Home Blog Page 187

CRISIS: More than 100 men, women share single toilet at govt complex

TellZim News
-
0
CRISIS: More than 100 men, women share single toilet at govt complex

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Masvingo Registry Office which deals with the issuance of passports and birth certificates which torched a media storm in 2018 after the office keys were stolen is at again this time with more than 100 men and women including some from five other government departments are sharing a single toilet.
Though no official confirmation could be obtained on the development, TellZim News has it on good authority that the complex which houses the provincial registry offices, labor, women affairs department, provincial war veterans offices, education, justice and legal affairs, attorney general and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services offices has only one functioning toilet.
The Provincial registrar Sithembeni Chitsa could neither confirm nor deny as she said she was not at the office and referred questions to the ministry of public works saying they were the owners of the complex.
“You need to get in touch with the Department of Public works, they are the ones responsible for those buildings. Currently I am not at office, I am in Mwenezi so I cannot comment since I am not on the ground,” said Chitsa
However, the latest development is that three are not functional forcing all the people in those government departments to share a single toilet from the male side.
Sources said they have devised a plan where men use the urinary side while women use the toilet seat. However, if a man wants to poop, he is forced to use the toilet seat again, a development that is causing a lot of confusion .
“Imagine you are pressed and you want to relieve yourself, you get to the toilet only to be told to wait as there is someone in the toilet, the situation is unbearable and authorities are failing to address the situation,” said one source
Another source said the situation had more than a week and people from the department of public works which should fix the problem are reluctant to do so.
“Its more than a week now, and people from the department of public works were notified but they are not coming. I have resorted to using the bathroom in the morning at home and in the evening. In cases of emergency I would go to other complexes where friends work to relieve myself,” said the source.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Public works were futile as a number of people who work there were saying they were not allowed to speak to the media.
The provincial passport office is not issuing passports after having been stopped when the E-Passport was introduced.

Gokomere pupils demonstrate over classmates’ expulsion

TellZim News
-
0
Gokomere pupils demonstrate over classmates’ expulsion

Perpetua Murungweni

Gokomere High School pupils had to be stopped by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on their way to Masvingo Town, today September 26, 2023, where they wanted to hand over a petition to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

The School Head Acquanos Mazhunga could neither confirm nor deny when he was called for comment and said he was driving and would call later.

Sources within the school said the boys marched to Masvingo Harare Highway protesting against alleged expulsion of two fellow classmates who were expelled from school after fighting.

“They wanted to go to town to hand over a petition to the PED. They had a number of issues but the main was that two of their classmates who are supposed to write this year and were expelled after fighting.

School authorities followed them and tried to negotiate with them but they failed to stop them only to be stopped by the police at Masvingo 10 km peg.

In 2021 about 23 taken by police after another demo allegedly poor diet and learning conditions at the same school.

In the same year Mazhunga, his deputy Cephas Vhurumuku, Gokomere Central Primary School (CPS) acting head Mhangarai Masakadza, acting deputy head Alex Mawaya and Priest in Charge James Magadzire were dragged to the Anti-corruption court for misappropriation of school funds after parents and guardians of children at Gokomere Schools wrote a letter to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education calling for the expulsion of the heads and the priest in charge.

In 2012 again when Mazhunga was head at Mukaro High, there was a massive demo where all girls at the school marched to Gutu – Roy highway in protest over a number of challenges and that prompted his transfer to Gokomere.

Zanu PF councilor cries after party loses council chairperson post

TellZim News
-
0
Zanu PF councilor cries after party loses council chairperson post

…while Bhila defies the odds

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- There was drama at Chiredzi Town Council recently when Zanu PF’ ward 4 councilor, Charles Njopera cried after Roger Chikonye of the Citizens Coalition for Change was elected Town Chairperson through tossing a coin following a five all stalemate with Zanu PF’s Vimbai Vushe the contestants got five votes each twice.
While CCC members were ululating Chikonye’s lucky win, Njopera reacted by crying to the amusement of onlookers who included fellow councilors and Zanu PF provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa.
As that was not enough, Njopera was later defeated through the same process by Gift Chigidi of CCC on the post of Environment Committee Chairperson.
Chikonye was the Finance Chairperson in the previous council and is now being replaced by Ushe who got a consolation after CCC’s Musingashari Musingashari through tossing a coin.
Jameson Charumbira of Zanu PF elected as the Vice Chairperson through the same method after another five all impasse.
Charumbira was again nominated for the Finance and General purpose committee, but was blocked after a debate on whether the vice chairperson is allowed to be in the finance committee.
Ward 1 councilor Liberty Macharaga of Zanu PF argued with Chikonye saying there was no clause in the Urban Council’s Act that bars the Vice Chairman from contesting as a committee chairperson.
A ruling was later made by the District Development Coordinator (DDC) Lovemore Chisema who was the presiding officer to seek clarification from a higher office and was advised that it was unlawful for the Vice Chairperson to contest for a committee chairmanship post.
In his acceptance speech, Chikonye said there was need for unity among councilors to provide good services as expected by residents.
“This is not an easy job, residents are expecting an improved service delivery so we have to work together because council is a collection of us councilors so we have to forget about who won or lost but focus on what develops the town.
“To political leaders who are here, understand us and don’t give us unnecessary pressure but guidance, we need your support not to be tossed around , above all we need to consult the residents as we have a lot of issues affecting them,” said Chikonye.
In Chiredzi Rural District Council, Roy Bhila’s brother in-law Aspect Mashingaidze was elected Council Chairperson after defeating Leonard Makondo who was being backed by Chiredzi South Member of Parliament, Joel Sithole, Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Darlington Chiwa and Francis Moyo who lost to CCC’s Ropafadzo Makumire in Chiredzi Central.
Mashingaidze garnered 25 votes against Makondo’s 17.
Mashingaidze said he will work with fellow councilors towards breaking tribal lines in the council and fight for the betterment of Chiredzi at large.
“I feel honored to be elected Chairman and this means as councilors we should deliver and I know we are capable. We should break tribal lines and deliver what the people elected us to do,” said Mashingaidze.

Expect vibrant voices from women councilors-Chiwara

TellZim News
-
0
Expect vibrant voices from women councilors-Chiwara

Perpetua Murungweni

The newly elected Masvingo City Council Mayor Shantiel Chiwara has promised women and youths a powerful and vibrant representation since there are a number of female councilors in council chambers this time around.
Chiwara said this while giving her acceptance speech just after she was elected Mayor on September 19.
She commented on the local authority quota system which brought in three more female councilors to make them five and said together they will represent women well.
“As there is an increase in the numbers of women in our council, expect a vibrant voice from us, we are going to stand so that we get the same opportunities for all. I am not going to stand alone but as a team to achieve the promises we made to you,” said Chiwara
Chiwara also said that as a youth leader she is going to work towards issues that affects youths.
“As I am a youthful leader I am going to look into issues like drug abuse and also early marriages, we are going to stand together as a team because this one requires collective efforts,” said Chiwara.
Chiwara made history by becoming the first female and youngest Mayor to for Masvingo City Council.
The number of women at Masvingo City Council increased from one in the previous term to five of which two made it through ballot and the other three got in through quota system.

Chivhoko, Madzikura elected Mayor, deputy uncontested

TellZim News
-
0
Chivhoko, Madzikura elected Mayor, deputy uncontested

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru City Council ward 4 councilor Martin Chivhoko was elected City Mayor on September 22, 2023 after winning uncontested.
Chivhoko be deputized by Ward 9 councilor Nyaradzo Madzikura who also won the post uncontested.
Speaking after taking oath of office, Chivhoko called for unity of purpose among councilors and management for the betterment of the city and urged councilors to attend all meetings
“Councilors must ensure that they attend monthly council and committee meetings, contribute effectively and ensure that meetings are conducted harmoniously. I would like to urge council management and councilors to work together to develop the city of Gweru,” said Chivhoko.
The election was held at Gweru City Council chambers and was presided over by Acting Gweru District Development Coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa who also implored councilors and management to work together.
“I urge you to work together as a team for the benefit of your city. I implore you to avoid factions or camps among yourselves as this is detrimental to the efficient conduct of your city affairs,” said Mudadigwa.

Man impersonates Chief, appoints headman, village heads

TellZim News
-
0
Man impersonates Chief, appoints headman, village heads

Admire Chatindo

An 85 year old man from Mushandike Village recently appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie facing charges of impersonating a chief and went on to appoint a headman who in turn appointed own village heads.
The accused was nabbed for impersonating Chief Bere and appeared in court together with six other people for unlawfully allocating land and collecting money from villagers.
The seven accused persons who include one woman appeared in court on September 19, 2023 facing charges of adjudication without authority and impersonation.
Magistrate Hanzie postponed the matter to a later date to allow the accused to prepare their defense.
It is the state’s case as presented by prosecutor, Godknows Mugondo that on March 5, 2023 and April 9, 85 Petros Mahwekwe of Mushandike village unlawfully appointed himself as chief.
Mahwekwe further proceeded using the authority of the chief to appoint Jerryfanos Mangwangwa (55) in Makonde area which covers village 21 and 22 as headman and a woman, Lydia Mboko (52) as village for ward 12.
Mangwangwa, with his authority as headman went on to appoint Justin Kufandada (63) as village head for village 21, Nhamo Ndoro (53), Evas Ashton (58) and Only Chengeta (66) as village heads for village 22.
Mboko, Kufandada, Ndoro, Ashton and Chengeta went to village 12A, 21 and 22 on different occasions convening village meetings as ‘substantive’ village heads and told villagers that those who have been village heads in the past are no longer village heads and have been replaced by them.
During these meetings, villagers were hoodwinked into believing that those who had been village heads in the past were no longer village heads.
The four village heads went on to unlawfully allocate land to outsiders, collecting money from villagers saying it was for installing the chief and threatened those who refused to pay the money.

Meet Esta Mwapenya: Masvingo RDC Deputy Chairperson

TellZim News
-
0
Meet Esta Mwapenya: Masvingo RDC Deputy Chairperson

Perpetua Murungweni

Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) Vice Chairperson Esta Mwapenya could say she was lucky to be win the post uncontested after the post of chairperson was hotly contested.
Mwapenya lost to the incumbent Jadiel Chikoore in the Zanu PF primaries but when the quota system was announced, she grabbed the opportunity, sailed through.
Mwapenya said she will use her post to influence development and empowerment of women across Masvingo District.
“As deputy chairperson, I am going to spearhead projects that uplift the lives of women in the district. I am going to coordinate rotating savings clubs (mukando) in order to financially empower women to start their own businesses because I have seen it working for others” said Mwapenya.
She said as a woman she was going to work towards improvement of maternity homes across the district saying it remained a challenge for women who have to travel long distances to access maternity care
“In the course of my duty I am going to work towards the improvement of maternity welfare by making sure that women shall not pay but receive maternity services for free. These services should also be provided for free because most women cannot afford even the amount required to register pregnancies.
“I am also going to work towards construction of more maternity wards in the already established clinics,” said Mwapenya.
She also talked about the need for holding more drug and substance awareness campaigns in order to reduce the burden on parents whose children are into drug abuse.
“In as much as drug and substance awareness campaigns are being held all over the nation, I am going to make sure that I organize more of these campaigns in the district because Masvingo is largely rural so acces to information is limited that is why drug abuse is still high.
“Mothers are suffering from trauma and high blood pressure watching the future of their children being destroyed by drug abuse,” said Mwapenya
She also talked about her journey in politics saying it wasn’t easy considering that she is a woman.
“It’s not easy for a women to campaign and win, during my political journey I faced a number of challenges, and it was difficult to balance the domestic chores, wifely duties, motherly duties, profession and campaigning. As a wife I could not just go out and come home late and I could not also just leave the house without making sure that there is enough food for the family.
“I thank the President for implementing local authority women’s quota because it reduces pressure and the burden of campaigning resources on women,” said Mwapenya.
Mwapenya is a 53-year old wife and mother of two. She is a teacher by profession with Bachelor of Education Degree in sociology and has 21 years working experience.

GZU student commits suicide by slitting own throat

TellZim News
-
0

Faith Duri

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Mashava Campus students were left shell shocked recently morning when they found one of their own with a slit throat in a suspected suicide case.
Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the shocking incident.
“We received the report of suicide and circumstances are that on September 20, 2023 around 8pm, the now deceased Tatenda Mhlanga (28) was at Gathsmine Club House basketball court with Daniel Zinyemba (29) and Kudakwashe Chikwature (63).
“He started shivering and hallucinating so Zinyemba and Chikwature took him to his room and left him alone there, around 00:01pm midnight Zinyemba went to check on his friend and found him throwing books and everything on the on the floor and walls trying to open the main door.
“Zinyemba managed to calm him down and took him to his room and locked the door, around 5 am the following day Zinyemba called him but he didn’t answer, he went to his room and found him lying dead on the floor with blood stains all over his body, floor and walls,” said Dhewa.
Inspector Dehwa said the incident was reported to GZU Police Base and the police found the body under a single bed on a mattress with a deep cut on the throat and left wrist, a small cut on left side of the waist and on bicep.
The police also found a small sharp pointed wood, small table knife on the table, a sharp glass piece with blood stains and a metal curtain rod holder was found in the room.
GZU Director of Public Relations and Communications officer, Anderson Chipatiso said the university was deeply saddened by the loss of one of its students.
“The incident took place at our school, the student was found dead on September 21, 2023 but unfortunately, we do not have enough details on the case.
“As a school we are deeply hurt because we have lost one of our students, we were expecting him to complete his studies and be a better someone in future,” said Chipatiso
Other sources said the deceased was having family issues which was affecting him and also indicated a possibility of drug abuse.

Women urged to support each other in politics

TellZim News
-
0
Women urged to support each other in politics

Faith Duri

Masvingo City Council Deputy Mayor Daniel Mberikunashe has urged women to support each other in politics and other positions of influence saying they constituted a bigger number of the population and if they support each other it’s easy for them to get in positions.
Mberikunashe was speaking at a workshop organized by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists on September 21, 2023 at Mucheke Hall where residents were given a platform to share their expectations from the new elected leadership.
“Women do not support each other and if it wasn’t of the fact that some councilors got in through women’s quota, we would have only two female councilors at Masvingo City.
‘There is a lot of discrimination and marginalization of women at different levels of politics but it’s worse amongst women themselves because they think that politics is a ‘boys’ game only that’s why they are failing to support each other ,’ said Mberikunashe.
Women participation in politics is still very low as evidenced by the number of women who won in council and parliament through ballot in 2023 elections which is lower than 2018.
The introduction of quota system to include women into council and parliament through proportional representation was meant to increase women representation but it’s still not enough.

Chivhoko, Madzikura elected Mayor, deputy uncontested

TellZim News
-
0
Chivhoko, Madzikura elected Mayor, deputy uncontested

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru City Council ward 4 councilor Martin Chivhoko was elected City Mayor on September 22, 2023 after winning uncontested.
Chivhoko be deputized by Ward 9 councilor Nyaradzo Madzikura who also won the post uncontested.
Speaking after taking oath of office, Chivhoko called for unity of purpose among councilors and management for the betterment of the city and urged councilors to attend all meetings
“Councilors must ensure that they attend monthly council and committee meetings, contribute effectively and ensure that meetings are conducted harmoniously. I would like to urge council management and councilors to work together to develop the city of Gweru,” said Chivhoko.
The election was held at Gweru City Council chambers and was presided over by Acting Gweru District Development Coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa who also implored councilors and management to work together.
“I urge you to work together as a team for the benefit of your city. I implore you to avoid factions or camps among yourselves as this is detrimental to the efficient conduct of your city affairs,” said Mudadigwa.

1...186187188...956Page 187 of 956