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Christian Care rescues Zaka community with water

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Christian Care rescues Zaka community with water

TellZim Reporter

ZAKA – Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Christian Care has come to the rescue of villagers after they recently handed over a piped water scheme to Charingeno Primary and Secondary Schools as well as the local business centre in ward 23 of Zaka West constituency.
The scheme will benefit the schools and local community with an estimated number of 3393 people within six villages under headman Vanyoro, Chief Nyakunhuwa.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at Charingeno Secondary School on July 13, Christian Care representative Oxwell Madhara commended the good working relationship they had with the local community and expressed confidence that the project is left in good hands.
“We have completed the project which we were working on with the community. We had a good working relationship since we started and are confident that we have left the scheme in good hands.
“The scheme has 14 water points and 20 solar panels. We have a 7.5 horse power and all the water points have enough pressure,” said Madhara.
The guest-of-honor at the event, Zaka District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo thanked Christian Care for the project which she said contributes towards the attainment of Vision 2030 of making Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy.
She urged schools to utilize the project and modernize their ablution facilities and use water system in toilets and gardens to compliment the school feeding schemes.
“You have water now so we want you to have water systems in your toilets and modernize this community. That should also be done at the business centre.
“We need vegetable and fruit gardens as well as fish ponds to improve our diet for the school feeding scheme. After eating, our pupils should eat fruits from our orchards,” said Dhliwayo.
The local MP Ophias Murambiwa challenged the relevant authorities to introduce similar programmes to their constituencies saying there were more areas with water challenges.
“We still have more areas with water challenges and when similar programmes come, please consider us here,” said Murambiwa.
Also present was Chief Nyakunhuwa born Courage Mashavave, Zaka Rural District Council Chairperson Cornelius Mapuranga.

Gweru CSOs condemn GBV, call for severe penalties

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Gweru CSOs condemn GBV, call for severe penalties

…as Imprisoned Gweru councillor appeals conviction at High Court

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have condemned acts of violence against women and called for severe penalties deterrent enough to would-be offenders.
The call was made following a recent GBV case that saw Gweru ward 16 MDC Alliance councillor Tawanda Magidi being convicted for assaulting and seriously injuring his wife over a food preparation dispute.
In a statement released on July 12, Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) Gweru chapter said cases of GBV are now rampant amid concerns over worsening of the situations noting that community leaders have joined the band wagon.
“As WCOZ, we condemn such behavior especially from a community leader and a duty bearer who is expected to be an exemplary figure who resorts to non-violent disputes resolution strategies.
“While we appreciate that the law has taken its course, we strongly feel that the sentence given is not deterrent enough for would be offenders,” read part of the statement.
Another organization, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) in another statement condemned the acts saying they are in violation of the rights of women.
“Sections 51and 53 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (no.20) 2013 highlight that every person has the right to dignity and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment.
“While Section 52 states that every person has the right to bodily and psychological integrity which includes the right to freedom from all forms of violence from public or private sources.
“The National Gender Policy of 2013 clearly lay the foundation for the elimination of Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe, which include protecting women from GBV, eradicating harmful social practices, as well as strengthening institutional and coordination mechanisms for addressing GBV which must be followed by every resident of Zimbabwe.
“MDC-T Gweru Ward 16 councillor Tawanda Magidi’s alleged actions are a direct violation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) 2013 and all of the treaties, conventions, charters and optional protocols on the rights of women and girls. GRRA calls on all duty bearers to lead by example,” read the statement.
Gweru Magistrate Progress Murandu slapped Tawanda Magidi with a 12 month jail term and suspended the other six on condition that the accused won’t repeat the same crime over the next five years.
However Magidi is said to have already appealed the matter to High Court through his lawyers as he denied the charges levelled against him saying they were meant to sabotage his political career.
Magidi reportedly went on to assault the complainant Vongai Muchaneta (his wife) with bare hands on the cheeks. He further took a pick handle and struck the complainant on the back several times.
After the incident the complainant however, fled to her rural home in Bikita since she had been told by the accused that he no longer had an affection for her and wanted to marry another wife instead.
The matter only came to light after the complainant disclosed the matter to her relatives who reported the matter to the police.
The complainant however went for medical examination and a medical report was produced.
Further investigations which were conducted revealed that Magidi was once cautioned over acts of violence as such incidents had occurred before on other victims.

Whither Zimbabwean informal trader

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Whither Zimbabwean informal trader

…As the world commemorates World Day for International Justice

Emmanuel Chitsika

Cat and mouse games have become a common feature in most urban centers as well as growth points as informal traders cling on to their valuable wares running away from policing authorities.
Such has been part of life for an ordinary informal trader who strives to make ends meet not out of choice but as part of adjusting to the harsh economic environment currently obtaining in the country where levels of unemployment keep rising with no solution in sight by responsible authorities.
With 2022 theme of the World Day for International Justice being ‘achieving social justice through formal employment’, the year should have been a moment of reflection on part of various stakeholders as they map way forward on challenges bedeviling the sector and thus coming up with concrete solutions to such problems.
Vendors Initiative for Socio-Economic Transformation (VISET) president Samuel Wadzai said stakeholders in the sector need to come up with solutions aimed at addressing a host of challenges the sector is facing.
“Genuine, mature conversations are needed on how we can improve the operations of players in the informal economy so that we respond to the social and economic deficits that we continue to witness in the country.
“We hope that at national level, we should have a policy that deals with all these issues. I am aware that the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is embarking on a process of a formalization strategy and we would be happy to be part of the process because we know that if we deal with the issue of formalization, then we would be able to address the challenges,” said Wadzai.
He also said as the world commemorates World Day of International Justice, the organization wishes players in the informal sector join forces and critically reflect on issues affecting them.
“The commemoration serves as a crucial moment of reflection for various stakeholders in the informal economy ecosystem. There are a lot of challenges that the informal economy has been facing even before the advent of Covid-19, chief among them lack of proper marketing facilities, capital to ensure businesses grow and deliberate omission from local authorities budgets even at national level.
“There are also issues like harassment and lack of social protection. The day is really important as it offers an opportunity to reflect in terms of the laws that govern operations of players in the informal economy. So as VISET as we commemorate the day, call upon governments across the continent or globe to look into issues of formalization of the sector. It’s very important that we begin this conversation around formalization which is the only way to address the challenges players in the informal are facing.
“There are several issues like harassment, decent work deficits and issue to do with infrastructure that can only be addressed if stakeholders embark on a comprehensive formalization agenda,” he added.
Wadzai however, bemoaned the manner in which government failed to ensure social protection for informal sector players as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened the situation.
“Looking at issues of Covid-19, yes we faced a number of challenges as a result of the environment we have been operating from. The pandemic only came to worsen the already dire situation. During the lockdown periods, government took advantage to demolish markets without providing alternatives for the traders in the sector. There was no social protection whatsoever, despite the fact that the majority of the population is surviving through the informal economy,” added Wadzai.
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economies Association national president Lorraine Sibanda said government needs to incorporate players from the informal sector as part of coming up with solutions to challenges they face.
“The first question on achievement of justice is on whether it is achievable within a short space of time. These international commemorations are celebrated annually, so maybe next year we are having another theme but achieving social justice through employment should be long term with very concrete measures in place. Speaking for the bulk of workers in the sector, this can be achieved through meaningful formalization that goes beyond registering of the sector and or payment of taxes but creation of a conducive working environment that allows workers to realize meaningful livelihoods.
“The four pillars of decent work (employment creation, social protection, social dialogue and workers’ rights) apart from formalization procedure should be applied towards improvement of informal workers’ lives. It will help to build and grow them as they move towards formal kind of working environment which would ensure they are able to have social protection systems for themselves in case of retirement that elevates them to contributory kind of social security.
“Right now, most of the workers in this sector are living from hand to mouth as they ensure family upkeep. Informal economy work is not a choice for many, but is a response by people who want to maintain the upkeep of families in the wake of unfriendly economic environment,” said Sibanda.
However, she said government has played its part towards such initiatives.
“There is a lot that needs to be done, we cannot say government has not done anything. I think there have been efforts by government which have however been diluted by the fact that workers will not input in to issues affecting them, thus workers need to be part of the solution and thus solutions become relevant.
“Let the affected articulated their issues and give recommendations to some problems they are facing,” added Sibanda.
The World Day for International Justice is commemorated on July 17 and this year runs under the theme ‘Achieving social justice through formal employment’.

Chipinge Cllr challenges women to enhance community food security

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Chipinge Cllr challenges women to enhance community food security

Courage Dutiro

Chipinge Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson has urged women in the agriculture sector to work hard to improve food security in their communities.
Speaking during a Kushinga Gambadziya irrigation field day for bean farmers held on July 5, 2022 in Chipinge ward 18, Cllr Patience Mlambo implored women to contribute towards national food security.
“I am encouraging all women in the ward to work hard in the farming industry and build our nation,” said Mlambo.
She challenged women to encourage their children to also join the agricultural sector to overcome hunger.
“I am challenging women to work hard in the field and train children to also compliment them in nation-building,” she added.
Women constitute the majority population of Kushinga Gambadziya irrigation scheme.
As the world works towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among them, including SDG2, which aims to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030 women can be representatives of change in agriculture starting from community level.
Mlambo also said out of 52 members, Kushinga Gambadziya irrigation constitutes of 29 female and 23 male farmers.

Donut chart showing Kushinga Gambadziya irrigation population

With better access to information and training, women can transform agriculture and food production to be more resilient and sustainable in communities.
Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) 2021 Rural Livelihoods Assessment projected that the second quarter of 2021/22 season has 16percent of the households being food insecure.
Manicaland (401,977) and Masvingo (598,629) were projected by the ZimVAC report to have the highest populations of food insecure populations during the peak of hunger period.
Kushinga Gambadziya farmers were contracted by Seed Co to grow a bean variety called Ukulinga.

WiCo, Nyaradzo re-green Shurugwi rural communities

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WiCo, Nyaradzo re-green Shurugwi rural communities

Tinaani Nyabereka

Shurugwi- A Midlands-based women’s organisation Women in Communities (WiCo) in partnership with Nyaradzo Group last week embarked on a community re-greening drive by encouraging community to safeguard the environment through tree planting.
The initiative took place in Tongogara at Mpangayi village under the programme ‘Supporting the resilience of vulnerable populations to economic and climate challenges’ at Jaradeni gardening centre ,where the community is currently embarking on a bee keeping project and horticulture.
The re-greening of rural communities comes at a time when the 2022 World Environment Day celebrations held on June 5 under the theme ’Only One Earth-Living Sustainably in harmony with nature’ highlighted need for citizens to live in harmony with nature by bringing transformative changes through policies and choices towards cleaner and greener lifestyles.
Speaking on the side lines of the event, WiCo Executive Director Rebecca Chirenga said the planting of trees was supposed to be done religiously in response to climate change effects.
“In response to climate change effects, it is always important to plant trees to avoid the desertification of our communities as well as reduce the effects of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. We are living in an environment which is now heavily manifested by industrial and mining activities.
“The tree planting programme is complementing the bee keeping project which the Mpangayi community is doing here. The project was initiated by WiCo through the help of our partners that is the French Embassy in Zimbabwe. The project is meant to help community in poverty alleviation through the production of honey which will be sold to generate revenue.
“We chose the bee project because we saw market for honey is high and it’s needed for the production of various products for health purposes. So these trees we are planting today are meant to enhance the pollination process as they are fruit trees. We all know that for bees to do well, they need a shady and blooming environment,” she said.
Nyaradzo Group, Gweru Branch Manager Justin Nyakunu said it was always good to conscentize the public on importance of re-greening communities.
“Our partnership with WiCo comes at a time when we see the need to educate people to live in harmony with the nature as trees are important for the welfare of humans. Besides enhancing the gardening project which is here at Jaradeni, as Nyaradzo we are also a very good friend of the environment as we are into the business of giving our relatives and loved ones a decent sent off.
“So because of that, we have a number of products that come from trees which include coffins and caskets. We find it crucial to have such programmes in our communities. We are who we are as Nyaradzo because of the community and environment we live in. Tress are very useful as we use them almost on daily basis that is the firewood, furniture, the list is endless. This then calls for every individual to play an active role in replacing a tree daily anywhere.
“This comes as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility whereby we are also giving back to the community by donating and planting trees together with them. We are happy to see women leading the process as we strive to see an empowered mother who looks after the family and community at large,” said Nyakunu.
Jaradeni project vice chairperson who is also Mpangayi village head Samson Takaedza however expressed gratitude to the partners saying the bee keeping initiative was going to bring further development in the area.
“Knowledge is power and today we have been given power by our partners Nyaradzo as we now know how best we can safeguard our forests. This is good because even animals cannot survive in a bad environment. For bees to do well, they need more of fruit and shady trees.
“Here at Jaradeni we managed to get 30 beehives, as I am speaking about four hives now have bees inside. This project is not only focused on revenue generation, rather it seeks to curb hunger as well since we are into horticulture again.
“We grow a number of vegetables which are tomatoes, covo, cabbages, spinach, maize, carrots, beans and peas to mention a few. We sell some of the produce for our sustainability as families because we harvest and feed as a community. Much appreciation goes back to WiCo through its funders for remembering us with self-sustaining initiatives.
“About 51 families are benefitting from this project including young people and the elderly. We hope to increase production both on honey and gardening side,” he said.
About 100 trees were planted at the compound and these include Mango, Avocado, Oranges, and Mulberry and Shady trees.

It’s 20 out of 20 for Green Fuel FC

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It’s 20 out of 20 for Green Fuel FC

…Oneness, hard work behind run of success-Mutasa

Emmanuel Chitsika

Eastern Region Division One soccer pacesetters Green Fuel is on a fairy tale run in their march towards promotion into the Premier Soccer League come the end of the current 2022 lower division campaign.
The Chisumbanje-based outfit has managed to go for an unbeaten run of 20 out of 20 games with 15 victories and five stalemates.
The team under the tutelage of former Dynamos soccer star and gaffer Lloyd Mutasa seems to be on course towards being crowned champions in the division.
Mutasa said the main secret behind the whole story of success is a result of the oneness spirit and hard work between players, management and other concerned stakeholders.
“The secret is team work. At Green Fuel, we work as a team that is from the technical team, players, the executive, board, supporters and even sponsors as well as other stakeholders we work with. There is an element of oneness and unity of purpose at the club; hence we are where we are right now,” said Mutasa.
Quizzed on how the flamboyant side fancy chances of promotion into the top flight, the soft-spoken coach said their destiny is in their own hands while also pointing out how tricky the race is.
“We are nine points ahead on the log, but what matters most is how we approach the remaining games as they come. As far as we are concerned, our destiny and that of the league is in our hands and if we take care of our games without looking at how other teams play, we will be able to make it to the ‘Promised Land’.
“Here in the first division every game played is like a cup final whereas in the top flight it may be a bit different because here if you lose one or two games, it would be difficult to recover. In the premiership, even if you lose three to four games, you can still make up and be crowned champions.
“Results in the top flight may be very unpredictable in top flight but here in Division One there is a time when you can see that a fixture against a certain team is so tough while some appear easy but in the premier league any team can win a game,” he added.
However, Mutasa said those situations where players who would have driven a team in to the top flight league are off-loaded might differ according to team visions as his current crop of players possess qualities to dance with the big boys in the premiership.
“It all goes to your vision as a team and how you would have managed to get promotion in to the league that is was it by sheer luck or hard working. If it’s out of hard working, then why can’t we give the players a chance to prove themselves?
“The majority of our current players have what it takes to play in the premiership. We have got some experienced guys while some might not have played many games in Division One but have the potential which calls for them being given a chance to play.
“We always put team work on the fore front. We also have a sense of togetherness as ‘we’ is more common in our language at the club than ‘I’ or ‘me’ which means one cannot do it alone,” emphasized Mutasa.
With around eight games remaining, Green Fuel looks set to wrap up the championship even if they can win five of the remaining fixtures as they are in a nine-point commanding lead ahead of second-placed Mutare City Rovers.

Multi-million dollar agriculture investments in limbo

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Multi-million dollar agriculture investments in limbo

…As govt resolves to relocate sugarcane farmers surrounding Buffalo Range International Airport

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-A multi-million dollar agriculture investment is in limbo after cabinet last week made an about turn to a previous decision on investments by black farmers citing the land falls in the critical zones of Buffalo Range International Airport.
Initially the farmers were allocated pieces of land by the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, which is government’s land allocating body.
The airport, which receives not less than 500 chartered planes a year received a facelift of its terminal building in 2015 which was made possible by a Public Private Partnership undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Malilangwe Trust and Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe.
There are also plans reportedly to upgrade the airport to improve the capacity of the runway and other facilities which are rumoured to be sponsored by the People’s Republic of China, whose investment might be hindered by the growing agricultural activities surrounding the airport.
During the nineteenth cabinet meeting, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona indicated that there was need to relocate all farmers settled around the airport due to security reasons as they were on the critical zones.
“For the purpose of expanding Buffalo Range Airport in Masvingo province, cabinet resolved that all the farmers settled on the critical zones of the airport should be relocated. The relocation will also enhance aviation security standards.
“Cabinet noted that the continued farming operations in the airport’s critical zones have resulted in a sharp increase in human, domestic and wild animal incursions on the airfield. The cropping activities have attracted bird activity to the aerodrome environs, whilst the rampant cutting down of trees, veld fires and quarry mining activities on the western side of the airport has led to serious land degradation,” read the post cabinet briefing.
Colonel Philip Toperesu who is one of the farmers who have invested millions of dollars in land clearance and pivots said it is still premature to tell what will happen as government is still yet to make any official communication to them.
“It is still premature to indicate what is going to happen because we are still yet to get an official communication from government. Maybe nothing is going to happen or something will happen. So we can’t discuss about any figures yet because we are yet to get anything from the investments we made. We are still yet to harvest because it is still a virgin land where we have installed our pivots,” said Colonel Toperesu.
Former Zanu PF Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Francis Moyo was allocated an extensive 150 hectares of land, with about 30 ha currently under sugarcane and has utilized every resource he had towards the development of the field.
“I am still yet to receive any communication from government pertaining to the issue,” he said.
Moyo who is set to squeeze shoulders with Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu in the run up to 2023 elections would have been given a lifetime blow as the farm was poised to be oiling machine for his campaign.
Another beneficiary Gondokondo Chitesa who is into a partnership with Mangwa Quip said he is not worried though he has not yet recovered anything from the investment as he indicated they will first get a communication and later be given time to relocate.
“We are yet to recover our investments and are not worried about that because government is yet to communicate with us about such developments. This needs more time,” said Chitesa.
Buffalo Range International Airport is Zimbabwe’s fourth largest airport in terms of volume after Robert Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls which is a gateway to the Lowveld which is home to the wildlife-rich Gonarezhou National Park which is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), The Save Valley Conservancy and the Malilangwe Trust.

Zaka RDC clashes with community over CDF material

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Zaka RDC clashes with community over CDF material

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA Rural District Council recently clashed with ward 8 community after it tried to repossess building material bought under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) following the completion of Four Miles Clinic after it emerged that there was double procurement through both devolution and CDF.
In a letter dated July 5, signed by the council engineer on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer David Majaura directed to ward 8 Councilor Teererai Teererai, council advised the councillor on its intention to collect excess material for Four Miles clinic.
“Council wants to collect the excess material which was supposed to be used on the construction of Four Miles clinic project. These materials were procured under devolution funds and CDF and can no longer be used on that project since the project has passed the stages they were supposed to be used. They must be received in our stores for safe keeping and future uses,” reads the letter
Councillor Tererai confirmed having received the letter but said they told council that it could not possess the excess material since they were bought under CDF and had plans for their use within the ward.
“The roofing sheets were bought under CDF by former MP Paradzai Chakona for the clinic. However when devolution funds came, council procured the same material we already had. So we then used the devolution material and added 22 roofing sheets from the ones we had bought under CDF.
“So we told them that they cannot take the material because it was bought under CDF and we already have plans with the sheets. We want to construct some market stalls in the ward and an ECD classroom block at one centre in the ward,” said Teererai.
Zaka Central legislator Davison Svuure echoed the same sentiments as Teererai saying Zaka RDC could not possess material bought under CDF and said they cannot talk of safe keeping when the community has been keeping that material since 2017.
“The local authority did not talk to me directly, they engaged the councilor and the project Chairperson told me about their intention to repossess the material. I told them that it was not possible for them to repossess that material bought under CDF, they can take whatever that was bought under devolution funds if there is any,”
“They cannot talk of safe keeping when the material has been kept safe by the community since 2017 when they were bought,” said Svuure
He went on to say they would agree with the community on the next project they want to embark on using the material.
Zaka RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Batsirai Majaura could not be drawn into commenting as he failed to answer his mobile phone several times.
Another source who refused to be named blasted the local authority for allowing the procurement of material which was already on the ground and said someone was benefiting underhandedly.
“Why did they buy roofing material that had already been bought with CDF funds? Someone wanted to benefit from that and claiming to take possession of the material mean they want to direct it somewhere not safe keep as they are claiming,” said the source.

Gweru City improves vehicle fleet

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Gweru City improves vehicle fleet

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru City Council on July 13 received a major boost towards improvement of their fleet following the delivery of a new ‘Howo’ tipper truck that was purchased using 2021 devolution funds.
The truck was bought at a cost of US$ 102 660 in Harare.
Speaking during the commissioning of the truck, Gweru council public relations officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the truck was going to add to council’s fleet and ease work within the community.
“The truck you are seeing was bought for US$ 102 660 at the prevailing rate of the day in 2021. The trade agreement of the truck between GCC and the supplier was entered into on July 9, 2021,” she said.
Gweru council at one point was at the centre of storm with residents accusing the city fathers of failing to prioritise service delivery matters after purchasing luxurious vehicles for top council management.
By then council had bought a Toyota VX Land Cruiser vehicle for the Town Clerk and two Isuzu KB single cab trucks at the cost of US $ 26 200 and US $ 30 500 while residents experienced severe water shortages in the city of progress.

Morgenster Trs, students clash over fees top up

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Morgenster Trs, students clash over fees top up

TellZim reporter

Students at Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) run Morgenster Teachers College staged a flash demonstration on July 15, 2022 around mid-day in protest over fees top-up communicated to them by the institution’s administration.

Students who include two intakes that is Intake 25 (third years from Teaching Practice) and 27 (who are first years who started on May 11) reportedly boycotted everything including classes and food served at the college for lunch.

The development came after the college announced a top up of ZW$ 34 000 or US$ 45 and the students were provoked by the hike which came a week before the college closure scheduled for next week.

One of the disgruntled students (anonymous) said the amount is too much considering where they are coming from and also the fact that they are closing next week.

“At first we were asked to pay ZW $ 55 700 before we topped up with another ZW$ 43 00 plus US$ 20. Now as if that is not enough, the college informed us that we have outstanding balances of ZW$ 34 000 or pay an equivalent of US$ 45.

“What angers most of us is that we are supposed to close next week and such an amount is just too much for our struggling parents and guardians and thus our decision to show college administration that we have had enough of it,” said the student.

Another anonymous student weighed in saying the meal that is served at the college is not commensurate with the fees hikes the college is always imposing on them.

“How can we always have to top up our fees when in the dining hall we are served with two slices of bread?” said the student.

After the protest, college administration is reported to have compromised after students boycotted lunch and revised the figure downwards as a way of convincing them to eat the food.

“At first, the college said the fees structure they are working with is the one approved by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and that is what students even at government run teachers colleges are paying.

“If that is so, why then are they making an about turn after the hunger strike by reducing the new top-up from ZW$ 34 000 or US$ 45 to ZW$ 18 000 or US$ 25?” quizzed the student.

Contacted for comment Morgenster principal Otilia Makura dismissed talk of a strike saying it was just a minor case of misunderstanding which has since been resolved.

“There was never a strike anyway. What really happened is that after we relayed the fees approved by parent ministry, students grumbled as they felt the fees were too high but they knew it was coming before.

“No one informed them that they are closing next week. As an institution, we are guided by government on when to close but after we announced the approved fee hike the students thought closing is the only way to run away. I just received the new fees structure via electronic mail on July 14 and that is when I communicated it to them.

“Initially, students were supposed to have topped up those fees long back but we were waiting for ministerial approval and now that it is here, they must pay that. After all we have a timetable and maximum number of hours that are required by the University of Zimbabwe that offers the diploma and if they can’t meet those hours, they would not have fulfilled requirements for the course,” said Makura.

She went on to lash out on a few rogue elements among the students whom she referred to as ‘products of the patriarchal society’ as being behind influencing others into bad behaviour.

“The ill-behaved students need iron fist men may be they can control them. We have some bad elements among our students who do not even pay school fees but are at the forefront of complaining about the increases.

“After they expressed displeasure, we got some names and referred them to accounts office only to realise that they haven’t paid even a single cent. Our main challenge is that the fees are paid in local currency and we cannot afford to buy the basics like enough food items or even fuel. In other words they do not appreciate our efforts in trying to adjust to economic challenges obtaining in the country,” she added.

The development is one of the major highlights on the plight of students in most if not all of the country’s institutions of higher learning where the struggle to make ends meet has been a major feature.

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