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Relief for 2 Bikita Schools, community

… as Delta Corporation funds solar-powered borehole

By Beverly Bizeki

There is a sigh of relief for the Nyahunda Community in Bikita district of Masvingo after Delta Corporation recently funded and commissioned a US$ 10,000 solar-powered borehole for the community and its two schools, Tagona Secondary and Chitenderano Primary Schools.
In a statement, Delta said the project is an attempt to improve access to clean water in the vulnerable Nyahunda community to fight against the Cholera as Bikita has perennial water challenges.
“The project which started late last year is focused on addressing the problem of inadequate water and poor sanitation at Tagona and Chitenderano Schools and the community in Nyahunda that will also contribute towards mitigating the spread of the ongoing Cholera epidemic,” reads part of the statement.
Delta Corporation Limited Corporate Affairs General Manager Patricia Murambinda said the project was aimed at assisting communities in fighting against cholera as well as alleviating water shortages caused by climate change for some of the vulnerable communities in the community.
“This project has enabled us to take a step towards empowering communities to fight against the cholera pandemic while delivering on the vital human need of access to water. The provision of the solarised borehole will alleviate climate change-induced water shortages in rural areas housing some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country which has been made possible through a generous grant from Delta,” said Murambinda.
The borehole project will benefit over 5 000 people including learners from both schools.
The corporation has also sponsored the refurbishment of some facilities at Chitenderano to the tune of US$ 15,000 after the buildings’ roofs were destroyed by heavy rains in October last year.
“The refurbishment of the classroom block, a teacher’s house, and ablution facilities aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” she said.
Murambinda also said the project influenced other stakeholders and alumni to participate in community projects including the rehabilitation of a borehole at one of the local clinics.
“We are encouraged that this project has acted as a catalyst for alumni and former learners to participate in community projects. Some of them recently teamed up to rehabilitate a borehole at Ngorima Clinic which is catering for the increased cholera cases in the district,” said Murambinda.
Bikita is well known for perennial water shortages and has been one of the hardest hit areas by cholera in Masvingo province.

Armed robbers pounce on Silobela Clinic

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By Tinaani Nyabereka

MIDLANDS – Three men armed with an iron bar and Okapi knives raided the Malisa Joseph BB Clinic in Silobela on February 10, 2024, around 11:30 p.m., making off with three lithium batteries valued at US $4400.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and appealed for information regarding the suspects’ whereabouts.
“I can confirm that we received a report of three men robbing a clinic in Silobela and stealing three lithium batteries valued at US$4400. The police are appealing to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the nearest police station,” said Mahoko.
According to reports, on the aforementioned day, Mark Masuthu (50), who works as a security guard at Malisa Joseph BB Clinic, Silobela, was on duty. Around 11:30 p.m., he was accosted by three men armed with an iron bar and knives.
The assailants restrained him, tying his hands with an electric cable, before proceeding to the clinic rooms where they seized three lithium batteries. They loaded the batteries into their silver-grey Mazda 3 vehicle with registration number ADT 7539 and fled.
Masuthu managed to free himself and promptly reported the incident to the police.
Subsequently, the police recovered the Mazda 3 vehicle, registered under ADT 7539, after it was involved in an accident and abandoned along the Kwekwe-Nkayi road. Upon inspection, the stolen batteries were found inside the vehicle.

Chitando cracks whip on Zaka DDC, Chief Nhema

By Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – The Minister of Local Government and National Housing Winston Chitando is said to have cracked whip on Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda and Zaka District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo warning them against interfering with the day-to-day running of council business amid reports that the duo, together with other councilors were involving themselves too much in council operations.
Addressing local authorities in Masvingo province at Benjamin Burombo Building recently, Chitando warned chiefs, DDCs, and councilors to stop forthwith, interfering with council day-to-day operations, a message which sources said was aimed at Chief Nhema and Zaka DDC Dhliwayo who are said to be meddling in Zaka RDC management operations.
Recently, Chief Nhema was reported to have clashed with one of the councilors who had questioned the presence of the Chief’s wife Portia Gwese in one of the committee meetings when she was not a member of that committee. Chief Nhema is said to have threatened the councilor in question saying he must shut his mouth since the allowances paid by the council for attending meetings were not from his pocket.
Contacted for comment by TellZim News, Chitando was diplomatic about the issue as he said the objective was to make chiefs, DDCs, and councilors aware of their roles so that they don’t interfere with management operations.
“The exercise is meant to make councilors, chiefs and DDCs aware of their roles. Councilors are policymakers who are part-time while council management is full-time employees of the local authority, whilst chiefs and DDCs attend council meetings as ex officio members. It was, therefore, important to remind them of their respective roles. This exercise is a country-wide exercise to interface and increase communication to improve service provision,” said Chitando.
However, it raised eyebrows and suspicion that Zaka RDC was on the agenda as it was the only one whose councilors (all) were invited for the meeting with Chitando, with other local authorities – Gutu, Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Masvingo and Mwenezi requested to send only representatives.
Zaka RDC has been having issues since August last year following the appointment of Zanu PF Zaka DCC chairperson Clemence Chiduwa’s wife Fungayi and Chief Nhema’s wife Gwese as councilors through the women quota system.
Zaka RDC CEO David Batsirai Majaura, as always, dodged responding to the questions when contacted for comment by TellZim as he said was in a meeting the whole day.
Majaura often says he is in a meeting when contacted for comments on issues relating to Gwese and Maregedze, which is probably a sign that he fears them or is aware of the consequences if he ever dares to comment about issues involving these two councilors.
If not, what kind of meetings will Majaura probably be attending which take 12 hours without taking a break?
However, sources who attended the meeting with Chitando are optimistic that the minister’s chilling warning is likely to see Chief Nhema and the troublesome councilors retreating in their shells and allow the management to do its work uninterrupted.
“Chitando curtailed Chief Nhema and Madam Dhliwayo though they were not present at the meeting, he spoke point blank that they’re not supposed to interfere with council operations but stand as advisors on issues relating to their fields,” said the source.
“The minister also cracked the whip on some councilors especially the Finance Chair and Council Chair who were interfering in management operations. I am sure this will bring sanity to the council,” added the source.
Other sources said Majaura had to write to the Ministry of Local Government after the council chair and finance chair requested to be signatories.
Chief Nhema recently clashed with another councilor whom he was accusing of questioning why his wife was attending another committee meeting saying the allowances were not coming from his pocket so he shouldn’t ask.
Following the clash, Zanu PF provincial disciplinary committee heard the matter and warned against such behavior saying they put the party into disrepute.

Chiredzi RDC gives cane farmers 21-day ultimatum

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…threatens to unleash debt collector to recover development levies

Beatific Gumbwanda

Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) has given commercial sugarcane farmers a 21-day ultimatum to clear their land development levies before the local authority engages debt collectors to recover close to US$2 million land development Levy.
Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) recently held what they called the last and final meeting with commercial sugarcane farmers at the local authority’s boardroom informing them of their decision to engage debt collectors to recover over US$1.5 million of land development levies which they had not been paying since 2017.
CRDC Chairperson, Aspect Mashingaidze said farmers were not committed to paying up their debts and they were now engaging the debt collectors to recover debts incurred from 2023 backward.
“Farmers need to be responsible. If we just end this meeting thinking that you will commit yourselves to paying, no one will come back for that, it’s been years since you have been dodging your bills. Tokugadzirirai road nemari yani? (We maintain roads using whose money?) It’s just US$5 per hectare and a farmer with 20 hectares should be paying only US$100 per year.
“Now it seems like it’s a huge debt but it’s because it is being backdated to 2017, with the biggest debtor owing the local authority US$2100. We are not turning a blind eye to that, debt collectors are going to be engaged.
“We will only spare those who will come and commit themselves and make a payment plan. We are giving you up until the first of March 2024 to make commitments before we engage the services of debt collectors, “said Mashingaidze.
Speaking during the meeting, CRDC Accountant Misheck Kutumba said only a few farmers who committed themselves since 2014 were the ones who were still paying their land development levies which he said were meant for the development of roads, schools, clinics, and water systems among others.
“We had several meetings with sugarcane farmers and they have been asking for leverages since then but they still fail to pay. Only a few farmers were paying since 2014 are the ones who are still committing themselves.
“This levy is meant for your development in areas such as roads, schools, clinics, and water. We have cholera, bad roads, bad health centers, and no safe drinking water as most are drinking from canals and the council is the one with the mandate to develop such areas. This can be managed if farmers pay their levies. You can afford to pay but you are just not willing to do it, “said Kutumba.
One successful commercial farmer, Karakadzai Kanda who attended the meeting urged fellow farmers to pay up to get better services and urged the local authority to continue reminding farmers of their obligation to pay for the land development levy saying they had several other bills to pay and may end up forgetting about the land development levies.
“Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo and we need to contribute much towards such. Where can they get the money for development if we are not paying our levies?
“On the other hand, Council should always remind farmers of their obligations to pay for the levies because many can be forgetful of their obligation to be doing such,” said Kanda.

Masvingo police foil armed robbery, kill one suspect

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By Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo police recently foiled an armed robbery by three serial robbers who were on the run after a spate of robberies committed in Masvingo and surrounding areas.
The trio who are suspects in a robbery case at Redan Service Station in Masvingo were arrested at Ngundu Growth Point on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2024) but one was shot dead after allegedly resisting police orders.
In a leaked police memo, two of the three are now in police custody while the other one Pardon Shoko from Runyararo West in Masvingo was shot on the scene and died after resisting a police order as he attempted to shoot at the police.
Police had earlier received a tip-off that the gang was planning a robbery in Chiredzi and would meet at Ngundu Bussiness Centre in Chivi.
Circumstances are that on the day in question, police details received information to the effect that three armed robbers who had been terrorizing Masvingo town with a spat of armed robberies were seen along Masvingo – Ngundu Highway using a silver Toyota Runx vehicle.
A team of eight Masvingo Central Police Intelligence officers and four Support Unit officers formed into two groups and strategically went after the three.
The advance team spotted the three’s vehicle parked at the roadside under a tree and alerted the second team for a reaction.
The three left their vehicle and started walking towards Ngundu Growth Point before they were intercepted by the advance team.
They were ordered to lie down and Shoko resisted which led to him being shot on the shoulder as the police intended to disarm him.
The other two, Brian Jazi from Dangamvura in Mutare and Joseph Makuvise from Gutu were arrested after which police recovered the pistol which was loaded with two live rounds.
A search was conducted on the group where police recovered US$40 and an Itel cellphone from the deceased’s body.
From Makuvise police found a Nokia cellphone and a brown wallet with US$18. Further searches were conducted on the motor vehicle and police found 12 black plastic cable ties, a hammer, black silver torch, TECNO and Huawei cellphones as well as one Shoko’s driver’s license.
Interrogations were further conducted and it was discovered that the group was linked to the Redan Pangolin Service Station and two other robbery cases in Masvingo.

Meet FC Wangu Mazodze’s new coach John Nyikadzino

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By Decide Nhendo

Born and raised in Gutu Masvingo, FC Wangu Mazodze’s new head coach John Nyikadzino has acquired qualifications that may take the Masvingo-based side to new heights.
Nyikadzino is a holder of different football qualifications which include Confederation of African Football A (CAF A), the highest qualification in Zimbabwean football from CAF which is the soccer mother body in Africa, an Advanced Level 4 Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) certificate, an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Elite Fitness course, FIFA Educator course as well as several refresher courses some of which were conducted by foreign football organizations like the Spanish side Barcelona.
Nyikadzino told TellZim News he started his football career as a player when he played for Midlands side Gweru United (Pisa Pisa) between 1997 and 1998.
He then went into coaching when he was given a chance to lead Chapungu FC Juniors where he spent four years. He also said Chapungu FC team played an important role in building his capacity as he said they granted him a chance to study coaching courses whilst the team paid the costs.
“I played soccer for Gweru United which was known as Pisa Pisa in 1997 and from there I went on to coach Chapungu Juniors.
“I am forever grateful for the team because of their support. The team played a vital role in my coaching career as they paid for my first courses while I coached their junior side,” said Nyikadzino.
He said he was later promoted to coach the senior team whilst playing for Division 1 and registered a single lose that season before the team was promoted into the Premier Soccer League (PSL) the same year.
“In 2013 I was appointed coach at Chapungu FC in Division 1 and we lost only one match, and we were promoted into PSL. From 2014-2016 I was the head coach of Chapungu in PSL,” he said.
Nyikadzino moved from Chapungu to Shurugwi side Nichrut FC in 2017 and again his team was promoted into PSL after losing three matches throughout the season.
In 2018 he had a short break after he was involved in a serious accident and he had to seek treatment while his team continued to play.
In 2020, Covid-19 nearly brought all activities globally to a halt and soccer in Zimbabwe was not spared too, but soon after the pandemic in 2021-2022 he was appointed head coach at Gweru side Sheasham FC which was promoted to PSL from Division 1 unbeaten.
He went on with Sheasham to PSL and he was relieved after playing 13 games, where he had more draws, one win and three loses.
He then found his way to FC Wangu Mazodze where he replaced George Magariro whose contract lapsed last season with the team finishing on number three despite being log leaders for the better part of the season.
Speaking on his promotion Nyikadzino said he is happy to lead a team from his home province and said his focus was bringing PSL to Mucheke Stadium.
“I am very delighted to have such an opportunity to work here as a coach because my roots are in this province and I am going to fight hard to ensure we achieve our goal to be in PSL by end of season,” he said.
He also said as a team they were going to take advantage of support from the team’s owner Dr Mazodze who he said was doing tremendous work for the communities through jobs and entertainment and will repay him with a PSL promotion.

Increase in murders, robberies-Gweru police issue prohibition order

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By Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- As the number of murder cases, armed robberies and assaults continue to increase in Gweru Rural District, Police have issued a prohibition order banning the carrying of dangerous weapons.
The order was issued recently by Officer Commanding Gweru Rural District (DISPOL) Chief Superintendent Shandirai Munemo.
Gweru Rural Police District covers Shurugwi, Mvuma, all mining areas of Wonderer Mine, Arizona and Shamrock Mine, Gweru Rural and all business centers in Charandura, Maboleni, Tongogara and Lalapanzi.
“Circumstances given are that , acting in terms of section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, (Chapter 11:23) (hereinafter referred to as MOPA), the order hereby temporarily prohibits the carrying in (whether openly or by concealment in a public place or public thoroughfare) or public display of any of the following weapons or items capable of use as weapons namely, catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, or daggers for a period of (03) three months that is from 07 February 2024 to 07 May 2024 because of the following reasons:
“There is an increase in assault and robbery cases where weapons such as axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, catapults or daggers are used for harmful intent,” reads part of the order.
The order further points out that there was an increase also in other violent crimes like murder and authorized the police to cease all weapons if anyone is found in possession of.
“Violent crimes such as murder are being committed, by this notice, any police officer is, in terms of section 4 (5) of MOPA, hereby authorized to seize without warrant, any weapon or item capable of use as a weapon, found in the possession of any person in contravention of this prohibition notice, and shall place in safe custody every weapon or item so seized so that it may be submitted to the court to be dealt with by the law,” reads part of the order
It went on to say anyone found in possession of any of the mentioned weapons will be prosecuted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that, in terms of section 4(4) of the MOPA, that any person who fails to comply with this prohibition notice shall be guilty of an offense and liable to a fine not exceeding level 5, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment,” read the notice.

Mkoba woman surrenders to police after killing husband’s mistress

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By Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru – A Mkoba woman turned herself to the police on Saturday morning after fatally stabbing her husband’s girlfriend, whom she caught red-handed in their marital bed.
The deceased, identified as Brightness Phiri (27) of Mkoba 14, succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by the suspect using a kitchen knife.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect, Stacy Thokozani Mkandla, returned home from an all-night prayer earlier than expected, likely after receiving a tip-off from neighbors who were outraged by her husband Tafadzwa Emmanuel Munyoro’s infidelity.
“Brightness Phiri (27) of Mkoba 14 succumbed to multiple stab wounds following an attack by another woman Stacy Thokozani Mkandla (34) after she found her in their matrimonial home with her husband,” he said.
“Mkandla had left the previous night for an all-night prayer, leaving her husband, Tafadzwa Emmanuel Munyoro. She returned the following morning earlier than expected, around 4:00 a.m.”
“She unlocked the door to their house and went straight to their bedroom, where she found her husband and the now-deceased in bed. She retrieved a knife from the kitchen, and the husband repelled the attack and fled.
“The two women remained in the house, where the suspect is said to have taken another knife and stabbed the deceased multiple times,” Mahoko said.
Phiri managed to escape and jumped over the perimeter wall before succumbing to her injuries on the next street, where her lifeless body was discovered.
After committing the offense, Mkandla surrendered herself to the police.

War vets raise concern over evictions

…as number of arrests shoots to 2k in Masvingo

By Felix Matasva

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Manicaland chapter have complained that at least 77 war veterans were victimized and unfairly removed from land allocated to them in Manicaland province.
This was revealed by ZNLWVA Manicaland chapter chairperson David Garwe at a press conference held in Mutare recently.
Garwe pleaded with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint a new Minister of War Veterans and Liberation Struggle Affairs who will sincerely address the challenges being faced by war veterans’ accross the country.
Mnangagwa recently sacked the War Veterans and Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister Christopher Mutsvangwa over alleged insubordination.
“The sacrifices made by war veterans during the liberation struggle were driven by a vision for a free and prosperous Zimbabwe where land will be distributed fairly and equitably among its people. It is deeply unjust and contrary to the principles of justice and equality to witness war veterans being subjected to prejudice and discrimination when it comes to land.
“We have a lot of comrades whose land was dispossessed and some were treated unjustly in terms to land. We have a list of about 77 comrades whose farms were taken. There are a lot of well documented complains about farms which have not been addressed,” Garwe said.
He said that war veterans were the vanguard of the liberation hence their rights were supposed to be respected.
“The maltreatment of war vets is inhumane as they are being chased away from their farms. Government and the ruling party will lose its credibility.
“As an organisation dedicated to uphold the rights and welfare of war veterans, we firmly assert that it is imperative to safeguard their rightful claims to land which they fought for during the noble struggle for liberation.
“The dispossession of land is a violation of both the provisions of section 21 cited above and sections 23 and 84 of the Constitution which direct the State and all institutions and agencies of government to accord us due respect,” he said.
Garwe noted that the removal of Christopher Mutsvangwa was a welcome development since he ignored their grievances.
“We would like to put it on record that as war veterans, we do not celebrate nor cherish the demise of a colleague, more so a fellow war veteran but we feel greatly relieved when an obstacle to the realization of our welfare goals is removed. He was an obstacle and was even pompous. We can assure our colleagues that the way has been opened for us to escalate our welfare issue,” Garwe said.
The call comes at a time the country is gripped by the Operation Order No to Land Barons which saw a number of people being arrested for illegally settling in gazetted land.
Garwe was accompanied by the ZNLWVA national secretary for lands Mike Makiweni, provincial secretary-general Ivan Mbengo and provincial deputy chairperson Tanda Rambiwa, among other war veterans.

…as number of arrests shoots to 2k in Masvingo

By Beverly Bizeki

2 068 people have been arrested for settling on illegal land in Masvingo in the ongoing Operation Order No To Land Barons’ which is being carried out across the country.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrests and said 585 convictions have been made since the operation started on January 10, 2024.
“The operation is still ongoing and we have arrested a total of 2 068 illegal settlers in Masvingo Province and 585 of these have been convicted so far. We continue to urge those who are still settled in illegal places to vacate these areas,” said Dhewa.
At the onset of the operation, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the operation was meant to bring sanity to communal lands as he said the illegal parceling out of land becomes a source of conflict between locals, government and law enforcement authorities.
“Illegal settlements which often become source conflict between locals, government and law enforcement authorities in Masvingo have been a topical issue, often being used by land barons to swindle people’s hard earned money.
“Masvingo province has illegal settlements in all seven districts. The settlers occupy catchment areas, wetlands, grazing land, peri-urban areas and other agricultural land affecting productivity and threatening other dam and river catchments with siltation,” said Chadzamira.
Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa said the operation was not about who distributed the land, but about people settling in the right places with the right documents required for one to acquire land in Zimbabwe.
“The operation doesn’t care who gave you the land as long as proper procedures are not followed one will be evicted. The procedure is that if its agricultural land one gets through lands and if it’s residential land the one goes to the local authority. So I want to warn those who haven’t been approached to make sure they have the required documents to avoid inconveniences,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
Traditional leaders have criticized the ongoing operation and called it shambolic as they say they have not been involved in the act despite being custodians of land and culture while others think it has to do with boundaries for chieftaincies.
Villagers have been dragged into the mess because of ignorance of the law as most did not know the Zimbabwe Land Commission Act and the Gazetted Lands Act which prohibits occupation of state land without lawful authority in the form of a permit, an offer letter or a lease.
Local villagers have said that they did not know they were committing a crime for over 20 years, whereby they invested in building on land they were allocated to by their village head and paying all required taxes to council every month.
The evicted people are also worried as they have lost their crops in the fields and are forced to sell their livestock for almost half prices out of desperation and above all this has affected school going children who have to live with the fear of finding their parents gone.

Operation Order No to Land Barons: 13 Summerton villagers in court

By Bright Zhou

A group of 13 individuals, including elderly women and men, appeared at Masvingo Magistrate’s Court facing charges of settling within prohibited land in Summerton, Masvingo West.
On February 13, 2024, all 13, who were residing in Village 9 in Summerton Resettlement Area under Chief Bere, appeared before Magistrate Ivy Jaona, who remanded them out of custody pending continuation of trial on February 24.
Jaona stated that individuals residing on prohibited areas or gazetted lands should produce permits, lease statements, or deeds from the government if they are to be spared.
She warned that if convicted, they would be given a few days to vacate, and failure to comply would result in a custodial sentence.
Masvingo District Lands Officer Takunda Chikura reported that on January 16, 2024, they teamed up with Masvingo Central and Rural police officers to carry out the operation.
“On January 16, 2024, we joined forces with Masvingo Central and Rural police officers to arrest Summerton illegal settlers in the ‘no to land barons’ operation. We asked them about lease agreements or permits for the land, but they had no permits from the government,” said Chikura.
Richard Phiri, one of the victims, stated that he had been living in Summerton Farm since 2008 and had nowhere to go if forced out.
“My family and I have been residing in Summerton Farm since 2008, and it’s difficult to leave because we have nowhere else to go,” said Phiri.
Another resident said that the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture had never informed them about settling on gazetted land. “We were never advised by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture that we were settling on gazetted land. We were allocated the land by our traditional leaders, and the government knows our occupation was communal land,” said the resident.
Tarisai Muvengi prosecuted.