Home Blog Page 222

Media urged to work hand in hand with communities

Perpetua Murungweni

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe has encouraged journalists to work hand in glove with the communities as they can only be protected once they work harmoniously with the people.
This was said during MISA Zimbabwe Masvingo Chapter’ World Press Freedom (WPFD) Day commemorations held at Bhani business centre near Nemamwa Growth Point where they invited members of the community as well as traditional leaders.
MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Cris Chinaka urged journalists and communities to work together so that they can protect each other when it comes to the upholding human rights.
“Today I urge you as the community to work together with the media because we can only be valuable to the community as you value us and it is you who can only protect and secure us from persecution and violations of the media freedom,” said Chinaka.
Chinaka also urged the communities not to be enemies with the media but utilize the media to foster development.
“I urge the community and the media to cultivate a good relationship so as to ensure a good working relationship and thus challenge communities to utilize the media for development purposes by giving the media a chance to cover developmental issues that benefit the community without any intimidation or interference,” said Chinaka.
He also said if the community plays its role in fighting for media freedom it allows the media to intermediate between them and government to ensure enjoyment of the human rights.

Some of the community members who attended the event

“If the community plays its role of fighting for media freedom, it allows the media to intermediate between the community and government and ensure that they enjoy human rights without interferences,” said Chinaka.
MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson Golden Maunganidze in his speech read by Masvingo MISA Chairperson Passmore Kuzipa indicated that affordable access to the internet as declared by the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms as a fundamental right is also of paramount importance in ensuring the protection of the media by its communities.
“This necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach involving all the key relevant players to come up with mechanisms that ensure affordable internet access and data prices for all, including those in marginalized rural communities,” said Maunganidze.
He also said a free media helps communities to freely express themselves through access to information from a media that operates freely without any interference.
“The right to freedom of expression should be underpinned by citizens that freely express themselves online and offline and through access to a media that operates professionally and without hindrance,” he said.

Masvingo ‘baby killer’ shoots drama in court

0

Beverly Bizeki

A mentally challenged Masvingo woman who allegedly committed infanticide by killing her new born baby two weeks ago stunned the court when after being further remanded out of custody had to be dragged out of the court room by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
The accused Ngonidzashe Mukanhairi (34) made her initial appearance in court for trial on May 11, 2023.
Mukanhairi stunned court officials when she said God only demands the truth which she was about to tell the court if she was given the chance to do so.
Although she was not asked to plead, she told the court that she was never pregnant but was however bewitched.
Mukanhairi of Mucheke suburb appeared before magistrate Rethagketsi Silaigwana facing infanticide charges and was remanded to May 23, 2023 for trial after a doctor’s examination of her mental state.
It is the State case according to Isabel Pambuka that the accused whose place of residence is unknown came to the informant’s place and asked for a place to stay.
It is alleged that the accused person who is believed to be a mental health patient and was pregnant gave birth on a date unknown to the prosecutor and killed the infant cutting its body parts into pieces.
The matter was however discovered on April 28, 2023 by Rosewita Mupfinho who discovered an unusual smell coming from the house and reported the matter to the police.
The baby’s remains were found in a plastic bag in the room.

Fire season preparations begins

…stakeholders urged to join hands in fighting veld fires

Courage Dutiro

Veld fires pose a significant threat to human livelihoods and are a nuisance when they begin as they have adverse effects on human life as well as the environment.
Veld fires cause a significant loss in Flora and Fauna, and as such this results in a loss in biological diversity and can drive certain vulnerable species that are battling for existence into extinction.
Veld fires can also result in the loss of high value properties like farm tractors, houses, livestock, and food and in worst cases, loss of life.
When fires burn, they destroy most of the soil organic matter and also most soil microorganisms are killed and this will result loss of soil fertility which result in low yields.
The fires also have other serious adverse effects including soil erosion, river siltation due to soil erosion and poor ground water recharge due to excessive run-off.
To mitigate this, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Masvingo, recently hosted a veld fire management workshop with various stakeholders including the Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Rural District Councils.
EMA Masvingo Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Munyaradzi Mtisi said the workshop was aimed at reviewing various strategies that were used last year (2022) in reducing veld fire incidences.
“Amongst the key strategies that were used in reducing the veld fires were robust awareness, fire guard construction, training of firefighting teams, issuing out fire guard orders to farmers and prosecution among others,” said Mtisi
He said there was also a collaboration between the Ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and Environment, Climate Tourism and Hospitality Industry that was established in 2021, aimed at reducing veld fires. This collaboration was implemented in 2022 with the aim of protecting the agricultural produce (crops and animals), agricultural equipment and human life.
“The mentioned structures being the custodians, managers and planners of the land were expected to champion the pre-suppression to suppression activities as set out in the fire action plan annex 1,”
“The use of the electronic media platforms was also used for the two-way reporting system in cases of veld fires. Historically most fires were recorded in communal, resettlement and safari areas, collaboration with local traditional leadership structure, local governance structures, road administration structures and protected areas management was upscale,” he added.
Mtisi said in 2022 the Agency issued out 203 veld fire orders against an annual target of 190.
In 2022, the Agency also established a model fire village at Born Domi farm in ward 1, Zaka district as a way of training farmers on how to prepare their villages for veld fires as this year’s fire season approaches the various stakeholders that were gathered agreed to intensify the execution of the strategies that were employed last year as well as implementing new strategies that were agreed in the meeting.
“Key stakeholders that are involved in the management of veld fires agreed to intensify on raising awareness especially in fire prone areas like Gutu. It was also noted that there is need to ensure that road sides are cleared as most fires were emanating from roadsides due to motorists throwing away cigarette stubs, some of which end up igniting fires on grasslands,” said Mtisi.
He said in preparation of the 2023 fire season, EMA has done a fire risk assessment model meant to identify fire risk zones in the country.
The modelling indicated that the country is at medium to high risk to veld fires.
The model report outlined that provinces that are highly exposed to the veld fires are Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Matabeleland North and the districts that fall in extreme risk are Nyanga, Mutasa, Mutare and Chimanimani.
“The model also indicated Masvingo is low risk province when it comes to veld fires. The 2023 fire prediction model however indicates that Masvingo province has moved into a medium risk zone so EMA has decided to step up in terms of preparing for the 2023 fire season,” he said.
In 2022, Chiredzi district recorded the highest areas (24 377.73 hectares) destroyed by fires, followed by Mwenezi with 23 552.25 hectares and Chivi has 444.9 ha which is the lowest in the province.
A robust inclusive fire communication plan has been developed in collaboration with stakeholders and is in place. The plan is devolved to the village level from national level. It incorporates standing government structures and the civil protection in case of a disaster.
EMA Masvingo Provincial Manager, Milton Muusha emphasized the need for stakeholders to work hand in glove to reduce veld fire incidences saying EMA was ready to play its part.
He urged farmers to start preparing fire guards. These are belts of cleared land measuring at least 9 meters in width on either sides of a boundary fence that are cleared of biomass and at least 4.5 meters wide for internal ones.
EMA is therefore encouraging citizens to start the construction of fireguards around paddocks, woodlands, homesteads, croplands and farms.
Farmers were also urged to do hay baling, a practice of cutting grass to be used as livestock feed in the dry season, this will in turn reduce the fuel load during a veld fire.
They are also encouraged to harvest thatch grass, for use in thatching their homes or for selling to business entrepreneurs that are into construction.
The Environmental Management Agency through partnership with key stakeholders will be embarking on training residents and farmers on the proper practice of these sustainable practices, some of which can be used to generate income.

MCC launches scholarship for less privileged

…plans underway to construct lab at Rujeko Secondary

TellZim reporter

Learners at Masvingo City Council-run schools have gotten an extra incentive and motivation following plans at Town House to introduce educational scholarships for academically talented learners.
The revelation for consideration of scholarships were made in the minutes of Environmental Services Committee (Health, housing) held on April 3, 2023.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Director of Housing and Social Services, on the proposed establishment of City of Masvingo Educational scholarship at council schools.
“The proposal to introduce City of Masvingo Educational Scholarship Programme to council schools be granted subject to the following conditions: only beneficiaries from council schools will be offered scholarships for the first year 2023 and programme to be rolled out to cover other schools in the city, the grant will be applicable to students that are academically talented but coming from a very underprivileged families for example orphans, etc. The existing structures at council schools (Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) will be used to identify these less privileged children.
“Each school will submit a minimum of five children whose names will be submitted to the Director of Housing and Social Services for further scrutiny and approval. School fees, uniforms and related items such as their stationery will be paid for by council up to grade 6. For secondary education, the scholarship will cater for a full package for example related expenses and boarding fees,” read part of the minutes.
According to the minutes, the scholarship also extends to tertiary level of education whereby it caters for total fees that is tuition and boarding for the beneficiary.
The local authority has also pledged to provide human resource for the construction of a computer laboratory at Rujeko Secondary School.
“The report of the Acting Director of Housing and Social Services on the request for siting and labour services for the construction of a Computer Laboratory block for Rujeko Secondary School was considered. It was reported that the school has purchased all the construction material required to commence the project. The request was granted subject to School Development Committee (SDC) handing over the laboratory block to council upon completion,” added the minutes.
Masvingo City has made a number of strides towards quality education provision in the city after establishing Rujeko High School in the suburb that had no secondary school while plans are also on cards to build a school in Runyararo West suburb.

Its time to quit politics Mwonzora

Ladies and gentlemen, I decided to sign a peace truce long back with the two men at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe but Panonetsa has just poked me again in the eye prompting me to react swiftly to his provocation. Yeah its aluta continua nemahumbwe at the tallest building in the capital. These guys never run short of surprises and just when the whole nation had just shifted attention away from them, they come again with another surprise package of foolishness. The whole country is busy singing anti-drug abuse songs in schools, growth points etc but none has had the guts to take the massage to where it is needed, to where drugs are being abused. Panonetsa and Mthuli are smoking something chete. Its more than Mutoriro, Kambwa, Guka makafela, crystal meth even mbanje dzekuBinga or Mozambique hadzisvike apa.
As if the move to sell gold coins under the false pretence that they were arresting inflation and act as a store of wealth was not enough, Panonetsa abhema dzeMalawi zvakare and has introduced the RBZ gold backed digital tokens haaayas chete semunhu asina kuita economics maybe I am just hitting the bushes. But just using common sense, one can see that these guys have failed, gedye gedye failed, austerity 2 percent measure failed, banning multi-currency failed, gold coins failed, how on earth will gold digital tokens work? Its simple guys, this is just another ploy meant to further fatten the pockets of the few elite at the expense of the general majority. The guys are taking the nation for a ride and I wonder why Scarfmore the village lawyer keeps extending the contracts of these two musketeers who have and continued to hold the country’s economy at ransom or maybe varikubhema dzemuGreen house. I am just told that Muthuvi is a Cambridge University graduate who was also a professor at Oxford but where is he borrowing his economic principles from? Yaaa the two are a total disgrace and failure to the people of Zimbabwe. Mthuli is at it again after promising Wifi in Cowdray Park, now he wants to ship out all young people from the area through the now useless nurse aide courses which has enriched those who are training students. Kana muchida kuona kuti pari kudyiwa mari just go paMucheke Hall apa and see how the Redcross training institution has transformed.
Zimbabwe soo, it never cease to amaze, we thought we had forgotten the Gold Mafia issue and focus on elections then booom, another one kkk. Yaa, the ‘white gold’ now has its own mafia who I would prefer to call ‘Lithium Mafia’ and the guys are just on a serious looting spree ndati huyai muone.Chimutemo chekuti no lithium is exported before processing was just a fallacy, Yes. Turning to reality on the ground, there is nothing of that sort because the mineral is not only being looted and exported, but on a larger scale through these porous borders. Small artificial mountains made of the precious lithium have just popped up in Masvingo industrial area where even an ore cleansing plant had already been set up to break down the ore into smaller particles, but were the authorities caught off guard prior to the discovery or that points to how corruption has chewed the Zimbabwean societal flesh to the bone? Maybe that’s the way Second Republic has taken to resuscitate the dysfunctional industries. These so-called all weather friends are now all weather looters, the way they frequent Masvingo CBD, one wonders what their missions would be but after such a discovery, then those few questions concerning their daily missions maybe answered. Lithium is being looted at Bikita Minerals and is being exported. I heard some big names are being fingered ipapo, the Likes of ana Mandebvu, Koti, Gopo among others kkkkk, let’s wait and see what the iron lady Mai Marume will do with the culprits she claimed to single handedly apprehend.
Turning to 2023, its closer by the way, Zanu PF is yet to finalise its candidates I have seen a number of circulars coming out on the criterion to select women’s quota, councillors etc, gore rino tichadzidza zvakawanda. Ukuwo ku Chamisa Chete Chete one man band, ah not one, kuna Fadzi naOstallos kkkk. Yes, ndovari kurira, I hear they are yet to conclude their selection criteria and hanzi iri kuuya list kupera kwemwedzi kkkk. Makudo ndemamwe I have seen it. That’s why Zanu PF is now copying from CCC hanzi kwakudiwa masubjects to be councillor. Mukati Mai Dorca vanopabuda ipapa? Hameno let’s wait and see but ward 1 icharema chete kkk.
Right, to Musoro Bhangu Madhuku if you have Ubuntu, it’s high time you tell Togarasei to quit politics and focus on his cattle farm which he filled nemombe nemari yekuba, only time will tell but I think the court challenge was just some last kicks of a dying Alliance kkkk, pfuma yekuba inozvimbira. Dhagi aatojaira zvekuti at some point in time I just thought that whenever people spoke of a captured Judiciary, maybe they are talking of Dhagi judging by the way he would score legal victories over whoever would face him before the courts. Just at a time when he thought it was going to be normal procedure of capitalizing on technicalities on way to victory, this time the opposite was true and it seems to signal the end of the road for Chauruka akatonhodzewa uyu. I can see the writing is on the wall. I was hoping to see MDC primaries but I doubt achauya.
But zvatinoitirwa muZimbabwe so, Togarasei hires Musorobhangu Madhuku to represent him to postpone elections which he, I mean Musorobhangu as NCA president want to contest. Nxaa, what’s that, people have no principles out there, ndozviya zvana Chombo naBiti gore riya, ndakambokuudzai, I won’t talk about the Zuva issue ndingavirirwa ndatukwa zvangu netwumbwa twaNero kkk. Oti hatudi kunzwa mukuru achitaurwa nezvake just like vana Va Papa kkkk, kungodaro chete ndinobva ndaGaya Makandiwa kkkk. But where are they, I mean Magaya and Makandiwa, mukati Gold mafia documentary vakatoroionawo imi, Zii Zii yacho yanyanya veduwee, imi vanhu tengerai vana Papa data vaone zvakaitwa umwe wavo Angel. Kana umwe aresva vana Papa dzidzai kutsiurana imi.
Madhuku strategy is at work these days kkk, I heard he is also representing our own Sipambi, Chief Charumbira in his case where he asked for a kiss, a mere kiss for that matter kkkk, madzishe enyu aya. But moti Madhuku aisaona here kuti Dhagi was going to face humiliating defeat, I guess he is on his way to the fire escape route from politics because his party is dead, not only dead, dead and buried. Yaa the way he was basking in short lived glory after the ConCourt highlighted that his challenge to the delimitation report had merit; no one knew or even thought he would lose unfashionably like he did. Amanaka, the whole bench that deliberated on the matter, Mwari ave nemi. How would you rhetorically ask Dhagi which constituency he was representing when in actual fact you knew the opportunist was just riding on court technicalities and the confusion that engulfed the opposition movement after the appointment of Nero by the late Tsvangirai to lead the party? Dhagi haatorina vanhu zvechokwadi izvo zvakaonekwa even last year during the council and parliamentary election reruns where Zanu PF and CCC dominated iye ari kumaterrace seakaramwa
Enough of Dhagi, just thinking of him and the RBZ guys makes me want to puke, dai ndaitorutsa mabond coin, ah maGold coin I mean. Before I go zvangu kunokanga hangu maputi for lunch, I am asking anyone with access this guy Cleopas Chidodo kuti hatina kupusa and Mwari ndewemunhu wese. Ko Bona naSimba vava papiko. Soon they will be divorcees. I wonder how elders like Mphoko allowed this to happen, I though akasiirwa mhuri naUncle Bob kuti aone mhuri kkkk. Iye azonyararawo Mphoko wacho, kuti zii kudai, Mboko Imboko!!!

Zanu PF embarks on healing exercise to avert ‘Bhora Musango’

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO –The ruling party Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) has embarked on a healing process in the province to try and unite party supporters who were torn apart by the chaotic primary elections held last month.
Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe said the exercise, which will be done at district level, seeks to make sure that all party supporters rally behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the party despite losing or winning of their preferred candidates during the primary elections.
“We are starting party district rallies with Chivi district. We call all our members to attend these rallies as scheduled,” said Chiwewe.
Chiwewe said the primary elections were done and dusted so it was prudent for party supporters to make sure that they leave past differences behind and look at the bigger picture.
“Primary elections are now behind us and every Zanu PF member is now campaigning for the party to win without compromise,” said Chiwewe.
He went on to say on May 13, they will be in Masvingo district followed by Gutu on the 15th, Bikita and Zaka districts follow on 16 and 17 respectively. Chiredzi and Mwenezi will be covered on 18 and 19 respectively.
Though Chiwewe said there were no contentious areas where there are serious contestations, the party’s Provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa told the last PCC meeting that some party members were mooting a bhora musango, a situation which needed urgent action.
There are constituencies like Gutu East where the winner George Vhengere was disqualified and replaced by Benjamin Ganyiwa who had come second.
Gutu East people recently petitioned party authorities over the issue and are threatening not to vote for Ganyiwa whom they say was imposed on them.
Another issue is in Zaka on women’s quota where Aleta Makomeke was declared winner by the politburo ahead of Confidence Mukau who was even missing on the list of candidates released by the commissariat department.
However, after some weeks it was then alleged that Mukau was the winner and the DCC went on to declare her as the winner contrary to what was released by the politburo.
The same situation is haunting people in Zaka as they still don’t know who the party’s representative is between the two.

Masvingo to host National handball tourney

0

Sport Reporter

Masvingo Province is set to host the National Handball Open Season tournament at Masvingo Polytechnic from 13 to 14 May 2023.
Masvingo Handball Board Provincial Chairperson Chirikure Hatifitose said they will be hosting teams from all the ten provinces that are coming to the Open Season Tournament with teams arriving on Friday (May 12) and upon arrival, coaches and referees will undergo a refresher course on the game’s new rules.
“Teams from all the 10 provinces will arrive on Friday. On the same day at 5 to 8pm, we are going to have a refresher course for coaches and referees to update them on the new rules for the game of handball,” said Chirikure
Chirikure said there will be lots of prizes for the winners both clubs and individuals which include trophies and medals.
He said they felt honored as the provincial executive to host such a big event saying they hope the event will attract more sponsors.
“The tournament is going to be very interesting. It is of great importance and we are highly honored as Masvingo province Handball Board. It is our hope that this tournament will also attract some handball sponsors,” he said.
He also appealed to all sport lovers in the province to attend the tourney which he said was resuming after a long break induced by Covid-19.
“I am appealing to all the stakeholders in the province to come and enjoy handball. This tournament is unique after a long break that was caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic,” he added.
He went on to thank Masvingo Poly for providing the sporting facilities and Masvingo Christian College for providing handball goal posts and accommodation and as well as the Zimbabwe Handball Federation for allowing Masvingo to host the unique tournament.
Gents teams that are expected at the tournament include Eagles, Falcons, Harare City, Black Rhinos, Bulawayo, HC, MSU, Hawks, Tigers, Saints, GZU, Chidyamakono, Dewure, Masvingo Christian, Victoria High, Masvingo HC, Masvingo Poly, Hardshots, Mutambara, Ajax, Bulawayo Poly.
Ladies teams include Sparrows, City Queens, Black Rhinos, Hawks, Tigresses, MSU, Saints, Chidyamakono, Masvingo CC, Victoria High School, Mutambara, BHC, and Bulawayo Poly.

Pakistan – Zimbabwe cricket outing benefits Manicaland tourism sector

0

Branton Matondo

Mutare-The four day scheduled innings between Pakistan A and Zimbabwe A at Mutare Sports Club have been dubbed an eye opener on how Manicaland can benefit from foreign tourism through sport.
Speaking to TellZim News on the side lines of the match, Manicaland Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Edgars Seenza said the Pakistan envoy is overwhelmed by the scenery of Manicaland citing that tourism can benefit largely through sport.
“Pakistan is a giant as far as cricket is concerned. Their coming here is really a pleasure to us. We should indeed take advantage of this not only to watch but learn how they play. At the same time it has brought business in the sense of Whitehorse. I have heard from the captain that they are enjoying their stay. I then tasked them that you are coming as cricketers but you also should come as tourists and one of them said he will have his honeymoon here. So l was very happy. We also have Nyanga area and I then asked them to go and see the beauty, time permitting. We are very happy as Manicaland to host Pakistan,” said Seenza.
Asked on how sport can fit in government engagement and re-engagement programmes, Seenza said sport, like cricket portray a good picture of Zimbabwe in the process attracting potential engagements from foreign players.
“Indeed that’s one way because we will portray a correct image of Zimbabwe to some of these countries. In my discussion with them, they were concerned with issues of safety but now they are so mesmerized by the freelance, they are playing freely and they are moving around freely and enjoying the tranquillity. That alone makes them our ambassadors. So when they go back and tell others what they have seen, there will have a better understanding on issues of investment. It helps us a lot in luring as many investors as possible,” he added.
One of the players from Pakistan shared his thoughts on Manicaland and the scenery.
“This is a good place, I am really enjoying it. Last week we were in Kwekwe and now it seems as if we moved out of Zimbabwe. Even the food ,we are really enjoying,” said the player.
Cricket has for long been viewed as a pivotal player in engaging the outside world in terms of tourism.
One of the strongest bonds to ever come out of cricket is South Africa and India, two nations that continue to share investment opportunities and relations through the sport.
Zimbabwe and Pakistan are playing 3 test series, one in Kwekwe, one in Mutare and the other one in Harare.
Innings match at Mutare Sports Club was a four day match from May 10-13.

Impressive Shungu hands Westside nerve-wrecking win

0

Branton Matondo

MUTARE-Westside had the gods to thank this past Monday (May 1) as they shrugged stiff competition from their opponents Mutare Sports Club on the last hurdle of the game courtesy of some fantastic bowling from the youngster Marshford Shungu.
Mutare Sports Club got the ball first at the much anticipated final during midday.
MSC’s experienced duo of Tendai Chatara and Donald Tiripano settled for early wickets.
Bowling from the Mozambican border end, spin bowler John Masara proved too good for Westside middle bagging two wickets in a space of one and a half over.
Westside registered a not so fantastic 125 runs on the scorecard courtesy of some exceptional batting from Definite Mawadze.
In final over of the match, the match turned out to be a scorcher between young Marshford Shungu and Mutare Sports Club last hope Spencer Magodo.
Needing four runs from five balls Shungu, a left arm bowler bowling from the Town End hit the deck with so much precision hitting the middle wicket.
The fall of young Magodo marked a nervy 4 run win for Westside.
Westside head coach Square Square was delighted by the ultimate turn of events on the last dot of the clock though he was irked by the betting display from his charges.
“At the start of the game, we didn’t actually put a good score on the board. The 125 total was a low score meaning that if we were to win the game, we have to field well and bowl with precision,” he said.
Quizzed on whether the weight of games throughout the week had an effect on the pitch Square had a totally different view.
“As you can see, we used two tracks throughout the competition. We used one track in three days and then the other track for four days. Nothing much really changed. The condition of the pitch didn’t change anything.
“We have so many tournaments coming up with national tournaments like the NPL league, so this bash was a preparation for the biggest club tournament in Zimbabwe” he added.
Mutare Sports Club head coach Silent Mujaji appreciated his team’s display with the ball.
“I think the guys played very well, bowled well earlier on. Chatara and Donald took some early wickets and we managed to restrict them to 125 which was a good total to chase. Betting wise, we were not able to keep our wickets and chase the total but at the end it was good batting from young Spencer Magodo. He tried to chase the game which was good to see from him,” he said.
Mujaji added that the focus now is to prepare for the National Premier League which is scheduled to start soon and also get them to play for Mountaineers.
Meanwhile Masters youngster T. Gosho scooped two awards, the bowler of the tournament award and player of the tournament.
Westside middle order batsman Definite Mawadze clinched the best batsman of the tournament.
Westside went home US$ 750 richer. This year’s edition of Manicaland Cricket Association T20 Bash was graced by four teams, Westside, Mutare Sports Club, Dragons from Malawi and Masters from Marondera.

Editorial Comment: Farmers must prepare for veld fire season

With 2022-23 cropping season coming to an end save for the winter farming, the need for farmers to come up with measures to ensure the marauding veld fires are put under check become more important as never before.
After the harvesting processes currently underway, farmers are reminded of the need to ensure fire guards are put in place to protect the country’s vegetation from the devastating effects of fire during the dry season. Under such a scenario, farmers are reminded of the need to act swiftly to fight the scourge of veld fires.
So many forests have been destroyed by veld fires and human actions are mostly to blame over such cases and losses. With the dry season beckoning, all stakeholders should be seen playing own roles so that a collective action in fighting the destruction of forests.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) should take a leading role in the fight against destruction of veld fires. EMA should take a leading role in ensuring all stakeholders adhere and conform to set rules and regulations and that will be the only way to ensure forests are protected.
Always raising awareness and disseminating the relevant information to the general public is also another way to fight these veld fires. Thus EMA should make sure there is total adherence by farmers to the creation of protective fire guards and there is need to be strict even it means imposing stiffer penalties to those who fail to implement what is required of them.
In remote areas, EMA should make use of traditional leadership and EMA environmental monitors to help save forests and arable land including those species who use it as a habitat from destruction. The monitors should be monitored periodically as a way of ensuring they execute their duties effectively in respective areas of jurisdiction.
Communities should be taught to have an appreciation of the importance of use of fireguards as they are the only way to handle or put out stray fires. In that same vein, reporting mechanisms should be made available to the general public where EMA would also be required to swiftly respond to cases of veld fires.
As such, farmers may form committees in their locality to deal with veld fires as a way of safe guarding their premises from destruction. Farmers need to be pro-active than reactive to veld fire issues.