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Have Masvingo authorities turned their back on aquatic life?

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Have Masvingo authorities turned their back on aquatic life?

Melinda Kusemachibi

The weekend May 21-22 2022 recorded the death of fish highlighting the ignored plight of aquatic life in the country’s natural water sources as a result of human action that one can arguably link to ‘negligence than human error’.
Residents from neighborhoods nearer Shagashe River were reportedly jostling to catch dead fish in the river after they allegedly succumbed to raw sewer disposed into their habitat by the local authority.
The death of fish followed almost two weeks of raw effluent flowing into the main water sources Mucheke and Shagashe rivers albeit via the decade-long incomplete Mucheke Trunk Sewer.
In their response on May 23, 2022 MCC acknowledged responsibility over raw sewage disposal though distancing themselves from assuming responsibility for causing the death of the fish.
“Council acknowledges the recent discharge of raw sewer into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers due to blocked sewer main lines in Mucheke A and Rujeko B as a result of vandalism.
“After the incidents, we collected and sent samples to a reputable laboratory in Harare for tests. We are therefore awaiting the results from the laboratory in order for us to ascertain whether the alleged death of fish was caused by raw sewer discharge or other chemicals that might have been deposited in the water bodies,” read part of the statement by MCC.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) responded on May 25 through a statement saying they had noted the issue of disposal of raw sewage into the main sources of water Mucheke and Shagashe Rivers which is causing loss of aquatic life.
“The Environmental Management Agency has noted with concern the direct discharge of raw, untreated sewage into the environment, especially into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers. The Agency carried out investigation inspections to establish the possible causes of loss of aquatic life in Shagashe River, which was observed on the weekend of 21-22 May 2022. Firstly it was noticed that there was raw sewage draining directly into Mucheke River close to the Craft Centre,” read part of the statement.
EMA also added that from the tests they had done, the disposal of raw sewage affected the acqua life as the level of oxygen was too low for acqua to survive.
“From the tests carried by the Agency on 10 specifications from different points along the river, it was duly noted that of importance, D.O (level of free oxygen present) was 5.2% which was too low to support aquatic life and affect water quality which is red class.
“Conductivity ranges from 927-1576 which reflects that the river contained high masses of dissolved salts and inorganic matter hence conductivity increases with salinity which was ranging from 0.46-0.72 (green class) and this was also supported by the fact that resistivity was very low ranging from 0.006-0.0011. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) amount was high ranging from 467-787 which reflected that there were more cations and anions whilst permissible value is 500ppm, for fresh water the value might be very low. The most likely possible causes of increase in TDS are industrial, agricultural and mining activities,” added the statement.
However, the authorities seem to have forgotten aquatic life as evident by the disposal of such dirty into the water sources.
Environmental commentator Everjoy Mukwaturi said council is the chief culprit over disposal of raw sewage which is costing aquatic life.
“City fathers are to blame for disposal of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers that feed into Lake Mutirikwi, Masvingo’s main water source. They are the chief culprit as it is costing aquatic life. Contamination of sewage flowing into a body of water causes a detrimental chain reaction. What begins as an overdose of chemical elements, can ultimately ruin the ecosystem in place and is harmful to the environment.
“The effects of disposing untreated sewage in aquatic systems are depletion of dissolved oxygen this is a result of the oxidation of organic matter. Furthermore, increased nutrient loading with nitrogen and phosphorus in the waterway causes proliferation of invasive aquatic plant species like the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes,” said Mukwaturi.
Director of Fauna and Flora Zimbabwe (Faflo Zim) Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said the disposal of raw sewer into main rivers violates the constitution.
“The discharge of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe River leading to the death of fish and other aquatic animals is both a health hazard and a blunt violation of environmental rights set out in Section 73 of the constitution. What is most disturbing is the fact that the death of aquatic animals coincided with World Biodiversity Day which was commemorated on May 22, 2022,” said Nyamukondiwa.
Wildlife Conservation Action public engagement programmes manager Tapiwa Chimbadzwa called on the relevant authority to take action on the preservation of aquatic life.
“Water pollution poses a serious threat to aqua life, therefore let us seek to create an environment conducive for all as we shape a better future for all life on this earth. To the relevant authorities, there is now need to put in place measures that can help the aquatic species recover,” said Chimbadzwa.
Contacted for comment Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he was busy and could not comment.
“Currently am busy, I cannot comment,” said Farawo.
MCC has on a number of occasions been blamed for disposal of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers that feed into Lake Mutirikwi, Masvingo’s main water source.
The issue was raised in the 2019 Auditor General Mildred Chiri’s report on local authorities where Masvingo was rapped for contaminating water bodies.

Masvingo kids shine at karate tournament

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Masvingo kids shine at karate tournament

Sports Reporter

Young karatekas from Masvingo province-based Rujeko Junior Karate (JKA) club excelled at the just-ended Zimbabwe Junior Karate Association (JKA) tournament in Gweru last week.
Masvingo province was represented by three participants, Monica Redeem Victor (16), Michael Munyaradzi Benno (16) and Marksman Machacha who put up a splendid show at the tournament.
Monica won two gold and two silver medals, Munyaradzi took one silver medal and one bronze medal while Marksman Machacha returned home with a silver medal.
Monica is a pupil at Masvingo Christian College, Munyaradzi is a learner at Ndarama High School and Marksman is at Rujeko Primary School.
In a statement to express their appreciation towards the athletes, Rujeko JKA club described the three as brilliant and energetic:
“As Rujeko JKA club, we are happy with the way Monica, Michael and Marksman Machacha represented us at the 2022 edition of the JKA Karate Tournament. The trio’s participation is a milestone for Masvingo province. In karate circles, Masvingo province is producing talented athletes.
“We wish to thank our instructors at Rujeko Club Casmore Adini and Elder Benjamin Mauswa for the splendid job. The two, Mr Adini and Elder Mauswa are great coaches. We hope they will continue to produce shooting stars. We also wish to thank Masvingo province JKA chairperson, Sensei Monica Peters, Provincial Technical Director Sensei Patrick Gombwe, provincial secretary, Honest Makanyire and the supporting staff for working tirelessly to ensure the development of the wonderful karate discipline in the province,” read the statement by the club.
They also expressed appreciation to Zimbabwe National Karate Federation president Sensei Joe Rugwete who the youngsters always draw inspiration from.
“We also acknowledge the fact that Sensei Peters took Monica through training sessions before the tournament. On behalf of Masvingo province JKA, we greatly appreciate the support, guidance and inspiration we are getting from Zimbabwe National Karate Federation president Sensei Joe Rugwete. We shall always look up to him for advice and wisdom.
“As Rujeko JKA club, we also wish to thank Masvingo City Council, local parents and Berylin Academy for supporting our efforts. The Berylin Academy staff members are highly supportive of the club. We also wish to thank Cedric Chuchu and Tafara who accompanied the participants to and from Gweru,” added the statement.

Mwenezi man throws minor daughters in open fire after argument with wife

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Mwenezi man throws minor daughters in open fire after argument with wife

Rutendo Chirume

In a gruesome act of domestic violence, a 28 year-old man from Batanai village in Mwenezi under Chief Mazetse was arrested for attempting to burn his minor children following a misunderstanding with his wife.
Watipaishe Gumbo was on May 22 arrested for throwing his two daughters aged 3 and 6 in an open fire after which they sustained burns all over their bodies.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and urged people to stop solving disputes when they are drunk.
“People should try by all means to stop solving disputes when they are under the influence of alcohol and also they should find a third party who can help them solve disputes in order to avoid misunderstandings with each other,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on May 22 at around 11pm Gumbo arrived home drunk and found his wife Moliphine Moyo (19) sleeping with their two daughters and started accusing her of having an extra marital affair which led to a misunderstanding.
The two started fighting and Gumbo took a machete and threatened to kill his wife who however managed to escape and went to her brother-in-law Ronias Gumbo (43)’s place but left the kids behind.
Gumbo allegedly started a fire and took the children and put them in the burning fire and would put them back if they try to escape.
Moliphine later came back with Ronias who managed to rescue the children who had already sustained burns all over the body.
The next day a report was made at Choverere police base leading to the arrest of the accused.
The children were taken to Mwenezi Hospital for treatment.

Guni primary pupils learning in the open

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Guni primary pupils learning in the open

Tendai Charumbira

Pupils at Guni Primary School in Gutu South constituency of Masvingo are reportedly learning in the open after classrooms were destroyed by heavy rains sometime in April this year.
It is reported that some of the classrooms that were renovated after developing damages in 2021 later developed cracks due to the heavy rains the area experienced in April 2022 leaving the classrooms in a bad condition not appropriate for pupils to use.
A source privy to the matter at the school, who refused to be named said sometime last year the school failed to open following the destruction of toilets and classroom blocks by a heavy hailstorm which swept across the region in 2021.
“There was a heavy hailstorm in 2021 which caused Guni primary to delay opening due destruction of sanitary facilities and buildings,” said the source.
He further said that the school was then renovated and it was opened but currently there is a new challenge as pupils are currently learning outside classrooms due to cracked classroom buildings which the authorities fear could collapse and thus the decision to conduct lessons under tree shades.
“Right now pupils are learning outside as the classrooms were again damaged by the heavy rains in April 2022,” added the source.
Contacted for comment the head of Guni primary said she was not in a position to comment on the matter as she is not authorized to do so.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike could not comment on the matter as she said the report had not yet reached her office.
The state of some schools especially those in remote areas has been sorrowful due to lack of proper learning facilities and poor working conditions for teachers.

Runyararo West Clinic to open early June

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Runyararo West Clinic to open early June

Faith Duri

Masvingo City Council run Runyararo West Clinic is set to be opening its doors to patients during the first week of June 2022, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa has confirmed.
The clinic was awaiting clearance from relevant authority for it to open its doors to the public as was highlighted during a full council meeting on March 28, 2022.
In an interview with TellZim News on May 17, 2022 Engineer Mukaratirwa said all is set for the health centre to open as currently they are doing the final touches on the facility while at the same time recruiting staff that will be working at the clinic.
“The relevant authority has already approved the opening of the clinic but right now we are in the process of recruiting workers. We are almost done so expect the clinic to be functional first week of June,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
The clinic is going to offer different health services like mental health, adolescence and sexual reproductive health care, HIV testing, family planning, self help groups, Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) screening and treatment among others and the working days and hours will be from Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm.
Health Service director Suzanne Hazel Madamombe confirmed that the clinic is going to offer different types of services including mental health care centre and adolescence and Sexual Reproductive Health Centre.
“We have noted that in the community there are more cases that are related to mental health, so we have set up a department that will be dealing with metal health issues and also we have a department of adolescence and sexual reproductive health centre where we are going be having specialist nurses who will be dealing with adolescence health specifically,” said Madamombe.
The much-awaited opening will offer relief to residents from the city’s western suburbs like Runyararo West and Victoria Range among others who endure the pain of travelling long distances to access health care services.

Teachers to adopt ‘ no salary, no work’ approach-ZINATU

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Teachers to adopt ‘ no salary, no work’ approach-ZINATU

Rutendo Chirume

Zimbabwe National Teachers’ Union (ZINATU) has challenged government that if it continues to apply its policy of ‘no work, no salary’ to teachers, they will be forced to adopt ‘no salary, no work’ tactic in retaliation because they have been trying to bargain with their employer to meet their grievances but it has been to no avail.
Speaking to TellZim News ZINATU secretary general Livison Maunganidze said because of their employer’s stance to their grievances they are demotivated and as such it is affecting the education sector which is already in shambles due to different challenges facing the economy.
“Now that the employer has applied a no work no salary principle, workers feel that they are deprived of their rights hence they will apply a no salary no work principle or ‘work as you earn’ .I think the employer should address and restore sanity in the education sector with the speed it deserves. If teachers are demotivated and not well remunerated, it does not need a rocket scientist or a prophet to tell that the education in Zimbabwe is under siege,” said Maunganidze.
He said of all the things government has said it will fulfill, nothing has materialized yet but instead the employer is a bully who violates teacher’s rights and uses a ‘by hook or crook’ method to force incapacitated teachers to work.
“What is worrisome is that government is paying a deaf ear to the concerns of teachers. Teachers demanded to be paid in United States dollars considering that everything is now sold in that currency. All the negotiations to discuss about that were not fruitful as the employer went on to victimize and deduct salaries for teachers who were said to be absent from duty. The process of deducting money was not done properly because some teachers who were not absent from duty during the period in question had their money deducted. In other words negotiating and bargaining no longer exist. Teachers wanted money to cater for their personal needs but government said they will pay school fees direct into school accounts which has not been done to date.
“Some teachers do not have children, others have children learning abroad or have finished schooling, their concerns were not listened to. Thus a direct violation to some teachers’ rights to access that allowance yet the employer expects the same teachers to perform equally with those who would have benefited from that project. Unjustified suspensions of some teachers who were said to be on strike are painstaking. One would then remain with a question: Are teachers not allowed to demonstrate or expressing their views or exercising their rights? It does not go down well with teachers.
“Government has failed to pay teachers a living wage looking at the cost of living which is rising on daily basis, government promised non-monetary benefits, up to now nothing materialized, duty free for civil servant cars but how can they buy cars if not well remunerated. Unions wrote so many petitions regarding the issue of restoration of termly vacation leave and debunching. Teachers used to go for termly leave but the employer decided to cut it to a monthly leave. Was that decision negotiated and by whom? The employer should come to her senses and restore proper working conditions. There is urgent need to debunch teachers. The grading system should apply in the education sector. Why is it being ignored as if it’s not necessary?” he added.
In Zimbabwe, a teacher earns less than USD $200 a month using the official exchange rate, and less than USD $100 at the illegal market exchange rate widely used for goods and services.

Gweru residents ‘cohabit’ with raw sewer

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Gweru residents ‘cohabit’ with raw sewer

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-Residents of Mtapa Section 6 in Ward 6 are sitting on a health time bomb as raw sewer is flowing in streets, seeping into the foundations of many houses.
The blockage has since disturbed the current maintenance work of water drainages in the areas, after council workers reportedly laid down tools last week when they approached the blockage.
Information obtained by TellZim News however revealed that at some point a group of the council plumbers once came to attend the blockage a few months ago, but refused to work on the overwhelmed septic tanks after demanding that the affected residents were supposed to contribute US$30 dollars per household to pay to them to work.
One of the affected residents Epiphania Gwena said, the situation was unbearable as children were picking plastic bottles and playing around the flooded drains.
“The situation here in Mtapa section 6 is very bad. Raw sewer is flowing and flooding our yards, some of the water is now seeping into our home foundations. We are living in fear for our lives because we may record cases of cholera or typhoid .This is now the third week reporting to council and nothing has been done.
“We once lodged a complaint with the City of Gweru engineering department but they didn’t do much, the solution only lasted for a few days as of last month and the blockage started again. The major challenge I have as a resident is that the whole waste accumulates in front of my house. I can’t even open the door, sometimes we even fail to cross the front drainage when flooded.
“Cooking outside is now hard for me when there are power cuts as my open fire place is affected. The smell of raw waste is unbearable and flies are all over the place. We need serious attention on this sewer,” she added.
Another resident, who identified herself as Gogo Matsvaira added that, at some point she failed to prepare her supper as the compound was flooded with waste.
“I once slept on an empty stomach after failing to prepare food outside as my yard was flooded with sewer water up to the doorstep. We cannot even bask for the sun especially during winter due to the disturbing smell. We are always knocking at Councillor Giwa’s door and we don’t blame him, he has been doing his part and reporting the matter but we feel management has let us down.
“We urgently need help before we die of cholera as we have small children and the elderly here. I don’t know what council thinks about this issue,” she added.
Chairperson for Mtapa’ s Mirror community group, Kennedy Muka said he was pained by the situation of the section 6 residents who are sitting on a health time bomb.
“We are appealing to Gweru council to come and attend to this blockage for good because the lives of people are at danger. We understand the economy is not doing well but making residents to pay for the blockage has become a burden. We once heard reports that some plumbers from council came demanding US $30 from these poor people; where can these poor people get such an amount of money? Some of them don’t work and some are our elderly mothers and fathers,” Muka added.
Meanwhile, Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRARDA) director, David Chikore said urgent attention is needed to rescue the affected residents against a serious health hazard.
“Sights of barefooted toddlers playing in raw sewerage flowing generously in Gweru’s Mtapa Section 6, oblivious of the unattended health hazard really drive home the point that indeed things have fallen apart and the centre cannot hold at town house.
“Mtapa Section 6 residents are now being weakened by the raw human waste which has clogged the under maintained and overwhelmed sewer line and forcing water to seep under the doorsteps and foundations.
“As community representatives we are left bereft of any words of hope that we could give this community except to say that we will continue to escalate the matter to the relevant authorities.
“Will it be fair to blame such people for not honoring their council bills? They have openly expressed that they feel hard done by Council,” he added.
However efforts to get a comment from Gweru council Acting director of Engineering, Praymore Mhlanga were fruitless as his mobile phone could not be reached.

ZEC gears up for constituency delimitation

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ZEC gears up for constituency delimitation

Fredrick Moyo

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is currently in the process of preparing the drawing up of new National Assembly constituency boundaries that will be used in the upcoming 2023 general elections.
Speaking to TellZim News ZEC Deputy Provincial Elections Officer (PEO) Maxwell Ncube said they will start delimitation exercise as soon as the Housing and Population census release statistics from the just ended census exercise.
“We are currently conducting another phase of delimitation which is the registration process and delimitation is all about the numbers of people who are registered and that gives us the number of constituencies. So the registration process we are having is just to boost the numbers and we are going to use the numbers in the delimitation process.
“We also use the information from the just ended census as the law stipulates that delimitation should be done after census, so when we have census statistics that is when we will carry out the delimitation process,” said Ncube.
He added that the process is when constituencies and wards are created using the population of the area and encouraged people who want to register to vote to do so before the delimitation process is conducted.
“Delimitation is all about dividing the country into constituencies and wards so that is what we will be doing and it is a process which starts from registration and when we are about to do that, we are going to notify that we are going to have delimitation on such a date so that everybody interested will partake in the process and I also encourage people to come in their numbers to register before the delimitation process,” he added.
In the just ended voter mobile registration blitz Masvingo province registered a total number of 17 053 new registrants with 10 679 transfers.

Community gardens boost development in Buhera

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Community gardens boost development in Buhera

Melinda Kusemachibi

Community gardens in various parts of the country are proving to be a source of livelihood and major drivers of development as gardeners mainly in the countryside accrue numerous health benefits including improved access to food, nutrition, increased physical activity and mental health and also to promote social health and community cohesion through accountability engagements with local leaders.
Buhera ward 18 councillor Wisdom Jiri said their ward has also not been spared from such a wave as villagers are actively participating in the community garden initiatives.
Speaking during an engagement meeting organized by TellZim News in partnership with ZIMCODD at Sweraumire Garden News Club on May 21, 2022, Jiri said community gardens are a major booster for development.
“Community gardens are important as they boost development by providing a balanced diet to families and also profits from produce sales. We have 10 gardens in our district and we are appealing for an improved road networks to ferry our garden produce to markets,” said Jiri.


He went on to say that they used to do garden shows which promoted production of good quality produce but after the Covid-19 outbeak they had stopped.
“We used to do garden shows where farmers would be rated as they compete and that promoted production of good quality products. But Covid-19 disturbed our shows and hopefully we are going to resume them soon,” added Jiri.
Garden chairperson Janet Chidhakwa said lack of markets is a challenge to them and encouraged garden members to continue using natural ways of controlling pests in absence of chemicals.
“Lack of markets is a challenge to us here, but l continue to encourage the garden members to use natural ways of pest control using chaff from rapoko and other grain crops in place of expensive pesticides,” said Chidhakwa.
Village head Tavengwa Mumbijo said unity is the main key to development.

Tavengwa Mumbijo

“Unity on working together is the main key to development, so I continue to encourage people to be united, work together and achieve the development we want in our community,” said Mumbijo.
Community gardens initiatives have seen people in most rural communities engaging in various horticulture projects which improve their food security, nutrition as well as getting income from produce sales.

Hwiridzo Garden Club appeals for markets

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Hwiridzo Garden Club appeals for markets

Melinda Kusemachibi

Hwiridzo Garden News Club situated in Masvingo Central’s ward 16 under Chief Murinye over the weekend appealed for market places to sell their garden produce.
Speaking at an engagement meeting organized by TellZim News in partnership with ZIMCODD at Hwiridzo garden on May 21, 2022 Martha Mugabe who is the marketing facilitator at the garden said they are appealing for markets to sell their produce.
“We grow a variety of crops which include tomatoes, beans and onions. Currently we have beans in our gardens which are now at harvesting stage which we wish to have a market place to sell so that we will be able to make more profits and be in a position to pay fees for our children as well as sustaining ourselves,” said Mugabe.
Ward 16 councillor Edmore Dhemba concurred with the marketing facilitator as he said they are requesting for a market place so that they will be able to sell their produce and enjoy the profits.

Edmore Dhemba

“We have our garden here at Hwiridzo and they are growing varieties of crops which comprises of beans, tomatoes, onions and okra. The only thing which is not making us happy is a market place where we can sell our produce. Local people here are trying by all means to have a market place, but they end up eating those produce because they are failing to secure one. The people in Hwiridzo wish to have a market place to sell their produce and be in a position to sustain themself,” said Dhemba.
Market place had remained a problem in some parts of the districts as farmers are failing to have a place where they can sell their produce.
Zvamahande Women Accountability News Club members have also appealed to their local councilor for markets to sell their garden produce as well inputs and resources to develop their project.

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