Guys, let me first of all pay my last respects to the world’s longest serving monarchy whose passing on has set tongues wagging across the globe ndisingazivi kuti kudenga Ngirozi dzakafara here or dzakasuwa. Imi let’s respect our own Charumbiras nana Ndiweni kuno, the Whites respect theirs inga wani. Of course, the passing on of Queen Elizabeth has and is been topical of late with people from all walks of life having divided opinions along the kind of a person the late Queen was. Yaa, the Bible urges people not to judge, but a lot has been said of the late Queen who passed on at 95 saUncle Bob, haa what a coincidence. Negatively, some fingers are pointing to the role she played during the colonial era all over the globe and quite a number of people seem to express anti-Elizabeth sentiments kunyanya vari muZanu PF kkkkk hanzi maSanctions but zuro ndizuro the Croc was smiling kusvika kunzeve at Tony Blair the chief architect of sanctions.
Of course, some have a soft spot for the late and their opinion is just as good as would be their reasons and lines of argument as to why they think so. At least ED managed to pay his last respects not knowing if his position represented the whole party up from grassroots level. Anyway wafa Wanaka. Issues around her being leader of the ‘looting elite’ of Britain no longer hold any water looking at how she presided over matters that led to the upliftment of the British people.
SviReseach svakaitwa revealed kuti she was a better Monarchy than our democratically-elected leaders who eat on their own while she looted Africa and Asia much to the benefit of her whole people. Venyu vari kungomora kubva DRC ngoda vachitumira vana vechiuto kunofa kuhondo kusvika kwaMarange nekukorokoza gold shoma rakasiyiwa nanaRhodes for their own pockets. Apa varikuba vachifunga pamusoro pemhuri dzavo chete. Gogo Eliza nevamwe vavo vairangarira nyika yavo yese and up to now they are enjoying the fruits of colonising Africa and the rest of the world. Zvino vedu vane umbimbindoga and are good at feeding foreigners, the Chinese are eating better than us. Vabvandiripo kudya kudarika vobwo.
But ladies and gentlemen, when is Mohadi going to be replaced, doesn’t our constitution talk of two VPs? Kana zvanetsa vanodii kupa zvavo ini Mapombi, after all kwaitombonzi one should be a lady before the aita pfungwa dzekudawo chimuti kkk. We need Kembo’s replacement please. This brings me to the topic of the day kkk. The ministry of State Security was abolished after the sacking of Mudha why, why not replacing it, Obadiah Moyo was replaced wani naChiwenga. Icho Odadiah chakazoendepiko kkkk. I thought Mudha was fired and has gone into hibernation but alas, I have just heard that the ‘Godfather’ of violence whose conduct does not commensurate with a cabinet minister which led to his sacking is still conducting party business in Midlands. Haa, I just kept my fingers crossed when Mudah was fired because I knew the way Zanu PF loves violence, they could not dispose of warlike characters like him. I think we were just deceived paya, he was relieved of ministerial duties to concentrate on sharpening the Machetes as we approach 2023. I think this explains why maShurugwi ange akanyarara all along, vari busy kurodza mabhemba because their leader is still in the game.
I have heard on a number of occasions people saying violence makes up Zanu PF DNA and had reservations. Since then, I thought he was gone but ndikutoona zvangu kuti that was just wishful thinking. Mudha still holds a post in the party’s provincial structures coupled with the re-admission of his Cde in character and the current Bulawayo provincial chairperson Jabulani mmmm brace for a blood bath. Coz their tag team is ruthless.
You think I am lying? Remember who is the architect of the March attacks in Kwekwe which claimed the life of Mboneni Ncube? Ko paGokwe Kubuyuni akamhanyisa team Nero vakaita ziya nemutsoka ndiyani kkkk. That is why they eliminated their match in CCC, Sikhala always want to answer fire with fire unlike the peace loving Nero kkkk. I also overheard gossip saying the former national security minister is leading one of the three Midlands factions with the other two belonging to Mavima and Mackenzie saka kwakaipa ikoko kkk.
Chinyika chedu chakaoma shuwa Mushurugwi kuitwa minister asi ED Mwari vave newe hako apo kwako kumusha Hichilema haasi kumbodaro. But Muda akambonyatsoparei chaizvo to warrant his dismissal, was he really a minister? Was it a real ministry? If yes, why has it sunk into oblivion and no successor appointed? Ko iye mhaka yaakanyanyopara ndeyei chaizvo nekuti ini kufunda ndakafunda chose but when the reason is just said to be conduct not expected of a government minister with no further explanation ummm I get lost. Haaa tichaziveiwo senyika? If Muda was fired for misconduct what about Wadyajena? Ko conduct yake iyo does it make him fit for a cabinet post or even just a law maker?
Saka neimwe nzira kuba kunokurudzirwa muZanu umu than zvimwe zvese. What does 2023 holds for Zimbabwe with this Midlands kunonzi kumusha kweNgwena where each of the three factions’ leaders would be working flat out to please their master? Haa ladies and gentleman, with violent rehearsals already been witnessed in the run- up to Gokwe-Kabuyuni by-election, I have got every reason to worry over the continued presence of this guy Mudha and his likely role in the campaigns judging by his love for violence.
Anyway, can someone up there tell this structure less party CCC to stop copying Zanu PF misdeeds, maJournalist haarohwe, that’s a taboo? Ndochinonzi chisakaonekwi. We don’t expect that especially from the alternative government. You are doing a disservice for yourself by these silly blunders and some are now sceptical kuti akapinda Murombe what will happen to the future of the fourth estate kana muchitanga kudai before you have any means to control power. Leave that to Zanu and prove to the people that you are better than them. Pfirai pasi imbwa dzinhonge. Umwe anotanda botso nazvo izvi.
On an almost similar note, I used to think it is only kuZanu where Security guards wear cheap nylon black suits and dark sheds but mmm, Nero is copying everything and perfecting some or I think someone is misleading him. Handisati ndamboona even ED’s body guards running vakakomba mota zviya. That’s how dictators start, if Nero is loved by people he should walk Scott free asiyane nezvivanhu zvine masuits zviya. Apa he is very jovial and wants to mix and mingle with people. We need a president who can drive on his own like zviya zvekaHonda Fit zviya. We don’t need a president anogara akakombwa isu. At least dai masuits acho akatonaka.
Those guys can never give him maximum security, if they really want to kill him they cannot do anything. Hapana hapana. One sniper can take him out of those black suits. Imi vakomana imi regai president afambe achitaura nevanhu. Akakombwa kudaro asati apinda kuzoti. Tsiurai mwana pachiri pedo imi rufu nderwaMwari munhu wese anofa.
Before I go hangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, can Zesa guys be serious, zvekungodzima dzima magetsi izvi hazvibhadhari. Town yese kuswera isina magetsi vanhu voshaya zvekuita and up taking strolls kuno kuchitima vachitipedzera mhepo yekufema and some of them even take mabananas meant for me ndorara nenzara. Iyo economic activity yazongodya magetsi this month ndeyeiko?
Is the Croc going to bury Gogo? Geeneral Kaneta vari kuvigwa riini and nani? Imi maZimba lets concentrate on bread and butter issues tisiye zvekuti hee he was invited or not. Next time mondiudzawo kuti kwaita rufu munyika nekuti dai aasiri umwe anofamba achiridza chiBhazuka chake ndaizozvinzwirepi zvaChanetsa izvi Kurufu hakukokwi munhu asi ukaona vanhu vongokambira kuinda unobva washaya kuti zvikufamba sei ah. Ko where is Mphoko when his son is being hauled before the courts. Kana kumbopawo kastatement zvako? Rume riya rakakurira pasina sure kkkkk regai ndinokanga zvangu maputi ini, kana mabva kunoviga mbuya please tell me kkkk. Mboko Imboko!!!
Mudha still kicking in Zanu PF
Dark cloud hovers over Masvingo as two school heads perish in car crash
Beverly Bizeki
A dark cloud engulfed Masvingo and threw The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) and Roman Catholic Churches into mourning following the death of two heads from their special needs school yesterday (September 15).
M-Hugo Primary School Head Mr Clever Madzokere was involved in accident together with Ratidzo Zimcare School Head Sabelo Zivurawa who also died on the spot and Copota High School head Alfred Madamombe who came out alive but in critical condition.
RCZ Education Secretary Dr Julius Witmos Mutumburanzou told TellZim News that the trio was travelling to Harare to process school fees from the government’s Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) programme for their respective schools when the car crashed at FairFields near Mvuma.
He said Madamombe is currently in Intensive Care Unit in Harare where he was transferred to from Chivhu hospital where he was rushed after the accident.
“They were going to Harare to process BEAM funds for their schools and Mr Madzokere had informed me of the journey and he was the one driving. Unfortunately, nobody knows exactly what happened but we are told the driver lost control of the vehicle and swerved to the opposite lane. There was a ditch on the other side of the road and the car rolled several times,” said Dr Mutumburanzou.
An eye witness however saw the vehicle moving for a distance of about 40 meters with its left wheels on gravel.
Details of both funerals were yet to be communicated by the time of writing but Dr Mutumburanzou said Madzokere is likely to be buried Tomorrow (Saturday Sept 17) in Gutu with mourners expected to be gathered at his place in Rujeko suburb.
Mugabe people appeal for infrastructural development
Valentine Makufa
People in Chief Mugabe’s area have appealed to Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) for development of infrastructure in their respective villages at an engagement meeting organized by TellZim News at the Chief Mugabe’s homestead recently.
Headmen, village heads and villagers outlined their challenges which among others include lack of proper roads, schools, clinics and clean water.
Headman Mudavanhu said there are poor roads in Chikarudzo and this has been a challenge in terms of transport and they also need a clinic within the area as pregnant women who need regular cherk ups have to part ways with a lot of money to travel to and from Morgenster Mission Hospital.
“In Chikarudzo, transport has become a problem due to poor roads. Recently two ladies gave birth at bus station waiting for transport to go to Morgenster Mission Hospital because our area is not accessible especially with smaller vehicles.
It is a very disturbing situation to us all as the new born babies belong to everyone. Therefore, we are pleading with council to construct roads and clinics in our area,” said Mudavanhu.
He went on to say people spend almost a day waiting to get water at the available borehole and added that their small irrigation was no longer functional as drilled boreholes are malfunctional.
“We are going to the borehole morning because if we let our wives go to fetch water, they can spend the whole day waiting for their chance to do so due to pressure.
Cheshango irrigation scheme in ward 13 is no longer functional because the pipeline broke and was never repaired. If we can go to the garden, we will not even find a bundle of vegetables due to lack of water for irrigation,” added Mudavanhu.
Chief Mugabe born Matubede Mudavanhu urged council to channel devolution funds in his area saying they had not benefited a single project from the funds.
“We have heard of devolution funds but have not seen their use in our area. Please do something so that we know what devolution funds are,” said Chief Mugabe.
He also advised his subjects to request a market for their farm produce and assured them that government has improvised treatment chemical for Theleriosis also known as January disease which killed cattle during the previous year.
“I have been watching news on television and government has introduced chemicals for January disease which will soon be provided to farmers,” he added.
Villagers also asked the local authority to build schools in the area as children are travelling long distances which are not only tiresome but dangerous and makes girls vulnerable.
The absence of schools are also resulting in children delaying to enroll at schools at proper ages as they will be very young to walk long distances to and from available schools which are Topora and Nemamwa.
“We do not have schools in our area. The only available schools are Topora and Nemamwa but they are very far.
Children have to walk past a very dangerous mountain with bush pigs. Some children have to go along the road and because of this our girls are being abused and impregnated by motorists who will be giving them free transport.
“Children are also skipping the Early Childhood Development (ECD) stage usually at four or five years of age and are starting school at the age of seven when they can now walk a 10km distance. Preparations and plans were made for a school construction at Masononga but no further developments were witnessed,” said one villager.
People also complained about lack of safe water as there are no sufficient boreholes within Chief Mugabe’s area of jurisdiction.
In some parts of the area there is only one borehole that supplies five other villages which results in pressure as that one borehole is overwhelmed.
Zaka man awarded pfumvudza farmer of the year
Beverly Bizeki
A man from Zaka district in Masvingo became the talk of the nation after he walked away with a tractor after winning Pfumvudza farmer of the year award at the recently held Harare Provincial Agricultural Show.
Consen Mutasa from Ndanga was recognized for his outstanding work that has yielded more than four tonnes of grain on his plot.
“I feel greatly honoured. I also believe I deserve it after all the hard work. I truthfully thank the government of Zimbabwe specifically our president His Excellency E D Mnangagwa for honouring me. My family, friends and relatives are a happy people as well,” said Mutasa.
Mutasa who owns a plot in Ndanga boasts of harvesting an average of 3 to 4.5 tonnes of maize on his plot which is only close to a hectare.
“Before understanding the essence of Pfumvudza, my produce wasn’t even enough for my family of six but now farming on that plot is business. I produce an average of 3 to 4.5 tonnes of maize yet part of the plot is used for other crops like round nuts, rapoko, sweet potatoes, cowpeas and sunflowers,” he added.
Zaka District Agritex Officer Kennedy Pedzisai applauded Mutasa’s work and said they are still waiting for an official handover ceremony of the tractor.
Mutasa urged other farmers to practice Pvumvudza farming in order to beat climate change effects.
“Pfumvudza is the best farming method to curb the effects of climate change if its principles are carefully followed.
“Mulching and infiltration pits are keys to successful Pfumvudza farming. It is about better harvest on smaller pieces of farming land,” Mutasa said.
He said adhering to Pfumvudza principles, accepting and putting into practice the knowledge and advice from agricultural extension officers are some of reasons behind his success story.
ZIMURA raises awareness on artists’ freedom violation
Innocent Muraiwa
Mutare- Following reports of vicious violation of artists’ rights to timely songs publication by producers within the country, Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has said it undermines the position of artists as the vital soldiers of entertainment.
Speaking on the rights of artists, ZIMURA Chief Executive Officer Polisiwe Ncube Chimhini said when recording songs, artists should first sign up an agreement with regards to the final processing period of the song so that they will not be lagging behind their expected publishing time.
“I have received a deluge of complaints from artists who after visiting nearest studios and get their music back some days after the production took place. Such acts are unlawful and if any artist feels they are suppressed of their right to timely songs publication due to producers’ deliberations, they should bring reports to the police as such illegal actions attract immediate punishment,” said Ncube.
Ncube further illustrated that it is unlawful for producers to alter the composed content of an artist’s songs without any form of consultation or consent from the latter.
Ncube unearthed some harrowing experiences which artists are encountering in the production industry saying artists have been pictured out as the most disdained group pertaining the upholding of their rights.
“Artists should not be subjected under the suffocating armpits of suppression because they play a pivotal role of entertainment,” added Chimhini.
One of artists in Mutare Tatenda Taruona said the moment they produce songs at the nearest studio, their songs will not be chased down for final editing in time and the time at which they bounce back, the songs will be parallel with that they would already have told fans to receive the good news.
Masvingo songster Marvellous Matimbe bemoaned how the delays affect progress of their music.
“As upcoming artists, we very much like to gain popularity muscle through releasing a number of songs in time, what then drags down progress is the exasperating pace of the producers who withhold our songs, thereby dispelling the public’s entertainment zeal.
“As artists with great influence in the music industry, there are people who at times book adverts with us so that we include adverts in the content, the more producers delay to release our songs, the more we create tensions with sponsors,” said Matimbe.
ZIMURA is an organization that safeguards and upholds the rights of artists so that as key for local and international entertainment, musicians will not be downgraded.
It plays a critical role through cultivating and inculcating solidarity among artists in the production industry so as to shun elements of cantankerous characters.
Council loses nearly US$ 7 million in illicit financial flows
Yeukai Munetsi
Gweru-City Council is under investigation after the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently revealed that the local authority’s utilized US$ 6 870 815 of estate funds for recurrent expenditure.
The revelation was made on September 5, 2022 by Gweru Urban MP Brian Dube who also chairs the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in a Gweru residents WhatsApp group and said the actions by Gweru are in violation of section 30 (p) of the Urban Councils Act.
“We are doing audit analysis right now as Public Accounts Committee and Gweru City was red-flagged and identified by Auditor General Mildred Chiri’s 2020 audit report as operating without an accounting policy and Procedure Manual and no updated Asset register.
“There is no evidence of ownership of five vehicles purchased by council. A Mazda T3500 bought by GCC is registered in the name of a Mr T35. So there is a serious risk of misappropriation, fraud or material errors,” said Dube.
Gweru Residents Forum chairperson Charles Mazorodze said council is using 2014 issues as an excuse instead of being answerable to citizens.
“It’s a scapegoat that council is using to escape from previous council resolutions. With the current setup, there are still councillors who served since 2014. What needs to be done is put strong control mechanisms like internal audits that are robust so that we can have a track record of various issues raised.
“It is critical that a proper and updated register is put in place, otherwise some of the properties might be misappropriated or council may not get revenue from some of the assets or properties. Council should own up and address issues that residents are demanding to know in terms of accountability,” said Mazorodze.
He added that the biggest challenge with council leaders is that they behave more like technocrats.
“We have a big challenge where we have policy makers behaving like policy implementers because they are justifying issues that are not up to standard with reference to their deliverables.
“If they put it as a standard of practice that we have accounts that are not audited or late then it becomes a serious problem of corporate governance wherein we are not in conformity with laws that govern how all councils should operate. We expect council through their mother bodies like Association of Rural District Councils (ARDCs) to lobby the Auditor General’s office as council themselves because they are the ones affected by failure of the auditor to issue out auditors. They should lobby at the highest level engage Urban Council Association of Zimbabwe to make sure issues are addressed promptly rather than short changing citizens,” added Mazorodze.
Gweru resident Tafadzwa Makore said this was a worrisome issue as it showed elements of lack of transparency.
“Purchasing and registering council cars under individual names, worse still without consulting residents and adding 10percent on bills every month shows some worrisome elements of lack of transparency,” said Makore.
However, contacted for comment Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi said he is not aware of such issues but only read them after Dube posted them.
“I just read about that from MP Brian Dube. I don’t have any informed detail about the matter,” said Kombayi.
Auditor General Mildred Chiri in her 2020 audit report said Gweru council utilizing estate funds for recurrent expenditure instead of capital expenditure as required by the Urban Councils Act while at the same time they unprocedurally allocated residential stands to minors.
Quite a number of local authorities were found wanting in various aspects of management though it remains to be seen whether they have fixed the problems to date.
2 900 people register to vote in Masvingo province in August
Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo province recorded a total of 2 900 new voter registrants according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) provincial office.
ZEC Deputy Elections Officer Maxwell Ncube confirmed the statistics and said the number of new voter registrants has increased with about 26,3%.
“The trend from June shows that that there has been an increase in statistics and this is probably because we are drawing closer to elections,” said Ncube.
Of the new registered voters 1 351 are women while 1 549 are men.
The office also recorded a total of 643 transfers of which 315 are women while 328 are men.
In July, 2 296 people registered to vote with 1 089 women and 1 207 men.
The trend on the statistics from July and August shows that more men are participating in the registration process compared to women.
The constituency delimitation process is yet to start though ZEC said preparations for the process are at an advanced stage with population and household census results having been finalized as they would play a key part in the process.
Footballer Phillip Marufu still going strong at 43
Branton Matondo
Under normal circumstances in football, ages spanning from 35 to 40 are when most players consider hanging their boots or rather a much plausible venture into coaching but for one Phillip ‘Bacossi’ Marufu, the pride and pleasure of Manicaland, age is nothing but a number.
At 43, he is still giving defenders headaches.
The long living son of ‘Airmen’ Chapungu had a captivating story to tell when reached out to by this publication.
He told a story that has some grey and dark areas but certainly more of yellow and green areas.
Just like many football talents, Marufu’s career took off from humble beginnings.
“Philip Marufu is a football player popularly known as Fidza or Bacossi (striker) who was born on August 28, 1979 in Chisumbanje in the Lowveld. I started playing football at a tender age at Takwirira Primary School where I did my Grade 1 to 7. From there, I went to Katanga Secondary School and finished Ordinary levels in 1998. My secondary teacher Mr Absolom Mukono was my first coach,” said Marufu.
The beautiful sport runs in their family DNA thread.
Stardom was a pre-determined setting for the speedster.
According to Marufu, his father was a popular dribbler, eliminator and net banger in the community of Chisumbanje.
As he was going through his teens, Marufu noted that he was once a goalkeeper.
“Yes, when I was in form two I played as a goalkeeper at one of the school tournaments and the team went on to win 4-2. My father then told me to change position from a goalkeeper to an infield player because as an in-field player, you would have many positions to play rather than in goals,” he said.
His in-field transition caught the eye of one Silas Chawira, a popular call box fixer in the remote vicinity of Chisumbanje.
Chawira knew how Marufu played as a teen, his strengths and possible weaknesses through watching Under 16 Coca Cola tournaments where he starred.
Chawira was a value adder in Marufu’s growing career because he made sure that the future star plays a lot of tournaments, gains exposure and gains momentum.
“In 1998, I started playing for a division 4 outfit Chisumbanje Rovers and during that time I went for trials at Dynamos FC. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the grade as coach Sharara said I was too tiny to play Premier league football,” added Marufu.
That was a big blow in the face for ambitious Marufu.
He was replaced by Ernest Hava who by then was plying his trade with Chegutu Pirates.
What a miss it was. If Marufu had entered Dingoz camp, he was to join the likes of Kwinji Soma Phiri, the passing maestro Desmond ‘Gaza’ Maringwa and exceptional goal guard Gift Muzadzi.
Life is all about ups and downs, rainbows and storms and this was one of those storms however it did not deter him to aim higher than the sky.
1999 saw Marufu playing for army side Blue Jets who by then were part of division 2.
Brighton Dzapasi was in charge of Blue Jets during that time and surprisingly Marufu began to lay his Chapungu foundation because Dzapasi was once head coach for Chapungu juniors.
“After playing there the following season, by chance one of my friends Cramill Mudzengerere who was part of Chapungu development invited me to come for holiday. Mudzengerere really, at that time wanted me to witness many great players who graced the Chapungu senior team including the likes of Soccer Star of the Year winner and finalist Maxwell ‘MaRhino’ Dube, Clemence Mugari, Tawanda Marimo, the Muteji twins mentioning but just a few,” said Marufu.
As grace located Fidza, Chapungu senior team head coach Nkulumane Dhonga allowed him to train and as the old adage says ‘the rest is history.’
The genesis of the 21st century was not only a historical transition around the globe, but it was also the start of a well decorated career for Marufu.
In 2000 Marufu was already playing Premier Soccer League (PSL) football under army side Chapungu at 21 years.
2002 was a grim era for the Airforce side as they got relegated from the elite league.
The 2003 Southern Region division 1 league was a fruitful campaign for the 22 year-old Marufu who scored 27 goals, 50 goals combined altogether with 23 league goals scored by Chapungu legend Dumisani Mufudze.
It was pretty definite that Chapungu was going back to PSL with the calibre of players that former head coach and late Benjamin Moyo had amassed.
Upon Chapungu’s return to the top flight, Marufu would go on to be the second top goal scorer behind Caps United’s Malawian import Joseph Kamwendo.
The period from 2005 to 2007 saw Fidza appearing on the PSL soccer stars calendar.
His tenure at Harare giants Dynamos saw him scoring twice against Asec Mimosa in a Champions league group match win.
He also proved his worth against Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek in Confederation of African Football champions league.
2009 was a memorable season for Marufu but an injury at a crucial point almost cost him the chance to grace the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament.
“In 2009, I had a good season but when the Cosafa squad was called, I had been out injured for four weeks. I was squeezed to represent Zimbabwe at the tournament. There were many disgruntlements about my selection, but I quickly silenced my critics and repaid my coach’s faith by scoring crucial goals at the tournament. Against South Africa, I scored the equalizer and we drew 1 all in normal time. We then won via the lottery of penalty shootouts with Eddie Sibanda making crucial saves,” said Bacossi as he narrated on one of the exciting moments of his well decorated career.
After a successful stint at the Glamour Boys, Marufu would go on to join Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) premier league side Fc Lupopo.
He proved his worth both in the league and Champions league.
His memorable moment at Lupopo is a spectacular goal against Young Africa of Tanzania in a match they won 3-2.
The win propelled Lupopo forward in the continental cup.
The 43 year-old striker who is still plying his trade with Gweru based outfit Chapungu in the Central region division 1 league had a few people to thank for his time at Dynamos.
“Also during my time with the Glamour boys, there are some notable supporters who made my career worthwhile and they include Sis Melo, Zhakata, Linda Masarira amongst others.
“At Dynamos, I also played with legendary figures like Edward Sadomba, Murape Murape, Desmond Maringwa (now FUZ President) who were key in uplifting my talent,” recalled Marufu.
Chadzamira lauds Chiredzi TC devolution expenditure
…As local authority delivers backhoe loader, refuse truck
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI- Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira last week applauded Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) for efficiently utilizing its 2022 chunk of devolution funds amounting to ZW$ 200 million towards acquiring capital equipment as well as construction of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block.
Chadzamira said the developments will go a long way in improving service delivery.
CTC received the devolution funds from the central government and used them towards acquiring capital equipment including the recently delivered backhoe loader and refuse truck as well as the construction of an ECD block.
A few months ago the local authority also acquired two tractors using devolution funds as well as three service vehicles which were purchased using internal funds.
The local authority is also awaiting delivery of a fire tender vehicle which they managed also to acquire using devolution funds.
Addressing dignitaries at Chitsanga Hall last week, Chadzamira lauded the local authority for managing to put their allocation of devolution funds to good use towards attaining the upper middle income economy vision by 2030.
“The newly acquired capital equipment including the refuse truck and backhoe loader as well as the construction of an ECD Block using devolution funds here in Chiredzi will go a long way in improving the lives of the people towards attaining vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy.
“Let me express my warm congratulations to Chiredzi council at the same time sent my sincere gratitude to his excellence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the government of Zimbabwe for their strong support and assistance to this commissioning of capital projects.
“This is a milestone towards the attainment of the vision 2030 of whose sole agenda is achieving an empowered upper middle income economy. Council had challenges of erratic water supplies that caused shortages of portable water for many years but this was solved by the devolution initiative and water supply has improved immensely. The public toilets were not functioning well; perennial sewer bursts due to ageing pipes, all these challenges were addressed under the devolution initiative.
“Let me take this opportunity to commend again Chiredzi Town Council for using devolution funds with efficiency to impart service delivery to this beautiful city and citizens must be on board,” said Chadzamira.
Ward 2 councillor Obert Ngwenya who was representing the chairperson of the council said the face of the town is transforming due to the aid given by government to local authorities.
“As eluded in your commissioning speech, guest of honour, the face of Chiredzi town is transforming and achievements of the Second Republic are visible for all to see. Our prayer is that you continue to support council as our resident minister in driving infrastructure development programmes through devolution funding as this will help grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Masvingo province as well as attainment of vision 2030,” said Ngwenya.
A few months ago, Zanu PF councillors were subjected to disciplinary action for allowing Gibson Hwende (Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson) to commission two tractors that were bought using devolution funds as well as service delivery vehicles purchased through internal funds which later then facilitated for the re-commissioning of the project.
GZU challenged to start support groups in fight against drug abuse
Beverly Bizeki
Deputy Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare Senator Lovemore Matuke has challenged the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) to be the first tertiary institution to come up with peer to peer support groups and be champions of anti-drug abuse and suicide prevention.
Speaking at the International Day against drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking and World Suicide Prevention belated commemorations held at GZU’s Robert Mugabe School of Education on September 7, 2022, Matuke urged multi stakeholders to coordinate and collaborate in fighting against drug and substance abuse for the sanity of the nation.
“While government departments are responsible for drug and substance abuse as well as suicide prevention strategies, there is need to emphasize more on peer to peer support. Universities and communities should have champions of anti-drug abuse and suicide prevention and provide information to support their friends. I am challenging the youths at Great Zimbabwe University here today to be the pioneers of this initiative.
“Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration with multi stakeholders for example education, justice, labour, agriculture, business etc.
“Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death with the youth being the most affected, a cold relation exists between suicide and mental health disorder in particular depression and alcohol use disorders,” Matuke said.
He went on to pledge US$500 towards the introduction of the initiative at the University.
The call to fight against drug and substance abuse comes at a time when men’s mental health issues and suicide are trending topics on social media circles with other stakeholders in the tourism sector already hosting campaigns for the awareness of these two issues.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said drug and substance abuse menace has robbed the sanity of the nation as it is not only affecting families but has far reaching consequences.
Globally Zimbabwe is ranked among countries with high rates of suicide with statistics released in 2020 showing that between 2015 and 2019 over 2000 men committed suicide and 500 women died of suicide.
Researches have shown that the suicide gender paradox show that men commit suicide three times more than women and women attempts suicide four times more than men.
The reason for that gender difference is that men are alleged to use more lethal methods than women and they do not seek treatment where as women are quick to seek medical attention when they attempt suicide.
Glenlivet Resort in Masvingo is set to host a marathon as a men’s mental health awareness campaign in the fight against suicide on September 24 this year.