…as they move to improve service delivery

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- The Town Council’s 2021 ZW $90 Million devolution disbursements from central government have brought a relief to the local authority which has managed to make positive strides towards service delivery as they seek to fulfil their vision of becoming a municipality by 2025.
CTC has managed to procure necessary service delivery equipment to help in improving people’s lives in the fast growing sugarcane town.
CTC recently thanked President Emerson Mnangagwa for disbursing ZW$ 90 million devolution funds which was they had applied for in 2021 and managed to purchase high powered equipment meant to improve service delivery.
Speaking during a developmental Indaba organized by Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu at Chitsanga Hall, where Ezra Chadzamira the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo province was the guest of honour, Acting CTC Town Secretary, Engineer Wesley Kauma said devolution funds have brought relief to the local authority as they have managed to make a procurement of two crucial service delivery equipment including a refuse truck and fire tender which are yet to be delivered from China.
“In 2021, we bided for and were allocated ZW$ 90 million in devolution funds. Of the ZW$ 90 million, we managed to access and disburse ZW$ 40 million which we used towards the purchase of two equipment which are still in China. These equipment include a refuse compactor which was bought at the tune of ZW$ 16 million. As a local authority, we only have one refuse truck, so most of the time we encounter break downs while we do not have a backup.
“We also have plans to formulate a fire department as a local authority, so we also bought a Fire Tender truck to the tune of ZW$ 13 million. So we are expecting their arrival soon,” said Engineer Kauma.
The local authority also managed to purchase two tractors using another portion of the devolution funds and enhanced water reticulation in ward 7 to ease out water challenges.
“We also managed to buy two tractors, which we will ask minister Chadzamira to hand over to us. Besides this equipment, we have water challenges here in Chiredzi as our population is exponentially growing. We have managed to upgrade water reticulation in ward 7 where we erected another trunk line.
“We have also procured materials to repair one of our tanks which is dysfunctional, which we are partnering with the local government through GIZ towards its repair. We have also used another portion towards the upgrade of sewer reticulation in most areas which were troublesome. We have just finished the one in ward 1 and we are as well wrapping up sewer upgrades in ward 3,” added Engineer Kauma.
CTC also managed to procure four service delivery vehicles using internal funds.

Melinda Kusemachibi

The rains that fell over the past few days may have damaged some crops but farmers throughout the province have highlighted that the late rains are a blessing in disguise to some of their crops.
A farmer in Zaka district identified as Simbarashe Muzenda said that though the rains have come a bit late, with potential to decay some of their harvests, they are a blessing in disguise as they will sustain moisture for crops that desperately needed moisture.
“The showers are expected to benefit some crops but may cause considerable damage to other crops. Crops that will benefit include late-planted maize and cotton that had been destroyed by the drought. The extra moisture will prolong the ripening period and will increase potential yields,” said Muzenda.
Another farmer in Masvingo rural, Tariro Chibato said that groundnuts and roundnuts are most likely going to decay due to excessive moisture.
“Groundnuts face the danger of unseasonal sprouting. The rains may also complicate soya beans harvesting. The showers however are not expected to prolong the growth period for grazing but will certainly slow down the rate of evaporation, which was high in February and March,” added Chibato.
Zaka Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) officer Kennedy Pedzisai said the rains received are very much important as some crops will benefit from the rains.
“The rains received are very important since vegetable production will take up very well. Crops such as cowpeas and sugar beans will benefit from the rains. The veld will improve due to the rains received. Winter wheat land preparation will go on well without the need to water the land,” said Pedzisai.
Mwenezi District Agritex Officer Jemitias Denhere said these recent rains are going to improve the green pastures for livestock and also make availability of water to livestock easier.
“These rains are going to improve pastures for livestock, make water easily accessible to livestock and prepare for sugar beans planting. Otherwise, most farmers are going to suffer some yield loss due to post harvest losses especially on mature sorghum and pearl millet already on drying racks,” said Denhere.
Farmers in Masvingo were worried about the persistent dry spell that rocked the province as most crops that have reached maturity stages succumbed to the effects of the searing heat, hence putting expectations of a bumper harvest in jeopardy.
After experiencing a likely normal rainfall pattern in the past months, there has been an uneasy calm in the march of the monsoon. With no rains, moisture in the soil was reduced, upsetting the water budget in the soil.
The early summer maize crops were at critical tussling stage but wilting due to moisture stress has also started.
Although both the veld and livestock in most parts of the country are still in fair condition, grazing pastures generally have lost much of their nutritive value. Cattle are expected to start losing weight earlier this dry season than last year.
Water supplies remain fairly good throughout the country, but there maybe problems of shortages towards the end of the dry season in September and October.

TellZim Reporter

Former TellZim News accountant Edmore Munjeyi recently graduated with a doctoral degree in Accounting from the prestigious Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.

Dr Munjeyi, who hails from Gutu in Masvingo was conferred with the PhD at a colorful ceremony at the university in Gqeberha, South Africa on April 21, 2022.

His thesis, “A Framework For Digitalising Tax Revenue Collection For The Informal Economic Sphere In Zimbabwe” looked at how the Zimbabwean economy can use a digitalized framework to curb revenue leakages in the informal sector, which is now more dominant in the country.

“I have seen that there are many loopholes within the governance and our formal system has collapsed. There are many revenue leakages and in order to curb those loopholes there must be a framework, with this framework being a digitalized framework now.

“As we have seen, the economy of Zimbabwe has shifted from formal to informal; everything is now informal in Zimbabwe. If government wants to pursue money from informal (traders) for example money changers, artisanal miners and so on, how can we deal with those issues? So I proposed a framework which integrated artificial intelligence such that by the end of the day there is an audit trail and no one will have cash in his hands,” Dr Munjeyi said.

Dr Munjeyi said through the framework he was advocating for a ‘cashless’ economy, which curbs corruption, tax evasion and other such ills associated with the informal economy.

Dr Munjeyi is now one of the few people with a PhD in Accounting in Masvingo Province and said his motivation was the uniqueness of the qualification, which gives him a vertical alignment regarding his academic path.

“My first degree was Bcom Honors in Accounting followed by Master of Commerce Degree in Accounting and I proceeded to a PhD in Accounting. I wanted that vertical alignment to an extent that I will be a guru in that particular field.

“I wanted also to add my voice in issues that have to do with economic, corporate governance and so on,” said Dr Munjeyi.

Dr Munjeyi said  he wanted to encourage others who would want to take the same route to be determined and to leverage on their networks in order for their academic journeys to be easier.

“What I have discovered is that networking is key. I have been with my former director Golden Maunganidze who helped me when I wanted people to interview for data collection. My encouragement is that you listen to your heart; take that which you really want and again align yourself in terms of vertical articulation,” Dr Munjeyi added.

He said as someone coming from humble beginnings, he has a heart to support the underprivileged in order for them to access the same opportunities he did, which prompted him to register Donhodzo Revana Trust to empower the underprivileged, especially the academically gifted children.

“The founders of that Trust include myself, Dr Tado and Svitsai Mujuru. We are together in trying to empower starting from the primary level. We are trying to uplift the broken spirit. Without preempting my plans, for my celebrations I will be with children from Alpha Cottages,” Dr Munjeyi added.

TellZim Reporter

The director of Junior Driving School, Junior Security Services, and Junior High School Noah Marima was crowned the businessman of the year at the MEGAFEST awards held in the Masvingo last Friday.

Marima who won an almost similar accolade last year (2021) when he was named the Outstanding Business Personality of the year for 2020 is a young entrepreneur whose business empire is rapidly growing in the province and beyond.

Speaking to TellZim News Marima said he was happy with the recognition saying it shows that the Junior brand is steadfastly growing.

“I am happy with the recognition. It shows that we are a force to reckon with in the province and it encourages us to continue working hard and make a difference in the communities we serve,” said Marima

He went on to say the recognition was however not only for his organisation but also the people of Masvingo.

“Special mention should go to the people of Masvingo. They are the ones who keep us on our toes so that we deliver the best services to them. If they were not there, we couldn’t be where we are today,” he added.

He recently commissioned Junior High School which opened doors earlier this year and Junior Complex in town which houses his driving school and several other organisations. Recently the driving school was given the nod by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) to offer Defensive Driving Course.

Other notable winners include Great Zimbawe University (GZU) Campus Radio Director Golden Maunganidze who was crowned Director of The Year Award while his counterpart Anderson Chipatiso who is GZU public relations officer won the Public Relations Officer of the year award.

The MEGA FEST awards are an annual event run by MEGA FEST Holdings which is based in Bulawayo.

…as the world commemorates World Malaria Day on April 25

Melinda Kusemachibi

Chiredzi District, one of the most malaria prone areas in Zimbabwe is geared up for the fight against the spread of the vector-born disease, District Medical Officer Dr Brian Dhlandlara has confirmed.
Dr Dhlandlara said the district has enough infrastructure in place to fend off the spread of malaria.
“We are using innovations approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight malaria for example the use of long lasting insecticide treatment mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, larviciding, house screening which we are currently implementing,” added Dr Dhlandlara.
He said that current statistics shows a steady decline in number of malaria cases being recorded.
“Figures show a steady decline though more work still needs to be done for us to achieve zero malaria deaths. There is community engagement to increase and enhance community participation in malaria prevention through community leaders and health workers in our district,” Dr Dhlandlara said.
He also said malaria has been a burden to the whole district and fight against the disease should start at community level.
“The whole district has a high burden of malaria but mostly people who stay along water bodies and close to irrigated sugar cane farms are on high risk. Fight against malaria starts at community level where we have community health workers who are trained to test and treat malaria. All our primary health facilities (rural clinics) also test and treat malaria. Complicated cases are referred and treated at our secondary facilities in the district and our infrastructure is adequate,” he added.
2022 World Malaria Day is to be commemorated on April 25, 2022 under the theme ‘harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives’ as WHO wants to draw attention to the critical role innovation plays in helping achieve global malaria elimination goals.
In recent years cases of malaria have been high especially in the low veld areas such as Chiredzi.
Malaria one of the world’s oldest killer diseases continues to plague large parts of the globe despite decades of efforts to wipe it out.
This is a disease that still result in the death of a child every two minutes, despite effective treatment costs.
Worldwide, 219 million people get malaria each year and 435,000 people die of the disease. More than 90 percent of those deaths are in Africa, according to WHO.
The tiny mosquito-borne parasites that cause malaria may also change the body odor of those they infect, making people more attractive to mosquitoes that spread it.
Mosquito nets are being widely used for fishing in poor countries around the world.
Handing out free or subsidized mosquito nets is one of the most effective ways to tackle malaria. However, there have been anecdotal reports of people using the nets for fishing, rather than for protection while asleep.

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru– Vendors Initiative for Socio Economic Transformation (VISET) last week engaged office bearers and civic society organisations on the Private Voluntary Organisations Bill.
The Bill which was drafted last year is set to tighten screws on the operations of Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) on assumption that non-governmental organisations are working on the basis of financing terrorism and spearheading regime change.
Addressing various stakeholders during an engagement meeting with office bearers in Gweru last week, Viset Director Sam Wadzai said there was need to ensure that Members of Parliament (MPs) and CSOs understand how the PVO bill was structured and how CSOs operate.
He added that the bill was huge considering how CSOs were going to be negatively affected with this proposed amendment.
“We want to appreciate that government wants to govern the operations of CSOs through the PVO bill and we all recall that public consultations were done. After that process, we then realised the need for us to engage our MPs to understand what the bill holds for us.
“The CSO bill is proposing changes on the economic and developmental aspects of the country. We feel that we need to help our MPs to understand the bill so that when they debate it, they are well vested because CSOs are always there to work with government,” said Wadzai.
Unpacking the bill, Viset Information and Publicity officer, Jabulani Chikomwe said government was raising assumptions on how some civic society groups were engaging in politics.
“As I elaborate on this bill, government seeks to control and have a direct regulation on the operations of CSOs as other civic players are believed to be venturing into partisan politics. What government should understand is that there is a broad perspective where many interventions are being taken by CSOs to complement government efforts, we can even go back to issues of cyclone Idai, hunger, cases of abuse in rural communities, Covid-19, and humanitarian among other issues.
“So in as much as the bill seeks to give the minister ultimate power, we feel that such regulations may cripple the operations of CSOs because they get funding from various developmental partners. Besides that, the bill will affect the wellbeing of women and people with disabilities who are constantly getting aid from the donor community,” he said.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association director, Conerlia Selipiwe said there was need to foster compliance on issues to do with money laundering as the laws were already there.
“We have laws which govern and curb issues to do with money laundering and feel such laws must be put into practice and be implemented to deal with illicit and financial terrorism rather than having the whole PVO bill to regulate that aspect
“The documentation of CSOs was done properly and the paper work can be found at the Deeds office. We are also complying when it comes to all the paperwork which government may require, are working well with government using the current PVO Act, hence we do not see the need for the bill,” he added.
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), Midlands Coordinator Titus Mangoma said the coming in of the bill was already going against a number of constitutional rights.

…MURRA warns of impending action against council

Valentine Makufa

The water situation in Masvingo urban continues to be dire, as most areas are having dry taps, with those receiving it complaining that it is coming out with a brownish color.
A number of suburbs have been struggling to access water and have resorted to queuing at a few available boreholes.
Council were said to be in the process of repairing some pipes at Bushmead water works when taps went dry.
However when supplies resumed in some areas like Rujeko, Runyararo West and KMP, the water from the taps is dirty with a brownish color.
Contacted for comment on the water situation currently obtaining in the city, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa denied the presence of dirty water running from taps saying samples supplied to him show that the water is clean.
“Where exactly did you get that information? There is no dirty water coming out of taps because we have been sending people to different locations to get samples every morning since Monday and there is no such crisis,” he said.
However people started getting dirty water after resumption of water supplies.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said as a residents association they are not happy with the water situation in the city.
“As the biggest residents’ representative institution, we are actually appalled by the bad water situation in the city with regards to the quality and accessibility. We have endured almost a month receiving dirty water in our taps, the water is brownish and we fear for our health.
“We engaged the city fathers sometime back and they responded and promised to address the issue through a notice saying that their underground pipes had burst and even had a timeline of completing the exercise, but up to now we are still receiving dirty water so we no longer understand whether they are still doing maintenance work up to now, some areas are still not receiving water following the same challenge and they are relying on borehole water,” said Mtimba.
He also warned city council that MURRA will take unspecified action if they continuously fail to address the water challenge in the next seven days.
“As such we call upon council to address the water quality challenge as soon as possible as well as its provision. We want to warn council that if they fail to address this challenge over the next seven days, we will take action,” he added.
Masvingo Residents Forum (MRF) chairperson Brighton Ramusi said council has failed to put its residents first, rather they are spending money on unnecessary luxurious things.
“Water is a basic human right. Council has failed to prioritize water provision. Instead, council has prioritized the purchase of luxurious cars at the expense of the ratepayers. Water is overflowing at Lake Mutirikwi. There is no reasonable excuse not to provide clean water. It is unfortunate that council management has not been responsive to our demands,” said Ramusi.
Masvingo Service Delivery Residents and Ratepayers Association (MASDRRA) Secretary General Moses Mavhusa said council health officials should guarantee safe water and should also be answerable to the cases of dry taps.
“We are greatly concerned with the tap water being received in our city which possess an unfamiliar brownish color. We want health officials to guarantee our safety as residents. There are areas which are not receiving water and council must be answerable. How can we talk of an upper middle class economy by year 2030 if the services are so backward?” said Mavhusa.
Last year Masvingo council relieved former Engineer Tawanda Gozo alleging that he was incompetent in the water department as the local authority faced challenges in delivering clean water to residents.
The City Fathers were previously accused of pumping half-treated water sometime in February 2021 risking the health of residents.