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Council calls for Church’s participation on service delivery

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Council calls for Church’s participation on service delivery

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-Town Council (CTC) recently urged the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) to maximize their participation on community development meetings towards the improvement of service delivery.
The call was made during the Citizen Duty Bearer engagement meeting dubbed ‘Devolution We Want’ recently held at St Apolos’ Anglican Church.
Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) a grouping of four apex organizations comprising of Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and Union for Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (UDACIZA) recently carried out a duty bearers’ engagement meeting with various stakeholders in Chiredzi.
Speaking during the meeting, CTC vice chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire highlighted that there was need for church’s involvement on developmental programmes, as people respect church leaders more than politicians.
“I think there is need for the Church to take active roles in developmental meetings. We are even struggling to find someone to pray for us during these meetings, where the Church would have been invited but they would not be in attendance.
“The Church has an active role to play in the development of our town. Representatives should also attend budget consultative meetings where they would speak on behalf of the Church than waiting to complain after the budget has been approved,” said Makumire.
United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) Advocacy Officer Constance Chikumbo also highlighted that Church’s involvement in developmental meetings is very low.
“We are failing to have Church representatives in budget consultative meetings here in Chiredzi. I still remember Bishop Amuli was invited in writing to one budget consultative meeting but he never attended,” said Chikumbo.
Various issues are being raised in ZCC’s community engagement meetings including infrastructural development (Chilonga Bridge and road construction), drug and substance abuse, early child marriages, disability inclusion on developmental issues, birth and death registration (unnecessary confusion to attract bribes), recreational facilities, access to information for the marginalized and Service Delivery and high rates.

MCC tightens screws on vehicles

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MCC tightens screws on vehicles

Faith Duri

Following reports of extensive abuse of several vehicles including ambulances, Masvingo City Council has embarked on a move to tighten screws to ensure errant behavior on part of drivers is kept under check.
The move follows reports in the full council meeting held end of May 2022 of a number of vehicle abuses that saw 95 percent of municipal ambulance mileages being unrelated to patients transfer, council has come up with tight measures to ensure conformity.
In an interview with TellZim News, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said possible measures have been put in place to ensure that there are no such violations.
“We have moved the ambulances from the clinic to the fire and rescue station so that when the drivers take them, we will be able to know if its business and or work-related,” said Eng. Mukaratirwa.
Some sources that preferred anonymity at Town House claim that one of the errant drivers in the sewerage management department has been suspended because of the offenses.
“It is true some disciplinary procedures have been taken against the defaulting drivers after reports of misuse of vehicles. One driver who used to work in the sewerage management department is on suspension pending finalization of the case,” said the source.
During the meeting, the Public works committee presented that council ambulances were always on break down as a result of misuse due to employees’ personal errands.
MCC have been experiencing shortages of functional ambulances as its fleet is succumbing to breakdowns at times.
4019 violations involving council vehicles were recorded during the month of April. Among the cases of violation were over speeding, harsh breaking, harsh turning and idling.
One of the councilors, Sengerai Manyanga (ward 10) raised the issue way back in March alleging that some drivers were taking council vehicles to political party businesses and hence the need for tracking.

Kwekwe men assaulted for refusing to buy beer

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Kwekwe men assaulted for refusing to buy beer

Tinaani Nyabereka

Kwekwe-Police in Mbizo have launched a manhunt for suspects believed to have committed an attempted murder crime after they assaulted a fellow patron over refusal to buy beer.
The incident occurred at Phiri Night Club at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre after two men were attacked with sharp objects by four unknown suspects.
On June 13, 2022 around 0200 hours, it is said that the two complainants Reason Ncube (30) of Mbizo 4 Kwekwe and Richard Hwinya (24) of Mbizo, were drinking beer at Phiri nightclub, when they were approached by four unknown suspects asking them to buy beer.
The complainants ignored them sensing danger left the place and the suspects followed them.
It is alleged that victims fled in different directions.
Two suspects gave chase and caught up with Ncube and one of the suspects armed himself with a knife and struck him on the neck and abdomen and he sustained a deep cut on the neck and protruding intestines on the abdomen.
Two other suspects chased Hwinya and struck the complainant on the forehead with a beer bottle and he sustained serious head injuries.
After committing the offence the suspects ran away.
The matter was reported at ZRP Mbizo and the scene was attended before complainants were taken to Kwekwe General Hospital for treatment where they are admitted.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko is appealing to members of the public who might have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“We are appealing to members of the public with information to make reports at any police station or make use of our suggestion boxes nearer to them.
“Use of violence constitutes an offence and leads to unnecessary loss of lives. They should also respect sanctity of life; these incidents could be avoided,” Mahoko said.

Panicky: ZANU PF dangles US$ 50, badges to traditional leaders

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Panicky: ZANU PF dangles US$ 50, badges to traditional leaders

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Former Vice President and Zanu PF second secretary Kembo Mohadi who was on a week and half tour of Masvingo province where he was meeting traditional leaders and the party’s District Coordinating Committee (DCC) members has offered a US$50 allowance among other perks to traditional leaders in a bid to woo them to mobilise their subjects into voting for Zanu PF in 2023.
Zanu PF seems to be fretting over voter registration patterns which have seen a number of urban folks registering more than their rural counterparts as the party rely on the rural vote while the opposition has urban areas as their strongholds.
Zanu PF has a known history of using traditional leaders to intimidate and coerce people into voting for the ruling party.
Mohadi promised the traditional leaders that government was going to regularise all those traditional leaders who were not registered and not getting salaries as well as giving them name badges.
In Gutu, Kembo called a director in the Ministry of Local Government and asked what they had in store for the traditional leaders who in turn said they were going to increase kraal heads basic salaries, and give them a US$ allowance.
“You heard what he said; they are going to increase your allowances so you should work together with the DCCs,” said Mohadi.
He went on to tell village heads that they were supposed to help the DCC in compiling cell lists since they are the ones with people.
He also warned traditional leaders to be aware of various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that bring food and financial aid saying they were regime change agents.
“There are various NGOs that are coming in with aid to your communities. Those people have no genuine causes because they are the ones who put us on sanctions so that they will put a leader they want. If they come, tell them that you will not vote for those they want, let us fight against this together and be resilient,” he concluded.
Recently in Zaka, Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono urged his village heads to report all NGOs that intent to operate in their areas before giving them permission.
Political commentator Dr Alexander Rusero said the move was just a reaffirmation to the Chiefs that they remain steadfast in supporting the ruling party as they have already been doing.
“We all know that for the umpteenth time, traditional leaders have remained the appendage of Zanu PF so when you have a party delegate at the highest level of the Vice President going to reassure them of the better things to come, I think it’s just a matter of reminding them that Zanu PF still holds them in high regards,” said Dr Rusero.
He went on to say the move was not a new tactic given the relationship between traditional leaders and party has always existed saying it was not their creation but the system was created by the colonial regime and Zanu PF went on to perfect it.
“I don’t see this as a new tactic; we all know the organic relationship that existed between Zanu PF and traditional leaders. This is not actually Zanu PF’s construction, as early as 1940 traditional leaders had ceased to be traditional leaders, they are the same instruments that were used by successive erstwhile colonial regimes for divide and rule tactics.
“If you read history well, by 1940 Chiefs were no longer for the people but an imposition by the colonial rule. Actually Chiefs imposed by that time were just stooges and there is a historical attestation to that. Zanu PF has just perfected the tactic by oiling it and make sure that Chiefs enjoy trinkets and junkets of luxurious life where they are given cars among other things, so it’s just a marriage of convenience that has been there,” he added.
However, Masvingo District’s Chief Mugabe born Matubede Mudavanhu said the promises made to the traditional leaders have nothing to do with politics as it was government’s duty to cater for the welfare of traditional leaders.
“This has nothing to do with politics, government has a duty to cater for the welfare of its traditional leaders and allowances cannot be given every day, it’s done when there is a chance like what they did now. This is a government’s duty which it’s fulfilling, nothing more,” said Mugabe.
Zanu PF has been known for installing traditional leaders who are loyal to the party and is allegedly installing former uniformed forces personnel at the expense of following proper procedures.
In Masvingo province, a number of Chiefs who include Ndanga and Neromwe are former police bosses while Nemauzhe (Nelson Murandu) is former army personnel.

Matuke encourages youth to be business minded

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Matuke encourages youth to be business minded

Precila Takabvirakare

The Deputy Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Senator Lovemore Matuke encouraged youth who attended a careers guidance held at Paradise Motel in Gutu recently to venture into various businesses as a way of dealing with high unemployment rate.
The career guidance event was running under the theme ‘Building Sustainable Livelihoods and Employment Promotion for Unemployed Youths’.
Speaking at the event Matuke said the President is trying to solve the problem so that the youth can be employed and take care of themselves but while they are waiting for employment they should start businesses.
“Our President is trying to create employment for you in all various government departments. We have a National Development Strategy 1 which says about 760 000 youths should be employed in government by 2025 but while you are waiting to be employed, start your business because if you do your business you get more money than waiting for someone to pay you.
“I also encourage you to start businesses and register them. If you register them government will then be able to assist you with funding. For those with academic certificates, I also encourage you to register with Public Service Commission (PSC) so that you can be shortlisted,” he added.
Speaking at the same event Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Jenipher Mhlanga said that as government knows that there is high unemployment rate in the country, having business minded youth is the way to go as changing government won’t be a solution.
“We have employment problems in the country. With this problem, do we really have to change government to solve the problem? If we work together we can achieve our 2030 vision. We cannot all be civil servants, therefore I encourage you to be business minded,” said Dr Mhlanga.
She also added that usually parents support their children up to tertiary level but from there, they have to take care of themselves and that is where most of the youth fail themselves.
“Age is just a number, after completing education at 18 years one can even venture into business and be independent, so go and start your businesses,” she added.
Unemployment in the country is above 90 percent with most college and school drop-outs forced to roam around streets while others have resorted to drug and substance abuses as a result of idle minds.

Netone join Albinism Charity Organization in commemorating International Albinism Day

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Netone join Albinism Charity Organization in commemorating International Albinism Day

Tendai Charumbira

MASVINGO – State-owned telecommunications giant NetOne on June 13 joined hands with the Albinism Charity Organization (ALCOZ) in Zimbabwe to commemorate and celebrate International Albinism Day at Copota School for the Blind in Masvingo.
The 2022 commemorations ran under the hashtag ‘United In Making Our Voice Heard and Inclusion for Equality’.
The commemorations began with an awareness march from Masvingo CBD to Zimuto turn-off before the team proceeded to Copota Schools for the official ceremony.
At the event the company highlighted its interest in developing inclusive societies in the country.

Speaking at the event NetOne spokesperson Roselyn Chisveto said NetOne has supported different disadvantaged groups including people with Albinism and would continue with their interest in developing inclusive societies.
“As NetOne we don’t want to reinvent the wheel, our mantra is leaving no one behind. As an organization, we have supported different disadvantaged and marginalized groups including people living with Albinism and this has become part of our organisation’s DNA,” said Chisveto.
She added that Albinism is not a curse therefore the awareness campaign is being done nationwide to teach people not to discriminate people with Albinism.
“The awareness campaign seeks to educate people to desist from stigmatization and marginalization of people living with Albinism,” she added.
George Mafararikwa a representative of ALCOZ said Albinism is not common but is present at birth being lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes causing vulnerability to the sun.
“Albinism is rare but non-contiguous genetically inherited condition. It is present at birth and is a result of lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes causing vulnerability to sun and bright light, “said Mafararikwa.

96m needed to complete Masvingo’s water augmentation project

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96m needed to complete Masvingo’s water augmentation project

Faith Duri

Masvingo City Council said it needs approximately US$ 96 million to complete the water augmentation project which is set to arrest the perennial water challenges the local authority continues to face.
Speaking during a meeting to reflect on the impact of national public debt on local authorities held by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) in partnership with the African Forum and Network on Debt Development (AFRODAD) on June 15, 2022, Masvingo Mayor Councilor Collen Maboke said the local authority needs a huge amount of money to complete the project.
“We want to do a water augmentation project at the Bushmead water works, visibility studies have been done and everything is in place but the main problem is that council does not have enough money to finance the project.
“Council is looking for sponsors to help them with money to complete the project but up to now we have not managed to have them, so as a result we will continue having water crises because people are not willing to fund us. Maybe it’s because of the current economic situation we are facing as a country.
“Our water plant is producing at least 28mega liters per day to residents but the demand basing from the visibility study done shows that it needs 60 mega liters per day for the whole of Masvingo city, so it means there is a big gap to be covered. We want to reduplicate the system so that it produces at least 60 mega liters per day.
“However the problem of water leakages is also driving more losses of water that is supposed to be supplied to residents. All in all, we need plus or minus US$96 million to complete the project,” said Cllr Maboke.
He also added that they have managed to do something tangible on the project than the previous years.
“Yes the project has been there for a long time, but it was just a project that was on paper. As of now, we have managed to do something tangible like the financial visibility study,” added Maboke.
The city fathers have been in the process of trying to drive the water augmentation phase 2 over a long time, a development which will see its pumping capacity double to 60 mega liters a day.
Water augmentation is the planned placement of recycled water into a surface water reservoir used as a source of domestic drinking water.
Masvingo has been experiencing perennial water challenges in recent years due to the ballooning population which is way above its pumping capacity.
The city has also witnessed the creation and expansion of suburbs which have come as a burden to the local authority as it struggles to cope with service delivery demands.
Sewer reticulation has also been a headache for the city fathers while the Mucheke Trunk Sewer project still remains ‘on the cards’ for many years now.

ZEC releases Chipinge Ward 16 by-election nomination court results

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ZEC releases Chipinge Ward 16 by-election nomination court results

Faith Duri

Electoral management body, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on June 14 released the nomination court results for Chipinge West Rural District Council Ward 16 by-elections set for July 23, 2022.
The court sat on June 10, 2022.
According to information posted on ZEC official Twitter page by ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utoile Silaigwana, the Chipinge by-election was necessitated by the suspension of the incumbent councillor.
Four candidates successfully filed their papers to battle it out in the polls.
Gladys Muposhi (49) will represent Zanu PF, Zachariah Sigauke (44) for Patriotic Zimbabweans while Rephias Sithole (52) represents the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and Marian Remeredzai Ziki (45) will stand for the National Constitution Assembly (NCA).
The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC Alliance) led by Douglas Mwonzora which has on record been recalling several councillors for showing allegiance to rival CCC leader Nelson Chamisa however chickened out once more after resolving not to contest any by-elections saying it would only contest in the 2023 general elections.
The party failed to register a single win in the just ended March 26 by-elections and now the major fight is between ZANU PF and CCC.
Mwonzora in 2021 once recalled four Chipinge councillors namely Zivanai Nyakuchena (ward 1), Sara Marwa Sithole (ward 2), Raina Madenyika (ward 4) and Chrispen Rambu (ward (8) for being loyal to Chamisa.

Mnangagwa frets over Masvingo party factionalism

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Mnangagwa frets over Masvingo party factionalism

…Mohadi claims to have been sent by Mnangagwa to foster unity

Precila Takabvirakare

Former vice President and Zanu PF second secretary Kembo Mohadi made sensational claims that he was sent by party president Emmerson Mnangagwa to promote unity in Masvingo province by riding off divisive tendencies and factionalism that has been rocking the party.
Speaking to Gutu district party and traditional leaders at Paradise Hotel grounds in Gutu on June 13, Mohadi said Mnangagwa had sent him to bring an end to factionalism in the province which has become a usual boiling pot of political changes.
“I have been sent here by the President to come and address the issue of factionalism that is here in Masvingo. We do not want what is happening.
“We hear some saying they are for Mavhenyengwa (current provincial chairperson) and some saying we are for Chadzamira (former chairperson and resident minister), hakuna munhu wemunhu vanhu ndevemadzishe (no person belongs to a particular individual, people belong to Chiefs). If you win, it is Zanu PF that has won and not you. A winner has nothing, everything belongs to the party, so do not fight,” said Mohadi.
Mohadi’s meeting with the traditional leadership (which was part of his week and half tour of Masvingo province from June 6-14) was meant to find ways on how the ruling party and traditional leaders can work together to meet the 5 million votes target in the upcoming 2023 elections.
Giving statistical evidence he encouraged the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) leadership to work hand in hand with traditional leaders whom he said are the ones who can provide the party with 5 million votes or even more.
“Having realized that we can win if we can work together with our traditional leaders, I therefore encourage the DCC and traditional leaders to work together and have cells according to the village heads. So from today if the DCC leadership comes to you asking you for permission to meet your people, help them and come up with real cells because those people listen to you than the DCCs.
“We should have our 5 million votes here in rural areas because we are not certain if we may have more votes in urban areas. People should register to vote, so let us go and work because we have a lot to do,” he added.
Reports of factional warring in Zanu PF have been ongoing dating back to the time before November provincial party leadership elections with the contesting candidates Masvingo Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira allegedly aligned to Mnangagwa while the incumbent provincial chair Robson Mavhenyengwa is aligned to Vice president Constantino Chiwenga.
Mavhenyengwa is alleged to be leading a faction affectionately known as “Zvazara” in short for Zvazara kuti Chadzamira Imbavha while Chadzamira’s faction is called team Bolato.
Soon after the elections, the two alleged factions took to the turf their wars as the eventual winners tried to eliminate Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) election winners aligned to Chadzamira.
At one point police details had to be called to ensure order prevailed during a PCC meeting convened as the two factions sought to settle their scores.

Whites know better than us – ED admits

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Whites know better than us – ED admits

…”Bikita Minerals failed to ensure meaningful development”

Brighton Chiseva

BIKITA – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has admitted that whites know Zimbabwe’s resources better, saying that was the reason they still wanted to control Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa was speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the Sinomine Resource Group’s Bikita Minerals Spodumene project in Bikita.
“You see why the whites bother us, it’s because we didn’t know, the whites know what we have but we don’t know it,” said Mnangagwa.
He went on to mock the local traditional leaders saying they have been sitting on advanced mineral deposits without knowledge and Bikita Minerals has been mining for 70 years without developing the local area.
“You have been staying here for years without knowing you are sitting on top of precious resources while you were busy hunting rabbits while Bikita Minerals was mining but doing nothing to develop this area.
“When I was coming here, I saw poor houses, the areas have seen no meaningful development for the past 70 years Bikita Minerals has been operating here,” he added.
He however said he had told the new Chinese investors that they should develop the area well and pay workers as well as building good houses for them.
“I have told these people that as they work and the company grows, they should help you, construct roads, schools, clinics and even provide water. They should pay workers well, build decent houses for them, as well as giving locals first preference when recruiting employees.
“We welcome Sinomine resource group in our beautiful and peaceful Zimbabwe, the company is welcomed by government, by the Chiefs of this area, work well with the locals and Chiefs of the area, China and Zimbabwe are good friends,” said Mnangagwa.
He said government has a policy which stipulates that each investment company should make sure to have a beneficiation plant within two years of operation to so that the country fully benefits from the resources.
“After two years, if I forget Vice President Chiwenga please remind me so that we come back and see if they have done it. Any company which fails to do that will have to surrender its produce to those with the beneficiation plant,” he said.
He went on to say the government was keen to avoid the Marange situation where companies looted diamonds while government wasn’t aware only to realize it later.
“We don’t want a repeat of the Chiadzwa situation where companies were siphoning diamonds out in form of soil and we mocked them for looting it without knowing they were diamonds,” he added.
The Chinese are operating a number of mines in Zimbabwe and have been accused of not developing local areas while many accuse them of being the new colonial master.

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