The ‘legacy’ Mucheke Trunk Sewer project that has been going on since 2013 received a major boost towards resumption of operations following the injection of ZW$100 million devolution funds, Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa recently confirmed.
Mukaratirwa indicated that they are going to cover an area of 2km using the devolution funds allocated this year.
“ZW$100 million was allocated for working on the trunk sewer project and it will cover an area of 2km,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
He also said that contractors were on the ground as they resume work on the project to try and cover the area.
“Contractors are on the ground as they have resumed work. They were supposed to have started early February but they were affected by rains, now the project has resumed,” said Mukaratirwa.
Masvingo city’s Mucheke Trunk Sewer upgrade remains incomplete, nine years after the project started, and more than US$4 million was initially lost towards the project.
Mukaratirwa said of the ZW$120million allocated in 2021 they only used ZW$87million.
“In 2021 ZW$120 million was allocated on devolution funds towards Mucheke Trunk Sewer but we only used ZW$87 million and covered a distance of 1,2km,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
In 2012, City of Masvingo advertised a tender to construct the Mucheke Trunk Sewer, a pipeline running roughly parallel to Mucheke River and planned to link with the sewer plant in Eastvale.
Covering a stretch of 7km, the new sewer trunk is meant to extend to the fairly new and sprawling Victoria Ranch suburb just outside Masvingo.
Initially Harare-based Mutual Construction (Pvt) Ltd was awarded the tender after beating at least 10 other bidders, and council fixed a US$2,1 million loan from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to fund the project.
As at March, 3 2021 checks have however, revealed that Mutual Construction was not among the 108 professional firms listed on the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) website.
Project development kicked off in 2012 and was supposed to be completed within a year, but work stopped in early 2013.
Mutual Construction had removed its equipment that remained on the project site by the end of 2014, save for the giant 750-1200mm diameter cement-asbestos pipes purchased from Turnall Holdings.
In 2015, council put out a public notice borrowing a further US$1, 7 million to fund resumption of work on the project. But barely a quarter of the job has been done.
According to a recent report, Masvingo reported an average of 2 812 sewer blockages per year and was blamed for lack of supervision and lack of enforcement of contract agreements by its engineers and staff.
CHIREDZI- Town Council (CTC) has introduced the leadership visibility programme which will enable policy makers as well as council management to have an appreciation of the challenges being faced by the community as well as progress on projects being undertaken by the local authority.
The programme, where the councilors as well as key management officials will spend most of their time outside their offices appreciating the challenges that are being faced by residents will enable them to proffer solutions basing on the challenges being faced by the communities.
In an interview, council chairperson Gibson Hwende, said the programme is the first step in improving service delivery as priority will be given to most affected areas as management which is expected to implement the policies they formulate will have a chance to identify the challenges being faced by residents on the ground.
“The idea behind this philosophy is to enable both management and policy makers to have a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our communities. This in turn will help policy makers to prioritize and utilize resources efficiently. The involvement of policy makers act as a lubricant to assist councilors to appreciate the areas that need policies as well as providing the much needed oversight role which ultimately improve service delivery,” said Hwende.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) chairperson Jonathan Muusha applauded the local authority for realizing what they have been calling for since time immemorial which will help on service delivery.
“This is what we urged them to do because it will help councilors to make sounding resolutions as policy makers and management will implement what they would have been tasked by councilors and community. I am very happy and support the decision of fact finding the status on service delivery” said Muusha.
Gweru- City Parking last week exempted parents of learners learning at Stanley Primary School from being clamped and billed when dropping and picking up their children at the school.
The development was announced in a letter of reply dated February 23, 2022 to Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association by the parking entity.
GRRA director, Conerlia Selipiwe said they were happy with the development.
“So I am glad because our call was answered in the interest of parents. As residents organisation we wrote a letter to City parking requesting exemption on the drop off and pick up times of children.
“We were concerned about the clamping which was affecting parents when they pick and drop off their kids at Stanley.
“We then wrote to city parking requesting an exemption so that children are not affected,” he said.
In a letter issued to residents through GRRA, city parking operations manager John Kore said parents expressed concern over the untimely clamping at Stanley school premise.
“We have noted your concern about the problem being faced by parents when dropping and picking children at Stanley Primary school. The matter has come to our attention and we have come up with solutions to address the matter. The parking entity notified parents that measures have been put in place to ensure that challenges being faced by parents have been solved,”
“Parents dropping students in the morning between 0730hrs-0800hrs and in the afternoon between 1300hrs-1400hrs will not be clamped or billed. Gweru City parking has given parents an exemption from being clamped and billed between these times,” read the letter.
Following the relegation of Masvingo United from Zimbabwe top flight league into the Eastern Region Division 1 league, Una Una faithfuls were left wondering as to whether Mucheke stadium will ever host premiership football.
The demise, which was followed by former bank roller busman Tanda Tavaruva’s transport empire sinking into oblivion cast a dark shadow over any prospects of revival or even efforts to bounce back into the elite league. Masvingo United now a community-owned team faces the prospect of bringing glory days back to the ground at the heart of the oldest suburb of Mucheke where it commands a sizable following among the ‘ghetto youths’.
But as the saying goes ‘beyond darkness, there is always light at the end of the tunnel’, such is life at Una Una as the team fights for promotion into the top flight league where rival, richer and more organised competitors pose a serious threat in form of Green Fuel, Manica Diamonds Under 23, Chiredzi Stars and Ruwa ProGroup FC among others, there is a rising stars in Masvingo United in form of promising midfielder Benedict Courage Bere.
23-year-old ‘Kaka’ as he is affectionally known among the club’s fans, is proving to be a force to reckon in the middle of the park as he exhibits touches of glimpse and control of the ball.
Born on September 4, 1998 in Mashava, he started playing football while he was in grade 5 at Runyararo Primary School in Masvingo. His outstanding performances earned him a scholarship at Pamushana High School in Bikita between 2010 and 2016 for his secondary education.
“I started playing football while I was in grade 5 at Runyararo primary school. In 2008, I went to Gweru representing Masvingo province under 14 boys’ team and was then offered a scholarship to study at Pamushana from form 1-6 and that is where I was nurtured to become the person I am right now.
“In 2016, I then joined Bikita Minerals where I was working while playing football. In 2017, I was selected to go for the national team trials but things did not go well there as I failed the trials,” said Kaka.
He also added that he went for trials in France as his agent by then saw the talent he had but could not meet the teams’ demands as they offered him scholarships and wanted him to play for the development side.
“I had a company agent who saw the talent that I had after coming from the national team trials, the agent went with me to France in 2017 and we could not find a team that was willing to meet our demands.
“My agent wanted 30 percent from my signing on fee, but the teams offered scholarships to nurture me from their development sides as I did not have the experience to play European football and this made us to return back home and went on to play for Bikita Minerals,” he said.
Kaka said he won many awards at different tournaments while he was still at school and that is what motivated him to keep on working hard as he pursues the dream of dancing with the elite boys in premier soccer league.
“While I was at Pamushana High School, I was judged the U17 player of the tournament and in 2012 I was the midfielder of the tournament at the Coca-Cola tournament and then in 2016, I went for the Youth games in Chinhoyi and we were defeated in the finals.
“My mission is to go forward as a player. I am a hard worker whose desire right now is not to play for money but I am currently focusing on my career and I dream to play in the PSL. I am fighting very hard for that dream to come true, that is what motivates me,” added Kaka.
Kaka put on another superb performance over the weekend as Masvingo United edged past youthful Manica Diamond Juniors FC 3-1 at home.
Kaka dictated pace in the midfield. Masvingo United goals came from Shawn Mutongi, Admire Banda and Frank Jere while Malvern Mutimukulu scored consolation for the visitors.
…as new committee moves to promote buy ‘Gweru brand’
Staff reporter
Gweru-Informal sector last week re-elected Tafadzwa Mazorodze as the chairperson for Gweru Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking to TellZim News, Mazorodze said his main objective was on empowering the SMEs.
“Our main goal is to empower SMEs, my promise basically is seeing micro medium and small enterprises elevating to become cooperates and also to create employment for them.
“We will also assist them with equipment, loan facilities and cheaper funding as well as newer technology so that they will graduate to Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce. We will also assist our SMEs to get registered for them to fit in the 25 percent budget that was set aside for procurement, devolution and tenders,” said Mazorodze.
He further said the new committee was focused towards promoting the ‘buy Gweru brand’.
“We have SMEs that are in transport and logistics, manufacturing and clothing sectors, so we will be aiming for our SMEs to produce the things that are needed in Gweru.
“We want Gweru to be participating in international trade, fully equip the SMEs with quality machinery that will help in producing quality products suitable for international market. Our community is working tirelessly delegating duties to promote 1500 SMEs to graduate so that they will be able to export their products with help of government and Non-Governmental Organizations,” he added.
Gweru Chamber of SMEs Vice Chairperson, Obert William said the sector aims to embrace and support opportunities presented by the government to them.
“Let us work together as SMEs, so that we can change our economy,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the growing economy towards attaining vision 2030 meeting, the Ministry of Woman Affairs, Small to Medium Enterprise in a statement said the SMEs had become one of the fastest growing sectors in Zimbabwe.
Local authorities are key drivers of development in Zimbabwe with government disbursing funds through devolution to foster development in these areas.
The local authorities work in a three tier system managed by council managers that are the Town Clerks and Secretaries or Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) with their directors involved in the day to day running of affairs and implement policies made by the second authority which is the policy makers or councillors led by the mayors, town or council chairpersons. These play an oversight role and formulate policies and resolutions basing on the needs of the people and societies they represent.
The last, which is the District Development Coordinators (DDCs), formerly the District Administrators (DAs) also have a role to play in council operations as the office chairs all forms of development in the district working with traditional leaders in case of rural communities.
Members of Parliament (MPs) are also involved in a way to complement council efforts in development through Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and any other government projects that come through them.
Local authorities receive other funds from parastatals like ZINARA to help in maintaining road infrastructure. However, for any meaningful development to take place, all these stakeholders should be held accountable. Communication is a major contribution towards development. The local authorities are expected to give out information about their developmental goals and timelines so that other stakeholders will appreciate work being done.
A lot of local authority managers are not forth coming when it comes to information dissemination through the media, whose role in this regard can only be underplayed at the detriment of the citizens, who require efficient service delivery.
This article rates local authorities that is the CEOs, Council Chairpersons, Town Secretaries, Town Clerks and DDC’s on how they disseminate information to the public through the media, which is vitally necessary and required by law, like the recently enacted Freedom of Information Act.
1. Bikita District
Peter Chibhi
In Masvingo province, the best CEO in terms of giving information to the media is Bikita’s Peter Chibhi who gets 9/10. Chibhi is always forthcoming when the media inquire. He always provides information on budgets, devolution funds, rates among other things. He also gives a comment even on issues which seem to be sensitive or even negative to him as an individual or to the local authority as a whole. He is one of the few who invite the media when he has done something remarkable. He also gives updates on on-going and finished projects.
Similarly the council Chairperson Benjamin Masakadze is also open to the media. He comments and gives information as required unless on technical issues which he would have to refer to council managers. Masakadze unlike other chairpersons values the media engagement and would be rated at 8/10.
Bikita DDC Hadzirabwi is average in terms of media engagement and often comments but only on simpler issues but is dodgy when it comes to sensitive issues and a 5/10 would suffice for him.
2. Gutu District
Alexander Mtembwa
In second position is Gutu RDC CEO Alexander Mtembwa. Mutembwa is above average and is open to the media. He comments on all aspects of the local authority be they positive or negative. He gives regular updates when asked on the local authority’s budget, projects under devolution funds and road maintenance with funds from Zinara among other things. For that he gets 8/10.
Gutu RDC Chairperson Nicholas Zambara is also among the best chairpersons. He comments and gives information as expected and usually refers technical questions to the CEO. Just like Masakadze, Zambara gets 8/10.
However, the DDC Chiedza Tafirei is among the worst in the province as she barely entertains questions from the media and in most cases refers to the Secretary for Development formerly Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC). Tafirei gets 3/10.
3. Mwenezi District
Albert Chivanga
Mwenezi RDC CEO Albert Chivanga comes third with 7/10. Chivanga is open for interviews and all forms of questions. He gives timelines and progress on devolution funds, projects, budgets and other things. He is usually open to comment on all issues negative or positive.
However, Council Chairperson Jorum Ncube is very media shy. He seems not to have an understanding of media’s role in fostering development and transparency. He is seldom quoted in the media and this gives him 2/10.
The new Mwenezi DDC Nyaradzo Tongofa is not forthcoming in terms of media engagement. Unlike her predecessor Rosemary Chingwe, Tongofa always says she is not allowed to talk to the media and refers all questions to the Provincial Secretary Dr Jefta Sakupwanya. However, Sakupwanya in most cases refers back questions to the DDC saying she is the one on the ground and has more information and often says he is also waiting for reports from there. Because of that, Tongofa gets 3/10.
4. Chiredzi Districts
Ailes Baloyi
On average, Chiredzi District with both the town and rural district councils is the best in terms of information dissemination. Chiredzi RDC CEO Ailes Baloyi gets 7/10. He is very friendly and forth coming when it comes to provision of information to the media. He is always available and has an open door policy.
However, it’s a different case for the chairperson who is ranked among the worst and gets 2/10. The council chairperson Edward Matsilele is very media shy and seems not to understand how the media works. He lacks simple public relations and is seldom quoted in the media. Matsilele always refers questions to Baloyi even those regarding to policy issues.
Chiredzi Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma is slightly above average; he is also friendly to the media though he is rated below his counterpart Baloyi and gets 6/10. Kauma always releases information to do with public funds especially on devolution. He is very cooperative although he sometimes is difficulty especially on issues which are negative in nature, to which he can be hostile.
Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende is among the best chairpersons in the province. He is always available for comment and provides all the necessary information as it is needed. This also goes to his deputy Ropafadzo Makumire. Hwende gets 7/10.
The District Development Coordinator Lovemore Chisema is probably the best DDC in the Province and he gets 8/10. Chisema is very open to the media and can entertain the media even after working hours.
5. Masvingo District
Edward Mukaratirwa
Masvingo District with its two local authorities, Masvingo City Council and Masvingo RDC is on average. Masvingo City Council Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa gets 6/10. Mukaratirwa is unpredictable, he comments on most issues but sometimes he is a bit difficult. He has a vacillating character and difficult to predict. He sometimes releases information very well and sometimes he just decides not to.
The City Mayor Collen Maboke has improved over time compared to what he used to do when he first entered into council. He now comments and gives information on almost every aspect related to his office and would refer technical questions to the town clerk and the relevant department.
Another official is the Public Relations Officer Ashleigh Jinjika and she gets 5/10 for only answering calls and referring them forward. She always refers simple questions related to her office to the Town Clerk. She is not in touch with the media and hardly knows a quarter of the local media despite her once being in a newsroom.
Masvingo RDC CEO, Martin Mubviro always asks the reporters to come to Nemamwa saying he cannot give information over the phone. Mubviro is not in touch with the media as expected of him and the local authority seldom invites the media on important events. Because of that Mubviro gets 4/10.
The DDC Ray Hove gets 4/10 though he is similar to Mubviro. He does not usually want to entertain questions via phone and he says he prefers talking face to face despite cellphones being convenient in this era. He is not keen on releasing information on development around the district despite him chairing all developmental aspects in the district. Even when doing face to face interviews, Hove is always dodgy and would never give a comprehensive response.
6. Chivi District
Godfrey Mukungunugwa
Chivi District is among the worst in the province, with the CEO Tariro Matavire getting 3/10. Matavire seldom releases information. He is not forthcoming to the media and it’s very rare for him to invite the media for any development. He rarely releases information on important developments in the district.
The council Chairperson Godfrey Mukungunugwa also gets 3/10. His major undoing is pretending to be busy all the time. He does not pick up his cellphone and when he does, he always says he is busy try again sometime but usually he won’t pick up on the second attempt. When he eventually answers his cellphone, he only wants to comment on positive issues, referring most of the questions to Matavire.
Chivi DDC Innocent Matingwina is a bit better than Mukungunugwa and Matavire so he gets 5/10. He is dodgy on sensitive issues and talks better on positives. He cannot engage the media on his own on whatever developments that take place in the district.
7. Zaka District
The worst district is Zaka. Both the CEO David Batsirai Majaura and the DDC Memory Dhliwayo are difficult. Majaura comments here and there and in most cases he is not keen to release figures especially when it comes to accountability on devolution funds and other council business. Majaura gets 2/10. In most cases he does not answer his cellphone and when he answers, it’s difficult to squeeze information out of him.
However, the Council Chaiperson Cornelius Mapuranga who is the longest serving councillor in the country having been councillor since 1980, usually responds to the media though he is dogdy in most cases. He also refers technical questions to the CEO. Because of that, Mapuranga gets 5/10.
The DDC does not answer her cell in most cases and when she does she will always say she is not authorised to speak to the media despite fellow DDCs from other districts being allowed. Dhliwayo gets 2/10. Dhilawayo at times is very hostile if the media pester for information which makes the district one of the worst in information dissemination.
Masvingo City Council hogged the limelight after scooping four accolades at Zimbabwe CEO Network Awards held on February 25, 2022 in Harare.
Mayor Cllr Collen Maboke was the outstanding Mayor winner, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa won an award of outstanding Town Clerk, Public Relations Officer Ashleigh Jinjika won as the outstanding Public Relations officer and Masvingo City won in the Best Performing Local Authority category.
Maboke said that he would like to appreciate the work done by councillors and said team work is the secret behind the success.
“I would like to thank councilors whom I work with, as I do not work alone. Without these councillors, we would not have won this award, the reason being that we also got an award as City of Masvingo. We continue to encourage each other to work hard for the benefit of residents.
“I was happy when Minister July Moyo came here on Rujeko Secondary School official opening when he commented that we are doing a good job on rehabilitation of roads, building of a clinic which we want to open this month, a school and upgrading a landfill,” said Maboke.
Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said he felt honored to achieve such recognition.
“We feel honoured as an institution and individuals for the recognition. It is a challenge to us to continue being focused and offering best services to the residents and ratepayers of Masvingo,” said Mukaratirwa.
Zimbabwe CEO’s Network is an exclusive CEO peer group organisation that leads opportunities for learning and development for CEOs and Executives.
MASVINGO – Following recent political violence incidents that claimed the lives of two people and left some nursing injuries in Kwekwe and Gokwe, political analysts have warned of a possible 2008 violence scenario in the run up to the 2023 general elections.
Some have said the recent incidents were a dry run to what is going to happen in 2023 saying there is a possibility of returning ‘fire with fire’.
Great Zimbabwe University lecturer and political commentator Dr Davison Mabweazara Mugodzwa said what happened in Kwekwe gives a gory picture of possible future clashes saying members of the opposition now seem ready to retaliate if they are provoked and this can lead to blood bath.
“People are now fed up with the situation; they are answering to the politics of the stomach. People are hungry and they say a hungry man is an angry man so we are likely to see a repeat of the 2008 situation in 2023,” said Mugodzwa
The Kwekwe incident has been attributed to statements made a day before by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga where he said they will crash the opposition like lice.
Mugodzwa however said people no longer listen to old guys who are in power saying it is the youth who have just learnt to defend themselves.
“People no longer listen to these old rich guys in positions. It is the stomachs that are dictating the pace now. People are hungry and they can do anything to defend themselves. The meeting was sanctioned by the police and some wanted to disrupt it and people retaliated as we all saw,” said Mugodzwa.
Another analyst Dr Wellington Gadzikwa said the Zimbabwean political climate was now charged and something needed to be done urgently to diffuse the pending crisis.
“It looks like the Zimbabwean political climate is highly charged and if nothing is done to diffuse the tensions then worse things could happen. The impending drought and the persistent harsh economic environment could add more propensities for conflict in the political realm. Violence is largely a reflection of endemic poverty as citizens are becoming more politically conscious and feel that the vote will be the panacea to their liberation,” said Dr Gadzikwa.
He went on to say political players should not make statements that influence members to engage in violent behaviour.
“Political players must desist from seemingly inciting and spreading language that encourages conflict or fame elections as a duel or war, they must reign in on their errant members,” said Dr Gadzikwa
Another commentator professor Charles Pfukwa said violence should be condemned at all cost and said what happened in Kwekwe was unfortunate and should be avoided at all cost saying if it is not addressed could lead to serious issues.
“Violence is condemned at all cost and we should let the law take its course. We don’t have to point fingers at each other but make sure we avoid a similar situation and that is everyone’s responsibility. ZEC, political players, the electorate, security forces, the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the clergy, traditional leaders and everyone else should be involved if we are to end this,” said Professor Pfukwa.
Another analyst who preferred anonymity said the Kwekwe incident was worrisome because of our not-so-good history as a nation which dates back to the 2000s.
“As a nation we have a history of political violence which started in the early 2000s. The violence escalated as time moved on and the 2008 era was the peak. So what happens is if these guys in power feel threatened from their opponents they pretend to have lost control of their supporters who would then cause violence,” said the analyst.
The analyst further said another worrisome issue is the bulge of unemployed youths who are excitable and can be easily manipulated, aggravated by the growing cases of drug abuse and drug trafficking, which were not as popular in previous years.
“We have a high number of unemployed youths now who are excitable and can easily be manipulated. In 2008 drug abuse was lower compared to now and you can see the worry we have if something is not done,” said the analyst.
Human rights activist and Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project Jestina Mukoko echoed the same sentiments on drug abuse saying unemployed people were being lured into violence for a container of Chibuku beer.
“The police memo from the Kwekwe incident proves that the accused people are unemployed, that tells us that they are being abused for beer and other small tokens which they accept with the intention of fending for themselves and their families. However, money with blood is not good,” said Mukoko.
She went on to say if perpetrators of violence are not arrested then the country is going to witness more cases of violence which she said would only benefit the parties aligned to the perpetrators.
“If the constitution is not respected and the accused don’t get punished, we are likely to see more as it benefits those in power. This incident will make people afraid to associate with the opposition though the constitution guarantees freedom of association,” She said.
She warned political leaders against inciting statements that are likely to cause violence saying people should be aware that beneficiaries of violence do not mobilise their children towards harm’s way.
“People should know that these guys do not mobilise their children to perpetuate violence but other people’s and they should not be tricked into violence. The leaders are supposed to avoid using inflammatory language when addressing people which can incite the public,” she said.
Youth Decide Director Learnmore Munhangu said a repeat of 2008 or worse is inevitable unless something is done saying the way other leaders are delivering toxic speeches in front of their supporters could perpetuate a bloody election period.
“Basing from reports which are in circulation, it’s very clear that we are heading towards a replica of the disastrous 2008 situation. The socio-political environment is spiteful. All political players are aggressive and some seem to almost equal in terms of support base.
“Some leaders are delivering toxic and malevolent speeches in front of supporters as a way of perpetuating violence and if that continues, bloodshed is inevitable,” said Munhangu
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Spokesperson Obert Gutu said as a commission they condemn any form of violence and said there should be peace always, election period or not.
“I cannot prophesy if there will be violence in the upcoming election or not but as a commission we are against violence all the time and all generations be it election time or not, let there be peace every time,” said Gutu.
Former Gweru mayor, Josiah Makombe has approached the High Court on his case regarding the council pool car he allegedly took with him after being recalled late last year.
Makombe, through his lawyer, Ephraim Ndlovu of the Mabhundu and Ndlovu Law Firm said he was sent home when he went to the magistrates’ court as the prosecutors were still studying the police docket.
No charges were levelled against Makombe, TellZim News has established.
Ndlovu said as Makombe’s defense counsel they came over with the intention to challenge the placement on remand of their client as the case was purely a civil matter which required a clear explanation of a resolution.
“We were told to appear in court today. We came and were told that the officials were still studying the docket. What transpired is that, a clear resolution was made by council that Makombe was set to purchase the US$176k pool car at book value by the end of his term of office. What then happened was that he was recalled. So all this happened while he was waiting for council to forward him the book value resolution of the car so that he buy it in compliance with the resolution that council passed but council never did that.
“We only got a letter two days ago citing the return of the vehicle as saying he did not complete his constitutional term. So we have forwarded a letter to High Court seeking clarification about the constitutional term of office regarding this matter,” said Ndlovu.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA), Conerlia Selipiwe said as residents they were happy with the recovery of the vehicle.
“As residents we are equally happy with the development because we feel the car is now in safe custody while the matter is being looked at.
“What still worries us as residents is why he (the former mayor) refused to return the vehicle when he left office after he was recalled. Yet that same car made problems again when former Town Clerk, Elizabeth Gwatipedza was dismissed from office. This simply shows an element of selfishness at the expense of service delivery,” he added.
Makombe was recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC -T party last year after pledging allegiance to rival opposition Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s then MDC-Alliance.
Gweru council sought the intervention of the Joint Operation Command (JOC) to retrieve the vehicle from Makombe accusing him of holding on to the vehicle.
…Svuure claims he is the only one with right to source donations
Melinda Kusemachibi
Zaka Central Member of Parliament Davison Svuure left villagers shocked after he blocked food aid donations sourced by ward 13 councilor Manfred Mada meant to benefit villagers, claiming that he was the only one with the right to source such donations, a move some said is a bid to consolidate his position as the front runner for the 2023 harmonized elections.
Mada said Svuure went further to write a letter to the District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo dated February 22, 2022 instructing him to stop the donations.
“I however have reservations over the activities of one Tzuchi Foundation, an affiliate of Miriro Trust for which I apparently happen to be a Founding Board Member. I noted with concern as I have observed this organization being hijacked by Mr Manfred Mada, its local representative, and transformed into a campaign vehicle in pursuit of his political aspirations.
“Mr Mada happens to be the councilor for ward 13 in Zaka Central Constituency, a known political activist and an aspiring candidate for the forthcoming House of Assembly elections. Mr Mada coordinates the activities of Miriro Trust/Tzuchi Foundation and he has literally transformed this organization into a vehicle for his political expediency,” read part of the letter by Svuure.
The letter went on to stipulate that volunteers are being used as campaigners in different wards.
“I have seen the sprouting up of unsanctioned programmes across the constituency which initially started in wards 13 and 15 but now spreading to ward 19 and others. I have also noticed an establishment of campaign agents disguised as volunteers who have been set up in the above mentioned wards. Their real purpose has remained a guarded secret but they masquerade as community workers. This group of so called volunteers ironically now brooding discontent because of these recruits are of an antagonistic, vindictive and disloyal personality who are undoubtedly poised for a confrontation and have lately been causing problems especially on input distribution programmes, which have been characterized by looting, especially in ward 19,” the letter read.
However contacted for comment Davison Svuure said he had no comment over the issue.
“I have no comment on that. Besides, l have a way of addressing that and other issues that pertain people that vote for me like you say and I do not believe doing that through the press is the best,” said Svuure.
Mada said that Svuure was frustrated as villagers claimed that he has done nothing towards development of the constituency since he was elected MP.
“I have a donor named TzuChi Foundation from Taiwan, an organization which has a well signed MOU with the government that was giving the villagers rice and other things, so this frustrates MP Svuure as the villagers are complaining that he has done nothing towards development of the constituency as compared to me. This led him to write a letter to DDC blocking people from receiving food aid. When l tried to talk to the DDC she said she will not get involved because its politics,” said Mada.
Efforts to get a comment from Dhliwayo were fruitless until the time of publishing.
It is said that Mada is eying Zaka Central constituency come 2023 hence the clashes with Svuure.
This is not the first time the two have clashed as they once clashed in 2021 when councilors demanded accountability from Svuure for the 2020 Constituency Development Fund (CDF). It is reported that Svuure accused Mada of having no knowledge on how CDF works.
