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Council to descend on uninspected meat sellers

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council is set to descend on uninspected meat sellers following the rise in cases on the illegal act which poses health risks to unsuspecting residents.
In the council minutes of Health, Housing and Environment dated June 5, 2023 the local authority said it had noted the sale of uninspected meat in the city and would issue a prohibition notice against selling uninspected meat.
“Members noted with concern the sale of uninspected meat in the City. The Chief Environmental Health Officer advised that a notice on the prohibition on sale of uninspected meat will be issued out,” read part of the minutes.
In the same minutes, council also noted the number of illegal activities going on around the city including the illegal car wash at craft centre.
“On illegal car wash operations in the city. Concern was raised on the illegal car wash operating at the Craft Center. The Acting Director of Housing and Social Services noted that the issue was actioned, and the owner had been issued a notice on the illegal activity,” read the minutes.
Councilors also agreed that a blitz on all illegal activities in the city should be holistic with focus on Industrial activities in residential areas.
On dog tie up council also noted the need to determine if a dog is truly stray or not before shooting.
“On enforcement of the Dog tie up order, some members felt the need to determine if a dog was truly a stray before shooting, which the Chief Environmental Health Officer clarified that the blitz is usually conducted in the evening, when kept dogs have been locked up,” read the minutes.

18 year old cancer patient appeals for financial assisstance

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Beverly Bizeki

A Lower Six pupil at Pamushana High School is appealing for financial assistance to raise around US$13 000 from well-wishers to get treatment in India for a bone tumor that has developed on her right leg.

Mercy Mapipi (18) is currently not going to school because of the growth which has caused a lump just below the knee.

Mercy’s Father Maxwell Mapipi said they have been to Zambia where they were advised that she be amputated or go to India.

“We are appealing to well-wishers to raise about USD$13 for medical treatment and two air ticket to India where we were referred by Doctors.

We have been running around trying to find help and we ended up in Zambia where they advised us that the only solution was amputation since the disease was still below the knee. They also gave an option to go to India and we did quotations but we are failing to raise the amount since we exhausted all savings and I even sold my car to go to Zambia,” said Maxwell.

He said doctors in Zambia said she had sarcoma cancer and initially he had agreed to have her amputated but she and other family members said they should try the India option.

“In Zambia where we sought medical treatment she underwent various scans including X-Ray, blood tests, MRI scans, CT scan and they confirmed she has sarcoma cancer and has not yet passed the knee,”

“I had agreed but she and other relatives were against the idea so now we are trying to raise the money but it is an uphill task,” said Maxwell.

“It is difficult for us to raise the money as her mother is a teacher and I am not formally employed and I am a hustler,” said Maxwell.

He said when the tumor started, she just felt an itching sensation and they thought it was a simple injury and they only rushed to seek medical assistance after it started swelling.

She started complaining of an itching sensation on the leg and she suspected that she could have had a simple injury at school. It got worse in November when she about to sit for her ‘O’ level.

“Some local doctors we enquired from said it was a bone problem and had shortage of blood in her body and we bought medication and she went on to write her exams and passed well,” He said.

It was after she was send home from school that another local Doctor advised them that it could be cancer and they tried a number of options which led them to Zambia.

Currently Mercy is not in school as her condition has worsened although her school fees has been paid.

He said Mercy wants to be a lawyer and her hopes could be shattered if she doesn’t get assistance in time.

Well-wishers can contact Mercy’s mother Phiona Munago on 0772259385 or send donations on the following account.

Standard Chartered USD ACCOUNT- 8700269300500

Standard Chartered RTGS ACCOUNT – 0100269300500

CCC vote split imminent in Masvingo ward 1

…as independent Maruta remains defiant

Perpetua Murungweni

There are fears of vote split in Masvingo City Council’s ward 1 in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party as one member Edmond Maruta who was disqualified went on to stand as independent after the party chose Sabina Chikwangwani to represent the party.
Sources within the party said they tried engaging him to withdraw as was the case in ward 2 but Maruta refused and basing on the support he had, he could pool a sizeable number of voters at the expense of CCC.
“The provincial leadership tried all tricks in the book but they failed to convince him to step down and considering the support he had during campaigns, he could take a sizeable number of people and remember the seat once went to Zanu PF so it’s not surprising if it wins again,” said the source.
Speaking to TellZim News, Maruta said he was not going to back down saying he was confident of victory as he was working on the ground.
“I am a man of my word, so I don’t back down on my decision to stand as independent, we are working on the ground and we are telling our people that they should vote for a person not party. They need to vote for someone who is capable and people in ward 1 know who is better among us candidates,” said Maruta
On the nomination Maruta told TellZim News that he was disgruntled about the whole selection process saying he doesn’t know how on earth he lost to Chikwangwani since he had all what it takes to represent the party but the party went on to pick a ‘back bencher’.
“I have filed nomination papers as independent because I felt that I was the one who deserved to represent the party considering how I worked.”
“I was on the forefront of making sure that people, mainly the youths register to vote, I was shocked to find out that, a back bencher, someone who did not work or contributed anything for the party was selected, this is the reason why I decided to go independent and I am confident of winning because I have a lot of support from people I worked with,” said Maruta.
He however, said he is urging his supporters to vote for him as councilor then vote for Nelson Chamisa for president.
“To all ward 1 people especially members of CCC, vote for me as your councilor so that I fulfil what I promised to you. I also urge you to stand by president Nelson Chamisa.
There has been a candidate chaotic selection process by CCC which resulted in a number of disgruntled members contesting as independent candidates in Masvingo.
In ward 2, Rocky Kamuzonda had filed as an independent but later on withdrew after the party intervention.
In the same ward, Frank Chirairo also filed as CCC together with Shantiel Chiwara making a double candidate in the same ward.
Chirairo who was alleged to have forged signatures later on withdrew quitting active politics and has also renounced his CCC membership.
Other CCC members who contested as independent include Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke who is contesting for Masvingo Urban parliamentary seat as well as Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende who is contesting for Chiredzi Central Constituency.

CCC’s Admire Mufamba in court for assault, theft

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Beverly Bizeki

MASVINGO – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party member Admire Mufamba (46) has appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie on July 6, 2023 facing charges of assault and theft.
He will be back in court for continuation of trial on July 17, 2023.
He is accused of assaulting Tapiwa Mathole from Chivanhu Village chief Nemamwa in Masvingo.for being in possession of an axe and wearing ZANU PF regalia whilst passing through a group of CCC members.
It is the state case as presented by Tichaona Chakavarika that on the day in question, the accused together with his accomplices, a group of about 30 people parked their motor vehicle at a layby along Masvingo-Nemamwa road when the complainant who was wearing a ZANU PF cap passed by whilst holding an axe.
It is alleged that the accused and his accomplices, some of which were wearing CCC regalia, confronted Mathole accusing him of intending to strike them with an axe and also asked him why he was wearing a ZANU PF cap.
An altercation ensued with the accused wrestling for the axe from the complainant whilst others were assaulting him all over the body.
Mufamba overpowered the complainant taking the axe which is valued at US $50 from him and he left and went on to make a police report.
A number of cases of violence between CCC and Zanu PF are on the rise as the country drift towards elections set for August 23.
Last month, 39 CCC members were arrested facing allegations of public violence in Nyatsime area, Chitungwiza where they are said to have destroyed ZANU PF cell offices, several houses and also assaulted members of Nyatsime community with bricks and sticks.

Vehicle misuse rocks Masvingo City

…tracking system records 4 285 driving violations in one month

Perpetua Murungweni

Vehicle misuse is reigning supreme at Masvingo City Council as the vehicle tracking system has recorded a shocking 4 285, driving violations on the municipal vehicles in one month.
The statistics are almost double from the 2019 recorded in April last year.
This came out in the report of the Acting Director of Engineering Services on vehicle tracking system for the month of May 2023.
“It was reported that 4 285 driving violations had been recorded during the month of May 2023,” read the statement in the minutes.
However, Mayor Collen Maboke said some of the offences were very minor as the tracking system records everything.
“Some of the violations recorded are very minor like if one applies emergency brakes, so if we are to punish offenders we would fire all drivers,” said Maboke.
Last year the local authority was challenged to employ a vehicle tracking system on its fleet so as to curb misuse of the local authority’s vehicles.
This was after council vehicles were seen parked at places where they should not be such as recreational and social joints.
As a preventive measure, councilors, mainly Sengerayi Manyanga of ward 10, implored management at Town House to install tracking systems on vehicles and also assign a specific officials to take care and monitor errands of vehicles.
The City Council’s engineering department acknowledged in full council minutes this publication is in possession of that most of their vehicles were developing faults and the top cause being idling.
However, the shocking statistics shows that the local authority could probably failing to take action against errand drivers as the statics continue to sour.
In April last year, 2019 violations including over speeding, harsh braking, turning and idling, were recorded.
The local authority had also noted that ambulances were at fault on regular basis and it was discovered that 95 percent of the mileage recorded on the ambulances were not related to patient transfer but other errands
The recent full council meeting was also told that the municipal police in its errands had raised a total of USD 18950 from 1625 violations by the citizens for the month of May.
“Covering Human and Material Resources, operational activities, Traffic Offences, commonage patrols, vending, boom gate activities and status of ranking of buses at Mucheke Bus Terminus. It is reported that the Section attended to 1625 violations in the commonage and raised a total of USD18950 during the month under review,” reads the minutes.

Gutu man loses life while seeking fortune

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Decide Nhendo

In a heart touching incident, a Gutu man lost his life while searching for gold ore at an abandoned foundation of a building in Gutu on July 3, 2023 around 1600hrs.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and warned people to consider their safety when doing artisanal mining.
“We can confirm that we received a report where a 24 year old man lost his life after a wall collapsed on him while digging for gold at an abandoned house. As police we would like to urge members of the public to consider their safety when seeking fortunes,” said Dhewa
Sources said the deceased Tadious Mukaro aged (24) of Handeki village under Chief Gutu , together with his friends Francis Taonezvi(31) and Tafadzwa Mashava(33) of plot 12, Grasslands A, Zoma Chartsworths were doing their hustle as usual when a wall collapsed and trapped Tadious who was using a hammer and chisel to hit the wall.
“The concrete slab fell on Tadious and hit him on his head causing some fractures and bruises on both legs, and eventually he died on spot.
Eastdale police attended the scene and the deceased’s body was taken to Gutu mission hospital.

Disability advocate Nigel Tahwa appeals for wheelchair donation

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Tinaani Nyabereka

MIDLANDS – Gweru-based Disability Advocate, Nigel Tahwa who is also disabled is appealing to well-wishers for assistance to acquire a new wheelchair

He said he is facing mobility challenges as his old wheelchair is worn out and is no longer conducive for him to conduct his services.

“I’m appealing to the public and corporate world to help me raise $285 that is needed for a new wheelchair. The wheelchair is my only means of mobility as I do my advocacy work in the community every day. I almost fall on pavements as wheels and the general condition of my chair is no longer stable, It is now worn out and I am even spending long hours stuck in one place,” said Tahwa.

26 year old Tahwa said he was born disabled and is currently unemployed so it is difficult for him to raise the amount.

“I was born with a condition called cerebral palsy, a disorder that affect a person’s ability to develop physical, maintain balance and posture currently, and I stay with my mum. I don’t work but am currently doing a bit of some humanitarian work in Gweru which requires me to move around,” said Tahwa.

He said every dollar counts and he accepts any other form of help which people in his state require.

“Just know that every dollar or donation counts and it will go a long way in granting my safety, I am currently working for an organization called “Let’s Make A Difference Disability Zimbabwe”, so without a proper chair my work is greatly interrupted”

“I cannot serve my constituency and people around me who are also in need .The organization largely dependent on me, so as I struggle to travel, everything is at stand still.” he added.

Meanwhile pavements in Gweru Central Business District pose serious dangers to Persons with Disabilities as open trenches and unrepaired slabs continue to surface.

Those willing to assist ‘Nigel Tahwa’ can reach him on 0774123285 or 077 660 5580.

Mnangagwa expected in Zaka this week

Beverly Bizeki

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to visit Zaka District, for the first time since he became President, on July 16; 2023 to address a star rally ahead of August 23 election TellZim News can report.
Zanu PF Provincial Secretary for Information Pepukai Chiwewe confirmed the development and said preparations were underway.
“President Mnangagwa will be in Zaka to address a star rally at Chinorumba High School in Zaka Central. Preparations are underway for the big day in the district,” said Chiwewe.
He said the rally is important for the district considering the fact that he had not visited the district since he became president.
“The rally is very important for us considering the fact that it is the first time for the president to visit the district since the inception of the new dispensation. So we are happy and confident that his visit will aid in our voter mobilization as we strive to play our part towards the five million votes target,” said Chiwewe
Zanu PF recently launched its campaign and the top leadership will be touring Masvingo Province in the next two weeks.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga visited the province for a rally in Gutu East on July 10 and will visit Gutu West on August 3.
The party Vice President Kembo Mohadi will be visit Masvingo Central on August 12.
National chairperson Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri who is also the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs is expected to address a rally Mwenezi West on August 17 in
Mnangagwa was in Masvingo last month where he addressed first time voters at Mucheke Stadium.

Zanu Pf in charge of Council affairs – Mahwende

Perpetua Murungweni

Masvingo city council Deputy Mayor and Zanu PF aspiring candidate for Masvingo Urban constituency Wellington Mahwende has said it is the ruling party that is in charge of how local authorities operate saying all developments done by council should be attributed to Zanu PF.
Mahwende who was speaking at Chitima Market where he was handing over some cash to victims of Chitima inferno. Mahwende said Zanu PF is responsible for development in Masvingo not council since most of the developments were done using devolution funds that comes from Zanu PF run government.
“The government is responsible for development in Masvingo, after President Emmerson Munangagwa realized that Masvingo City Council was doing nothing, he embarked on emergency road rehabilitation in the city. In terms of infrastructure Masvingo is the best because of what the government is doing,”
“All the districts in Masvingo now have clinics and schools that were built with the government not the local authorities,” said Mahwende.
He said it was not Masvingo City Council that constructed Rujeko secondary school and Runyararo West Clinic.
“It is not true that Council is responsible for the construction of Rujeko Secondary School, Rujeko clinic an Runyararo West Clinic, all this was done under devolution funds that came from the government and as deputy I know,” Mahwende said.
The government is doing all of this because the council had failed, though it is the council’s duty to ensure that people get water and the roads are serviced.
“It is council’s responsibility to ensure that people get water and it is also their duty to ensure that roads are serviced, the government is only responsible for main roads under the ministry of transport and the main roads are serviced.
The government intervenes when council fails because the majority of councilors in the council are not of the ruling party and they tend to blame government for their failures,” said Mahwende.

Council to splash US$ 130K on two luxury vehicles

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council made a resolution to spend US$129 380 buying two Toyota GD6 vehicles for its Chamber Secretary and Senior Environmental Health Officer.
This was revealed in Finance and General Purposes Committee minutes dated June 23; 2023 where council resolved to purchase the two vehicles.
“Council has resolved to purchase conditions of service vehicles for Chamber Secretary and Senior Health Officer and respectively being Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD6 4×4 Executive Double Cab at estimated cost of US$69 380.00 for Chamber Secretary and Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD6 Standard Double Cab at estimated cost of US$60 000.00 for the Senior Health Officer,” read part of the minutes.
The development is continuation of the first phase where council purchased two vehicles for the Acting Director of Engineering Services and Chief Environmental Health Officer
“It was reported that in August 2022 Council resolved to purchase the vehicles in phases and so far under phase 1, vehicles for the Acting Director of Engineering Services and Chief Environmental Health Officer have been bought,” read part of the minutes.
Council has since then resolved to purchase the two vehicles after completion of phase one with the vehicles with a cost of US $69 380 and US $60 000 respectively.
In 2021 council purchased 12 motor vehicles which comprised of 1 refuse compactor, 1 Toyota minibus, 5 Toyota Sedan vehicles, and 5 Nissan pick-up trucks which they said was meant to enhance service delivery.
In a full council meeting held on Monday July 04, only ward 7 councilor Richard Musekiwa, was against the resolution saying council should focus on service delivery first.
He said council should buy at least one of the two and direct money for the other vehicle to service delivery vehicles.