sometimes we can spend the whole day without electricity and this affect plants which will be in need of water. We have embarked on winter wheat farming and we are afraid that the crop might face water shortages like what we have been experiencing lately,” said Makangavaya.
Makangavaya said inflated power bills were another challenge for them saying at times they do not afford since they rely on selling produce which would have been affected by the power cuts.
“Every farmer is supposed to pay around US$20 per month and that is affecting us as our crops sometimes are affected due to lack of water linked to power outages,” said Makangavaya.
Makangavaya said draught power was another challenge the scheme was facing as farmers lost cattle to January Disease and appealed for authorities to help them acquire a tractor.
He said they were prepared to get a tractor on loan so that they utilize it to maximize yields and be able to pay back.
“We lost several cattle due to January Disease so we are experiencing a draught power shortage for ploughing land. We appeal to those who can assist us with getting a tractor on loan and we will pay back in installments,” said Makangavaya.
Longdale Irrigation Scheme has 16 hectares with 32 farmers each having 0.5 hectares and they plant their crops according to a group’s plan.
They grow pepper, cabbage, maize, and wheat among other plants. After harvesting they sell their produce to locals and at marketplaces like Chitima Market in Masvingo Urban.
The government of Zimbabwe is encouraging the use of irrigation schemes as climate change continues to hit hard with shifts in rainfall patterns. Zimbabwe has since declared a national state of emergency due to El Nino-induced drought.

Bikita Youths commemorate Africa Day through sport

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Bikita Youths commemorate Africa Day through sport

By Courage Dutiro

In celebration of the 2024 Africa Day, youths in Bikita took to the field at Mazungunye High School for a football game that surpassed mere sport.
The event, organized by Masvingo Root of Development Organization Trust (MaRODO), saw three teams from wards 4 and 5 of Bikita Rural District Council namely Siya New Kickers, Matsvange Scorers Club and Maipisi Football Club participating.
The teams played two matches each, winning one and losing one as part of Africa Day Celebrations which ran under the theme Education Fit for the 21st Century.
As the final whistle blew, MaRODO’s Director, Acknowledge Mawere emphasized that in order to achieve this year’s Africa Day vision, education systems must confront critical issues such as drug abuse, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) practices like child marriage and abuse which impede young people’s access to education.
“Our education systems must prioritize addressing these issues, as engaging in drugs can impede young people’s access to education.
“Similarly, GBV stands as a formidable adversary to this year’s Africa Day theme, encompassing detrimental practices such as child marriages, physical and emotional abuse of children, and the hindrance of girls’ access to education.
“These issues threaten the inclusivity of our learning systems. As Africans, we must unite to combat these societal ills,” said Mawere.
He also called on the young people themselves to actively resist drug and substance abuse.
The participating teams expressed their gratitude for MaRODO’s support, regrettably MaRODO cited financial constraints, expressing an inability to expand support due to absence of funding from stakeholders.
Brian Toperesu who was representing Matsvange Scorers Club, emphasized the transformative power of MaRODO’s mentorship beyond the game itself.
“Beyond the opportunity to play soccer, we deeply value the life lessons imparted by the MaRODO team,” said Toperesu.
Trimore Gokovo, who led Maipisi Football Club, articulated the team’s desire to compete at a professional level, envisioning a future where their talent shines on a national stage.
“We aspire to compete at a higher level. Our dream is to have one of our own representing us at a prestigious club or in the national team,” said Gokovo.
Tafadzwa Kamhunga, leader and spokesperson for the Siya New Kickers, expressed his gratitude for MaRODO’s support. However, he highlighted the critical need for increased public backing for sporting initiatives, citing a significant lack of essential resources.

Over 10k people get free treatment from Jewish Church

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Over 10k people get free treatment from Jewish Church

By Bright Zhou

Over 10 thousand people from Masvingo Central and other places recently received free medical attention and free medication from the Jewish Church’s Global Outreach Ministries, a programme that ran from May 20 to 25 in ward 23 C under Chief Murinye near Makoni Business Centre.
The programme was said to be part of the church’s mission to assist some of its scattered communities around the world.
Global Outreach Ministries International Director Eric Pires said the Jewish Church had a mission to save Jewish communities scattered around the world as well as other people that were in need and has helped Jewish communities in different locations in Zimbabwe.
“For the last twelve years, Jewish Voices has been doing medical outreaches here in Zimbabwe and other areas. We were working amongst Jewish communities and their neighbours, so we said the Jewish community and anybody else would get free medical treatment and that is what drove us here,” said Pires.
Pires said the free medical camping included , a dental team, general medical practitioners, nursing, lifestyle units and a children’s programme.
“The free medical camping team includes general medical practitioners, nursing and minor surgery teams, a dental team doing extractions and cleanings, an eye team and a reader’s department team,” said Pires.
He said the programme was inclusive of all regardless of religion and at the end people were free to join the Church if they wished.
“Everybody is welcome to receive treatment and at the end of the outreach if they would like they can meet a local pastor and their council as well as get connected with the church in the area. We have reached about ten thousand patients over the past five days which we think is remarkable,” said Pires.
Pires said 95 percent of people who contributed towards the programme were locals including doctors, nurses, staff, and pastors while 5 percent were from the USA, South Africa, Ethiopia and the UK.
“We have an average of about two hundred people who make the team; there are doctors, nurses, runners, those who help patients move along, pastors, staff, cooks and others in different positions and ninety-five percent of them are locals. We have a small team that comes from United States of America, South Africa, Ethiopia and United Kingdom,” said Pires.
Global Outreach Ministries International Manager Michael Cadvader said all the services and medicines given were for free.
“We have all the medicines that our doctors prescribe for these patients and everything goes out for free, the eye department is giving out some eye drops as well spectacles. The money was donated by our members so that we can help people, everything is free of charge the only benefit we get is that up to three hundred people have asked to be connected to a church so those people can now have a church to call home,” said Cadvader.
Local Village Head Michael Chatikobo thanked the Jewish community and villagers who contributed towards the success of the programme by providing other necessities like water and labour.
“The Jewish Church has done a good thing by providing free medication and treatment to the community. We are grateful to some of the villagers who worked hand in hand with the Jewish members using their carts to fetch water from the borehole and put up tents,” said Chatikobo.

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