Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru– The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS)’s momentous family reunion week programme has been described as a key therapy to inmates as it constitutes an important role in the reintegration process of inmates when they return to society.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event which saw the community visiting inmates incarcerated for various criminal offences at Whawha Prisons last Saturday, Whawha Rehabilitation Officer, Assistant Principal Correctional Officer, Tamuka Davira said the rehabilitation exercises offered by the institution are focused on correcting the mindset.
He added that, the family was important in debunking the myths associated with incarceration.
“As we have been conducting the family week, its importance lies on the aspect of rehabilitation as rehabilitation focuses on the mindset. So the various activities, courses and projects we offer inmates while inside are meant to impart skills so that when they go out, they carry something with him. Some come to prison without nothing but when they leave they go with degrees and diplomas. So we would love to continue working with the community, stakeholders in coming up with more initiatives to help the inmates.
“During this family week and those to come, we keep on encouraging the family as an institution to come forward and see their loved ones because reunion help inmates to feel loved and accepted. It also helps our brothers and sisters to release pressures and stress they have. One may say committed a crime to my family and to the state but it also starts with the family to reconcile with the inmate. If the family does not accept the inmate, then it will become difficult for the community. So we urge families to come and visit their loved ones,” he said.
He further said imprisonment was not a punishment but a corrective measure.
“Let me hasten to say imprisonment is not a punishment, it’s a corrective measure. That is why we are working with various players in rehabilitating our fellow brothers and sisters. As they go out, the community needs them and they need it,” Davira added.
An inmate at Whawha prison, Simon Dhemba from Kwekwe urged the community to respect the law saying it was always good to be a law abiding citizen.
Dhemba who used to farm in the communal lands of Kwekwe in Mbizo said he missed the good times of producing for his family and nation as he used to produce and sell to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
“I just want to share a word or two with my fellow countryman, let’s be law abiding citizens and shun all elements of criminality. If you do not have anything, do not steal. Rather look for piece jobs and work, do not offend your brother or sister or be involved in any form of crime.
“I am a farmer. I used to grow maize a lot at my plot in Kwekwe supplying some to the GMB. Ever since I was incarcerated for the past six years, I have never enjoyed the fruits of the soil. It is my humble prayer that when released in 2024, I will go back to my land and start production. I have an uncle of mine in Kwekwe I was staying with and appeal to him to pay me a visit,” Dhemba said.
Another inmate who identified himself as Moses Mlala appealed to his sister for reconciliation saying it was time to bury the hatchet.
“I am glad we had a family week, though I didnt get any visitor but I know the exercise was good for us all as we get time to reunite with our loved ones. I just want to apologize to my sister her name is Nothabo Mlala she is in Lupane in the new stands area. Ever since I was arrested, she never visited me and am appealing to her to come and see me.
“I know we have had a rough past but want us to reconcile as a family. My grandmother used to come to see me but she is old and cannot see. So am appealing to my sister to come and see me here at Whawha medium,” Mlala said.
Meanwhile Childline Zimbabwe one of the stakeholders working with ZPCS recently urged inmates to be reintegration ambassadors when they leave prison.

…sets record straight on victims of tragic incident

Fredrick Moyo

Telecommunications giant NetOne has applauded the kindly gesture from Chilonga Community who assisted in the recovery operation after a tragic incident which occurred at Chilonga Bridge along Runde River in Chiredzi on April 30 2022 claiming the life of one of their employees and another yet to be identified victim.

In a press statement undersigned by NetOne Board Chairperson Susan Mutangadura and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raphael Mushanawani, the mobile operator thanked the local leadership and community at large for helping retrieve the vehicle involved and its occupants.

“The NetOne Board, Management, and Staff thank the Chilonga community and local leadership for their support and remarkable efforts in the recovery operation. We would also like to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and its Sub-Aqua Unit, Malilangwe Trust, Tongaat Hulett, the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and Honourable Killion Callisto Gwanetsa (MP), for the assistance rendered.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased during this difficult time. Mr Samson Zvarimwa has been a valued member of the NetOne team since 1 July 2011ad will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the departed,” read part of the statement.

NetOne Group CEO Mushanawami left Harare last night for Bikita to attend the funeral wake of the late Zvarimwa.

Zvarimwa joined NetOne in July 2011, and has been working for the company since then.

Recently, a D4D pickup truck believed to be belonging to Chief Chilonga Tiyani was involved in an accident while attempting to cross the river and the vehicle was swept away and one person was confirmed dead while three other were missing, with Chief Chilonga surviving the incident after managing to swim out of danger.

Chilonga Bridge has off late become a dark spot for people using the crossing point prompting people to superstitiously claim the presence of mermaids at the place.

… resolution to be implemented with immediate effect

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- City Council on April 25, 2022 resolved to effect a five percent interest penalty on all debtors with immediate effect.
The resolution was passed following the accumulation in debt from both residents and the business community.
Recently with regards to debt accumulation, council revealed that domestic customers owed council approximately over ZW$ 600 million and while the business community owed council over ZW$ 1billion.
Speaking during the 693 ordinary council meeting held in Gweru, a member of the Finance committee and ward 10 councilor Charles Chikozho said as a committee they were working on mechanisms to recover all debts as a local authority.
“We are coming with mechanisms which we think will help us in our revenue flows. We are trying to recover what we are owed by residents and business community. This five percent interest is coming as a credit and debt collection mechanism which will help us recover our money.
“The five percent interest we are proposing is not meant to ‘fix’ residents because we have genuine residents who are paying their bills, but we have some who have since shunned their bills for good. Those not paying are the ones who are likely to be affected by this penalty. To those who are paying their bills, we greatly appreciate and consider their efforts towards improved service delivery,” he added.
Ward 17 councilor Farai Muza said council is in need of money to run its operations.
“Let’s not take the issue of debts lightly. As council, we need money to run all operations like what councilor Chikozho has said. So a robust mechanism is needed to address the issue of debt at hand,” said Muza.
Ward 15 councilor Trust Chineni the Environment, Works and Town planning chairperson said most operations and projects proposed by the committee require resources.
“As a committee, we are really pushing the finance committee to look for money because for us to be able to implement most of the projects on the environment we need money. The five percent interest proposal comes in to push the finance team so that they come up with more ways to raise revenue.
“If sewer blocks, we need rods, cars and fuel to attend on the ground. Right now we are failing to purchase fuel because garages need forex and as a local authority we are only allowed to charge our services in local currency. As long as we are not looking for other mechanisms we will not be able to offer services to our residents on time,” he added.
Gweru Mayor and ward 1 councilor Hamutendi Kombayi said as a local authority there was need to craft a policy which enables the collection of foreign currency for improved service delivery.
Ward 12 councilor Jefta Zvidzai however said as the interest rate was being effected, there was need to reconsider that most of the ratepayers in the community are the elderly and vendors who are struggling due to economic hardships.
“As we effect this five percent per annum, let’s also consider that we have people who religiously pay their bills. We need to take note of such ratepayers as their efforts have kept council afloat.
“We also have vendors and the elderly who are struggling to honor their bills due to financial constraints, some are being charged forex on their market bays and shops yet they sell their products in local currency and at the end of the day they struggle to look after their families.
“Let’s effect such measures knowing that we are dealing with people who are facing challenges as well,” Zvidzai said.
Gweru council deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri highlighted the need to notify residents of the resolution.
“As council we need to demarcate when implementation can start, remember as we come here we are representing people and we need to go back and tell the people on such developments in our various wards.
“We also need the applicability of the five percent whether it is introspective or retrospective” he said.

… As residents bemoan lack of consultation on critical resolutions

Gweru residents have expressed concern over the non-payment of rates penalty saying engagement was always key in having such resolutions.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Conerlia Selipiwe said engagement was the way to go for residents to know what is happening.
“Council should always consider the input of residents by engaging and consulting them before making some resolutions that affect them,” said Selipiwe.
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRARDA) in a statement issued by its director Pastor David Chikore cautioned residents on the need to avoid debt accumulation.
“This statement serves as a plea to all of us as Gweru residents and ratepayers to honor our monthly bills so that we do not accumulate debt, which might prove crippling in future. For those with outstanding balances accumulated over previous months, we are pleading with you our fellow residents to either clear those debts, if you can, but where finances are constrained, we urge you to pay a decent portion of your accumulated debt.
“It is common knowledge that most of us have grievances with council and service delivery and/or billing system, but let’s operate from a position of strength by vigorously fighting for our rights,” he said.

Melinda Kusemachibi

Masvingo City councilors recently clashed over the best course of action against government institutions namely the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) over their ballooning debts to the local authority.
In a full council meeting held on April 20 at the Civic Centre, councilors squabbled over the issue with Masvingo mayor Cllr Collen Maboke proposing to name and shame the debtors while ward 10 councilor Sengerai Manyanga whose ward covers 4 Infantry Brigade said the decision will put him under fire from ZNA.
Maboke said they should name and shame the debtors as the public deserve to know those who are responsible for poor service delivery.
“These institutions owe council a lot of money but the people out there do not know how much. I think is it best if we name and shame or even publish their dues in a newspapers,” suggested Maboke.
“We want to publish in newspapers those institutions that owe council since it affects service delivery and residents blame council. These institutions owe us a lot of money and if they were paying, we could probably have 10 refuse compactors, as you can see we do not have enough compactors,” said Maboke.
Manyanga refused to name and shame the debtors as it is reported that they are in good relations with the Army.
“No we should not name and shame then munenge mandiuraisa (you would have placed me in a difficult position), the Army sometimes calls me at their camp saying councilor how is everything doing so do not name and shame them, I will be in hot soup,” said Manyanga.
He also said that the Army is paying up their rates.
“Army is paying up their rates this month they paid ZW$15 million. Other institutions are not paying, but the army is paying,” Manyanga said.
However Deputy Mayor Wellington Mahwende said that they are going to engage with the office of Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
“We want to engage the office of Minister Chadzamira on how best we can resolve the matter. It is a suggestion we make together as councilors. We once did it and it was effective. It is not only big institutions that are owing council, even individuals are owing the local authority,” said Mahwende.
In previous years council threatened to unleash debt collectors on institutions.
Several schools, ZRP, ZNA among other debtors owe council a total of ZW$202 975 443, 66 while residents, various organizations and institutions have debt arrears of about ZW$707 900 215, 77.

Rutendo Chirume

The 2019-2020 Auditor General Mildred Chiri’s report revealed that 44 percent of Mutare City’s water is being lost through non-functional and unmetered properties which has resulted in huge financial losses due to undercharging of residents.
The AG stated in the report that council had 29 542 water meters of which 9 413 were non-functional, in addition 4 523 properties were unmetered which leads to water and revenue losses by undercharging or estimates but however enquiries with management revealed that financial challenges faced by council were affecting the replacement of non-functional water meters.
Mutare Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka said council has been trying by all means to install water meters and they have managed to secure a tender but it will take time to install them all.
“This is a project which will take us several years to complete and will greatly depend on budget performance but so far we have managed to secure 5 000 water meters which we will install in groups as we are incapacitated to do them all at once.
“For those without meters or with broken meters, we are doing estimated consumption though we might be losing out on lots of money due to this. We will start with broken meters and unmetered properties then work on the rest. Water crisis has been topical of late in the city and we will try within our capacity to resolve that,” said Chafesuka.
Commenting on the AG’s finding, Mutare Council management said they acknowledged that the water meters must be replaced every 10 years (at most).
“Council did not replace water meters over a long time and since 2019 the local authority has resorted to replacing water meters in phases for the top 300 customers and said will increase the number to 600 the next year depending on the funds available,” it read in the report.

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-Town Council (CTC) chairperson Gibson Hwende has invited well-wishers and business community to extend their hand towards the construction of a high density house to a local man with visual impairment.
The intended beneficiary Vengani Framinga Musendekwa (55) was allocated a stand by CTC in 2011 but has been struggling to mobilize resources towards construction of a property on the stand.
Hwende who once made headlines in late 2018 after he was elected the chairperson of the local authority by declining council offer to buy him a vehicle, after his predecessor Zanu PF’s Francis Moyo walked out with a Toyota D4D Twin Cab as his package, has once again directed the local authority to directly deposit his monthly ZW $60 000 allowance into Musendekwa’s account to cater for the construction of a house in Makondo extension.
Speaking during his visit to Musendekwa’s house, Hwende said he discovered the need to help with resource mobilization towards the construction of a house after his visit to check on their upkeep as he is the administering councilor.
“These are my close relatives whom I have been in touch with since 2013. I was here sometime when they gave me a list of the basic commodities they were highly in need of. So during that time, I learned that Musendekwa has been struggling to construct on her stand in Makondo Extension which she got from the local authority in 2011.
“So I have decided to mobilize resources towards the construction of the house as I have engaged friends from the Diaspora, well-wishers and the business community to give a helping hand.
“I have since directed the local authority to deposit all of my monthly allowances into Musendekwa’s account to help her towards the construction of the house. We have also formulated a coordination committee for transparency and accountability purposes including Pastor Taibu and PWD provincial chairperson Taona Chenjerai,” said Hwende.
Pastor Taibu also praised Hwende for keeping his word towards this noble cause.
“This was supposed to be the work of the church, but you decided to take it upon your shoulders. The word Baba goes beyond wearing of a trousers. In fact it was derived from a Greek word ‘ABA’ which means a man of responsibility. We want you to keep your word and deliver. My joy lies in delivering than just promising,” said Taibu.
Chenjerai also said the helping hand is highly recommendable.
“When I heard of this initiative by chairperson, I was happy to be part of it, but however, PLWD should be prioritized not lip praised. During allocation of stands, they should be given a grace period to pay because much of their earning comes from begging, imagine raising money to pay for a stand through begging, it’s very difficult,” said Chenjerai
Musendekwa also welcomed the aid and insisted that council differentiate herself from most people who come with a helping aid and ended up being empty promises.
“I had nothing else to think off, all that came into my mind is that I had failed to construct that house. I was just praying to God, as God always intervene whenever we had gone out of ideas. Let it not be just empty promises, which many people used to do,” said Musendekwa.
The house is poised to be finished by the end of July as most of the resources required for the construction of the foundation and concrete footing have been put in place.
Hwende left groceries to the three families who are currently housed at one of Nesbit Arms properties in Chiredzi.

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- City Council on Monday (April 25) revealed that the dates for the traffic arbitration court has been set for May 4, 2022.
The communique (from the Magistrate court who is the arbitrator) was read yesterday during a full council meeting held at Gweru municipal offices.
The issue of Gweru traffic lights has been hanging for the past seven years as a contractor Emobuild, which was given the tender to install street lights was accused of doing a half baked job as the lights became dysfunctional soon after installation in 2013.
The total cost of the project was US$500 000, while council is said to be owing the contractor US $46 000 TellZim News has established.
Speaking on the development, Gweru Council acting director of Engineering Services Praymore Mhlanga said he received a communique stating that the arbitration date has been set for May4-6, 2022.
“I have just received a statement which is informing us as council that the arbitration case regarding our traffic lights has been set for May 4-6 2022,” he said.
Gweru council deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri who is also ward 5 councilor welcomed the development saying the issue was supposed to be dealt with for good.
“We welcome the court update regarding the issue of traffic lights which has been long overdue. We hope this time the case is going to be heard once and for all. The resolution to engage the minister on the matter will for now stand as a guard,” he said.
Ward 18 councillor Edson Kurebgaseka said a number of accidents have since been recorded in the Central Business District (CBD) due to the absence of functional traffic lights.
“A number of accidents have been recorded in the CBD. We have received a number of reports being attributed to the absence of lights in town. The issue of dates being postponed has greatly affected us to come out with a resolution towards the reinstallation of traffic lights.
“As a committee, we need work to be done once and for all and if possible we want to fix the lights ourselves. We cannot go on looking for contractors who cannot do their jobs well,” said Kurebgaseka.
Meanwhile Gweru City Council is planning to engage the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister on the issue of traffic lights.
However ward 13 councilor Catherine Mhondiwa said before engaging the minister on the matter of traffic lights as proposed by council, there was need to give the courts their time to determine the issue at hand.
“Before council write the letter to the responsible minister, there is need to allow court proceedings to be finalized and thus give the courts their time to solve the issue at hand,” said Mhondiwa.
Ward 7 councillor Gideon Mugariri echoed the same sentiments saying the issue of engaging the minister was supposed to be documented first.
“We need to have this resolution documented for us to engage the minister on a round table,” he said.