| Yeukai Munetsi
Gweru– Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law (ZELA) and Zimbabwe Council of Churches will convene the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI). The engagement is centred on promoting engagement between communities industries and government from mineral resource rich communities. According to a ZIMCODD weekender report, The ZAMI is a multi-stakeholder platform created to facilitate engagements between mining host communities, government and industry. ZAMI is a build up from the Village level Alternative Mining Indaba (VAMIs) or Local-Level Alternative Mining Indabas (LAMIs), Ward Alternative Mining Indabas, District Alternative Mining Indabas, Provincial Alternative Mining Indabas which are convened across the mineral resource-rich areas in Zimbabwe such as Marange, Mutoko, Hwange, Zvishavane and Gwanda wrappes up by the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI),a regional global platform which is held annually. The AMI will run from September 4-9 2022 under the theme “A Just Energy Transition for Sustainable Communities in a Climate crisis era” and follows the global movement on climate change and a just energy transition. One of the topical issues to be discussed will be the illicit financial flows. “Some of the discussions to be tabled at this year’s ZAMI will include the scourge of illicit financial flows which has for a long time caused the country to lose billions. “A recent report by the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) revealed that Zimbabwe loses at least three tonnes of gold worth US$ 157 million every month through illicit financial flows “Titled ‘Zimbabwe’s Disappearing Gold: The case of Mazowe and Penhalonga,’ the report claims that Zimbabwe loses three tonnes of gold monthly via politicians who are connected to the ruling party, government officials and their close business allies,” read the report. On the side lines ZIMCODD will be hosting side-sessions which participants can look forward to, such as Women’s Pre-National Budget Caucus: Towards a climate smart, gender-responsive budget, Policy Dialogue on Taxation and the launching of Research products. |
ZIMCODD , Zela, ZCC host mining indaba
Minister sets record straight, clarifies transfer to Zaka
TellZim reporter
MASVINGO – Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davis Marapira has dismissed allegations of factional fights in Masvingo province saying his decision to transfer from Masvingo to Zaka district is because he was approached and requested to come back home.
Marapira, who is also the national assembly member for Masvingo North insisted that there are no factions in Zanu PF and that every member of the party was fully behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“There is nothing like factionalism in Zanu PF; we all work together to serve the interests of the party as guided by our principal, His Excellence Cde Mnangagwa. My decision to go back to Zaka was because I was approached by people from my rural area and they asked me to come back home so that we can develop our area.
“I did not go to Zaka because I had become unpopular in Masvingo North, rather the people from my home district of Zaka approached me to consider going back to my district of origin for the sake of spearheading development there.
“I had to go there so that I can help develop the area. People in Masvingo North have since expressed displeasure on the impending loss as they feel I am the rightful person who has and could continue developing the area. There is nothing amiss about the transfer because I was once a member there and I only transferred to Masvingo in 2007,” he said.
Marapira said there is nothing like factionalism in the province, insisting that party members are working together to achieve the interests of the party.
“I don’t belong to any faction; as far as I know there are no factions in Zanu PF. We all rally behind our President and we are already working hard to ensure that the party and President Mnangagwa win resoundingly come 2023.
“After people from Zaka approached me, I had no option than going back to my district of origin as I believe in the faith bestowed upon me by the community. It’s not like I am leaving Masvingo North out of being unpopular,” added Marapira.
His transfer to Zaka district was confirmed by the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson Clemence Chiduwa who said Marapira is now eligible to contest for every position that can arise in Zaka.
Masarira lashes out at Chiwenga over shrinking health sector
Branton Matondo
Mutare- LEAD president Linda Masarira came out guns blazing on August 24 as she lashed out at the Ministry of Health and Child Care for poor medical state in government-run hospitals claiming that national budgeted funds allocated towards the ministry are being abused.
In an official letter to Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, Masarira said the Ministry is idle when it comes to respecting health rights considering that 15percent of the national budget is channelled towards the health sector.
“Government has failed to ensure people’s rights to access affordable, quality and basic health care in government hospitals. Most if not all public hospitals lack basic antibiotics, painkillers and chronic diseases medication. Considering that the Ministry of Health gets at least 15% of the national budget, it is perplexing how the ministry of health has continuously failed to provide quality healthcare to the people of Zimbabwe.
“It is high time the budget allocated for the Ministry of Health works to revive the ailing health sector and have audited statements of the same funds availed publicly for people to see how the funds are used,” read part of the letter.
According to Masarira, the ruling party (Zanu PF) government has failed to fulfil promises they made during campaign processions for 2018 presidential elections, chief among those being the review of civil servants remuneration.
“During the 2018 campaigns, your party which is ruling the government pledged to ensure that treasury allocates at least 15% of the National budget to the healthcare sector in line with the Abuja declaration (this is the only thing you managed to fulfil), review remuneration structure for medical professionals, invest in new healthcare facilities in order to ensure access by all to health services particularly in rural and resettlement areas, resuscitate the country’s pharmaceutical industry to increase the availability of drugs at affordable prices, establish at least one new hospital per administrative district by 2023 and development and implementation of health services manpower skills development plan,” added the letter.
The rallying political figure said she have tried countless times to get hold of Minister Chiwenga but efforts ended up in vain.
TellZim got in touch with two nurses from one of the government run hospitals who expressed grief over the salaries they are getting despite being critical service providers.
“We are part of a sector that is key to Zimbabwe but what we are earning does not make sense. It’s not proper to receive penury salaries for such a backbone sector like ours,” said the nurse.
The second nurse added that the Ministry had to respect the profession.
“For such a field like the health sector, professionalism is important. It’s not always about remuneration but it’s also about working under correct conditions,” said the other nurse.
Government has already initiated National Development Strategy (NDS1) which kick started in 2020. The plan was meant to target key health sectors and how they can be refurbished.
The health sector has been of late been haunted by strikes and denouncements the latest being the firing of former President of Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) Robert Chiduku.
Residents cry foul over blocked sewer
Fredrick Moyo
Gweru- Residents in Mkoba 4 suburb are crying foul over the city fathers approach towards burst pipes as raw sewer has been flowing into the streets for more than three months without being attended to, making it difficult for them to stay under the harsh conditions.
Subsequently, raw sewage has filled all drainage systems, trenches and spilling onto the streets exposing residents to excrement, bad smell and health risks.
Speaking to TellZim News, a resident only identified as Tawanda said the smell is really bad and affecting them and city council is doing nothing about the issue and ignoring their plea.
“The sewage has been flowing for over 4 months and we have filed many reports to council but we are now tired as the city fathers are not taking any action to repair the burst pipes.
“The smell of excrement is hanging all over the neighbourhood, we are no longer enjoying our meals as families with the bad smell. Imagine people have to cook and eat in such an environment. We are at high risk of diseases here, our children are playing in the sewage exposing them to diseases,” said Tawanda.
Another resident who commented anonymously shared the same sentiment saying the burst pipes are now attracting flies and urged council to address the problem as a matter of urgency.
“Our children are exposed, they cannot even play outside because of the sewage flowing all over and we now have to deal with flies,” said the resident.
Munyaradzi Phiri said cholera and typhoid will wipe them away if council does not act swiftly to the issue.
“We have been encountering burst sewer pipes for years and if this problem is not addressed, cholera and typhoid will wipe the residents as the sewer burst pipes expose us to diseases,” said Phiri.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) Executive Director Cornilia Selipiwe said they will confront council in a manner that would make them solve the disaster with urgency and also urged council to change its sewer system as it has deteriorated.
“It is a serious problem that needs collective efforts but I think the way things are happening we would be left with no option but to engage them in a very confrontational way and we will very soon if nothing is done urgently. Very soon we will engage in a demonstration because we cannot let something like this continue happening to people’s lives, health is at risk.
“What we need to get straight here is that this is no longer a sewer blockage but it is the collapse of the sewer system in that particular area. There have been several efforts from the city councils side but their efforts have not yielded meaningful results or any change to the lives of those people that are living in and around that particular area. That place has been declared some kind of a disaster and it is a disaster indeed so what needs to be done is that they need to replace the sewer system, people are complaining, we are complaining,” said Selipiwe.
Contacted for comment Gweru City Council Public Relations Officer and Communications officer, Vimbai Chingwaramuse said they received the report and engineers were on the ground.
“We have received that report and as a local authority our engineers have been on the ground to assess the situation and currently we are still in the process of ensuring that we get an excavator which we can use to ensure that we fix the problem as a matter of urgency.
“We are aware of the problem and we encourage our valued residents to ensure that children do not play along that area to avoid any diseases, however we are going to work on it as a matter of urgency,” she said.
It is alleged that the sewer has been a problem for years in the village as city council is failing to repair the old sewer system.
Mhike to launch his 100 poem book ‘Nzungu Dzembeu’
Yeukai Munetsi
Zvishavane- based author Emmanuel Mhike (35), is to launch his first book in Mazvihwa, 40km South-East of Zvishavane and online for foreign based fans on September 10.
The 100 Shona poems anthology book seeks to address contemporary issues of preservation, education and sustainability.
Elaborating on the book, Mhike said he discovered his talent at 28 after attending a workshop with Zimbabwe’s renowned writers.
“I discovered my writing talent at 28 after Chisiya writers workshop organized by United States of America (USA) based Lecturer of Creative writing Professor Emmanuel Sigauke and Muonde Trust in 2015.
“Present at the workshop were David Mungoshi (novels), Memory Chirere (poetry) and Emmanuel Sigauke (short stories),” he said.
In order to advance his concept, Mhike did not schedule his writing but was rather inspired by everyday events to write his work.
“My writing was never scheduled. I always work, travel, relax and sleep with pen and paper around.
“The first stage in my writing is inspiration which gives me a theme to write on. My first stanza introduces a reader to what inspired me to pen down the piece, the body tackles interesting questions, discussions and beliefs while the last stanza answers all the questions or concerns raised in the body,” he added.
The recent release was inspired by Memory Chirere who according to Mhike made writing poems seem simple and exciting.
The book also supports the element of being patient as it took Mhike almost seven years to publish his work.
“Writing like any other talent needs to be given space and resources. Unlike other talents, writing is a calling that will stress or even kill you if you do not execute. Take your time, I started writing my book in 2015 and employed two editors to edit the week over a period of five years,” said Mhike.
He went on to encourage aspiring writers to thoroughly edit their work with professional editors before publishing.
Chikuni sinks Zuze as Sahondo steals show
Branton Matondo
TelOne gaffer Tendai Chikuni proved too good for Clemence Zuze as the telecom boys triumphed over a veteran spinned Chapungu side in a cup match dubbed Iyawozve played at Ascot stadium last week.
The initial fixture was that Sheasham who finished tops in the league play runners up TelOne but the former had to decline the invitation due unconfirmed reasons.
Vumbachikwe, who finished third had a chance to fill the vacant position but after deliberation on regrouping expenses and exercises by the pay masters, the Gatsi Mukombwe coached mining based outfit were forced to pull out.
Chapungu filled the vacant position after the army side finished fourth on the log standing.
The tournament was first of its kind in the region and sponsored by The Zingwe Brothers who are well known in Gweru.
Two goals that set the two Gweru teams apart came courtesy of former Zpc Kariba topman Blessing Sibanda and former Zpc Munyati, Chapungu and Ngezi Platinum striker Blessing ‘Odega’ Sahondo in the second half.
Sahondo who was top goal scorer of the just ended 2022 Central region season with 16 goals averaging a goal per 146 minutes.
The former Fc Platinum Under 19 winger who had to come from the bench to rule the Ascot roost was delighted with the victory and said his objective is always to better his efforts in a career that has already spanned for seven years.
“I started on the bench. It was the coach’s plan and then I came in second half. I scored coming from the bench and then Blessing scored again to make it two. This is a memorable moment, one that will push me to aim high,” he said.
While commenting on his league exploits, Odega said his objective is not to compete with other players but to focus on his abilities and where he can improve.
“I am proud to be the top goal scorer of Central region but my aim is not to compete with anyone but to be better than I was yesterday,” added Sahondo.
Chapungu failed to avenge their 1 nil loss to TelOne in a league fixture that was also played at Ascot stadium.
An attempt to contact Chapungu head coach Clemence Zuze was fruitless as his cell was unreachable until time of writing.
Iyawoze representative Blessed Zingwe assured Central region fans that Iyawozve is just beginning and more is to be expected. He detailed on the true origin of the word Iyawozve and why it is suits generis.
“The name Iyawozve is a brand name for the director Blessed Zingwe who also happens to be a musical artist. The name originated from our mother who would always say Iyawozve if something startles her. Gweru has never had such a cup before,” said Zingwe.
He added that the sponsorship is going to stay as more is expected in this bubble of giving back to the community.
“Iyawozve cup is there to stay and it will grow bigger than this. The support we got was overwhelming and has electrified Blessed Zingwe and crew to even improve the sponsorship. The Zingwes were born and bred in Gweru, so we need to plough back to the community,” he added.
Despite the stellar display of sporting community investment by the Zingwe Brothers, football fanatics in the Central Region which spans from Kwekwe to Beitbridge still lament lack of cup games.
One football fanatic identified as John Sambati from Gweru said now is the time that Central Region brings tournaments and cup games on the table.
“Central Region top brass is disappointing us. The love that we have for the game has to be complemented by cup games and that is what we expect,” said Sambati.
Another soccer fan from the mining town of Kwekwe said cup games are good sources of game time adding that Central region should replicate what is happening in the Northern region.
“Yes, Central region has few teams but that does not give men at Central region offices in Gweru room to abandon the idea of cup games. Let’s pluck a leaf from Northern region. By doing so we can add some energy to our league and maximize game time to other players,” he said.
Measles outbreak: Manicaland still red zone
TellZim reporter
Cases of the deadly measles disease among infants continue to recur in the country with Manicaland province where the disease was first noticed and wreaked havoc topping national charts on new cases.
According to the Situational Report released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care on their official twitter handle as at September 1, 2022, Manicaland recorded 38 new cases of the disease, highest of all the country’s 10 provinces.
Following in second position is Mashonaland East with 29 while in third position is Midlands with 21 new cases. Matabeleland South recorded 13 while Harare has 7 new cases.
The information released also revealed that Manicaland has a total of 2 737 cases (1 491 male, 1246 female). Of that total, 486 have been vaccinated while 1932 are unvaccinated while the status of 319 remains unknown.
1 454 were discharged from care while 949 are still in care.
The province has also reported a total of 334 deaths with two of them being new. No institutional deaths were recorded.
In Masvingo province, a total of 401 cases were recorded with 211 being male while 190 are female. 142 were vaccinated while 169 were not and 91 have their status unknown. 357 were discharged from care.
A total of 44 community deaths were recorded with 0 institutional ones.
Midlands province recorded a total of 518 cases with 261 being male and 257 female. 47 children were vaccinated while 355 were not but the status of the other 118 remains unknown.
462 were discharged leaving none in care.
The province recorded 56 community and 0 institutional deaths.
The national total according to the situational report stands at 5 843 with 3 108 male and 2 735 being female and among them 108 are new cases.
Nationally, 1 575 were vaccinated while 3 402 are unvaccinated with 769 having an unknown status.
4 212 were discharged from care while 983 were still in care.
A total 648 deaths were recorded with 647 being from communities with 1 institutional.
Unbeaten Greenfuel secures Eastern region PSL ticket
Fredrick Moyo
Chisumbanje-based outfit Greenfuel FC, led by former Dynamos soccer star and veteran coach Lloyd Mutasa has secured Eastern Region Premier Soccer League (PSL) sole ticket with three games to spare.
Greenfuel became the second team to be promoted into the PSL for the 2023 soccer season after playing to a goalless draw away to Grayham FC, collecting the much needed point to gain promotion while at the same time consolidating their unbeaten run that now stands at 25 games.
Greenfuel is yet to taste defeat after winning 19 and drawing 6. They took their points tally to 63 points, nine clear of second-placed Mutare City Rovers who are sitting on 54.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mutasa said he is happy with the promotion as it is not an easy job to take a team to another level and dedicated the promotion to the players and all other stakeholders involved.
“The promotion means a lot to me and it is a massive achievement to take a team from one level to another, managing these youngsters and moving on a rough trail like Division One takes more than a man and a lot to achieve that.
“We say thanks to God the Almighty, the supporters who cheered us all the way and all the stakeholders that made everything easy for us, the players and their families, technical team, sponsors, drivers, cooks, all those people played an important role as football is all about team work where everyone plays his/her job,” said Mutasa.
The gaffer added that he will not give his boys too much pressure as his primary aim is to stay afloat in the PSL and be in a better position when the league season ends.
“For a start, the team as league debutants, we would want to remain there and be in a better position as well and if anything pops up it will be a bonus. We do not have to put ourselves under too much pressure and we know the young boys have the capacity to do well, so we will not give them unnecessary pressure,” added Mutasa.
The veteran coach is pleased with the boys’ performance as they are yet to lose the full set of three points in the remaining three games of the league.
“I am happy with the boys’ performance, it is all about hard work, putting our feet on the ground, respecting all the teams that we play against in the league. I simply told the boys that let’s play as if we are playing a cup final as you do not get any medals if you lose, so we approached every game with the same philosophy and try to collect maximum points in every game that we play,” said Mutasa.
In Central Region, John Nyikadzino-led side Sheasham affectionally known as ‘The Construction boys’ in the football circles secured promotion into the PSL last weekend after running riot over Loss Control who are under the guidance of John Phiri.
Sheasham previously failed to win the sole ticket on the final match day last season when they lost to Beitbridge-based side Dulibadzimu paving way to eventual winners Whawha FC.
Former premier league outfit Hwange FC are looking forward to return into the top-flight league as they are leading the pack in the Southern Region while Northern Region log leaders Simba Bhora are also on the verge of securing the top-flight ticket as they are four points clear of second-placed Herentials U20 FC while third-placed Golden Eagles lost grip on the PSL ticket after losing to struggling CUMA Academy.
Mwenezi man arrested for raping own daughter
Cephas Shava
Mwenezi –A 37 year-old Mwenezi man who took advantage of the absence of his wife at their homestead and raped his own 11 year-old daughter who was left in his custody by her mother was recently arrested.
The man (who cannot be named for ethical reasons) resides in Ngwenya village under Chief Mazetese of Mwenezi West.
Appearing before Mwenezi Magistrate Faina Makumbe on August 30, the man who was not asked to plead to the charges was remanded in custody pending trial set to be held at Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Court.
Presenting the State case prosecutor Hardlife Machando alleged that sometime in March last year; the accused took advantage of instances when his wife would be away and on several occasions raped his own daughter.
The matter came to light recently leading to the accused’s immediate arrest.
In a related case, a 66 year-old man (name withdrawn) from Bhukuvhani village under Chief Neshuro appeared before Magistrate Makumbe on the same day facing three counts of raping his nine year-old niece.
The three counts which occurred since 2019 were discovered recently after the minor opened up to one of her relatives leading to the man’s recent arrest.
Teachers bemoan displacement from respective polling stations
Branton Matondo
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) leadership has taken electoral management body Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to task accusing the latter of failing to respect the democratic rights of teachers when it comes to elections in the country as they are often deployed from the polling stations they are registered to vote at.
ARTUZ also took to Twitter and request to convene an engagement with ZEC concerning the issue of deployment of teachers to polling stations where they are not registered thereby depriving them of their right to vote.
An inquiry on the state of deployment on the previous presidential elections held in 2018 shows that a total of 40000 teachers were disenfranchised through deployment exercises by ZEC.
As part of preparation towards the upcoming general elections next year, ARTUZ called for a meeting with ZEC for a way forward.
“During general elections, ZEC deploys teachers to various constituencies around the country as polling officers. We have observed that in the previous elections, many teachers failed to cast their votes due to the fact that they were deployed to constituencies where they are not registered voters. It is against this background that we request for a meeting with the Commission to deliberate further on the issue and assist each other in mapping the best way forward. Cognizant of the fact that it is not feasible to change your polling station when the voters roll is already closed, we propose that teachers should be notified of the constituencies and specific polling stations in which they are going to serve as polling officers before the voters’ roll is closed,” read the tweet.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure said the move to meet with ZEC is to invigorate democracy for teachers who are also equal citizens of Zimbabwe.
“We just want to strengthen our democracy by affording all deserving citizens their right to vote. Polling officials are usually displaced from their polling stations, this should be a thing of the past.
“Definitely the Commission should be invest in protecting the voting rights of all citizens,” said Masaraure when questioned on the motive of their request,” Masaraure said.
With less than a week before opening of schools for the third term, ARTUZ also made an official request to government on September 1 for the employer to award them a cushion allowance so that teachers report for duty or else the education system faces repercussions come September 6.
Through the official statement released by ARTUZ Secretary General Robson Chere, the union called for government to prioritize stated interventions to avoid implosion in the educational system.
“ARTUZ which is legally registered and represent teachers across the country, do hereby write to you as stakeholders seeking your urgent intervention to avoid implosion in the educational sector. A survey we carried out amongst our members, and also considering the general rise in the cost of living, as well as currency fluctuations, the net earnings of teachers have been depleted and eroded. This has resulted in serious incapacitation,” read part of the statement.
The letter specified proposed interventions by ARTUZ.
“We therefore request urgent payment of at least US$ 200 as a cushion to enable teachers to report for duty pending restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries, government is to respond to previous correspondence dated June 22, sector specified allowances that consider the salary structures and it is not proper to have a general hand from another ministry earning more than a professional teacher and engagements of civil servants in general to discuss cost of living,” added the statement.
Also Masaraure said the request is already in the pipeline as salary resolve continues to be a priority among teachers across Zimbabwe.
“We have made a request for the urgent disbursement of at least US$ 200 cushion for every teacher to enable them to travel back to work. Government promised to resolve the salary crisis in September so the US$ 200 will enable teachers to settle bills and travel to work for smooth schools opening. We are hopeful that government will play the ball and protect the right to education for our almost 5 million active learners,” said Masaraure.
Meanwhile the outspoken union leader had a word to say on the Rwanda-Zimbabwe relations on the export of literacy bearers to the east African country.
Permanent Secretary to Rwanda Ministry of Education Charles Karayke led a recruitment programme of more than 400 teachers in August.
Teachers selected to head Rwanda will earn between US$ 300 and 700 however an analysis of online Rwanda salary pegs indicate that salaries of A2 workers has reached Rwf 95596 which is equivalent to R1 546,59.
“Zimbabwe has a glaring shortage of almost 90 000 teachers. We don’t have the luxury to export teachers. We need those teachers in our schools. Secondly, the Rwandan government is not bound to respect the labour rights of these exported teachers, so there is a real risk of abuse of the teachers. Things are not looking good for our education sector we need to seriously invest in rescuing the sector from collapse,” said Masaraure.
He added that government’s total attention on austerity measures has cast a blind eye on the shambles within the education system.
“The government adopted austerity measures and the hallmark of austerity is to cut on public expenditure. They are preoccupied with saving and are now blind to the desperate situation in our schools. We can’t rule out the genius from the Rwandese side, they are determined to build their nation and could have sweet talked our government and convinced them to let go of their key human resources,” he added.