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Gweru Council appoints Acting Town Clerk, Chamber Secretary

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Gweru Council appoints Acting Town Clerk, Chamber Secretary

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi on February 20, 2023 appointed the council’s Finance Director Livingston Churu as the new Acting Town Clerk while Assistant Director (City Planning) Tapiwa Marerwa has been elevated to the Chamber Secretary post.

The two will hold the positions until council meets on Wednesday (February 22) for a Special Council meeting.

In a letter dated February 20, referenced ‘Directive on reporting for work while on bail’ signed by Mayor Kombayi, under fire former Acting Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe was requested to recuse himself from his duties until he is cleared by the courts.

Chikwekwe is in court for alleged criminal abuse of office.

“As per circular No CX/154 from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works you are kindly requested to recuse yourself from your duties until you are cleared by the Courts.

“May you kindly handover to Mr Churu and Mr Marerwa who shall be acting in the capacity as Town Clerk and Chamber Secretary respectively” read the first letter.

In a second letter, Mayor Kombayi notified council of the immediate appointment of Mr Churu and Mr Marerwa to the positions of Acting Town Clerk and Chamber Secretary respectively.

“Note that Mr Livingstone Churu the Director of Finance shall be acting as Town Clerk and Mr Tapiwa Marerwa as Acting Chamber Secretary until we convene a Special Council meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023,” read the other letter.

The new appointments come after the arrest of Chikwekwe last week over charges of criminal abuse of duty as defined in Section 174(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) or in the alternative c/s Section 94 (3) of the Public Procurement and Disposal (Regulations) Statutory Instrument (SI) 5 of 2018.

NAYO lobby for youth participation in development and policy frameworks

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NAYO lobby for youth participation in development and policy frameworks

Branton Matondo

National Youth Organization (NAYO) held a two day workshop and training programme meant to heighten statutes of the national youth policy and discussions on how best youth can be part and parcel of national mantras like National Development Strategy (NDS1).
The workshop was conducted at Mutare Diocese Training Centre on February 13 and 14 by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Trusts and Youth organisations across Manicaland.
The workshop was pinned on four Policy Frameworks on Youth modules which included National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) and Servant Leadership.
NAYO Director and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) board member Misheck Gondo said that it’s important for youth to participate in development in line with constitutionalism.
“In as much as youth should participate in development, they should also know the constitution. It’s a milestone to have youth representation and participation in Parliament. These are some of the leadership positions that bring about positive development,” said Gondo.
Deliberations on the amended National Youth Policy graced the discussions.
The workshop which was graced by over 15 organisations also raised issues on youth, crime, sexual harassment, drug abuse and those in diaspora.
Participants received certificates after the event.
Centre for Environment Protection Poverty Alleviation and Development Trust (CEPPAD) Executive Director Trymore Muzengairi who was also part of the two day workshop told TellZim News that the national youth policy has gaps and lacks complete inclusivity.
“The Youth Policy has some loop holes pertaining to the distribution of power and resources to the Zimbabwean youth thus we advocate for decentralization of power and resources as well as their inclusion at all levels of governance. Youths living with disabilities are mostly affected. Furthermore the issue pertaining to the creation of an enabling environment for youth to participate in development is affected. There is lack of inclusion in development initiatives, planning, budgeting and consultancy yet our youth constitute the greater part of our population. Where possible, our youth need to be equipped with free skills training courses so that they can get/create employment easily,” said Muzengairi.
He applauded NAYO for the workshop citing that they equip youth with necessary skills.
“Workshops for youth act as reminders that they are an integral component of the community. Such workshops act as an eye opener zooming where youth are being left behind.
“Also, these workshops equip the youth with relevant information enabling them to become ambassadors or leaders within their communities. In the same line of thought, such workshops motivate youth to take initiatives and participate in the development of the nation and identification of gaps within the Youth National Policy. Such gatherings amplify the voice of the youth to be heard. Lobbying, advocacy for policy changes and amendments also emanate from youth workshops,” he added.
Youth Care Zimbabwe representative Lancelot Mawasa said that there is need to review again and update the national youth policy.
Freedom to the Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe (FDPZ) representative Panganai Chitiyo said that people with disabilities have not been recognized to expectations.
“We thank NAYO for the workshop but we also lobby for organizations and such policies to always recognize sign language. This year we are pushing for advocacy. As FDPZ, we are encouraging PWDs to advocate for their rights,” said Chitiyo.

Chiredzi Government High soars higher

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Chiredzi Government High soars higher

TellZim Reporter

Chiredzi Government High School continues to make new strides in education following impressive Advanced and Ordinary level Zimsec 2022 results.
The school, which had a 99.7 percentage pass rate in A’ level 2022 exams also posted an impressive 70, 2 percentage pass at O’ level the same year.
School head Victor Zvada said the school’s secret to success was teamwork and hard work among all stakeholders, who put all hands on the deck to ensure that the school’s flag flies high academically.
“Ours secrets to success ranged from teamwork among teaching staff, parents and the students. We worked together as one unit with a common goal, which resulted in excellent results.
“The other secret lay in hard work. Throughout the 2022 academic year, the school mantra was hard work. Our students worked hard, our teachers worked hard and the results are there for all to see. Our parents too worked hard to pay fees and to mobilize the teaching and learning materials,” Zvada said.
Zvada also urged students and teachers to never let the Chiredzi Government High flag to go down, to let the principles of teamwork and hard work guide them in their day to day operations.
“Above all, God remembered us in 2022. I hope in 2023, God will remember us again. To the students, I urge them to work harder as hard work pays in building their academic careers.
“To my fellow workmates, you have raised the school flag high and let’s not allow it to go down. As we move ahead with our 2023 academic year, I encourage the parents to pay their children’s fees timeously for us to get resources necessary for a conducive learning environment,” Zvada said.
The school also boasts of good student discipline which contributed much to the good pass rates and a recipe for success.

Man arrested for bestiality on mother’s goat

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Man arrested for bestiality on mother’s goat

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi-A 26 year-old man was arraigned before the courts facing charges of bestiality after being caught red-handed quenching his sexual appetite on his own mother’s she-goat.
Munyaradzi Matutu of Mubhoyi village under Chief Neshuro will live to rue the day’s evil act after he was arrested and convicted of the offense.
Appearing before Mwenezi Magistrate, Gift Manyika on February 13, Matutu pleaded guilty to the charges.
Manyika initially sentenced Matutu to 12 months imprisonment before four were suspended on condition of good behaviour and the remaining eight suspended on condition he performs 280 hours of community service at Mushava Clinic.
Remorsefully narrating his ordeal, Matutu (a divorcee) told the court that he committed the offense unaware and was only ‘tempted’ because his wife deserted him long back.
“My wife abandoned me for some time now and I did not have anyone to play her role so I decided to get the gratification from the goat. Since the goat belonged to my mother, I was assuming that there was no any offense in doing that. I am really sorry for what I did and will not repeat it,” Matutu pleaded.
Presented by prosecutor Hardlife Machando, it was the State case that on January 5, 2023 at around 2200 hours, Matutu went to his mother’s goat kraal where he began to sexually abuse a white she-goat.
Upon hearing a queer sound coming from the kraal, Matutu’s mother Melania Bhovoza (70) rushed to the kraal only to catch his son red handed, sexually abusing her goat.
An argument ensued as an unashamed Matutu tried to justify his act.
Upon realising that Matutu was reflecting no sign of realizing his mistake, Bhovoza filed a police report leading to her son’s arrest.

Delimitation labeled ‘shambolic gerrymander’

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Delimitation labeled ‘shambolic gerrymander’

Branton Matondo

Following an amplification of the delimitation exercise and publishing of preliminary delimitation report by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Mutare stakeholders and residents expressed resentment on the process which they said was not only shrouded in partiality but guided by professional malpractice.
Though ZEC intensified efforts on restructuring the 210 constituencies across the country, stakeholders have questioned the lack of proper consultation by ZEC which they said have an impact on the whole process.
Speaking to TellZim at a recently held engagement meeting with residents in Mutare Central constituency, Member of Parliament Innocent Gonese said the delimitation process was not partial enough.
“I would say that the delimitation process was done in a shadowy and haphazard manner. In Harare, for example there should have been four more constituencies. ZEC should have also considered massive rural to urban migration meaning that more constituencies should have been created in urban areas. In actual fact urban areas like Mutare, Harare and Bulawayo have high numbers of registered voters adding up to the total provincial voter registration,” said Gonese.
Residents also blamed the election governing body of poor consultation.
Nomatter Chigwigwi, a resident from Sakubva said a majority of residents from Mutare Central constituency do not know about delimitation while others misinterpret the exercise.
“From the start delimitation created confusion. I believe that it’s a motive driven programme. The exercise has created a lot of confusion because there is unfair distribution of voters in the 19 wards that span across Mutare Central Constituency,” said Chigwigwi.
According to the preliminary ZEC report. Mutare district has a total of 24 polling stations.
Investigations indicate that the 24 polling centers are assigned to wrong wards with some of them more than 20 km apart.
Affected constituencies are Mutare South, North and West, Makoni South and Chimanimani West.
“Apart from that inconsistency, we then have the issue of margin interpretation by ZEC which is clear and simple. This is in reference to the 20percent variance. It’s not supposed to be 40percent but the maximum is supposed to be 20percent,” added Gonese.
Gonese also questioned the manner at which ZEC carried its consultative sessions.
“The consultative process was not done in a proper manner. When you are the overall electoral body, you should consult both the necessary stakeholders and the people because that’s where the vote comes from. Consultations were like ‘take it or leave it’. There was no consultation as to what people thought but more of what ZEC thought. They were simply telling people what they had done without considering community leaders, political parties just to mention a few,” added Gonese.
Contestations over ZEC accountability and transparency have also taken center stage in various provinces across Zimbabwe.
Focal point group Team PACHEDU prepared a report revealing discrepancies existing within the report.
According to the Preliminary report published by ZEC Zimbabwe has 212 constituencies compared to the 210 established making the remaining two ghost constituencies.
There is also speculation that ZEC, which is said to be displaying ‘professional malpractice’ is strategically targeting specific constituencies to garnish votes for the ruling party.

Chiredzi west MP tears into Minister Moyo

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Chiredzi west MP tears into Minister Moyo

…Demands Minister to come clean on 750 ha

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-West Member of Parliament, Farai Musikavanhu recently challenged Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo to come clean on Chiredzi’s 750 hectare project while he bemoaned corruption by Zanu PF councilors as the reason behind the party garnering only four seats out of the six they initially held before 2018 harmonized elections.
Musikavanhu recently addressed Chiredzi vendors at their various working spaces where he opened up on the contents of the investigation report initiated in 2016 and released only this year, which directly implicated his rival, Francis Moyo who was Council Chairperson during the period, while exposing a new land scandal unfolding at the joint project between Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) and Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) for urban expansion.
“Residents requested for an investigation on the anomalies in council, whose findings were kept under the carpet by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The Second Republic under the Leadership of President Mnangagwa is moving with a zero tolerance to corruption mantra, where I also pledged to work tirelessly to get that report in order to establish whether the residents’ complaints were justified.
“Now people are worried over the 750 ha which is set to be opened soon for urban expansion. This report (Investigation report) will enable us to determine the root causes of corruption so that we will be able to correct it in the present situation. I then wrote to the Minister July Moyo after the Clerk of Court had advised me to move a motion, which I thought will put my Minister into disrepute and decided to write to him.
“I also went with the letter to the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial affairs and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) as well as opened a case there. When I was elected, Zanu PF had six councilors out of 8 who were corrupt to the extent that in 2018 we dropped to four councilors. Saviour Kasukuwere (former minister of local government) who ordered the investigation crossed the border, the current Minister (July Moyo) also kept the report under the carpet in the Second Republic which is zero tolerant to corruption and even discovered that he is also completely dipped into the pool of corruption. I am telling you this because it is my oversight role to tell you and I have no intention to occupy July Moyo’s office because it is no longer the time to do that,” said Musikavanhu.
Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI), a company which was awarded a tender through ‘unsolicited’ bidding to do a feasibility study for the development of Chiredzi’s 750 hectare project for urban expansion, is allegedly being reprimanded for fronting the interests of Minister July Moyo while depriving Chiredzi Rural and Town Councils which were jointly awarded the land.
In 2013 harmonized elections, Zanu PF got 6 out of 8 wards with councilors Francis Moyo (ward 4), who was the Chairperson, Tarusenga Makamba (ward 3), the late Samuel Mashonganyika (ward 6), The late Jester Muteyaunga (ward 2), Costen Mombe (ward 6) and Antony Mapfumo (ward 8), with Jester Muteyaunga being later replaced by Obert Ngwenya after her death while ward five’s Munyaradzi Hatinahama who was MDC councilor was replaced by Blessings Mazinyani after he was convicted and sentenced to prison.
During the 2018 harmonized elections, only four seats were retained by Zanu PF, with Obert Ngwenya (2), Liberty Macharaga (4), Josphat Nzombe (8), Blessings Mazinyani (5) managing to represent Zanu PF in the local authority and Musikavanhu is merely blaming the previous councilors’ corrupt tendencies as the reason which led them to underperform in 2018.
The investigation report of 2016 findings revealed that the local authority is not tendering high profile projects and that has led to FLOAAI, which is being represented by an alleged Pastor Godfrey Nelson Madanyaya to ‘dubiously’ get a tender to develop the 750 ha for urban expansion and has been selling undeveloped land to Tongaat Hulett employees and some civil servants without prior knowledge of both CTC and CRDC.

Robbers pounce on Gweru family, rape two minors

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Robbers pounce on Gweru family, rape two minors

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Police in Gweru are investigating a rape and robbery case where three suspects pounced on a family of four in Ascot suburb and robbed them of their cash, cell phones before raping two minor girls.
After the act, the suspects subsequently drove away with the family’s Nissan caravan vehicle which had various hardware tools for sale inside.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident that happened on February 2, 2023 at around 0300hrs.
“As the police we are appealing to members of the public for any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects or they approach the nearest police station.
“We urge members of the public to enhance their security measures especially when they keep high value property. We further remind the public not to keep large sums of money in their houses,” he said.
On the fateful night, the three unknown accused persons armed with an axe and a hoe forcibly opened the family house’s entrance door using iron bars and suddenly demanded cash from the occupants while threatening them with death.
The three proceeded on to tie the husband and his wife with twine, covered them with blankets and assaulted them while demanding cash.
They then ransacked the whole house searching for cash and some portable valuable property before taking the keys of a Nissan caravan vehicle.
As if that was not enough, the suspects reportedly went on to rape the family’s two children who were sleeping in another bedroom before getting away with seven cellphones, two laptops, cash US$900, various hardware tools and a Nissan caravan all valued at US$ 14 770.
In another robbery incident, a 20 year-old Gweru woman was recently attacked by four robbers during the day at her place of residence.
The victim Shamaine Musewe who resides in Woodlands phase 1 Gweru was robbed of her money in broad daylight.
Circumstance given is that on January 25 at around 1530 hours, Musewe was at home when she heard a knock on her door.
She opened the door to attend to the visitor but as she opened is alleged that Herbert Chawatama (23) grabbed her by the neck and started strangling her while other three (male) suspects demanded for safe keys.
After that, one of the suspects allegedly struck Musewe on the shoulder with an axe and she showed them where the safe keys were.

Account for miner’s deaths – CSOs tell Sakupwanya

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Account for miner’s deaths – CSOs tell Sakupwanya

Branton Matondo

Mutare-Following the recent closure of Better Brands run Redwing mine in Penhalonga by Environmental Management Agency (EMA), civil society organizations and Penhalonga community have challenged owner prominent gold dealer and Zanu PF big wig Pedzisai ‘Scott” Sakupwanya to own up for the loss of artisanal miners’ lives and shoddy mining activities that took place at the mine.
According to a recent joint statement by Center for Research and Development (CRD), Penhalonga Youth Development and Ratepayers Trust and Ziva Community Empowerment Trust, around 100 artisanal miners lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions at Redwing Mine.
EMA presumably responded to the situation by closing the mine.
CRD Director James Mupfumi said government should conduct proper operations at Redwing Mine to determine standard working operations.
“Government should heed to our call to effect a ban on surface mining because operations were dangerous to human lives amid glaring evidence of tax evasion and mineral leakages. Our position is for government to ensure due diligence is undertaken to restore underground mining operations that are safe and conducive for Redwing Mine. We also expect parliament to hold them to account for the loss that has taken place at Redwing Mine,” said Mupfumi.
He added that Sakupwanya should not stand above the law following his defiance of EMA’s directive to close the mine.
“He cannot be bigger than government. The Penhalonga community has made a statement to government against Sakupwanya’s shoddy mining activities in line with the dictates of the constitution. It is expected of government to follow its own laws and ensure that he is held accountable. We are watching closely developments on the ground and we will soon approach government with new evidence,” added Mupfumi.
However efforts to get comment from the mine’s Human Resources manager identified as Dr Madhume were fruitless as he declined to shed light on the issue saying he ceased to be the company’s employee soon after its closure.
Penhalonga community members have called out for the attorney general in line with statutes of the constitution to investigate the deaths with diligence.
TellZim News got in touch with a Penhalonga resident who commented on the deaths of artisanal miners on the grounds of anonymity.
“Government has an obligation to balance business and human rights as enshrined in the constitution. Therefore the attorney general must ensure that those deaths are investigated in a transparent manner for responsible authorities to account,” said the source.
Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Workers Union (ZIDAWU) Chairperson Cosmos Sunguro told this publication that Redwing had a bad record of poorly remunerating workers adding the mine had become a danger zone due to shoddy mining activities and ‘militia mining’ shrouded in violence.
“Redwing Mine in Penhalonga should operate within the statutes of the law. Once the issue of safety and health is not adhered to, definitely they need to remain closed. As ZIDAWU, we hope that the company itself is going to take action on issues of workers’ welfare. There is also an issue of contractual obligations. The company needs to pay workers even when it’s under closure. It is also a cause of concern for ZIDAWU in terms of accidents. Recently we have had accidents surging, be it artisanal or formal miners. Government, stakeholders and trade unions need to up the scale in terms of training, awareness and workers safety,” said Sunguro.
Meanwhile, government has unveiled a US$ 10 million package to value add gold refinery sector.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mtuli Ncube said the money will be divided into two. US$ 5 million will effect construction of gold refinery point in Mt Darwin, Penhalonga, and two places in Matabeleland and Midlands while the other half will be loaned to artisanal miners.

Acting Gweru TC nabbed for abuse of office

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Acting Gweru TC nabbed for abuse of office

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers have today (February 17) arrested City of Gweru Acting Town Clerk Vakayi Chikwekwe on allegations of Criminal abuse of duty.
Chikwekwe was charged with alleged abuse of office as defined in Section 174(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) or in the alternative c/s Section 94 (3) of the Public Procurement and Disposal (Regulations) Statutory Instrument (SI) 5 of 2018.
Appearing before Gweru Provincial magistrate Miriam Banda, Chikwekwe who was represented by Tonderai Chitere, of Chitere, Chidawanyika and Partners was granted ZW$ 100 000 bail and also ordered to report once every fortnight at ZACC offices in Gweru.
Chikwekwe will appear in court on March 17, 2023 and is not allowed to interfere with State witnesses at the local authority, or PRAZ.
According to State papers, the complainant in the matter is Tapiwa Hove who is employed by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) as a Legal Manager.
The State led by Fredrick Matsheza says Chikwekwe’s duties as the Accounting Officer for the City of Gweru among others include responsibility of ensuring that procurement activities of a procuring entity are carried out in compliance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:235) and any other directions of the PRAZ.
Sometime in 2020, Gweru City Council reportedly wanted to develop and service Mkoba 21 stands and as such on May 29, 2020, the local authority advertised an invitation of expression of interest in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette for tender number COG/01/06/2020.
Eight prospective bidders submitted their applications and on June 30, 2020, the Technical Evaluation Committee recommended that Sheasham Investments, Casas Properties and Wackdrive Pvt Ltd be shortlisted as they were compliant with the mandatory requirements.
On July 3, 2020, the Procurement Management Unit Committee which was chaired by Chikwekwe as the Acting Town Clerk approved the recommendation made by the Technical Evaluation Committee. Further, the Procurement Management Unit Committee is said to have recommended that the tender be submitted to the Special Procurement Oversight Committee.
The accused as the Accounting Officer submitted the tender documents to the Procurement Oversight Committee for review on July 29, 2020.
The state alleged that he was supposed to obtain clearance from the Special Procurement Oversight Committee with regard to the documents he had submitted on July 29, 2020 for review.
However, Chikwekwe reportedly proceeded to award contracts to the three bidders on August 18, 2020 without clearance from the Special Procurement Oversight Committee in contravention of Section 94 (3) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of the Public Assets Act- (General) Regulations SI 5 of 2018 which requires for certification by the Procurement Oversight Committee before awarding a contract.
The court heard that on August 20, 2020, PRAZ wrote a letter directing the accused to collect bids, extend bid validity, correct the evaluation reports and submit the revised evaluation reports which show that the Special Procurement Oversight Committee had not certified the awarding of the contracts to the three developers.

Vic High hosts Masvingo district schools 2023 athletics extravaganza

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Vic High hosts Masvingo district schools 2023 athletics extravaganza

TellZim Reporter

All roads will lead to Victoria High in Masvingo on February 17, 2023 where a total of 63 secondary schools (Masvingo district) are set to parade their best athletes as they compete in preparation for the provincial finals to be held later in early March.

Confirming the event, National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) Masvingo district Head in Charge Kura Chizimba said the athletics extravaganza will kick-off as early as 0730 hours on February 17.

“Yes, Victoria High School is set to host a total of 63 secondary schools whose participants are going to battle it out at Masvingo District Athletics Finals for the year 2023.

“The competitions are held as part of selection for the district team and preparations for the provincial finals to be hosted by Mwenezi Government secondary school on March 2, 2023 if no changes come into effect,” said Chizimba.

According to Chizimba, the schools are divided into ten zones namely Zone A (Makomba, Mavhiringidze, St Francis, Mazambara and Kushinga), Zone B (Ndarama, Masvingo Christian, Mucheke, M. Hugo, Victoria, Zimuto, Makanaka and Vision Academy), Zone C (Chirichoga, Ruvhure and Morgenster), Zone D (Mapokomhere, Mapanzure, Manunure, Chekai, Chevanhu, Gunikuni and Mukosi), Zone E ( Tugwane, Nyabata, Mudarikwa, Madzivanyika and Maweza), Zone F (Zivezano, Rambakutemwa, Daitai and Makoni), Zone G (Gokomere, Masvingo Day, Matova, St Stansilous, Bere, Chidzikwe, Temeraire, Zvamahande and Gundura), Zone H (Mutendi, Rumwanda, Mazare and Wendedzo), Zone I (Chabaya, Bondolfi, Mukonde, Zvehuru, Mushandike, Mushawasha West and Shingirirai College) and Zone J (RCZ Nyajena, Chiwawa, Makotore, Nyikavanhu and Magudu).

Learners in various age groups (Under 15, 17 and 20) will battle it out in high and long and triple jumps, short put, discus and track events (100, 200, 400, 800, 1 500, 3 000, 5 000 and 10 000 meters including relays and 80 and 300 m hurdles.

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