Home Blog Page 260

Gweru council procures 3 new tractors

TellZim News
-
0
Gweru council procures 3 new tractors

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU–City Council has acquired three brand new Holland tractors in an effort to improve service delivery.
The tractors valued at a total cost of US$ 93 000 were commissioned this week after being delivered from Duly’s Motors.
Confirming the development, Gweru Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the new tractors were going to enhance efficient service delivery in the city.
“The procurement of the tractors is anchored on building a sustainable, prosperous city of choice by year 2030.
“Three tractors were delivered to us today by Duly’s Motors and as a local authority, we are very much happy about this development because these tractors are going to be dedicated towards ensuring quality service delivery to our valued clients, residents and stakeholders.
“We bought these tractors at a total cost of US$ 93 000. Two of the tractors are going to be used in the engineering services department and the other tractor is going to be a slasher used by the department of housing and community services for grass cutting on road sides,” said Chingwaramusee.
She further highlighted that the new fleet was going to easy transport challenges council has been experiencing.
“Gone are the days when the local authority used to cry foul over inadequate transport to ferry equipment and employees to attend to blockages and burst pipes. However council service vehicles will be localized in the residential areas for quick and fast service provision.
“We therefore urge our valued residents to play their part by paying their bills for smooth running of the local authority and improved service delivery,” she added.

Masvingo records 7287 new voter registrants

TellZim News
-
0
Masvingo records 7287 new voter registrants

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo Province recorded a total of 7 287 new voter registrants during the month of February, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) office.
ZEC Deputy Elections Officer Maxwell Ncube confirmed the statistics.
“There is an increase in numbers of new voter registrants as we move towards elections. Most people seem to have last minute tendencies.
“The trend shows the numbers have been increasing since last year,” said Ncube.
Of the new registered voters, 3 466 are men while 3 821 are women to give a total of 7 287 registrants.
The province has also recorded 2 172 transfers 1 020 of which are men while 1 152 are women.
In January, the province recorded 5 726 new voter registrants 2 764 of which are men while 2 962 are women.
In the same month the province recorded 1 630 transfers, 749 men and 881 women.
The commission also said stakeholders, political parties and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are playing a big role in getting people to register to vote.

Missing Zimuto man found dead

TellZim News
-
0
Missing Zimuto man found dead

Perpetua Murungweni

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the death of a 27-year-old man from Mupfungami village under Chief Zimuto who was reported missing for over a week.
Leopold Mamhofa was reported missing last week while herding his cattle and only his blood-soaked clothes were found in the grazing area.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed that the body was found 2 km from where his clothes were and the body had bruises and wounds.
“The body was found along the banks of Pokoteke River 2 km from where his clothes were found and the body had bruises and wounds,” said Dhewa.
The police also indicated that Mamhofa’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.
“The body was sent to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem and investigations are underway and the post-mortem results will help in the investigations,” said Dhewa.

KMP residents relieved of water woes

TellZim News
-
0
KMP residents relieved of water woes

TellZim Reporter

Perennial water woes in Masvingo Urban ward 4’s KMP area were recently mitigated through the drilling of a borehole with a bush pump in the area.

The borehole project done using Ward Development Fund will see KMP residents being relieved of water shortages that had been haunting the area.

Ward 4 Councilor Alec Tabe wrote to council on February 24 requesting for the funds, which were availed leading to the drilling of the borehole.

“We have identified an open space at KMP Phase 2 suitable for a borehole. Therefore, we are requesting for the drilling of a borehole with a bush pump at that area.

“We are proposing that both the outstanding Ward Development Fund for 2022 and the current 2023 US$ 1 500 be utilized on the 2023 project stated above,” read part of the letter.

KMP residents said they were relieved to have had a borehole drilled in the area because water availability would now be better.

“Having this borehole drilled means we are not going to struggle accessing water in our area. You know how it is when there is water rationing and we are glad that Cllr Tabe heeded to our request to have a borehole with a bush pump,” a resident said.

Another resident said queuing for water would now become a thing of the past as the number of boreholes in the vicinity was growing.

“Having to queue for water is frustrating and having such facilities as this borehole brings a sigh of relief,” she said.

Suspended Town Clerk hangs on to vehicle

TellZim News
-
0
Suspended Town Clerk hangs on to vehicle

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU- City Council has engaged the police for help in recovering a council vehicle which is in possession of the suspended Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe.
The letter was written by acting Town Clerk Samson Sekenhamo after council passed a resolution to have the car returned during a special council meeting was held this week.
The suspended Chikwekwe is in possession of a Nissan Navara Single Cab Registration No AAE 5600.
Chikwekwe arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office is set to appear court on the March 17, 2023 after being remanded out of custody on ZW$ 100 000 bail.
“Reference is hereby made to the subject; The bearers; Mr. T.D.F Marerwa, Acting Chamber Secretary, Mr. K Mundondo, Transport Manager Mr. M. Mahere, The Acting Chief Security Officer, Mr. A. Matsiwo, Acting Sergeant Mr. B. Mambo, Constable Ms. S. Ncube have been instructed by Gweru City Council to recover the above-mentioned vehicle from the Acting Town Clerk and substantive Chamber Secretary who was suspended from employment on 22nd February 2023,” read part of the letter.
According to the council resolution, Chikwekwe is supposed to return all council property including the vehicle as a matter of urgency as he awaits his trial.
However, Chikwekwe is believed to be refusing to return back the vehicle arguing that, council gave a vehicle to former Engineer Robson Manatsa who resigned and never retained the vehicle after he was caught in the midst of audit findings for alleging violating procurement regulations in purchasing a JCB backhoe loader that was later discovered to be a second-hand vehicle.
Through his lawyers, Admire Rubaya of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, Chikwekwe has since challenged his suspension saying his suspension letter contradicts with the resolution which was given by the Special Council.
Chikwekwe was suspended last month following his arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC) for allegedly violating tender procedures a move which saw developers such as Casas and Wackdrive winning tenders to service Mkoba 21 and Randolph Phase 1 suburb stands unprocedurally.
His dismissal is also pointing out to a number of glaring mistakes where the suspended Town Clerk is alleged to have violated Public Procurement and Debt Management Act and there was a continuous exhibition of inconsistency in the discharge of his duties. Efforts to get a comment from the Suspended Town Clerk were fruitless as he couldn’t be reached on his mobile by time of writing.
Former Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe now ward 2 councillor once held on to council Prado after being recalled by Douglas Mwonzora accused of being loyal to Nelson Chamisa and police intervention was sought to repossess the vehicle as well.

Empower women digitally-ZCTU tells govt

TellZim News
-
0
Empower women digitally-ZCTU tells govt

Emmanuel Chitsika

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called upon the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that women are equipped with the necessary digital skills as a majority of them lag behind especially in marginalized communities.
Speaking prior to the belated commemoration of International Women’s Day set for March 11 (country wide for ZCTU), ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga said it is the duty of government to empower its citizenry especially women.
“This year’s theme (DigitALL- innovation and technology for gender equality) is relevant to Zimbabwean situation as we have more women in informal, rural communities, domestic, agriculture and or even mothers at home who are involved in care work but with no access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and are thus lagging behind.
“The world has gone digital and it is critical for Zimbabwe to empower its citizens,” said Taruvinga.
She went on to say government should join the band wagon to ensure equal access to ICT for both men and women and thus protecting the rights of the latter in working spaces.
“The global theme for 2023 seeks to remind governments, organizations and the global society at large to ensure equal access to ICT skills for women and men as well as protecting and enforcing the rights of working women in digital spaces.
“Zimbabwe has a law that speaks to Cyber and Data Protection Act and this is good but needs enforcement while at the same time the Act should ensure protection of rights of workers in digital spaces especially the marginalized women,” added Taruvinga.
She however took a swipe at government of Zimbabwe for failing to effectively implement laws that safeguard the rights of women.
“Zimbabwe has women’s rights in the constitution, has a Ministry of Women Affairs and Gender Commission to deal with ensuring gender equality and women empowerment. While there have been attempts to accommodate the 60 seats for women in Parliament and good laws that protect women, Zimbabwe is still lacking in enforcement of those rights.
“Women face discrimination, resistance in occupying positions of authority and Gender Based Violence,” she added.
ZCTU this year came up with own theme- ‘A year of Action: building a more equal and inclusive digital society’.
International Women’s Day is an annual commemoration slated for March 8 while the whole of March has been declared women’s month.

Vet officer tackles January disease through music

TellZim News
-
0
Vet officer tackles January disease through music

TellZim reporter

A veterinary services department officer with the government of Zimbabwe has tackled the marauding cattle disease Therioliosis or January Disease through music as way of helping conscentise farmers on the killer disease.
Masvingo South District Veterinary Extension department District Head Everet Haskes said he decided to compose the song after realizing the damage January Disease had on the national herd.
The song titled ‘Hondo neJanuary Disease’ was recorded on February 13, 2023.
“As a dedicated vet officer in Zimbabwe with farmers at heart, patriotic to his country, I was moved by the high mortality in cattle as a result of tick-borne January Disease which killed hundreds if not thousands of cattle of the national livestock.
“Having realized the menace brought about by the disease, I thought of helping farmers and my country at large by singing the song ‘January Disease’ as a measure to raise awareness to reduce the tick-borne endemic,” said Haskes.
He also said that the song saves the purpose of edutainment to the farmers as they employ ways to protect the national herd.
“The song brings about edutainment as farmers can play it hearing the name of the disease, its signs, and prevention measures as well as treatment wherever they are. As this song resonates with my field of specialty, I felt that all farmers will be eager to listen to it and get genuine help from someone like myself.
“The disease is all over the country and every farmer will draw some kind of help from ‘the master piece from the specialist’,” he added.
Haskes however said he intends to record a video for the song should resources permit while at the same time he said he drew motivation from Provincial Veterinary Director Dr Jairus Machakwa.
He also had a live performance on March 4 at Musingarabwi homestead in Chivi North during the provincial launch on war against January Disease graced by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, Chief Director in Vet department Dr Josphate Nyika and Chivi North legislator Mathias Tongofa.
The song talks of the disease’s signs, ways to prevent in dipping cattle, names of drugs to treat the disease and use of tick grease.

Residents plead for street lights

TellZim News
-
0
Residents plead for street lights

Perpetua Murungweni

Masvingo-Following reports of a rise in theft cases in vicinity, residents from the splashy suburb of Rhodene have expressed concerns, pleading with Masvingo City Council to install street lights to fend off criminals.
Residents said the absence of street lights has led to thieves taking advantage of the darkness to rob residents while cases of break-in at some properties have also been reported.
“We have been paying the street lighting levy for the past 12 months but there are no streets lights yet. Residents are robbed and lose their valuables to thieves who thrive in the darkness. Council should just urgently come to the rescue of residents who are now living in fear during the evening,” said one resident Aaron Ndonde.
Another resident Acqueline Kahari also expressed fear as a result of the rise in cases of theft as a result of darkness.
“We are now living in of fear of thieves and robbers as they are taking advantage of the dark streets and some are using the dark streets as hide outs to rob pedestrians,” said Kahari.
Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said plans are already underway towards implementation of street lighting projects.
He added that council has begun working on the project and they are waiting for Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA)’s response since the two are supposed to work in partnership.
“As council we are working towards the project and we have made resolutions to partner with ZESA. We have signed the Memorandum of Understanding and we are now waiting for ZESA’s response,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
Masvingo city council has proposed to introduce public lighting fee in its proposed 2021 budget, a fund which they say was to be used to repair and refurbish the public lighting infrastructure in the city.
In February 2021, Masvingo City Council confirmed that residents had already started paying the street lighting levy.
Eng. Mukaratirwa also said the project is going to be powered by both solar and electricity so that both parties (council and ZESA) will participate in the project.
“The project is going to partly solar system and partly electrical system so as to ensure that both parties will participate on the project,” said Mukaratirwa.

ZEC Masvingo ready for final voter registration blitz

TellZim News
-
0
ZEC Masvingo ready for final voter registration blitz

Beverly Bizeki

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Masvingo province office said it is ready to roll out the final biometric mobile voter registration blitz slated for March 12 to 21, 2023 this year.
ZEC Masvingo Deputy Elections Officer Maxwell Ncube confirmed the development.
“We started training biometric registration officers as from March 7- 10 and they will be deployed to different stations on March 11 for the exercise to begin on March 12.
“The exercise is a more of a mop up as we have once done this kind of registration but we understand that there are some who have turned 18 after the first exercise so we are going mobile to register those who became eligible after that exercise,” said Ncube.
The commission is however yet to gazette programme itinerary as not every area is going to be a registration centre.
“We are going to have one team doing mobile voter registration in the urban area because the setup is compact. However, in rural areas because of the vastness of the wards, one team will be covering four wards so as to try and capture everyone,” added Ncube.
There is also going to be a deployment of a voter education team by the electoral management body.
“We are going to deploy a voter education team today (March 9, 2023), an advance team set to inform prospective voters about the exercise as well as requirements so as to avoid turning away people who want to register at the centers,” said Ncube.

Crisis: Masvingo runs out of condoms ?

TellZim News
-
0
Crisis: Masvingo runs out of condoms ?

…Risk of STIs as tertiary students return

TellZim Reporter

Shops and bars in and around Masvingo have gone for some time without Protector Plus condoms, with shop owners raising alarm over the shortage which may develop into a catastrophe as the product is the most preferred over alternatives.
Some bar owners who buy the condoms brand for resale from wholesale shops have said they have gone for nearly two months without accessing the product from wholesalers.
A bar owner who declined to be named said many of his customers shun other condom brands preferring Protector Plus, which is mainly an attitude problem leading to low uptake of condoms, therefore risking sexually transmitted diseases.
“This is really concerning. We have gone for nearly two months without accessing Protector Plus condoms from wholesalers. Mind you this is the brand of condoms most of our patrons prefer and this may cause low uptake of condoms resulting in STDs and other consequences of unsafe sex.
“Even if you go into the big supermarkets you will not get them because they are just not being distributed as effectively as before. We really hope this is temporary because it will be a catastrophe,” the bar owner said.
A snap survey in local supermarkets in Masvingo CBD indicated that the product was not on the shelves, with only one of the big local supermarkets having a few packets in stock.
A source in sexual and reproductive health circles however said that there seemed to be a defunding agenda on Protector Plus condoms, which could be influenced by either the fact that Zimbabwe is no longer a high risk country in HIV/Aids or the currently topical Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) bill.
“Protector Plus condoms may be facing defunding and it is a nationwide problem, which can be evidenced by their shortages in shops, with a number of factors at play,” the source said.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Masvingo Provincial Communications Officer Hebert Chikosi said the province had enough condoms in all their brands, attributing the shortages to distribution glitches from private players.
“I want to assure people that we have enough condoms for the province and all the brands. The shortage could be as a result of distribution glitches from our private players,” Chikosi said.
He added that they were going to have a technical working group meeting on condoms Tuesday (March 14) to address stakeholders’ issues.
“We are putting our ducks in a row to ensure that such gaps are closed. Our aim is to make our province reach a percapita condom of 12. We continue to encourage our users to correctly and consistently use condoms as they help in preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted infections,” Chikosi said.
Efforts to get a comment from News Start Centre were fruitless as the phone went unanswered until the time of writing.

1...259260261...975Page 260 of 975