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Gloves off in Zaka: Ministers battle to control district

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Gloves off in Zaka: Ministers battle to control district

… DDC embroiled in factional wars

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA– Zanu PF factional wars in Masvingo are far from over as the battle for dominance between provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa and his predecessor and current Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has taken center stage in Zaka district.
The factional fights in the district have resulted in two district National Tree Planting events with each faction hosting its own event.
The National Tree Planting day is held annually on the first Saturday of December and the provincial event was held last weekend at Gwindingwi High School in Bikita district and the province dedicated the whole month of December to tree planting exercises at different levels.
The Provincial event was poorly attended because the Chadzamira faction was allegedly in control of the programme and other party members opposed to the faction went to Mwenezi West for celebrations of MP Priscilla Zindari Moyo who is believed to be a Chiwenga sympathiser.
In Zaka, Chadzamira faction led by District Coodinating Committee (DCC) chairperson Clemence Chiduwa who is deputy Minister of Finance and Zaka East MP is hosting the district programme at his homestead on Saturday.
To counter the event however, the Mavhenyengwa faction which is fronting Deputy Minister of Agriculture and current MP for Masvingo North who is poised for Zaka Central in the 2023 general elections had initially organized theirs at Manokore Secondary School on December 9.
However, the counter programme was deferred to next week after the DDC saved her alleged comrades in the Chadzamira faction by declaring the Saturday programme as the official district programme.
Sources said ‘team Marapira’ influenced the school to request to host an event at their school from the forestry commission and sucking the school together with the forestry commission into the battle unknowingly.
“Team Marapira influenced the school head to host the event at their school which they gladly agreed since it was beneficial to the school. This leaves the Forestry Commission in a difficult position as they are supposed to take a leading role at both functions,” said the source.
Another source said Chiduwa/Chadzamira faction then used Dhliwayo to threaten the District Schools Inspector Samson Chidzurira who then instructed the school which had been used as a scapegoat to host the event.
“Team Chadzamira through the DCC chair used Dhliwayo and his deputy Victor Zinanga who are now meddling in political factions and is pocketed by Chiduwa faction. They wrote a letter to the District Schools Inspector Samson Chidzurira to postpone the programme and it was presented as a school programme though Marapira was going to fund everything,” said the source.
Contacted for comment Dhliwayo as usual denied having knowledge of the letter and refused to comment referring all questions to Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer David Majaura.
“I don’t know of any letter, you can ask the CEO he is in charge of the tree planting event,” said Dhliwayo.
Efforts to get a comment from Chidzurira were futile as his mobile phone went unanswered several times.
On his part Chiduwa said the programme at his homestead was the district launch so other programmes will then follow saying there was nothing political about it.
“There is nothing political about the tree planting events, what has happened is that the other programme was scheduled a day before the district launch but I am told the DDC addressed the issue and the other one was postponed to a date to be advised,” said Chiduwa.
Marapira was not available for comment as his cell phone was not reachable by the time of publishing.
Marapira is becoming a threat to a number of Zanu PF stalwarts in the district as he is going around the district donating goods and running different activities.
He has since gained favour in Zaka Central ahead of the incumbent Davison Svuure who is also the DCC vice chairperson.
Marapira has since shrugged off competition from other aspirants after talking down Aleta Makomeke and Mafred Mada who is the sitting councillor for ward 13.
Mada was promised be given the council chairperson position though he vowed to resist it while Makomeke is said to have been promised another top post in the party.

MP Gonese distances self from US$ 40k govt loan

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MP Gonese distances self from US$ 40k govt loan

Branton Matondo

MUTARE- Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) Mutare Central Member of Parliament Innocent Gonese has distanced himself from the US$ 40 000 loans offered to members of Parliament by government.
Gonese said he did not receive the contentious government loan being disbursed to sitting Members of Parliament, ministers and deputy ministers.
While addressing residents at a recently held community engagement meeting at Moffat Hall in Sakubva the soft spoken CCC member denied receiving any money from government.
“The issue of government loans has been topical of late. The truth of the matter is that l haven’t seen any money and l don’t know about anything concerning the US$ 40 000 housing loan,” he said.
Gonese said that he is not in a position to divulge more information concerning the government loans as he is following protocol.
“As you all know, l am a steadfast CCC member and as a party we will sit down and discuss on the issue because l don’t want to be caught offside. After coming up with a conclusion, we will come up with a statement that will be delivered for the public,” added Gonese.
Reports on the issue indicate that sitting Members of Parliament were offered US$ 40000 housing loans with Ministers being offered US$ 500 000 and their deputies pocketing US$ 350 000.
CCC President Nelson Chamisa has labelled the housing loans as a desperate allurement attempt by the mass party Zanu PF to swindle CCC members.
There has been an uproar from citizens who felt that the move by government is not a loan but a bribe.
Other reports indicate that Allan Norman Markham is the only CCC MP to refuse the government loan.

Accident leaves 11 people nursing injuries

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Accident leaves 11 people nursing injuries

Yeukai Munetsi

At least 11 passengers sustained multiple injuries following a head on collision between a TATA truck carrying plastic pipes and a Sprinter mini-bus carrying eight passengers at the 270 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Harare road, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
The accident occurred near Village Lodge.
It is reported that Bywalter Murungweni (32) of Mkoba 14 was driving the Sprinter heading towards Harare with eight passengers on board.
Tanaka Mpofu was driving a five tonne TATA truck along the same road but heading in the opposite direction. The truck was fully loaded with plastic pipes and had one passenger on the front passenger’s seat.
It is reported that Murungweni was at fault as he overtook in front of the oncoming TATA truck resulting in a head on collision.
“When they approached the 270 km peg and at the Village Lodge, the driver of the sprinter Murungweni overtook in front of the oncoming five tonne TATA truck and encroached into the opposite lane resulting in a head on collision.
“As a result of the impact, the sprinter veered off the road to the right and stopped with the trailer dislodged and was left on the eastern side edges of the road while the truck rolled back on its wheels and later stopped,” said an eye witness.
Both vehicles had extensive frontal damages.
Passengers from both vehicles sustained several injuries and were taken to hospital.
Acting Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fungai Ngawagare urged motorists to follow road rules and extra caution when overtaking.
“As the ZRP, we kindly urge motorists to observe rules on the road and exercise extra caution when overtaking and pedestrians crossing the roads on foot.
“The passenger who was in the truck was injured and all occupants in the Sprinter sustained multiple injuries. Motorists are also urged to reduce speed when approach busy areas of the road,” said Ngawagare.
Scene was attended and the injured were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital where they are admitted for treatment and their conditions were stable.

CCC wins 2 out of 3 seats in Gweru by-elections

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CCC wins 2 out of 3 seats in Gweru by-elections

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has retained two of the three Gweru Urban wards they contested in by-elections held last weekend.
The opposition party managed to retain wards 4 and 18 while ward 5 fell in the hands of Zanu PF.
CCC ward 4 former councillor Martin Chivhoko retained his seat after emerging victorious with 643 votes against Zanu PF candidate Gibson Chingwadze who garnered 300 votes.
John Manyundwa of CCC was declared winner in ward 18 with 250 votes against Walter Makwalo of Zanu PF who got 182 votes.
In ward 5, former CCC councillor and Gweru Deputy Mayor Cleopas Shiri lost his seat with 472 votes to Kwanisai Mafa of Zanu PF who got 556 votes.
Newly elected ward 5 councillor Mafa thanked residents for bestowing their trust upon him.
“I would like thank the people of Senga ward 5 for voting resoundingly for me in this by-election. I promise not to betray the people of Senga for the trust they have shown.
“Our drainage systems are clogged with garbage and there are areas which need urgent attention in terms of service delivery.
“There is need to urgently look into these and also clean our drainages as we are already in the rainy season,” he said.
Ward 4’s Chivhoko also expressed gratitude to the residents for their unwavering support.
“I would like to thank ward 4 residents for their unwavering support they showed me. I promise that I will urgently look into the issues of service delivery affecting our ward that is poor state of roads, refuse collection and water provision,” said Chivhoko.
Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) however bemoaned a low voter turnout in the by-election.
According to ZESN the poor voter turnout was observed at polling stations like Cecil John Rhodes Primary School in ward 18 which, as at 1830 hours only had 35 voters out of a voter population of 645.
In the same ward at Child Welfare, 58 people had voted by 1830 hours while in ward 5, 86 people out of a total of 448 turned out to vote.
The three wards fell vacant following the recalling of three Gweru councillors in October by MDC-Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora over allegations of being loyal to his nemesis CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.

Zimbabwe hosts Women Empowerment Summit

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Zimbabwe hosts Women Empowerment Summit

Tinaani Nyabereka

Zimbabwe recently hosted a Women Empowerment Summit which drew delegates from various countries, United Nations and women organisations among others.
Run by Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, in partnership with the National Economic Consultative Forum, the forum ran from December 7-8 2022 in Harare.
Speaking on the side lines of the event, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Industry Enterprises Development Sithembiso Nyoni said the summit was expected to assist formulate policy planning on women’s empowerment and gender equality as well as allocation of resources towards such achievements.
“This summit is a highly participatory and inclusive platform that brings stakeholders together to deliberate on policy and technical issues affecting women’s participation in economic activities, in order to promote inclusive development and attain Vision 2030.
“The summit’s broad objective is to deliberate on challenges and opportunities affecting Zimbabwean women and to recommend interventions to promote the growth of sustainable female-led or female-owned businesses in order to leave no one and no place behind in the process of development,” she added.
The summit was guided by specific objectives which included among others, providing a platform for a technical discussion on challenges and opportunities for women in business in Zimbabwe, facilitating knowledge exchange on how to empower women in the country; proffering interventions and formulating recommendations to address challenges faced by Zimbabwean women and influencing future policy formulation.
“The two day summit will have presentations, panel discussions and high-level discussions among critical stakeholders on the following: promoting production and value chain development; financial inclusion and access to capital for production and trade; promoting standards, compliance, and access to regional and international markets; use of ICT as a tool for improved production and competitiveness; provision of appropriate and inclusive workspace and infrastructure to facilitate quality production; gender responsiveness to promote women empowerment; climate change and renewable energy systems for sustainable production and competitiveness.
“The two-day summit and expo to be held on 7 and 8 December 2022 is to be officially opened by President Emerson Mnangagwa and will include panel discussions and high-level discussions,” added Nyoni.
The summit was running under the theme, ‘Revitalising Economic Growth through Women Empowerment’.

Is Zim govt committed to GBV eradication?

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Is Zim govt committed to GBV eradication?

…only seven ‘One Stop Centres’ for victims of GBV in whole country

Emmanuel Chitsika

Despite concerted efforts by partners in the Civic Society to bring to an end Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country, a closer look at government efforts to tackle the ‘elephant in the room’ leaves much to be desired due to the evident lack of facilities to support victims.
The role to fight GBV seems to have been relegated to the Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) while government departments and line ministries mandated with such a task have not put in place mechanisms to curb the ill.
GBV cases have been reported with most notable cases being abuse of minors either in religious sects and other sections of society but sincerity on part of government is questionable due to lack of preparedness.
This year alone two unprecedented cases of impregnating of nine year olds hogged the limelight and the general citizenry wonders where the moral fibre of this society has gone while at the same time the duties and roles of policy makers are also placed under heavy scrutiny.
As if that is not enough, the preparedness of government to fight in the corner of the victims of GBV is questionable judging by the little number of help centres set for the rehabilitation of victims.
During Masvingo provincial GBV annual commemorations for this year held on December 6, 2022 at Masvingo Civic Centre Masvingo Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC) Kenneth Madziva read a speech revealing that the country only has seven One Stop Centres to cater for GBV victims.
“Esteemed guests, to deal with the rising cases of GBV which has retarted the empowerment drive, the government of Zimbabwe is establishing One Stop Centres to offer counselling, police and health services to survivors of gender based violence.
“To date a total of seven One Stop Centres are operating and we are privileged to have one such in the province. In order to decentralize GBV services especially during the Covid-19 period, the government of Zimbabwe carried out Mobile One Stop Centres to hard-to-reach areas and this has helped in increasing access to GBV services by survivors,” said Madziva.
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo chapter chairperson Moreblessing Manenji said as an organization they are saddened by the current happenings which have seen young children taken as ‘child bearing machines’ a situation that does not settle well with mothers.
“This year we are here commemorating the annual 16 Days against GBV but on a sad note where we have witnessed children as young as nine being taken as mothers and it does not go well with us as mothers. What has really gone wrong for us as a nation?
“As WCoZ, we appeal to all stakeholders to come together and play respective roles towards eradication of GBV as a united front. Also exposure of women to violence during elections is another cause for concern that needs attention. The cases of GBV are a clear testimony of a society that has lost its Ubuntu and empathy, morals and values. Economic hardships, gender inequality, unbalanced power dynamics, limited resources to adequately respond to GBV cases and limited implementation of the law has been the driving forces behind this state of affairs. WCoZ commends work done by government of Zimbabwe through Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises and other partners.
“We thus call for unity and solidarity towards ending violence against women and girls. We urge in particular the Zimbabwe Republic Policy (ZRP) to decentralize Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) to remote and hard to reach areas and ensuring victims access services continuously. We also call upon Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to ensure a portion of the national budget is directed towards fighting GBV as a way of mitigating violence against women and girls. Ministries of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Women Affairs to recapacitate and adequately finance the Anti-Domestic Violence Council that sized to be operational long back,” said Manenji.
ZRP Masvingo Central District VFU coordinator Assistant Inspector Tongofa dispelled the notion that some areas lack specialized personnel from the force and urged stakeholders to play their roles.
“I heard some of our presenters calling upon ZRP to ensure VFU personnel are available in hard-to-reach areas, let me tell you that as a force we have already deployed specialists in the GBV area in all such areas.
“What I would like is to challenge everyone present here to be an ambassador of peace and that is by desisting from GBV other than being a perpetrator or fuelling the problem through the word of mouth or any other related action. Everyone should preach peace for the good of our society. Young children have suffered a lot and thus as parents play your part in effectively dealing with the problem,” said Tongofa.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) also took the opportunity to launch their organizational gender policy which the presenter said was presented by a male since gender issues are not female issues alone.

Chamisa offside on MPs’$40k loans

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Chamisa offside on MPs’$40k loans

Mapombi has fallen in love with the new slogan in town, ‘Magetsi anodzimiwa nevene vawo.’ Kkkkkkk maZimbo will never cease to amaze me – they take every serious matter into a joke and how they are quick to normalise the abnormal boggles my mind. The current electricity challenges are not child’s play; something needs to be done as a matter of urgency before the situation reaches another level. We have a whole ministry responsible for energy in the country and Mthuli gives them a budget every year so that they can explore smart ways of generating energy but they are doing absolutely nothing except empty promises – kkkkkk hanzi by 2023 we will be exporting energy kkkkkk mashura chaiwo. Mapombi will repeat this again, Svoda neJamu is a big joke. Whatever his name is, whether Soda Zhemu or Svoda Jamu iyeye wacho haaa hapana zvinozivikanwa uya wekuimba dancehall uya ainzi Fortune Chasi waimbaiva nane zvake. Pane mashura iwaya – svoda isai muderere then Jamu zorai pachingwa zvenyu imi and forget about kuchenesa nyika yese nemagetsi.
Anyway, Mapombi will not waste time talking about the electricity issue in the country because we all know how bad the situation is. My only prayer is ngazvisvike 2023 zvakadai chokwadi umwe anobvisiwa chiri kumeso oooh namai kudai ndotokuudzai. Musazoti Mapombi haana kureva. Heads must roll. ED should fire people or else he will be the one to be fired come 2023. Basa rinotorwa sefani, takatarisa so. Aikaka chati homu chareva.
Mapombi really does not understand this so called Mukomana uyu ari kungonzi nevanhu vasiri registered to vote ngaapinde. Mapombi used to think that he is the alternative but haaaa after listening to his few addresses haaa ndakaona kuti zvakangofanana gudo nemunhu hapana zviripo makumbo enyoka. Nelson Chamisa carries the hope of the masses but ndinoona sekuti kumuremedza mukomana uyu anotoda kubatsirwa chaiko. Kkkkkkk nyaya dzekubatsirwa idzi Mapombi heard Kasukuwere once went to Mudzidzi Wimbo to consult if by any chance he could be the President of Zimbabwe and he was told to plant a tree or flower of his choice and water it all he wants before he goes. He was then told to come back after few days akanzi ukaona muti wako wabata ziva kuti uchatonga asi kana ukaoma haaa hakuna hakuna kkkkkk. Guess what, hanzi Kasukuwere akawana chimuti chakaoma kuti gwaaa kkkkkkk, and few months later there was operation restore legacy and the guy had to skip the borders kkkkkkk politics so ka ma1. Mapombi will not talk about uyoyu ari kutonga kuti akanzi kudii because zvinonzi wakaenda kwaMudzidzi Wimbo ikoku kkkkkk.
Guys I’m sorry I had diverted a bit. So Mapombi was saying after a thorough analysis of Mukomana, I noticed anoda kubatsirwa big time otherwise pachigaro chehushe haafe akapagara. I will start by his reaction to the US$40 000 loans given to MPs. Instead of him commending the development that will leave MPs respectable in our societies even after leaving Parliament, Nero went to town condemning and even accusing his party MPs of joining the gravy train simply because they accepted $40k house loans. The loans are above board so why condemning them when they are going to be paid back using the MPs pensions? What’s wrong with this arrangement nhai Nero? In my view, these loans will help CCC more than any other political party because those who want to seek re-election will at least have some resources. As for Zanu PF, it has a lot of resources and that is why it even gives its candidates state of the art, top range vehicles for campaigning. If Zanu PF wanted to give this loan facility to their MPs only they could have done that with much ease but they chose to do it transparently and above board. Jealousy should not blind Chamisa, and as a leader he should stop forthwith being a populist leader who first listens to what uninformed people are saying then he joins the bandwagon. Kutonga kunotoda wisdom Baba Chamisa woyee. For me the best decision was to keep quiet. Yes, Chamisa was supposed to shut up and let others speak kwete kutoswerotiitira ka Video uchitaura nonsense. Mapombi wants to ask Chamisa why did he take the RBZ vehicle during 2008 to 2013 term? Why did he buy the ministerial cars he had as the Minister of ICT at book value? Also this, in my view, is joining the gravy train so why did he accept them? If the RBZ vehicles were a loan facility, which the MPs never paid anyway, why then did he accept it? Is it in any way different from the current $40k loan facility the MPs are getting?
Who doesn’t know that politicians especially in Africa are there for self interests? Mapombi knows for sure that Chamisa doesn’t have the people at heart but he is doing it in order to serve self interests. Musandipikisa takabva nako kumhunga hakuna ipwa.. The only advantage Chamisa has is that people are struggling and they are looking for an alternative. People are desperate for change and Chamisa is talking such discourse about having a prosperous Zimbabwe. Mapombi believes that Chamisa is not the best option but looking at the available options he is better.
There is one thing that no one can take away from Chamisa – that is charisma. The man is charismatic, anotaura zvinodakadza. But kungotaura zvinodakadza alone is not enough zvinozodawo njere kuti zviite zvakanaka. Chamisa anenge anenjere shoma. In fact he lacks quality leadership skills if Mapombi is to be blunt. He is not a leader – his leadership style is backward and dictatorial in nature. More aptly, he is a dictator – probably worse than the late Uncle Bob. CCC supporters you can attack me, left, right and centre asi shoko harivhikwi. If you have money the earlier you send Chamisa for leadership training the better. If one listens to Tendai Biti speaking, unonzwa kuti pakutaurwa zvine substance manje but Nero kungosimuka he thinks every address is a rally kkkkkkk even when addressing diplomats kungowanza zvirungamutauro instead of facts kkkkkkkk.
Anyway guys it’s almost lunch time now let me go ndindokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch. I know this whole week vanhu veCCC vanenge vachindituka but hanya nani chidhoma chekwaChivi. Ndinonzi mafirakureva and I will always speak the truth. If Zimbos have better alternative zvingadaro Chamisa vakasiya kare kare because the guys lacks leadership qualities and cannot articulate policies clearly. I will vote for him not because pane zvinozikanwa but because I just don’t like Zanu PF chete and pane varipo ndiye atori nane. I can’t be seen ndakupa Dougie vote yangu kuti ndarwara here kkkkkkkk. Let me go ndindokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch ndizvidyire zvikati nhasi kune kachando. Dai ndanga ndine kamari kekutenga shuga ndoti maputi neCup yetea zvokwadi ndaizipigwa zvangu. But before I go, don’t forget what I told you recently kuti mobilising to register to vote and voting on the actual day yakuda Mhou nemhuru yayo approach where family members are taking such responsibility at family level. Munhu wese ari kurwadziwa nehupenyu must mobilize his or her family members chinyararire kwete izvo zvenyu zvekuti kungoita register vanhu vashanu navo paTwitter. Twitter is for those in diaspora and some not registered to vote but Vanhu vanovhota vari kuno kumusha so change the mobilising strategy. It’s also important that political parties should have Monitoring and Evaluation teams that can monitor their activities and evaluate progress otherwise pamwe kungopedza nguva kuswera kuwawata paTwitter ipapo pane vanhu vasingavhote. Go on the ground and mobilise senge zviri kuita Hwende izvo kwete kungosweroita noise muchitipedzera bundle redu apa. I hope vane nzeve vanzwa. By the way vari kugara kuRhodene neniwo zvangu Mapombi tangofanana ka kkkkkkk kungorara murima kumuka murima kkkkkkkkk inonzi Zesa iyi. Nyika iri kuvakwa nevene vayo Zesa ichidzimiwawo nevene vayo kkkkkkk.

ZW$ 230m for Masvingo ERRP 2 2023 programme

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ZW$ 230m for Masvingo ERRP 2 2023 programme

Courage Dutiro

Masvingo city road rehabilitation works received a major boost following approval of funds to the tune of ZW$ 230 million for the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2) for the year 2023.
Minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee of November 24, 2022 revealed the development and the subsequent breakdown of the funds.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Director of Engineering Services on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme phase 2. It was reported that the City of Masvingo was allocated a total of ZW$ 230 918 833 for the 2023 Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) 2,” read the minutes.
Of the allocated amount, ZW$ 10 448 391 would be used for re-gravelling of Zana, Jara and Nyadzonya roads stretching for 2 000 meters while the resealing of Bvudzijena and Citrus streets each covering 6 00 meters would cost ZW$ 49 560 000 each.
Routine maintenance of 50 kilometres that include purchase of pothole patching materials namely emulsions, bitumen, cold/hot mix and tools would account for ZW$ 29 870 000 while drain lining of 2 000 meters in locations costs to the tune of ZW$ 18 000 000 will be catered for.
ZW$ 73 480 422 will be used for two tipper trucks as adopted by the committee.
Calls for rehabilitation of streets around the city have been louder among residents due to the poor state of the roads though the local authority has been lauded for its performance in rehabilitating major roads in Masvingo city.
The issue of paving and lining of drainages had also been topical especially during the rainy season when water spilling from flooded drainages end up finding way into properties much to the disapproval of the residents.

Lawyers4ED hold inaugural meeting

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Lawyers4ED hold inaugural meeting

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Not to be outdone, lawyers have formed their 4ED organisation named Zimbabwe Lawyers for Economic Development (ZILFED) which held its inaugural meeting at Masvingo Poly last weekend.
In his speech at the inaugural meeting ZILFED Chairperson Governor Pendei said the organisation was formed following to counter some legal voices like the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights which he said were destroying the image of the country.
“The ZILFED is a conglomeration of Zimbabwean Lawyers who seek to deploy their legal expertise to detoxicate and sanitize the negatively framed legal terrain of Zimbabwe. Given that economic development does not take place in a vacuum but does so within a legal framework. It is therefore logically follows that the way legal minds frame the legal landscape of Zimbabwe Influences how the international community views us as a nation.,” said Pendei
For avoidance of doubt as ZILFED, we are not saying that human rights issues should not be red-flagged, we do not condone any all forms of abuse of human rights, however we note the selective framing of legal issues or cases and fronting of political rhetoric by lawyers instead of fair legal analysis articulation of issues to benefit the public with no legal eyes,” said Pendei
He said the idea of having an organisation like ZILFED CAME UP IN 2019 saying then the political landscape had changed from being a Mafia Republic as some people were saying.
“We were concerned that at a time when the country was making frantic efforts to re-engage the world, our own legal experts, under the guise of being Lawyers for Human Rights projected a bleak state of affairs where they claimed that there were gross human rights violations and series of abductions. What we found intriguing is that these learned colleagues only chose to magnify the so-called gross violations of human rights when victims were opposition members, with virtually nothing being said when the ruling party-aligned people equally alleged victimization,” he said

Mutare council warns illegal urban farmers

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Mutare council warns illegal urban farmers

Branton Matondo

With the rainy season already gathering momentum, Mutare city fathers released a final warning on November 30 to Sakubva residents who farm on prohibited, citing that punitive measures will be enforced on perpetrators who would have failed to take heed to the notice.
This comes after massive reports of silt pollution that is affecting the flow and quality of water due to loose land along Sakubva River which cuts across the oldest suburb in Mutare.
The notice bedded on the theme ‘#letsStopIllegalUrbanCultivation and urged farmers to stop such activities.
“No cultivation shall be permitted on the following areas; land within 30 meters of stream banks, land within 10 meters of a road, land on slopes and uphill, land that has been surveyed for residential and industrial development,” read the notice.
The notice also warned Old Location residents who are practicing illegal urban cultivation with others already creeping towards Guva grounds which are meant for recreational purposes.
“Cultivation in undesignated places may lead to destruction of the crops or persecution,” added the notice.
One resident said the notice came at the appropriate time when the rainy season is gathering momentum and residents will take heed.
“At the end of the day we have to protect our environment. It might seem unfair to other people but it’s the right thing to do. I thank council for such an initiative,” said the resident.
Another resident however said council should act now so as to prevent future tension with residents.
“People are already cultivating as we speak in those undesignated areas, you can check Green Market river bank. Council should act now so as to save themselves from unnecessary tension and friction with residents,” said the resident.
Mutare Rivers Rehabilitation Initiative (MRRI) led by Lynne James is already in the process of rehabilitating urban rivers chief among those Sakubva River.
They have since checked cultivated land from Green market to Jelf Road Bridge where there are high cases of illegal cultivation.
The practice has seen the association level pegging 30 meters from the actual river in an attempt to demarcate designated from undesignated land.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and tertiary institution Africa University are in full support of the project.
An inquiry on future exercises indicate that tree planting across the undesignated areas will be prioritized so as to hold loose land.
Sewer, solid waste and silt pollution have had a big negative effect on the state of rivers in Mutare urban.

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