Home Blog Page 29

Late Councilor Masimba’s widow throws hat in ring for by-election

TellZim News
-
0
Late Councilor Masimba’s widow throws hat in ring for by-election

By Staff Reporter

In a surprise but bold move, Tsungai Mandati, the widow of late CCC Councilor Tafara Masimba, who passed away on July 12, was nominated as one of the five candidates for the Masvingo City Ward 7 by-election scheduled for September 14, 2025.

Mandati successfully filed her candidacy at the nomination court that sat on August at the Civic Centre and her decision comes barely two months after her husband’s passing, sparking debate about the timing of her candidacy.

Many believed she should still be in mourning, but she has seemingly put aside her widow’s weeds (mourning clothes) to pursue a political career and replace her husband as councilor.

Notably, Mandati is the only woman in the race, and if she wins, she will become the second ballot-elected councilor at Masvingo City.

According to sources, other councilors had resolved to recommend Mandati for employment at the council so that she could fend for her family, but that plan could be ruined if she loses the election.

Mandati faces stiff competition from four other candidates, including two other independent candidates Struggle Desire Nyahunda and Prosper Tiringindi as well as Simbarashe Shonhiwa from Zanu PF, and Prosper Mataruse from MDC-T.

However, her chances of winning appear slim, given the lack of support from opposition bigwigs in Masvingo. The local MP, Mayor, and other councilors are reportedly rallying behind Nyahunda who seems to be the favourite with the opposition candidates.

Moreover, her late husband’s legacy doesn’t seem to be a factor that could work in her favor, as he did not leave behind a significant impact that she could leverage.

 The presence of several independent candidates could split the vote, potentially handing Zanu PF an easy victory. Nyahunda had stepped aside in 2023, allowing Masimba and Tiringindi to contest the primaries.

However, Tiringindi now has the backing of activists and former Zinasu members including some at national level who are close to former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.

Many believe that the independent candidates belong to the Chamisa faction but sources suggest that Chamisa distanced himself from the independent candidates to avoid being associated with their potential loss.

Chiredzi man stabs patron for speaking to his bartender ex-wife

TellZim News
-
0
Chiredzi man stabs patron for speaking to his bartender ex-wife

By TellZim Reporter

The heroes’ holiday was turned into mourning after a violent incident unfolded at Farai Bar in Tshovani, Chiredzi, on Monday August 11 evening, resulting in the fatal stabbing of a young man.

The now deceased Cornelius Garawaziva (20) was stabbed on the left side of the chest by Walter Checha (44), who is the ex-husband of bartender Vimbai Mwaizuya, after Checha became enraged over Garawaziva’s friendly conversation with Mwaizuya.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the incident and announced that Checha has been arrested.

“We have a report where a 20 year old man was stabbed and died on the spot in a Bar in Chiredzi after an altercation involving the accused’s ex-wife who is the local bartender.

Sources close to the incident said Garawaziva had been drinking at the bar since 7 pm and engaged in a brief conversation with Mwaizuya around 9:30 pm while purchasing a snooker token.

The two’s interaction sparked Checha’s anger, leading him to confront Garawaziva asking him what he was discussing with his ex-wife and went on to fatally stab him with an unknown object.

The police were notified leading to the arrest of Checha who is set to appear in court.

Masvingo man cleared after sex worker stabbing conviction     

TellZim News
-
0
Masvingo man cleared after sex worker stabbing conviction     

By staff Reporter

MASVINGO – In a dramatic turn of events, a 19-year-old Mashava man, Collen Majoni, is now a free man after he was cleared of murder charges after a sex worker, Sarah Kwangwa, used a knife he provided to fatally stab a patron at Legacy Night Club.

He was acquitted when he appeared before Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Helena Charewa.

Kwangwa’s murder charge was reduced to culpable homicide, likely due to her intoxication at the time of the incident, and she was convicted of the lesser charge and was sentenced to two years behind bars but will serve one effectively since one year was conditionally suspended.

Majoni who was represented by Collen Maboke of Ruvengo Maboke Legal Practitioners was acquitted after pleading not guilty to the charges, claiming he had no knowledge of Kwangwa’s intentions when he handed her the knife.

The incident occurred on August 1, 2024, around 2:30 am, after Kwangwa was allegedly fondled by Davison Zvenherera while dancing at the nightclub.

When Kwangwa tried to retaliate with an empty bottle, Majoni intervened, restraining her. Later, Kwangwa asked Majoni for his Okapi knife, claiming she needed it when going out of the club.

She then lured Zvenherera outside and stabbed him. Kwangwa was sentenced to two years in jail, with one year to be served effectively.

In court, Maboke argued that Majoni had no common purpose with Kwangwa and didn’t know she would use the knife to harm anyone.

The court agreed, acquitting Majoni due to lack of evidence linking him directly to the crime.

Masvingo Government offices get lights after TellZim News exposé     

TellZim News
-
0
Masvingo Government offices get lights after TellZim News exposé     

By staff Reporter

The lights are back on in Masvingo government offices after the government acted fast to fix the electricity crisis, which was sparked by a TellZim News report.

 Government offices, including the District Registry and Provincial Registry, were severely affected by the power outage, but swift action by authorities has restored electricity, ensuring minimal disruption to essential services.

The prepaid electricity meters, introduced to streamline payments, had backfired, leaving critical offices in darkness and crippling service delivery.

Government complexes, housing, Provincial Registry, Legal Aid Directorate, and Prison Services among others, were among those severely affected.

The Public Works department, responsible for maintaining government infrastructure, was also impacted, despite being responsible for facilitating payments for other departments.

TellZim News highlighted the plight of these offices, where employees were struggling to provide essential services to citizens due to the lack of electricity. The situation was made direr by the fact that some government offices were operating in deplorable conditions.

TellZim News had previously exposed the toilet crisis at the Provincial Registry offices, where over 100 people were sharing a single toilet, creating inhumane conditions. The public outcry that followed prompted the public works department to take action, and the facilities were finally renovated.

Following the recent publication on the electricity crisis, the government has reportedly taken steps to address the challenge.

Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo Public Works boss Peter Muzite were futile as there connection interruption several times when TellZim News reached out.

However, officials who spoke to TellZim News confirmed the development saying they were happy with the swift action by the responsible authorities.

“I can confirm that the lights are back on in most of the affected offices. The government has taken swift action to address the issue, and we’re grateful for the attention to this matter,” said the official.

Another source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, thanked TellZim News for shedding light on the issue.

“Kudos to TellZim News for exposing the electricity crisis in our offices,” the source said. The report sparked action, and we’re hopeful that this will bring lasting relief to our offices and the people we serve,” said another official.

Government departments, including education, police, and the army, owe Masvingo City Council millions of local currency for water services, further straining the city’s resources.

Smuggling fears as Cross Borders 4ED claims immunity

TellZim News
-
0
Smuggling fears as Cross Borders 4ED claims immunity

By Staff Reporter

There is potential smuggling and abuse of power in Zimbabwe’s cross-border trade after the Cross Borders for ED association claimed its members were “untouchables” due to their affiliation with the President.

Speaking at the handover of Presidential seed money to Cross Borders 4ED Masvingo provincial chapter, National Chairperson David Janhi Masomere, popularly known as DJ Masomere, said members of the association were supposed to buy a member’s card which comes with several benefits.

Masomere said if a member was arrested along the way, he would intervene and speak to the police or the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) official on behalf of the member and name-drop the President’s name.

“The advantages of being a member and having a card is that we intervene if you are arrested or if you have any problem with Zimra. I, DJ Masomere, will talk to them and say these are the President’s children, let them go. You Cross Borders 4ED are different from others; the 4ED differentiates you from the rest, and if you get arrested, we will stand with you,” said Masomere.

Masomere complained that roadblocks were too many from Beitbridge to Masvingo, saying there should be one search point to allow a smooth flow of goods.

“Minister (Chadzamira), we have a plea; Cross Borders are crying foul over Panyanda roadblock. That is a serious one; you won’t pass. We do not want re-searches; they have become too much.

“You get searched at the border, and after a few meters, others say you were not thoroughly searched; we want to redo. They do the same at Bubi, Rutenga, Ngundu, Chibi Turnoff, Wimpy (Nyanda), so we appeal if it’s possible, Minister, remove all Zimra at the border and replace them with competent ones so that we have one search point,” said Masomere.

He said the President had constructed the Masvingo-Beitbridge road, but the delays caused by roadblocks were similar to those caused by the old road.

Responding to Masomere, Chadzamira said the Cross Borders 4ED were important to ZANU PF and the government, so he would look into the issues raised.

“Your wing is important to ZANU PF and the government, so we will sit down with others to see how we can address concerns,” said Chadzamira.

He, however, said the roadblocks were necessary at times, as the police would be targeting those smuggling drugs. He also said there were corrupt police officials who were after fattening their pockets at the blocks.

“We know some will be smuggling drugs, so the police will be after those. However, we know some are corrupt and want to fatten their pockets through searches,” said Chadzamira.

He urged the beneficiaries to put the money into good use, warning them against using it to smuggle.

The association’s demands for a single search point and an end to repeated searches at roadblocks, including Panyanda, Bubi, Rutenga, Ngundu, Chibi Turnoff, and Wimpy (Nyanda), have sparked debate about the balance between facilitating trade and preventing illicit activities.

Twenty-six cross-border operators benefited from the seed money, with each getting not more than $500. Each one is expected to return the money after two months without interest.

Chief empowers village heads to collect school fees, gets 10%

TellZim News
-
0
Chief empowers village heads to collect school fees, gets 10%

By TellZim Reporter

Chief Mugabe born Matubede Mudavanhu has sparked another controversy by empowering village heads in his area to collect outstanding school fees, with a 10 percent commission on each collection. This move has raised concerns about the legality of the arrangement and the potential for abuse of power.

Several village heads who spoke to TellZim News said the decision was announced during a meeting between Chief Mugabe and his village heads, known as Pfigamwedzi.

The chief went on to confirm the move to TellZim News saying it was aimed at helping schools recover thousands of dollars in unpaid fees from villagers, some of which date back 10 years.

He said it was after careful consideration and meetings with schools in the area when they reached the agreement with schools committing to pay a 10percent of the fees collected to the village head.

“We had a meeting with the school administration and the school development committees, and we agreed that village heads should intervene to help schools recover their dues.

“We have discovered that some learners are already in secondary school or have completed secondary school, but they did not pay fees in primary school. We cannot allow this situation to continue; we have to step in,” said Mugabe.

One village head confirmed that parents often transfer their children without the school’s approval, leaving unpaid balances.

“It’s true, we were asked to collect fees, and we have noted that some people transfer their children when they see that their bills have become unbearable for them. We have to intervene for schools to get their money,” said

However, Masvingo Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike, has questioned the legality of the arrangement, citing concerns about how the schools will acquit the 10% commission.

“I am not aware of such an arrangement, and I will enquire from the District Schools Inspector (DSI),”  “That arrangement is illegal, and I don’t know how the schools will acquit the money,” said Mhike.

This is not the first time Chief Mugabe has made headlines for controversy. Recently, he asked for powers to prosecute big criminal cases like murder and rape, sparking debate about the role of traditional leaders in the justice system.

The arrangement has sparked concerns about the potential for abuse of power and exploitation of villagers. It remains to be seen how the schools will acquit the 10 percent commission and whether the arrangement will be successful in recovering the outstanding fees.

Government debt paralyses Masvingo City        

TellZim News
-
0
Government debt paralyses Masvingo City        

By Beverly Bizeki           

Government’s failure to settle its ballooning debt to Masvingo City Council is crippling its basic service delivery, with claims that the local authority is now owed millions by various government departments.

The staggering debt was revealed during a recent full council meeting and has been blamed for delayed infrastructure repairs, chronic pipe bursts, and the city’s growing struggle to fund critical services.

Speaking during the meeting, Ward 6 Councilor Wilstaf Sitemere raised the issue, citing government’s failure to settle its debts while the city council remains under pressure to meet financial obligations to other government entities like Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

 “I am worried about our ballooning debts, for instance we owe Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) ZWL$59.6 million and yet there is a quite a huge public debt owed to council through government institutions.

We are making efforts to pay ZIMRA which is government but government owes us $108 million. There is need to have debt settlement agreements which are realistic otherwise would not be complaining about issues such as the 52 water bursts reported in the previous months,” said Sitemere.

Sitemere said the local authority had capable engineers who could not address challenges that the city was facing due to a lack of funds.

“The 52 water bursts recorded are as a result of procurement, we have very competent engineers but there are no materials to address those issues,” said Sitemere.

Ward 9 Councilor and Finance Committee Chairperson Benard Muchokwa said council was exploring debt arrangements with creditors like ZESA but warned that the energy costs were unsustainable for the local authority.

“We are trying to come up with a set off arrangement with ZESA because we also have services that we are offering them. The honest truth is ZESA is unsustainable for this institution, it is expensive for us, and we owe them more than they do.

“This is why as a committee we call for the implementation of the water augmentation phase two which will go a long way into cutting electricity costs. We are pumping water over long distances more than other local authorities do,” said Muchokwa.

Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe said there was a need for a dialogue with the Ministry of Local Government since the issue was affecting service delivery amongst all local authorities as treasury delays disbursement of funds.

“The issue that government institutions are not owning up their payments is not only affecting Masvingo, it now requires a policy engagement at national level. As city council we are taxed at the same time government owes us a lot of money, the few collections that we would have made will be garnished which paralyses service delivery,” said Tabe.

Tabe said there was a need for government to address the matter so that councils could also meet their obligations in service delivery.

“We are compelled by the ministry to meet service delivery standards but the treasury is not owning up payments to the institutions so that they will be able to pay us so that we also pay our debts.

“There is one local authority that had their accounts garnished which means when there is no money there is no service delivery hence the need for a national dialogue with our minister to see how we can bridge the existing gap,” said Tabe.

Another case of neglect uncovered at Bikita Rural Hospital

TellZim News
-
0
Another case of neglect uncovered at Bikita Rural Hospital

By Brighton Chiseva

Another case of neglect has emerged at Bikita Rural Hospital, just days after a similar incident involving a nurse Progress Muzuva, rocked the same facility.

Mary Mutingwende, a widow and former cook at the hospital, is struggling to survive after being terminated on medical grounds in September 2024. Despite her lengthy service, Mutingwende has not received any payment from the government, leaving her unable to afford basic necessities like medication, food, and school fees for her child.

Her health issues, including high blood pressure and a painful back, have forced her into retirement, and she remains at the hospital almost a year later due to her inability to afford transportation for her belongings.

However, efforts to get a comment from Bikita District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Thalia Mungwari and the Provincial Medical Doctor (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu were futile as both their mobile phones went unanswered several times.

The timing of Mutingwende’s case is particularly concerning, coming on the heels of a similar incident involving Muzuva, a nurse who was severely on duty in 2018.

Muzuva’s ordeal began when a violent patient assaulted her during an ambulance trip, resulting in a fractured leg and chronic back pain.

Despite her condition, Muzuva claims the Ministry of Health and Child Care has abandoned her, placing her on ordinary sick leave instead of compensatory sick leave.

The Ministry’s handling of Muzuva’s case has been questioned, her situation is dire, and her condition continues to deteriorate due to lack of proper medical attention and financial support.

Mutingwende’s situation is equally dire, as her situation not only affects her but also deprives other nurses and staff who may be facing accommodation challenges.

Mutingwende said she was once asked to leave, but she cannot go unless she gets her dues. She fears that once she moves out, the hospital and other relevant stakeholders will no longer have any reason to help her.

“They once asked me to leave the house but I cannot move, I have no money to transport my belongings and staying here is the only hope I have to get help,” said Mutingwende.

Her attempts to follow up on her case have been met with little success, with the district and provincial offices telling her that her matter is being handled at the headquarters in Harare. However, she lacks the financial resources to travel to Harare to pursue her case, leaving her in a state of limbo.

“I am sick and have no money to travel up and down. The district and provincial offices said they submitted my papers to the head office so there is nothing they can do to help me. I am now losing hope and I appeal to the relevant departments to look into my issue,” said Mutingwende.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s response to both Mutingwende’s and Muzuva’s situations has been woefully inadequate, with many calling for urgent action to address the systemic issues that have led to their plight.

The struggles of Mutingwende and Muzuva highlight the need for a more efficient and compassionate approach to handling employee welfare and compensation.

Time to Travel: Junior Group of Schools take learners on International tours

TellZim News
-
0
Time to Travel: Junior Group of Schools take learners on International tours

By Staff Reporter

Junior High School is in the midst of an action-packed year of travel in 2025, with a range of exciting trips currently ongoing for its learners, as they declare “It’s Time to Travel.” The school has announced three separate tours, catering to different interests and geographical preferences.

The trips include an international trip to Malaysia, which is currently underway from August 1st to 6th, 2025, where learners are exploring iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers and experiencing the country’s diverse cuisine.

A regional trip to Cape Town, South Africa, is also ongoing from August 1st to 5th, 2025, allowing learners to explore the city’s stunning natural beauty, including Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope.

Additionally, a local trip to Victoria Falls, one of Zimbabwe’s most iconic natural wonders, is currently taking place from August 2nd to 5th, 2025, offering learners the opportunity to experience white-water rafting, bungee jumping, or simply taking in the breathtaking views.

According to Director Noah Marima, the school’s international trips aim to expose learners to different cultures and the real world, as well as new technologies used in schools around the world. This initiative began with a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in July 2024, which was the inaugural trip.

Meanwhile, the school is now open for registration for the 2026 academic year. The Cambridge International Examinations Form 1 Entrance Test will be administered on August 8 and 9, 2025.

 The entrance test is a highly competitive assessment that will determine which learners will secure a place in the school’s prestigious Form 1 class. The registration fee for the test is $20.

Interested candidates can register for the test by contacting the school at 0782 238 026, 0786 044 585, or 0786 044 303, or by emailing info@juniorhighschool.ac.zw. The school is located at 30588 Lundi Drive Rhodene, Masvingo. The test will take place at the Junior High School, starting at 9 am on both days. Learners are expected to arrive early and be prepared for the assessment.

By registering for the entrance test, learners will be taking the first step towards a new academic journey and a brighter future. The school is committed to providing a world-class education that fosters academic excellence, innovation, and character development.

Cultivating hope, Mahaba garden’s story of resilience

TellZim News
-
0
Cultivating hope, Mahaba garden’s story of resilience

By Brighton Chiseva

Who would have thought that sweet potatoes (Mbambaira), typically grown under natural rainfall, could thrive under drip irrigation? Yet, in Mahlaba Garden, Mazvihwa area, Zvishavane, this innovative approach is revolutionizing the way the community grows its crops.
Located in a region plagued by water scarcity, the garden’s 75 members, mostly women, have adopted drip irrigation to cultivate sweet potatoes, a cash crop that promises to bring sustenance and prosperity.
The story of Mahlaba Garden is one of resilience and determination. Initially divided into two separate gardens, the community realized that one garden’s reliance on a small dam was depleting the water source for cattle.
In a wise decision, the two gardens merged, opting to use borehole water for irrigation. This not only conserved water for livestock but also ensured a steady supply for the garden.
The garden’s journey began with nutrition crops like covo, cabbages, peas, carrots, and tomatoes among others, which met the community’s nutritional needs.
However, realizing the need for cash income, they introduced cash crops. Green mealies were the first cash crop, yielding an impressive income of over US$1,000.
This initial success paved the way for the current sweet potato project, strategically timed to target a ready market when the commodity is scarce. By using drip irrigation, the community is able to conserve water, a precious resource in this arid region.
The garden is diverse, with sections dedicated to germinating watermelons, maize, a larger portion of sweet potatoes and the other section with vegetables, tomatoes, peas and carrots.
On July 29, the garden hosted a successful field day, winning over US $800 in competitions against other local gardens. The event brought together stakeholders who shared ideas and goods with the community.
The guest of honor at the event, Norman Mugiya who is Ranaka Group of companies Director and was represented by the companies’ manager Shame Katongo, commended the collaborative work between the farmers and Agritex officers, noting its positive impact and donated a Jojo tank and a 400m pipe to aid in irrigation, further supporting the garden’s growth.
“I am impressed by the work being done here, the collaboration between the farmers and the extension workers,” said Katongo
He expressed the organisation’s interest in partnering with the garden saying they would provide goods like school stationery, inputs, and chemicals at discounted rates for bulk purchases, saving farmers transportation costs and benefiting from economies of scale.
Ruswa Holdings representative Itai Vandirai urged the community to approach new markets to avoid competition from the traditional markets where they supply direct to organizations that require their produce.
“We need to target markets that are not the traditional ones like fruit and vegetable markets but approach new markets like private clinics, lodges, and hotels which may need fresh garden produce for their clients, said Vandirai.
Agric 24, an Agri-shop based in Zvishavane, also participated in the field day. Agric 24 had a working relationship with the garden, having supplied drip kits and installed them for free.
Manyira school head, Anthony Mugiya, emphasized the importance of consuming nutritious food grown in the garden to prevent health challenges related to nutritional deficiencies.
“Some of the produce may not be tasty to others, but they have to be eaten for their benefits just like bitter medication, we take it for our health, so we should do the same with food,” said Mugiya.
He introduced a new slogan, ‘Murimi chaiye anodya zvaanoda panguva yaanoda, asi munhuwo zvake anoti chamuka inyama’ which means ‘A real farmer has a choice, chooses what to eat and at what time, but a nobody will eat anything that comes along their way.”
The garden operates under the slogan ‘Kana tiri pano tinodzidza, tadzokera tinoita’ meaning here we learn, when we get back we implement.” This reflects their commitment to applying knowledge and skills to achieve success.
Local Agritex officer who work with Mahlaba garden Owen Chikava commended the work by farmers saying the garden had become a source of employment for others.
“The garden has become a source of employment, providing jobs for two security guards. More importantly, it has ensured food security and nutrition for the community, with surplus produce sold to cover fees and other expenses,” said Chikava.
He said one of the garden partners had led them to the Prison and Correctional Services in Zvishavane wehere they got the sweet potato seed for free on an agreement that the prison services will get the seed back during rainy season.
The garden’s impact extends beyond economics; it has also reduced gender-based violence by empowering women to earn their own income and manage their finances.
As the community looks to the future, they plan to expand their operations, introducing fisheries, broilers, and layers to boost cash production.
Mahlaba Garden led by Chairperson Sikhanyiso Maturure is a shining example of what can be achieved through determination, innovation, and community spirit.
By embracing new approaches and working together, the community is securing a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Sweet Potatoes under drip irrigation
1...282930...958Page 29 of 958