TellZim reporter

In what could be a bitter pill to swallow for the Charumbiras, Chief Nemamwa their nemesis is set to be installed in October after the latter’s resuscitation and recognition by government.
After waiting for about five years since 2017, the Nemamwa clan will on October 01 2022 witness the installation of Chief Nemamwa born Tranos Manjiva following the resuscitation of the chieftaincy by government.
In a letter dated September 7, 2022 signed by Masvingo District Development Coordinator (DDC) Roy Hove addressed to the new Chief and copied to the Secretary for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya, the President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Manjiva as substantive chief with effect from August 30, 2022.
“Please be advised that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has in terms of Section 283 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20) Act, 2013 as read with Section (3) (1) of the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17) appointed you, Tranos Manjiva as Substantive Chief Nemamwa in Masvingo district with effect from August 30, 2022,” read part of the letter.
The letter also urged the new Chief to up preparations for subsequent installation to be held in October.
“Kindly be advised accordingly and immediately start necessary preparations for the installation ceremony. Please also note that this ceremony should be held as soon as possible,” added the letter.
Hove latter confirmed the development in an interview and said preparations were underway for the big day.
“It is true, the chief was appointed and will be installed in October. Preparations are currently underway,” said Hove
The recognition and appointment of Chief Nemamwa is likely to put to an end the power struggles that have marred the district as rival Charumbira clan has been involved in a number of skirmishes with the former as the latter did not recognize the chieftainship saying it was illegitimate and were challenging it at court.
Past encounters between the two rival factions have been characterized by violent clashes often resulting in fist fight as Charumbira clansmen tried to suppress the resuscitation of the Nemamwa chieftaincy.
Public gatherings notably funerals in the contested area have become the two factions’ battle ground with Charumbira clan refusing to recognize the Nemamwa.
Chiefs Council President Fortune Charumbira once called the resuscitation of Nemamwa chieftainship ‘fraud with no legal basis’, irregular and thus illegal at law and vowed to contest it to the highest level.
He however sarcastically said it was normal for a village head or headman to dream about being a chief and the Nemamwas were also dreaming.
The resuscitation of Chiefs Bere and Nemamwa has seen a reduction in the territory belonging to the Charumbira likely to reduce him to a mere headman and probably left with one ward under his area of jurisdiction.
Some commentators have attributed the demise of the Charumbiras to the turn in national politics with Chief Charumbira being aligned to deposed nonagenarian, the late Robert Mugabe while the Nemamwa are allegiant to the new set up whose front man in Masvingo is current Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
Chief Bere of Shumba totem was installed in April 2019 years after the White settler regime abolished it.

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi- Situated just a stone throw away from Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, at the heartland of Mwenezi district’s famous Rutenga growth point, the newly erected Styles Complex has doubtlessly dominated the setting with its splendid looks and indeed set the pace for what a model complex ought to be like.
With its glamorous outlook, Styles Complex which is powered by The Source family owned by Mudzimiri Brothers, boasts of neatly furnished sparkling interior with a total of 35 diverse shops housed inside a cutting-edge perimeter wall.
“Construction works started in April this year and as you can see for yourself, we are making our final touches and we are certain that come October 1, we are definitely going to officially open the complex.
“We have got a total of 35 shops inside and these include boutiques, law firm offices, hair salons, butchery and pharmacies among others. We are really grateful that even before the completion of the complex, locals and many from beyond had already secured their places and fully paid rentals,” said project manager Wellington Mudzimiri.
Mudzimiri, a transporter-cum-politician with a philanthropic feat in Chiredzi also revealed that there are other shops within the complex which are still available for those who are interested.
“We still have some vacant shops and for those who desire a serene environment within our complex they are free to contact us.
“Security of our clients is a guarantee as we have got CCTV and have roped a venerable armed security company that will monitor the complex 24/7,” said Mudzimiri.
With conclusive sprucing being done on Styles Complex, the ever-smiling Mudzimiri said they are still working on finalizing the guest of honour who will grace the grand official opening of the complex.

TellZim Reporter

The people of ward 3 in Chivi district have been urged to pay their annual levies if they want their area to develop.
This was said during an engagement meeting organised by TellZim News in partnership with Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) where the local authority Chivi Rural District Council (RDC) met village heads to discuss developmental issues affecting the area.
Chivi RDC chairperson Godfrey Mukungunugwa said people should know that the levy is used to develop local communities contrary to what many think that the money is abused by leaders.
“Levy is our money which is used develops our area. Don’t think the money is abused by us because we have big bellies. We were born like this and it’s not your money. So please pay up the levies so that we sink boreholes and construct roads in this area,” said Mukungunugwa.
Local councillor Lazarus Mauto urged people to pay their levies in numbers saying that determines how development fund disbursements are done by the local authority.
He said the levy registers are also used by various departments who bring aid in the villages when they determine the number of households in each village.
“What determines ward population is the levy registers. The social welfare department and other Non-Governmental Organizations come to council when they want to deal with communities and council simply use the registers to determine the number of households in each area. So if you don’t pay, they will allocate few resources to you.
“If you pay, it becomes easier for us and the council chairperson who is here present to lobby for developmental projects in our areas because you will be paying,” said Mauto.
Chivi RDC Human Resources and Administration Officer Archibald Ncube echoed the same sentiments saying development levy was just a tax used to develop own areas.

“Development levy is simply a tax we pay for using the land we are in but government doesn’t take the money for any other use, it sends back the money to develop the area where it came from that is why we have a grader in ward 3. So I want to urge you village heads to encourage your people to pay this levy because it will come back to develop ward 3. Look, we constructed this clinic, the grader is here and we bought fuel using that levy,” said Ncube.
He went on to urge the local community to clear areas where the road is being constructed saying that makes it easier for the grading and shorten the time it takes to complete the road.

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA –While the country is battling with the measles outbreak and has embarked on compulsory vaccination of children between the ages of six months and 15 years, the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect in the district is giving health authorities a torrid time as they refuse to let their children get vaccinated leading to a number of deaths related to the killer disease.
The sect members in Zaka are alleged to be violent saying they are the ones who voted Zanu PF into office so they cannot be forced to get their children vaccinated threatening not to vote for Zanu PF if government forces them to embrace the vaccination blitz.
Sources who spoke to TellZim News said police had to be called in to intervene after a series of deaths in Headman Madzivire area of ward 18 in Zaka Central constituency.
Three villages namely Kwangwari, Matariro and Mahlaule are reported to have recorded a higher number of the sect members and that’s where a number of deaths were reported.
A team of health personnel with the aid of members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) were deployed in the area last week but could not vaccinate many since most of the kids were sent into hiding after their parents learnt of the visit by the team.
Ward 18 councillor Daniel Mativenga confirmed the incident and said the vaccination exercise had helped as there were no longer reports of deaths.
“We were receiving reports of deaths mainly in the three villages though we could not really ascertain the cause of death. However, after the visit by the health personnel, the reports have decreased and we think it yielded some positive results,” said Mativenga.
Close sources said the District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Mutero Mupereki was tipped and he roped in Zaka police and raided the area last week.
Dr Mupereki could neither confirm nor deny the incident as he referred all questions to Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu.
A source who spoke anonymously said the villagers (Mapositori) even threatened not to vote for Zanu PF.
“They were violent when the vaccination team arrived. Some were even saying they are the ones who put President Mnangagwa in office and he knows that they do not take medication. They went on to threaten that if they are forced to do so, they will withdraw support for the ruling party,” said the source.
Contacted for comment, Zanu PF provincial chairperson who is also MP for Zaka North Robson Mavhenyengwa said he was not aware that the apostolic sect were hiding behind the party’s name saying the vaccination programme had no political connotations and everyone in that age group is supposed to be vaccinated.
“I have not received that information that there are people hiding behind our party’s name. Everyone should be vaccinated and even the bible talks about the existence of clinics where the Good Samaritan took the injured person, so despite one’s religion or church, all those in that age group to be vaccinated should do so. I will engage other stakeholders and see what we can do to help in that area so that children are vaccinated,” said Mavhenyengwa.
The measles outbreak that began in Manicaland province where the same Apostolic sect declined to embrace vaccination has seen more than 600 children succumbing to the deadly disease nationally while the province tops in statistics.