Like always Mapombi would like to remind the nation of her allegiance to fellow women though practically emphasising and driving home the point with clarity that I am not a radical feminist nor am I an activist to that effect. Recent events in ongoing campaigns in run up to the March 26 by-elections have provoked my thoughts following the harassment along gender lines after Zanu PF ward 7 aspiring candidate Prosper Dohwai belittled LEAD’s Everjoy Chidindi by claiming that women have no qualities to lead. Zuro ndizuro zvaiva naMai Muchuchuti.
Ko nhai Dohwai, kupihwa mukana paplatform means you have to sell your ideas as to how you intend to take the ward forward as their representative not to attack a competitor. Those from the ‘revorutionary party’ should have schooled you sekuru, kodzero dzemadzimai dziri kungoparidzirwa shoko pasi rose amusati mambosanganawo nazvo here kwenyu kwamunorova hakata uko?
Moda kushoresa varume varikungozviitira mabasa avo nekurarama zvakanaka namadzimai sei? Tichiripo ipapo haa ward 7 yakanyanya iyi. I heard Richard Musekiwa talking of himself spearheading a number of projects before the axe of Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora came on his neck. I heard you saying you were behind the construction of the bridge that spans over Mucheke River to Rujeko A, Covid-19 isolation centre and road rehabilitation notably Ingwe drive. Inga maishanda chose.
But yaaa the only people who knew the future of their kid are the parents who aptly named their boy Togarasei as he is living up to his name. Zvakaoma zvaDhagi kani, kunyange iye mufi Tsvangirai should be impressed nemoto unaDhagi. It’s just that government is not sincere because they should have stopped Dhagi kare. The chaos he is creating all over the country is no longer tolerable, wotoona tax payers’ money ichitopiwa mbwende yakadaro kkkk haungaendi kuhondo dzokera kumba haaa. Ko ipo paMutare apo kkkk zvakaoma hanzi vanga vakasanobata chimuti vaFarai Bhiza vakapera mweya mushure mekudashurwa musarudzo dzekutsiva Mayor weguta reMutare. Hanzi kuita mbona mbona chibatabishi nemaambulance kuzara VaBhiza varohwa nezveusiku paelection,kkkkkk. Moitaneiko mupolitics umo nhaimi,kkkkk. Semunhukadzi, hey, guru rarira kuti kuruuuu iwo moyo wekubereka uchipisa. Tough luck Bhiza, you will get used to it zvekudyiwa izvi. Takatombovatawo nadzo shangu pana 2008, 2013, na2018 apa. I heard the councilors did him a number vadya zvavo chemuhomwe ndokusplitta vote, asi munhu so. Vanhu zvizukuru zvaJudas naYave. Nyika dzinorema idzi hama dzangu, unosvasvangwa wakambaisvinura sedemba. Bvunzai Kurauone hanzi huku dzanga dzatoundurwa kuward 4 uko rimwe gore wanikwe Maboke watiza nechinhu, kkkkk. Motosimba hana VaBhiza.
Tiripo panyaya yegender ipapo, Dhagi Dhagi Chete Chete once again reversed the gains that had been made paKwekwe apa through recalling female councilors, and tanga tatovewo nafemale mayor hameno mayoress ikoko, and Dhagi busted the bubble. Since then, haa I realized Mkoma Togi hates women, hezvo Khupe wongorova poto nekuda kwake Dhagi. A lot of people told me kuti all these opposition outfits have habits they will never drop and that includes gender discrimination ndichizviramba. Ndakazozvionera pachena. At least kuRujeko they did the right thing vakazoita by-election Getrude Chuma akasara mugame, zvozongopedzeranawo naMusekiwa ikoko. Kkkkkkkk, hameno zvinobuda here nekuti Mambo Dhavhita Majoni vakambobudisiswa misodzi naye 2018 and he ended up pleading mbashto. Ahhh ini zvangu ini, kkkkkk. Kudyiwa kusvika wati munhu akaromba kkkkkkkk, mapoliticians munondikutura ini. But pafeya mukanzuru medu makudawo madzimai. Mai Maridza is lonely in there and vanodawo vamwe vechidzimai kuti zviringane, not just being relegated to kuseconder mamotion chete. Vakadzi mabiyangu muripiko? KuWard 4 Mai Muchuchuti tongonzwa kuti Kura vakamuonesa chokuona kusvika avamaka. Ikozvino voshungurudza shirikadzi yevanhu, imi, are you not afraid of Mwari weshirikadzi nenherera? Munoitonga sei nyika muchitambudza shirikadzi nhandi? Svodai mhani. Shameless you are! Chete chandakaona handizivi kuti inhamo, kupenga or kusarongeka, kune vamwe vanhu vari so overzealous mukusupporter misangano iyi zvekuti even the voice of reason in their minds will be dead kufa kuti fi fi. How do you raise your hand against a woman, mai veumwe munhu to beat her up over politics? How did whoever wrestled chibag chaMai Muchuchuti from her on nomination court day evade justice from the party, if the party is genuinely concerned about women’s issues? Imi, are you even seized with women’s cause or kungoti as long as we get into power? Muchatidhuva semudumbu imi, I mean imi vanhu veChenyu Chete Chete, ehe ichocho. Avawo Sekuru Dohwai veZanu PF sika sika naChidindi kusvika ZEC yapindira, vanhu vacho same same gudo nemunhu. Kana Sisi Linda Masarira vopenga moti kwahi hee vanopenga imi muchishungurudza candidate yekuparty kwavo. Hatizvidii, hatizvidii, hatizvidiiii! Mhamha Okidhoki vanouya vakakumhanyisai apo, iya! Iye mazuvano she’s a bit too quiet, we just saw her picture musi weVale vana Baba vakatevedzera pozi yaObama naMichy wake, kkkkkk, hameno zvazvaingoveri so, hahahaha, kamwe kakungoshaya shine so.
I wish Zimbabwe Patriotic Front Chivi South candidate Faith Chuma all the best zvokwadi because she promised to pay school fees for orphaned and vulnerable children. She also promised to build bridges maChivi South mose umu. Zvakanaka wani. Nhaka veChivi South vachambagarika zvokwadi, nekuti ini Mapombi zvekusimudzirwa kwemadzimai ndozvandodanwa ndichiti hwee. Uku Zivhu wakambosiyawo ati oo oo. I just hope that other party notorious for victimizing opponents does not give her problems towards by-elections. Ko mangozara machauvinists ka mumaparty acho ose, imwe yacho yangofanana neimwe yacho, zvinhu zvacho so, huye bodo. Women are totally capable kupolitics, kana muchida bvunzai VaMundondo vakapinzwa mumabed kuGenerari uko naMai Dorca paWard 1 apa rimwe gore, kkkkkk. Kuita fever Mai Dorca vatiza nechinhu zvikapusa, iyavozve. Vatete vangu Chikoforo vakangopagara paBenjamin Burombo apa after she became a minister. A whole minister wedunhu reMasvingo makangoti vavava. But I would want to believe kuti that woman (may her soul rest in peace) went to hell and back for her to get that high up because maitiro evamwe varume mumapato umu haa, ibasa chairo.
Ko I heard kuti musangano mutsva is having a star rally? Dhagi Dhagi has gone down to halls akatoona kuti zvemaground izvi zvina vene vazvo, because ndakazonzwa dzakuti aiwa, the angle at which the picture was taken ndoisiyo, vanhu vanga vari kuma5000, imi baba imi mutinyare mazvihwa,kkkkkk. Just go kunoitira marally enyu mudining kumba kwenyu, or come kuchitima ndikuratidzei chimukoto chekuitira rally yenyu, not trying to spin it because zvimwe zvacho zvosvodesa. Chete Dhagi akamedza nyadzi akadzakisira nejomupii remvura, his shenanigans speak for themselves. Police please don’t embarrass this sovereign country and start beating up opposition supporters zvamurimi. Let them exercise their rights, and on this I also want to warn even the overzealous Zanu supporters who may feel compelled to act like animals. We know that musangano unohwinira kumacell but on this one imi vekumacerro imbozvidzoraiwo, bhora rotambwa ferere ferere. If they do not have relevance, ko just leave them ka tione, morega kudzingirira mhepo. Infact kutovavictimizer kutovawedzera relevance because if you just ignore them, they will talk themselves into obscurity, vakagoti yep yep vanoigona,kkkkkk. Wakambokaona Ostallos kachitaura iwe, unotemwa musoro nemavhoko ananasuccincty hameno ikoko nanachiccanery, seka hako Mapombi wee. Hatizvihwi isu.
Anyway, regai ndinokanga maputi angu for lunch zvangu, bva mabanana akaora ndahwa nawo. But before I go, what was Biti on about, attacking artists kudaro? Coming from you VaBiti I think it was just too low of you, makarashika paya. Better kungonyarara henyu sezvaiita former VP vedu Mphoko vekugara pahotera on taxpayers’ money for years. Mboko imboko!
Politicians please stop victimizing women opponents
Rujeko Secondary School finally opens
Melinda Kusemachibi
The wait is over for Masvingo City Council owned Rujeko Secondary School as the facility finally opened its doors to the pioneer form 1 classes on February, 14 2022.
Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke confirmed the development.
“Yes l can confirm that the school has been opened and we only enrolled the form 1 learners,” said Maboke.
However, Mayor Maboke could not give out the exact of number of pupils the school has enrolled.
“I am not yet sure of the number of pupils we enrolled so far, I can only confirm that we opened the school,” said Maboke.
He also said that the school currently is not registered as an examination centre with Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) but they are working as a satellite school under Ndarama High School.
“We are not yet registered for ZIMSEC but we are currently a satellite school under Ndarama High School,” added Maboke.
On the issue of furniture whose delivery was a bit delayed, Maboke said that the furniture finally arrived at the institution.
“Yes, furniture has been provided and the pupils have furniture to use,” said Maboke.
According to the school head Oddy Matonga who is currently Ndarama High Head, the school has enrolled over 200 pupils on the first day.
“Our enrolment now stands at 204 with six teachers being there now. On stationery, books are there and pupils are taking their classes. Currently, two blocks are working,” said Matongo.
Rujeko is the first secondary school to be run by Masvingo City Council.
Rujeko suburb did not have a secondary school, forcing pupils to go to neighboring suburbs where there is risk of accidents by crossing the busy Beitbridge road.
Government should put teacher salary debacle to rest
Much controversy and mystery still continues to shroud the salary impasse between government and teachers as it now seems as if a workable solution is hard to come by if the situation obtaining on the ground is anything to go by.
The delayed start of the 2022 academic calendar is now overshadowed by educationists putting down their tools in protest of government neglecting their welfare by ignoring their demands of the pre-October 2018 US$540 salaries and other related benefits, and government seems to be professing ignorance to such demands.
Such a deaf ear to the call by the civil service’s most down-graded and now a noble profession that is a shadow of itself, is only detrimental to the welfare of education. The failure to address the concerns or even striking a common ground with teachers will only serve to reverse the gains made on the academic front, as the legacy will soon cease to be a thing of the past.
Such utterances by the responsible ministry of Primary and Secondary Education where the Permanent Secretary would have guts to resort to use of threats on striking teachers and the Director of communications in the ministry that it is ‘known the world over’ to take action to reprimand protesting teachers, only shows how much government is uncommitted to address the stalemate and thus neglect of the worker who languishes way below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL).
The two higher office bearers in the ministry should take cognisance of the fact that every situation would need solutions peculiar to prevailing situations and so should the Zimbabwean case be addressed as well.
Instead of engaging the aggrieved teachers amicably, government is trying to manipulate the level of unemployment as a way of forcing teachers back to the classroom but the question still remains: Will meaningful learning and teaching take place in the classrooms?
The modus-operandi of government imposing itself over an already demoralised workforce like they did last year when the Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities was re-introduced into the system, purely portrays how much government has developed into an epicenter of egocentric individuals who rarely have no national interests as the nationalists they purport to represent.
As a result, the spat on the face so-called increment coupled with a few benefits will not solve the matter than finding a common solution that incorporates input of all concerned parties. Thus government should re-engage teachers without imposing fear through use of threats like dismissing them from work as hiring College drop-out will not solve the matter either as they still need a living wage and after all a decent life.
Masvingo Council violates Urban Council Act, sells 1.3ha unserviced land to N.Richards
Kimberly Kusauka
In a move that has been regarded as a breach of the Urban Councils Act, Masvingo City Council reportedly sold un-serviced 1.3 hectares of commercial land to N. Richards and Company along Charumbira Road where the local authority has earmarked for the expansion of the Central Business District (CBD).
The revelation came out during a full council meeting held on January 31, 2022 where Masvingo Mayor Councilor Collen Maboke questioned the management on the developmental status of the new site after which the matter popped up.
“What happened to the land we heard was sold to N.Richards and Company along Charumbira road? As we might know the law does not allow the sale of unserviced land so as council management you are supposed to be aware of the likely consequences thereof. ( Kana makatengesa mutemo munouziva uye shamhu yacho munoiona: (If you sold the land, you know what the law says and be prepared for the consequences),” said Mayor Maboke.
During the full council meeting, Acting Town Clerk Vitalis Shonhai failed to give a clear response to the accusations that council illegally sold un-serviced land to N. Richards and company.
“We made the arrangement so that we could service the area using the proceeds from the sale,” replied Shonhai.
When contacted for clarity after full council meeting, Maboke, However, seemed to change goal posts and said it was an arrangement agreed upon by council to sell that land.
“There was a special arrangement for the selling of that land, we will service it,” said Maboke.
When contacted for comment, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa who was not present during the full council meeting said the land was already serviced.
“Council sold a 1.3 hectare commercial stand to N. Richards and Company with roads and sewer services. Council is in the process of installing water services before developments start on that land.
“A mega shop is to be established consisting of hardware, grocery whole sale, liquor wholesale among others,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
However some time in 2021, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo was quoted in state media reminding local authorities to desist from selling unserviced land.
“The law is very clear: If you are an urban council, land should be serviced properly before it is sold,” said Moyo.
Commenting on the issue raised by Auditor General, Mildred Chiri’s report of 2019 that council was operating without a lease register resulting in mobile telecommunication operator Econet Wireless allegedly using many council base stations without proper revenue collection systems, Eng Mukaratirwa said everything is in order.
“Council Lease Register (2) are now in place being maintained by office of the Chamber Secretary and Director of Housing and Social Services. Some of the properties have arrears and follow ups have been made. In some circumstances, eviction orders are being sought,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
Responding to the issue of leases on council owned property Eng Mukaratirwa said leases are up to date.
“For council owned farms, standard farms have one lessee each and they are up to date with their obligations. The choice of these lessees was through a tendering process,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
The issue of council-owned property being ‘abused’ or leased without following due processes was also raised during the same meeting where councillors quizzed management on the criteria used to determine the tenants being given the green light to use council-owned properties.
CCC lands Mutare Mayorship
…as MDC-Alliance candidate loses to Chamisa sympathizer
Melinda Kusemachibi
Following the recall of former Mayor Blessing Tandi by MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora, Mutare city on February 17, 2022 elected a new mayor that saw ward 12 Councillor Simon Chabuka shrugging off stiff competition from Councilor Farai Bhiza who has been in acting capacity.
Acting Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka confirmed the development.
“Yes, elections were held today (February 17) and Cllr Chabuka won the elections by six votes to five over Cllr Farai Bhiza who was the Acting Mayor after former Mayor Tandi was recalled.
“There were 11 Councilors who voted in the mayoral election,” said Chafesuka.
Contacted for comment, newly elected Mayor Chabuka said he is going to continue with the projects left by his predecessor.
“We had a vision that was set by late Town Clerk Maligwa and we are going to focus on improving the city’s service delivery. We are going to make sure we finish outstanding projects such as Dangamvura water pipeline project and road rehabilitation.
“We have partners who came to assist City of Mutare. In Chikanga we are to provide accommodation to residents,” said Chabuka.
Regarding the issue of his political affiliation, Chabuka could not clarify but said he follows Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s ideology.
“For now I cannot answer that question but I embrace Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s ideology,” said Cllr Chabuka.
Former Mayor Blessing Tandi was recalled on February 11, 2022 after allegations that he was no longer a member of the MDC-Alliance led by Douglas Mwonzora.
Tandi is not the first mayor to face the wrath of controversial MDC-T, now MDC-Alliance leader Mwonzora’s new tool of political persecution after Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe was also recalled late last year and a number of councillors and legislators joining the firing squad.
Government approves Gweru Council’s $4.1 billion budget
…as economic hardships, inflation continues to haunt residents
Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru -Central government has approved Gweru City Council’s ZW$4.1 billion budget for the year 2022, a move that has seen council’s billing tariffs having a 30 percent increase on domestic services while commercial services have seen a 130 percent hike.
The 30 percent increase will see town burial for adults pegged at ZW$4 400 from ZW$3 300 while those of children will now fork out ZW$2 220 from the previous ZW$1 708.
Vendors’ licenses rose to ZW$1 695 from ZW$1 304 while ambulance charges per call increased to ZW$2 542 up from ZW$1 956.
Commenting on the budget on February 7 2022, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director, Conerlia Selipiwe said the budget was fair as compared to previous budgets the city had.
He added that it was worrisome as residents didn’t have disposable income to cater for their bills.
“As residents we never had much objection or raised any red flags on this budget but as you know our local authority didn’t engage residents much on budget consultations, citing Covid-19 protocols.
“As GRRA we have managed to engage our structures and they felt the 30percent increase is fair as compared to previous budgets we had, even looking at the last year one.
“As residents we appreciate but our greatest worry now comes on the issue that residents don’t have disposable income on them. This has been worsened by the economic hardships and inflation which continue to affect the business environment every day. We don’t even know how we are going to cope as we go,” added Selipiwe.
Last year Gweru Council worked with a ZW$3, 2 billion budget whose performance brought concerns among residents, with most calling for a tariff reduction.
GCC director of finance, Owen Masimba further confirmed the approval saying the budget was far below the price movements on the markets.
“I can confirm that the Government has approved our 2022 budget of ZW$4, 1 billion. This has seen domestic tariffs increased by 30 percent and commercial tariffs increased by 130 percent.
“It is worth noting that this was far below the obtaining price movements on the market. It’s common cause that as the year progresses the operating costs of council will be increasing while the revenue frontier remains stagnant.
“If the council does not get a supplementary budget, operations will likely be depressed to the extent of the mismatch between our costs and revenues,” said Masimba.
He added that, council was working towards partnerships, joint ventures to strengthen its revenue base.
“We shall play our part in ensuring that Gweru moves towards attaining an upper middle-income status.
“We will work towards pulling investment to the city, generating employment and in doing so, growing the gross domestic product of the city,” he said.
Last week, Gweru council was affected by a series of power cuts due to outstanding ZW$247million ZESA bills.
The cuts saw the city’s main water pumping plants being switched off.
In a statement, GCC chairperson for the finance committee Councillor Martin Chivhoko highlighted how the local authority was failing to meet its debt as a result of outstanding bills from the residents who were struggling to cope up with the last year’s ZW$3,2 billion budget tariffs.
Residents petition council to transfer ‘child abuser’
Kimberly Kusauka
Rujeko B residents in Masvingo town have petitioned Masvingo City Council management to consider investigating and relocate their worker who they allege is sexually abusing young girls in the high density suburb’s Mbuzvambuzva and Nzembe streets.
The residents have since written and addressed a letter to Masvingo city Town Clerk (TC), Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa demanding the relocation of their worker Lawrence Pedzisai who resides in Nzembe Street and works at the sewer pump.
Eng Mukaratirwa confirmed receiving the letter and promised that council was handling the issue.
“Sure, I received the letter and we are addressing the issue in terms of our sexual harassment policy,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
The letter stated that Pedzisai was once charged with the same assault charge in 2017.
“Mr Lawrence Pedzisai is sexually abusing juveniles in Mbuzvambuzva and Nzembe streets. He was charged for sexual abuse in 2017. This year he was charged for rape under Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Rujeko case number CR 23/11/2.
“After the second case against him, residents in Mbuzvambuzva and Nzembe streets gathered to discuss about the cases involving him and discovered that there are a number of unreported sexual abuse cases from girls in that area,” read part of the letter.
Residents have raised their concerns through the TC’s office ordering the relocation of Pedzisai within 30 days before they do whatever they deem fit.
“We are now uncomfortable with Pedzisai’s stay in Rujeko B because he may continue abusing girls,” added the letter.
Farmers urged to plant late season crops to produce more
Faith Duri
Masvingo Provincial Agronomist has urged farmers in the province to take measures like planting late season crops to improve chances of producing good yields during the current rainy season.
Provincial Agronomist Sabina Chaduka said it would be wiser for farmers to enhance weed management as they seek to increase production levels.
“Farmers must take advantage of this rainy season and plant more crops especially late season crops for example sugar beans, sweet potatoes. Weeds impact negatively on yields primarily by competing with the crops for light, water and nutrients. At the start of the growing season, the requirement for these resources is small enough that both the crop and weeds can co-exists without significantly affecting each other’s growth.
“As the growing season progresses and plant size increases, weeds begin to deprive the crops of these resources hence the yield potential can be negatively impacted. Weed management is important in agriculture because failure to do so, yields will decrease, increase production costs, interfere with harvest and lower product quality,” said Chaduka.
Farmers are also urged to take control measures to destroy pests and diseases that might destroy their crops at an early stage and the need for top dressing also taking advantage of the rain showers in a bid to increase crop yields especially cereal crops.
“Top dressing is an application of manure or fertilizer to the surface layer of the soil so farmers are urged to do it because can increase the soils water holding capacity, drainage and also it can breakdown thatch , the layer of soil made up of organic debris that can prevent beneficial nutrients and more from reaching turfs roots.
“Some of the major reasons why top dressing is important are that it increases the potential to use less synthetic fertilizer, nutrient benefits, structural benefits and lastly boosted performance of crops that is why we are urging farmers to do top dressing because it is very important,” she said.
However she added that the update on the crop situation is not yet readily available for the whole province but the report will be updated on March 1, urging farmers to be able to quickly identify pests and diseases at early stages.
“Places like Chiredzi and Mwenezi are mostly affected by locusts so if they are unable to identify the pests at an early stage before they destroy the crops, that will give farmers good yields,” said Chaduka.
Bikita RDC embarks on roads rehabilitation project
Innocent Muraiwa
Duma– Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) has embarked on a roads construction project through some State devolution funds within the location of Duma in a way to boost safe trafficking as well as getting rid of potholes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer, Peter Chibhi said that they embarked on road rehabilitation projects within Duma location so as to improve safe trafficking. He further said the state of the roads was just an eyesore and that made them to quickly take some responsible actions in revamping the roads.
“I mobilised the team work to quickly work on roads rehabilitation processes within the location of Duma which I spied as of under an urgent attendance. Fortunately, we had sufficient equipment for the facilitation and spearheading of the roads rehabilitation process and the project was quickly done and that showed thriving development,” said Chibhi.
Duma resident Tatenda Munetsi applauded council over the new developments to upgrade roads.
“We are very pleased with such developments within our area. Now we have access to different places which have been brought up through the roads rehabilitation project by the council,” said Musengi.
Mirriam Mabhegedhe said the improved road infrastructure would help children, who had been struggling to access their learning centres due to dilapidated roads.
“The education sector has also been improved because during the past days, our children have been facing a challenge of better ways to get to their learning centres,” said Mabhegedhe.
Chibhi also stated that they are also targeting to rehabilitate roads in other Bikita communities.
Suspected hit and run incident kills one in Mashava
Rutendo Chirume
Police in Mashava on Monday February 7 discovered a human body at the 41km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala road in a suspected hit and run incident.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident.
It is suspected that the accident occurred around 0300hours on February 7.
The police who were on duty at Mashava police station went on a night patrol and saw the body of a man believed to be around 25 years of age lying in the middle of the road.
He was wearing a yellow jacket, black trouser, black cap and black shoes and had severe head injuries with deep cuts and several injuries all over the body.
The body was taken to Chivi District Hospital.
The vehicle was not identified and investigations are still in progress.