Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Following a suggestion by Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi to turn to scotch carts to ease the refuse collection burden, city council has resorted to hiring of private contractors to help the community as part of efforts to improve refuse collection efficiency.
The move has seen council inviting interested members of the community with trucks and complete refuse compactor trucks to submit bids for possible hiring in solid waste management department.
In a public notice issued by the Acting Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe last week, council said it is looking forward to hiring trucks from members of the public for refuse collection services.
“Following challenges experienced in the collection of solid waste, City of Gweru invites interested members of the community owning trucks ranging between 3.5 tonnes and 10 tonnes and complete refuse compactor trucks with a carrying capacity ranging from 19 to 21 cubic metres to submit their bids to the Procurement Manager for consideration and possible hire of their vehicles for solid waste removal,” read the notice by Chikwekwe.
He said the designated areas for collection of solid waste include all high, medium, and low-density areas citywide.
“The project will involve solid waste removal from households through door-to-door collection system at designated central collection points where the refuse will be transferred into council’s refuse compactor trucks,” further read the notice.
Submission for tenders has since been opened.
“Completed bids must be enclosed in a sealed envelope endorsed on the outside health services-solid waste removal-community based organisations (truckers)’ and must be deposited in the tender box at the Chamber Secretary’s department on or before the end of business on September 16, 2022,” added the notice.
Over the past months council’s refuse collection equipment has been down, a move which caused residents to resort to other mechanisms of waste management.
Last week Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi said he was going to engage the Chamber Secretary on the issue of adopting use of donkey pulled scotch carts to collect refuse in residential areas.
He added that a robust approach was needed to deal with refuse collection in the city.
Last week Kombayi made a suggestion for the local authority to allow firewood sellers to conduct business freely while in return, they would help council ferry solid waste using their scotch arts. The suggestion set tongues wagging among community members with some describing it as a sign of unprecedented desperation by a council.
Liquid and solid waste management have and continue to be challenges haunting most cities and towns with majority of them operating with depleted fleets thereby hampering their efforts to ensure sanity prevail in both residential areas and the Central Business District (CBD).

TellZim reporter

Newly-elected Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) president Dr Kudzai Masinire has expressed how ecstatic he is after being chosen to the helm of the board that comprises of various medical specialists.

Speaking to TellZim News after his election that began on August 25, 26 (virtually) and ended on 27 (physically), Dr Masinire who has a surgery in Masvingo Central Business District (CBD) could not hide his joy and said he was happy despite the new post presenting big responsibilities.

“I feel ecstatic about winning the elections. Just to be endorsed by your colleagues, peers and their expression of confidence in my leadership qualities, I think I have every reason to be this happy.

“My celebrations for winning are actually muted largely because the new post comes up with a lot of responsibilities and I don’t think I have ever felt any greater way of responsibility on my shoulders in my life before, than the new situation I found myself in right now.

“It comes with a lot of demands to steer the board of doctors where you have to take care of their aspirations forward such that by taking them forward, you are also taking forward the aspirations of the nation forward as well as the objectives of the country in terms of health services provision,” Dr Masinire said.

He however vowed to defy the odds and steer the ship against all currencies that are going to come its way.

“The weight of responsibility that I feel right now, muffles any prospect of celebrating any further. I am happier that despite the daunting task looming above the horizon, I feel the support from my colleagues who chose me.

“The support was just tremendous like never before and there was overwhelming expression of confidence in my leadership traits and that is the solace that would steer me going forward as I try to take the organizations forward. I am thankful to the Lord, for we as humans we are just clay and he is the potter and humans are mere clay in the potter’s hands,” added Dr Masinire.

The physical elections were held at Elephant Hills hotel in the resort town of Victoria Falls on August 27 from 0800-1000 hours while those on virtual platforms were held on August 25 and 26.

ZIMA is the mother body for all doctors in various fields of specialities.

Valentine Makufa

Masvingo province has been recording more people turning up for the Covid-19 booster shot since government relaxed the mandatory wearing of masks on August 17 for citizens who have received at least three vaccination shots.
Masvingo Covid-19 Provincial Taskforce Spokesperson Rodgers Irimayi confirmed the increase although he did not have actual figures.
“There is actually a great increase in statistics for the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine. I think it is because people want to walk freely without wearing face masks after government excluded those who are fully vaccinated from wearing face masks in open public places. I do not have actual statistics, but there is a great increase since last week,” said Irimayi.
Nationally, the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines, particularly the third dose has risen rapidly with 17 516 people taking their jabs since Wednesday last week after the decision by Cabinet to relax the mask requirement outdoors for those fully vaccinated.
Speaking during a post cabinet briefing on August 16, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said noting the decrease in new Covid-19 infections; Cabinet resolved that those with three doses of the World Health Organization (NGOs) recommended vaccines be exempted from mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor public places.
However, face masks will still be worn in indoor public places and on public transport.
Those with the three doses and not wearing their masks outdoors are required to carry their vaccination cards.

Valentine Makufa

Buhera Residents Network Association has joined the fight against measles in Buhera after the district was greatly affected by the killer disease.
The coordinator of the association Leonard Mabasa said they have been doing awareness campaigns encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated against measles.
“As a residents association, we have launched a campaign on Twitter, engaged local authorities and also publishing in local newspapers. Many children have been vaccinated this August only,” said Mabasa.
The disease mostly affected Dzoma village around Murambinda growth point, wards 18, 22, 23 and 28.
Some of the children in the areas affected could not sit for their end of term examinations after getting sick.
Buhera was mostly affected because of Apostolic religious sect who restricts members from getting medication at hospitals.
“Our district was mostly affected because most people are from the Marange Apostolic sect that does not allow its believers to get medical help even vaccination from such diseases. Many children failed to write their end of term tests because of the disease,” added Mabasa.
Measles outbreak is one of the six killer diseases which children should get vaccinated.
The disease hit Zimbabwe in April affecting most parts of Manicaland where Buhera lies.

Ngoni Donald Muzofa

Six Canadians will this month cycle 500km over five days to raise money for the construction of a maternal and infant health wing at Gutu Mission Hospital.

Dubbed ‘Ride For Gutu Mission Hospital’, the initiative is the brainchild of Dr Peter Agwa, the executive director of EMAS Canada – a Christian medical missions non-profit organization based in Burlington, Ontario about 50km from Toronto.

EMAS Canada was founded in 1948 and specialises in short-term medical mission trips and healthcare training among other activities around the world.

In Zimbabwe, EMAS Canada already supports the operations of Karanda Mission Hospital by deploying volunteers who serve on short-term medical missions trips every year at the Mt Darwin-based health centre.

Dr Agwa, who was a physician and surgeon in his native Kenya, is one of the six cyclists along with the only Zimbabwean on the team, Chi Mandivenga.

The other participants are Gary Aikema, Tracy Robb, Wally Boonstra, Wil Bartels, and Nick Scholtens.

The ride will start on September 12 in Burlington which is about 60km away from Toronto. It will end on September 16 about 500km away in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, at the Zimbabwe embassy.

Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Canada, Ruth Chikwira, is expected to welcome the cyclists upon their arrival.

Located in the sprawling town of Mupandawana in Masvingo province, Gutu Mission Hospital is owned by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ).

With 165 inpatient beds, it is the referral centre for 250 000 people and serves as the first port of call for medical emergencies from 30 smaller satellite clinics in Gutu district.

Maternity is the hospital’s busiest department and it is the only facility in the area with a capacity for caesarean deliveries. The hospital handles one-third of all in-hospital deliveries in the district and has a nursing school.

Dr Agwa visited Gutu Mission Hospital in 2019 and the dire state of the hospital’s maternity facilities prompted him to action.

Zimbabwe is one of 15 countries on the Fragile States Index that still has high maternal mortality ratios (MMR). According to UNICEF and Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, the country’s MMR is estimated at 462 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2019.

The maternal mortality rate in Zimbabwe is more than 40 times that of Canada which was estimated at 10/100,000 live births, while in South Africa it was about 120/100,000 as per World Health Organisation (WHO) data.

WHO Global Health Expenditure Database indicates that in 2019 Canada allocated approximately US$5,048 per capita for health while Zimbabwe’s US$103 per capita was significantly below regional averages. South Africa allocated about US$547 per capita.

“I am riding to help improve the health of mothers and their newborns in rural Zimbabwe. The 500-plus kilometres from Burlington to Ottawa over five days will be my toughest cycling challenge ever. I’m doing this to raise money for training hospital workers later this year: Like a famous king from long ago (Biblical King David): I will not offer to God that which cost me nothing,” SAID Dr Agwa.

For her part, Chi Mandivenga (who will participate during the first day) said she joined the ride for very personal reasons

“I am riding for mothers and babies in Zimbabwe to have a better chance at survival,” said Mandivenga.

She urged Zimbabweans and other well-wishers to support the initiative adding she was doubly motivated because her mother was born at the mission hospital, which is about 240km from Harare.

“To whom much is given, much is required, and this is one way to use the resources, skills and experience that I have to change the outcomes for mothers and their babies in my home country,” she added.

Meanwhile, EMAS Canada will co-host a medical conference with the RCZ in Masvingo from October 30 to November 6, 2022 as part of a 10-year strategy to upgrade the hospital’s services and facilities.

For more information, Dr Agwa can be reached on his email peter@emascanada.org or the website. www.emascanada.org. Alternatively, Gutu Mission Hospital Infrastructure team chairperson Solomon Madondo can be contacted on the email smadondo@rantwood.co.zw

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi- A man who was recently left destitute after his entire household property was reduced to ashes following an electrical fault in his five-roomed house is appealing for assistance from well-wishers.
The unfortunate incident which occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, August 21, left Maichani Chauke of Mukahamari village under Chief Neshuro and his family of 11 without anything to sustain their day-to-day livelihoods.
Chauke’s son Nehemiah, who ruled out any foul play on the incident, confirmed the tragedy to TellZim News saying they are currently sleeping in makeshift tents.
“The fire was a result of an electrical fault which emanated from the ceiling and it occurred on the midday of Sunday. With the help of fellow villagers, we attempted to douse the fire using water but all was in vain as the inferno exacerbated to other rooms.
“All our household property was destroyed and what were left are just clothes which we were wearing on the fateful day. Everything was reduced to ashes and nothing recovered from the inferno. We appeal for any form of assistance from well-wishers,” said Chauke.
With a family comprising a total of 11 members including children of school going age, well-wishers can get in touch with Chauke on 0775149040 / 0777115663.

Beverly Bizeki

In a love affair that went sour, a 37 year-old Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) librarian Tanaka Tinovimbanashe Chirenje has been dragged before a Masvingo magistrate facing allegations of theft of two motor vehicles worth US$ 7 000 belonging to his 32 year-old alleged ex-lover.

Chirenje who lives in Norton appeared before Magistrate Patience Madondo on August 29.

It is alleged that Chirenje stole two Toyota Fun Cargo vehicles worth US$ 7 000 from his ex-girlfriend Esnath Mushonga who is employed by a bank in Masvingo, to which he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It is the state case as presented by prosecutor Ruvimbo Makoni that in April 2018, Mushonga handed over her Toyota Fun Cargo to Chirenje for registration and use as a taxi in Harare and a second one in May during the same year for use as a taxi again.

Chirenje who was supposed to surrender proceeds from the taxi services into Mushonga’s bank account (which he did not) denied the allegations saying that it was a love affair that went sour and that the complainant only reported the case in July 2020 two years after they broke up in 2018.

It is also reported that Chirenje intentionally converted the other vehicle to own use.

The complainant at one point tried to call the accused with the intention of engaging him over failure to remit the proceeds from taxi business, but the latter would decline the calls. In November 2018, they finally discussed the matter but to her surprise, Makoni was told that all the vehicles were no longer in possession of Chirenje and after noticing the accused’s arrogant behavior, she later reported the matter to police leading to the ex-boyfriend’s arrest.

Chirenje’s lawyer however applied for discharge and the ruling for the application was moved to September 5, 2022.

Yeukai Munetsi

The Gweru boogie clock tower was on August 25 (Thursday) afternoon briefly in flames following an alleged electrical fault before fire fighters came to its rescue.
Eye witness Tendai Makamure said the fire broke out for a few minutes before fire brigade came to the rescue.
“We saw a thick black smoke coming from the top part of the clock and in a few minutes the fire brigade came. I believe not much damage was inflicted,” said Makamure.
Gweru City Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee confirmed the incident.
“There was a fire at the boogie clock yesterday. Fortunately, our fire brigade team managed to contain the situation. We are happy that it was not destroyed.
“We would like to advise our valued residents, clients and stakeholders to safeguard anything that belongs to the city of Gweru. It does not belong to council management and workers alone, but to us all,” she said.
Residents were encouraged to immediately report to the police anyone who causes damage to Gweru property.

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) last weekend elected new leadership known as the Moderamen that will run affairs of the church for the next two years at a conference held at Chibi Mission High School.

The church leaders gathered for a four day Synod Assembly which started on August 24-28, 2022 running under the theme Church on the Move: Preaching the Gospel in Season and out of Season (2 Timothy 4:2).

The executive is termed the Moderamen when it consists of only men and is referred to as the Moderature when it has both men and women.

Reverend Isaac Pandasvika retained his post as the moderator and is deputised by Reverend Silas Magwati.

The General Secretary (GS) is Reverend Tafadzwa Masimba and his vice is Reverend Lovemore Mashamba while Reverend Charles Juro was elected Actuary.

The Synod secretary is Dr Joyful Tatenda Rugare and his vice is Advocate Knowledge Mabvuure while Pikisai Mhizha retained his treasurer post and is deputised by Torerai Hungwe.

The Synod assembly had people drawn from RCZ’s 127 congregations with two representatives per congregation with voting powers.

Speaking to the media, new General Secretary Rev Masimba said the conference was meant to deliberate on a number of issues that deal with the church and said they would want to implement a number of new resolutions to suit the current situation.

He said they failed to hold the conference in 2020 due to Covid-19 so they want to invest in digital connectivity so that they can do meetings virtually.

“We have a number of issues we are discussing at this conference and those that we resolve become policy. We failed to hold the conference due to Covid-19 restrictions and that has taught us a lesson. We are now thinking of doing our meetings and other conferences virtually as that saves a lot of time and resources,” said Rev Masimba.

He said they wanted to implement best practises that include incorporating gender and current labour laws as well as looking at new ways of revenue generation saying they are considering going into real estate business.

“We want to implement best practices like aligning our policies with the current gender and labour laws as well as contributing to the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“We are also looking at other ways of revenue generation and we are currently considering going into real estate business,” said Masimba.