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Potraz processing Starlink license

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Potraz processing Starlink license

By Beverly Bizeki

Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Director (Potraz) Dr Gift Machengete recently said the network regulator was in the process of licensing satellite internet provider Starlink to start operating in Zimbabwe if it meets the requirements, after confirming receipt of the latter’s application.
If approved, the development will see Zimbabweans accessing faster internet connectivity, which is more desired.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation constructed by SpaceX, an aerospace company founded by American technology tycoon Elon Musk, and has been making headlines as some Zimbabweans have been using it despite authorities saying it was yet to be licensed in the country.
Dr Machengete was responding to Parliamentarians who had asked the regulator why the country was not yet using satellite services like Starlink during an induction workshop for the joint portfolio committees on Information Communication Technologies Postal and Courier Services and Media and Broadcasting Services held at Clevers Hotel in Masvingo on May 12.
“There is nothing difficult at all on licensing Starlink. What we should be clear about is that as Potraz our licensing framework is technology-neutral.
“We do not care what type of technology you are bringing, what we care about is the service and we would want you to offer that service at the lowest possible rate but our licensing technique is not technology specific but is neutral,” said Dr Machengete.
Dr Machengete went on to say during the time when a lot of Zimbabweans were accusing the regulator for banning Starlink, the internet provider had not yet applied, but confirmed that it has applied now.
“We have no problem with licensing Starlink but there was a lot of talk that Potraz was resisting licensing Starlink which was not correct. That was a lie because at that time when people were saying that Starlink had not even applied. It would not have made sense for us to beg Starlink to apply because people were making noise.
“Right now Starlink has applied and we are processing their application so if they meet their obligations then they will be licensed like any other service provider because it is not the technology that they are bringing that matters. After all we already have others operating on VISAT which is also a satellite so it is nothing new,” said Dr Machengete.
Potraz also promised a better service to Zimbabweans stating the increased flow of foreign currency which will enable operators to procure equipment for upgrading their services.
“We are expecting network operators to improve because it seems foreign currency is now available. The challenge was on foreign currency for investments which had reduced of late hence they could not bring in new machines to upgrade systems and maintenance was even difficult,” said Dr Machengete.
Speaking at the same event, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda implored the Ministry of ICT to thrive on new technologies to better the country’s economy, urging them to come up with proper legislation for using these technologies.
“This ministry has the power to drive the economy of Zimbabwe using Artificial Intelligence. There is need to come up with appropriate laws in line with new ICTs for national development, we need to come up with legislation that promotes the ease of doing business in the country,” said Adv. Mudenda.

Chikombedzi goes for 11 years with dry taps

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Chikombedzi goes for 11 years with dry taps

By Decide Nhendo

Some residents in Chikombedzi are bearing the brunt of poor service delivery going for nearly 11 years without running water on their taps due to a problem which started in 2013.
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is alleged to have abandoned pumping water from Chikombedzi River for this part of the country located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe on the edge of Gonarezhou National Park in Masvingo Province after a pump started malfunctioning.
Chiredzi South Ward 11 councilor Urombo Makolo told this publication that Chikombedzi has not had running water from their taps since 2013 after a pump at the station stopped working.
People had to resort to other sources of water for domestic uses enduring long distances and long queues to access the precious liquid.
“ZINWA had been pumping water to the community in Chikombedzi and township but the service stopped in 2013 after the pump they were using stopped working. People have since resorted to getting water from boreholes and open wells for water to drink and use for domestic purposes.
“Many people travel for about two kilometers to fetch water and often have to wait in long queues at the boreholes,” said Makolo.
He said when they engaged ZINWA officials over the matter they were told that the authority had not yet found the pump to replace the failing one.
Makolo further said there were no decent road networks in Chikombedzi which was bad for cars and buses, saying there was need for rehabilitation.
“Our roads are in a bad state and most private cars and buses are no longer plying the route to Chikombedzi as they fear for their vehicles. There is need for grading and graveling of roads because most motorists struggle to use these roads going to and from Chikombedzi,” said Makolo.
He said state of the roads had resulted in motorists charging US$7 for distances that normally used to cost US$3 because of lack of competition as many avoid the roads.
“This state of the roads has caused motorists to charge around US$7 on 85kilometres journey that normally costs around US$3 because there are a few motorists plying the area ,” said Makolo.
He said most bridges were not standard and it was difficult to cross them during rainy season as they can be overflowing for a week or two.
“Chilonga is our main bridge, we have to cross it to Chiredzi, but during rainy seasons, it will be dangerous to cross the bridge as it sometimes overflows.
“This is the same with other bridges like the one in Mwenezi, since the bridge is low lying, it easily overflows leaving people with no option but to go through game reserves where they are asked to pay in order to pass,” said Makolo.
He further said that electricity was another challenge in ward 11 as nearly 16 poles fell down in 2022 and ZESA replaced the poles last month although the challenge still persists in the township area where an amour cable was stolen and is yet to be replaced.
“Electricity was another challenge in Chikombedzi, but ZESA has restored poles that fell down and the only place left without electricity is the township because an amour cable was stolen,” said Makolo.
Efforts to get a comment from ZINWA communications officer Obert Muchena were futile as he promised to call the reporter with response and failed to answer his cell several times.

Climate Change Adaptability: Malipati community breaks ice

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Climate Change Adaptability: Malipati community breaks ice

…SAT injects US$650k for community solar irrigation project

By Beatific Gumbwanda

MALIPATI- After being hit by a series of droughts, Malipati Community Development Trust (MCDT) has written a letter of request to the Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT) to develop an irrigated Agrihub production and processing center linked to environmental restoration activities and donated their pieces of land towards a US$650 000 irrigation project in Malipati.
SAT is a Zimbabwean Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with history in the implementation of innovative livelihoods, agriculture, value chain, community-led conservation initiatives.
MCDT entered into the Public Private Community partnership with SAT and Chiredzi Rural District Council seeking to address chronic poverty, food insecurity, and frequent crop failures in the area which is in natural Region 5 characterized by a dry climate prone to prolonged recurrent multi-seasonal droughts.
MCDT member Laiza Jachi told TellZim News in an interview that the project was a brainchild of the community with SAT providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the project after realizing the shift of rainfall patterns brought by climate change.
“We sat down as a community and discussed the prevailing rainfall patterns and realized that we last had normal rainfall long back when our parents used to farm here and they are the ones who had better harvests than those of today.
“Nowadays we hardly get meaningful yields due to climate change as we are receiving very low rainfall. We all agreed and offered our land to the development partner to help towards the construction of the Agrihub here in Malipati and nobody was forced,” said Jachi.
Although the project was allocated 300ha of pre-existing fields by the community, the project is going to pilot through a small portion of land (34ha) for the first phase of the project encompassing a 34ha pivot with 45 Kw abstraction pump, pumping out of the Mwenezi river with 45Kw solar array, a 3kilometer 315mm mainline and 960 m x 250mm gravity feed pipe to/from a night storage dam, community resource training center, workshop and staff accommodation.
The first phase of the project was projected at the cost of US$650 000 with the second and third phases projected to include an additional 2×34 ha pivots, plus 400 ha of Agroforestry production and restoration pilots, agricultural aggregation as well as a processing center for value addition to local agricultural produce including sesame, paprika, chilies, sugar beans, maize and cattle products.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Agrihub in Malipati recently, Chiredzi District Development Coordinator, Lovemore Chisema applauded the community for complimenting government’s effort by coming up with sustainable ideas aimed at embracing the effects of climate change while working towards the attainment of Vision 2030 of having an upper middle-income economy.
“Climate change’s intensity will continue growing as we progress and this is the best way to mitigate it. We have lots of hectares of land here but nothing is being realized. If you continue like this, you are going to be the first to realize the truthfulness of Vision 2030. Vision 2030 postulates that every citizen should be earning US$3000 per year and it does not mean that this can be only achieved through formal employment, but through agriculture too.
“Climate change is real and that is why the Second Republic’s main focus is on irrigational agriculture which you are piloting here. We need a greenbelt in this area. It is difficult for communities to come up with such ideas as you did and we are here to support you as government and SAT, you are a part of us,” said Chisema.
Speaking during the same event, Chiredzi Rural District Council Chairperson, Aspect Mashingaidze expressed gratitude to the community for being innovative towards the fight against the effects of climate change.
“I am informed that this project is the community’s idea. This means that climate change has made people come up with innovative ideas towards the fight against hunger, and poverty and this has made it easy for leaders to embrace it as an important developmental initiative.
“We no longer have any need to go to the Midlands or Matabeleland to see how others are doing it as we have a similar situation here in Chiredzi, of a community benefiting from their land,” said Mashingaidze.
Five local villages made their existing fields available for the project as they agreed to contribute to the initiative and formed Malipati Farmers Association with 74 other villages expected to benefit.
The irrigation project will be drawing its water from the perennial Mwenezi River which had been flowing into Mozambique with its untapped water and Manyuchi Dam on standby if need be.
Most water in the Lowveld from Save, Chiredzi and Runde rivers is flowing into Mozambique untapped.

Gutu soldier up for murder

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Gutu soldier up for murder

By TellZim Reporter

GUTU – Innocent Mazvuru (35) who is a soldier stationed at 4:2 Infantry Battalion in Gutu appeared before Gutu magistrate Edwin Marecha recently facing murder charges.
He was charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 and was remanded to May 28.
Allegations are that on April 26 2024 at around 0300hours at 3rd Generation Night Club, Gutu Mazvuru in the company of his accomplice Prosper Ncube met Simbarashe Gamu (27) on his way to the toilet to relieve himself.
Mazvuru and Ncube asked Gamu whether he was a soldier or not as they suspected that he was going about telling lies that he was a soldier. They went on asking him for his identity card to prove he was a soldier.
Mazvuru and Ncube then went on to tell him that in Gutu they kill people. They then searched his pockets and took US$45, a Samsung cell phone, a black belt, black jacket and started assaulting him.
They tripped him to the ground, tied both hands with a rope and both hit him with fists, open hands, and booted feet several times all over his body. He then fell unconscious and they left him lying on the ground before leaving the scene.
Gamu later gained consciousness and headed to file a report to the police. The police attended the scene and the two were arrested.
He was referred to Gutu Mission Hospital for medical examination and was admitted. His condition worsened and he was referred to Masvingo General Hospital where he was further referred to KG6 Camp Hospital but died while admitted on May 13 2024.
Bright Bati prosecuted.

Mutare public transporters still accepting bond notes

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Mutare public transporters still accepting bond notes

By Heather Buzuzi

Since the introduction of the new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) earlier last month, bond notes were quickly rejected in flea markets and smaller shops but continued to be used in kombis before being rejected in many towns and communities a short while after.
In Mutare however, commuters are still accepting both the bond notes and the ZiG, with some even preferring bond notes to ZiG.
They are accepting the bond notes at a rate of ZWL$14 000 per USD $1 which means most trips that cost 50c now cost 7000 bond.
Speaking to TellZim News, Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association (MDATA) official Eddie Mudzimiri said they were accepting bond notes because they are still legal tender as directed by the government.
He also said that bond notes were circulating in their system since the community is accepting them so they were also accepting them.
“We are still accepting bond notes as directed by the government. The government said bond notes are still legal tender and as such we still accept them and we instructed our members to accept them.
“The community is accepting the bond notes so they are just circulating like this,” said Mudzimiri.
Mudzimiri also said using bond notes and ZiG currency makes it easy for them to get change. He added that despite using the two local currencies, they were still failing to meet the demand for change and at times they use vouchers which they give to customers as change and can be used in all their vehicles.
“Though we accept bond notes and ZiG, we are still failing to get enough change and we also introduced the voucher system, so if we do not have bond notes or ZiG we give our customers vouchers as change,” he added.
One commuter conductor who preferred anonymity said they were charging 5Zig per trip or 7000 bond for a distance that costs US$0.50.
However, some operators who ply the Zimunya route are refusing bond notes and instead, are charging USD1 per trip because there is no change.

Buhera women appeal for community garden borehole

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Buhera women appeal for community garden borehole

By Beverly Bizeki

Women from Mwerahari 2 community garden in Buhera are appealing for assistance from government and other stakeholders for a solar-powered borehole as they are fetching water from a single well for watering their horticultural plants in the garden.
Speaking during a community garden meeting organised by TellZim news in commemoration of 2024 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) at the community garden on May 11, 2024 one visually impaired woman Anna Mukute said the garden was their source of livelihood but their future was bleak as the well dried up before winter due to El Nino.
“We used to rely on this well to water our plants throughout the year. Due to the current El Nino, the well has dried up and we are appealing for help from government and other stakeholders for a solar-powered borehole.
“As you can see I am visually impaired but I have been able to make a living through selling tomatoes and vegetables from this garden hence it is an important source of livelihood for me,” said Mukute.
Councilor Wisdom Jiri highlighted the challenges women and other disadvantaged groups were facing due to the drying up of the well.
“This Mwerahari garden was fenced through the assistance of Cyclone Idai relief funds, however, the money was not enough to sink a borehole and the community has since relied on a well in the garden which is drying up.
“I am appealing to well-wishers who can assist us with a solar-powered borehole to help the women from the ward as well as other disadvantaged groups benefitting from this garden,” said Jiri.
The Village head said the garden was an important source of livelihood in their communities as it was helping a lot of marginalized groups in his village.
“This garden contributed immensely to improving livelihood standards of families from this community including orphans, widows, people with disabilities and women in general.
“The drying up of the well is threatening to affect a number of families since some sold surplus to get money for other basic requirements. I would be grateful to find stakeholders that can extend their hand towards this noble cause to keep the initiative going on,” said the village head.
TellZim News organized the meeting as part of its effort to promote access to information by marginalized communities across the country as part of the ongoing WPFD commemorations under the theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis.’
Cyclone Idai was one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and made landfall in Zimbabwe on March 15, 2019, and the country experienced floods which left a trail of destruction including shelter, lives and livelihoods.
Zimbabwe declared a state of national disaster over the devastating El Nino-induced drought sweeping across most parts of Southern Africa with more than 80 percent of the country said to have received below-normal rainfall.

Masvingo PVO bill hearing abandoned after violent clashes

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Masvingo PVO bill hearing abandoned after violent clashes

By Beverly Bizeki

The long-awaited Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) bill hearing proceedings in Masvingo had to be abandoned a few minutes into the program after tempers flared at Charles Austin Theatre on May 16, 2024.
With the theatre packed to the brim, residents who had not made it inside the venue pleaded with the committee for a bigger venue that would accommodate more people while standing at the door and this sparked an exchange with other attendants who were inside.
The clashes seemed to have been between those who were opposing the bill, the PVOs and opposition, and those who were in support of it mainly the ruling party aligned with the latter accusing the former of interrupting the meeting and the exchange of insults degenerated into fist fights.
The matter became chaotic after parliamentarian Robson Mavhenyengwa asked what people were doing at the entrance saying they were writing names.
That is when some attendees shouted that the venue was too small and they needed a bigger one so that they could all get in and participate.
Those who were inside started shouting and advanced towards the entrance where they then clashed with those who were at the entrance.
One resident, Struggle Nyahunda blamed the meeting chair for failing to control the flow.
“From my observation, the chairperson who was running the hearing did not handle the meeting well because he was suspecting that there were organizations writing people’s names at the door whereas they were parliament staff circulating registers.
“A group of people from another angle came and started to make noise until people vacated the hall. The bill was not successful considering how it lasted only about 10 minutes and only eight out of about 500 contributed,” said Nyahunda.
Another attendant Duncan Mpaso said the noise was caused by a group of people whom he thought were those who always oppose government and said he had noted that these were people who wanted partial transparency.
“I came with the hope to air my views on the bill hearing as a resident of Masvingo and as a citizen of Zimbabwe. I am one of the people who came early with the hope of contributing but people who oppose the government came in late while we were already in the meeting came and started the noise interrupting those who were contributing.
“From my observation, those from opposing parties are the same people who want transparency and good governance and are against corruption but what I have seen from their rejecting this bill shows they are people who are against all these things when facing the Zimbabwean government,” said Mpaso.
The bill hearing has been chaotic in all provinces and had to be stopped midway following clashes.

Netone to launch 5G in August

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Netone to launch 5G in August

By Beverly Bizeki

Locals using NetOne network will soon be able to enjoy better connectivity with the government-run operator set to launch Fifth Generation (5G) network in August this year.
Addressing parliamentarians a joint portfolio committee on Information Communication Technologies postal and Courier Services and Media and Broadcasting Services Induction workshop held at Clevers Hotel in Masvingo on May 12, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Raphael Mushanawani said the organization had to learn on the profitability of the investment first before switching on and was ready to launch.
“We are keen as an organization to make sure we move with trends taking place across the world. We shared a lot of information regarding the experiences of other operators on how they have done it, particularly in Africa and Asia, none of those operators have had a good return on their investment. That’s why we delayed launching 5G.
“We have learned; we now know where and when to deploy 5G. I am happy to announce that we will be switching on our 5G network by the month of August 2024. I am sure that our parliamentarians will be able to experience this by the Parliament House by then,” said Mushanawani.
Mushanawani however said deployment of the network will be done in stages and will target groups that have demand for high speeds first for returns on investment.
“We will continuously deploy 5G the way we are deploying 4G, we are going to be targeting specific markets who have demand for high data speeds that will give return on data speeds,” said Mushanawani.
As of 2024, the operator had 74 percent 2G Land area coverage and 85 percent total population, 57 percent land area coverage for 3G network with 65 percent of the population covered. On 4G the operator has only been able to cover 31 percent land area coverage and 36 percent total population.
Mushanawani also said the company like many others was facing challenges on skills flight losing engineers despite efforts to keep the skilled workers at the company.
“The technical department continues to lose engineers despite promotions and remuneration reviews. Shortage of required skills, especially developers is a stumbling block to project delivery

‘Green Bombers’ join ZiG campaign

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‘Green Bombers’ join ZiG campaign

By Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – As the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe grapples with making the new currency work by using several measures including a crackdown on illegal money changers, government’s quasi-military wing, the National Youth Service (NYS) popularly referred to as ‘Green Bombers’ has joined the campaign for the ZiG acceptance by the public.
NYS National Public Relations Officer Tariro Bwerinofa confirmed the development and said they had several activities lined up to campaign for the acceptance and use of the ZiG.
“We are proposing an outreach programme where we will do roadshows, dramas, breakfast meetings, and interviews. In rural areas we are targeting townships, traditional beer festivals, village heads, dip tank gatherings, and funerals,” said Bwerinofa.
In a proposal by the Green Bombers addressed to The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development seen by TellZim News, NYS indicated that they were ready to do campaigns in support of the government and the ministry.
“We fully acknowledge the importance of complementing this currency reform with other robust support frameworks. These would include measures to address underlying structural economic issues, boost domestic production, promote exports, and enhance fiscal discipline. Such a holistic approach will be crucial for maximizing the positive impact of the new currency and ensuring long-term macroeconomic stability.
“However, we are deeply concerned by the public backlash and misinformation campaign launched by the opposition and their associates regarding this currency reform. These actions not only threaten to undermine the potential benefits of the new currency but also aim to sow distrust and destabilize the nation’s economic progress.
“We propose a nationwide Public Awareness Campaign to address the misinformation and negative propaganda surrounding the new currency introduction. This collaborative effort between the ZNYGSA, Trabablas Projects, the Ministry of Finance, and the RBZ would focus on:
Educating the Public: Disseminate clear and factual information about the new currency, its features, benefits, and the transition process.
Countering Misinformation: Address rumors and falsehoods, providing evidence-based counter-narratives to promote trust and understanding.
Community Engagement: Hold town hall meetings, workshops, and public outreach events to facilitate dialogue and address public concerns,” the proposal letter read.
In the proposal, they also boasted of having members in the communities who are energetic, saying they have experience that could bring about the desired results.
“The involvement of youth structures, specifically the Zimbabwe National Youth Service Graduates Association and Trabablas Projects Trust, is imperative in successfully championing this government program.
“Both ZNYSGA and Trabablas boast a vast network of dedicated young people embedded within communities across Zimbabwe. This grassroots presence fosters trust and accessibility, facilitating the dissemination of information directly to the people most impacted by the new currency policy.
“Young people represent a significant portion of Zimbabwe’s population. A campaign spearheaded by youth for youth promotes effective communication and understanding. It establishes a relatable connection that is crucial for addressing concerns and fostering acceptance of the new currency among this demographic.
“Youth bring unparalleled energy, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to this campaign. This can manifest in creative outreach techniques, innovative use of social media, and adaptable strategies that resonate with a wide audience,” reads part of the document.
In April this year, government confirmed its need to revive the NYS with a target of having trained 10,000 youths by June, with recruitment currently underway in various districts across the country.
The Green Bombers were introduced in 2000 by the late Zanu PF National Political Commissar Border Gezi, then Minister for Gender, Youth and Employment, who later died in a car crash in 2001.
They are often used by Zanu PF during campaigns where they are used to perpetuate violence against opposition opponents and fears are that they may be used to intimidate people, especially in rural areas.

Gweru City PR councilors sworn in

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Gweru City PR councilors sworn in

By Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru City Council recently sworn in four proportional representative (PR) councilors nominated to replace the previous group that was recalled last year by Citizens Coalition for Change’s self-imposed Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu.
The newly sworn-in councilors are, Holly Dzuda, Violet Mutusva, Patience Mujere and Eustina Fidze, all under the PR replacing the recalled ones namely, Sipiwe Kundiona, Mirriam Magaya, Ronah Masocha and Olivia Chakauya.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Gweru Mayor, Martin Chivhoko urged the new councilors to serve the community with dedication.
“Gweru is our home together, welcome and we hope that going forward you will make Gweru a better home.
“Residents are our employers, we are here to work together and serve them. Whatever problems you face we will work together to build our city,”said Chivhoko.
Gweru City former councilor Alderman Trust Chineni urged the newly sworn in councilors to put politics aside and focus on development to push the city forward.
Chineni said governance issues required dedication and commitment towards growing the city and the call came at a time when council was grappling with water challenges.
The situation is said to be a result of obsolete infrastructure resulting in incessant pipe bursts, power outages affecting pumping capacity and rapid urban expansion, among other factors.
“When elected, governance is different, give ideas to better our city and service delivery, when you are elected into an office or public office politics comes later, you are mandated to serve the people.
“We wish our councillors to remain united and address service delivery issues, we have issues which affect women a lot, issues of water, refuse collection, so we hope now that we have a number of women councillors these issues will be addressed,” he said.

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