Gweru- Local authorities in the Midlands Province have been implored to enforce strict litter dumping measures to safeguard the environment.
The call was made by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Larry Mavima following an increase in the number of illegal litter dumping sites.
Speaking during a cleaning up exercise in Mkoba last Friday (March 4) Mavima said it was disturbing to note how people were dumping litter at undesignated spots.
He further said sound by-laws were needed as issues of waste management in the country remained a prioritized agenda
“It is saddening to note how some people continue to throw litter at undesignated areas especially at bus stops and vending sites. Some residents have a tendency of throwing litter along sanitary lanes, drainages and street corners, a development which has posed high health risks to the community.
“Over the past month, we have been clearing illegal dump sites during the monthly cleanups but some unruly residents go back to throw waste in those cleaned areas. I therefore call upon all local authorities to enforce stiffer by-laws and bring sanity to their respective cities. We want litter bugs to be brought to book with immediate effect,” he said.
Mavima however commended Gweru corporates for taking a leading role in waste management.
“Let me recognize Gweru corporates namely Dulys, Telone, Premier Stone Crushers, Bata, Diamond Company among others for the role they have taken in the installation of bins in strategic areas in the Central Business District (CBD). This is indeed a good gesture towards good waste management practices.
“I am challenging other corporates and stakeholders to be involved and play their part by also putting waste management infrastructure in their areas of operation. This makes it convenient for the public,” he added.
Last year Gweru city council received six skip bins and 13 drum bins from the corporate community under a waste management infrastructure setup initiative.
Meanwhile various arms of government have been mandated to play effective roles in promoting sustainable waste management mechanisms.
Institutions such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) have been working closely with local authorities in raising awareness over solid waste management.
Speaking during a service delivery indaba held in January this year, Gweru city council Environment, Works and Town planning committee chairperson, councillor Trust Chineni said a number of by-laws such as the anti-litter and noise were going to be effectively implemented to bring order to the city.
Poor waste management practice continue to be a challenge in Gweru as most waste continue to be deposited into drainages, septic tanks and undesignated site across the community.
Gweru- Three robbers who terrorized Gweru residents through unlawful entry and theft were last week arrested by police leading to the recovery of stolen property that include electrical gadgets and groceries valued at US$ 6 186.
Reports from police reveal that during the period stretching from November 2021 to February 2022 the three suspects, Tafara Mutivavi Sibanda (30) of Mtapa, Pilot Simango (29) and Alexander Maswela Siziba (37) both of Mkoba, who were recently released from prison wreaked havoc in Mkoba and Lundi Park residential areas.
They were breaking into houses stealing television sets, radios, cellphones, microwaves, laptops, blankets and groceries.
Following the arrest police managed to recover nine Plasma television sets and groceries. Some of the recovered property has been positively identified by owners.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko urged members of the public who lost their property to visit the police.
“We call upon those who might have fallen victim and lost property to these suspects through unlawful entry and theft to visit Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Gweru for identification of the outstanding recovered property.
“Property still to be identified comprises of six television sets, three laptops and three cellphones,” Mahoko said.
Meanwhile the three suspects were taken to court and remanded in custody pending further investigations.
Mwenezi- In an incident that recently left villagers tongue-tied, a mentally ill man reportedly murdered his elder brother who was also a mental patient before hanging himself adjacent to the murder scene.
Zvondai Murove (32) of Mukahamari village under Chief Neshuro murdered his 35-year-old brother Tawedzerwa Murove on the night of March 4. After killing his brother, Zvondai left the dead body inside a local Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and later on hanged himself at a tree about 300 meters from the murder scene.
Masvingo provincial Police Spokesperson, confirmed and urged care givers to excecise extreme care on the patients .
“We encourage care-givers of mental patients to ensure they always monitor their patients. Chief Neshuro’s secretary Pinias Shoko confirmed the tragedy and said the two were mental patients.
“The two had been known to be mentally challenged and for years the murdered elder brother was in South Africa so when he came back, it is reported that they had a number of altercations.
“The dispute led to the younger brother to kill his sibling and left the corpse inside a ZCC church before he proceeded to hang himself at a tree adjacent to the scene of murder. The incident took place during the night and the two corpses were discovered by a passersby the following morning,” said Shoko.
Chenjerai Muzamani brother to the two deceased (sharing same mother) told TellZim News that the two had been suffering from mental challenges for quite some time.
“The two have been experiencing some interval mental problems since the 1990s and been staying with my mother. Days prior to the tragedy, the two had been quarreling. Tawedzerwa’s body was discovered inside a local ZCC church with his hands tied together with a rope while Zvondai’s was found hanging on a tree.
“Though no one eye witnessed the killing since it was done during the night, it was very clear from the look of things that the younger brother murdered his sibling before taking his own life,” said Muzamani.
The two corpses were taken to Neshuro District Hospital mortuary and burial arrangements were yet to be finalized.
Zimbabweans commemorated journalist and human rights defender Itai Dzamara’s day of disappearance seven years on with heavy hearts as civic space and human rights violations continue to spiral out of control in the country.
Firebrand Human Rights Activist Makomborero Haruzivishe who was recently released from a 10 month-long incarceration, said Dzamara was his brother and comrade in the struggle for human rights and was pioneer of the social movement that is seen now in the country.
“I worked closely with Dzamara. I can safely say he taught me all I know now in as far as activism is concerned, he really was a pioneer as he is one of the founders of the social movement as we see it today.
“He was and will continue to be the epitome of radical and consistency, he had the gift of mobilizing and together we worked between 2014 through 2015 in projects such as Youths Network Alliance (YNA),” said Haruzivishe.
He added that Zimbabwe lost Dzamara as a nation, be it his loved ones or abductors, we all lost a gem and if he was still here today, he would still preach the gospel of registering to vote.
“To those that are responsible for his disappearance, I would like to tell them that we lost him together and to all of us who valued him, we will not tire until justice is served, we will win for him.
“He disappeared as a registered voter and as such, I know he will still preach the gospel of registering to vote; hence, I urge everyone to go out and register in numbers in his honour,” added Haruzivishe.
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Director, Jestina Mukoko said government must walk the talk in investigating the disappearance of Dzamara and expressed her condolences to his family.
“It is so sad that seven years later no one can account for a citizen’s life. My heart goes out to his mother, wife and children.
No one just disappears without a trace, someone should talk, someone knows where he went and at some point, powerful government officials said his disappearance was a barbaric act but those were just words, we need to follow up with action,” said Mukoko
In a poster made in honour of Dzamara, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), Zimbabwe Human Rights Association of Zimbabwe (ZIMRIGHTS) and Amnesty International wrote that they offer free haircuts at selected barbershops in Highfield on the day since he was abducted leaving a barbershop in the area.
During the third cycle of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland held on January 26, 2022, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) are still investigating the disappearance of Dzamara giving regular updates to the ministry.
“The judiciary takes every matter seriously, with cases such as the disappearance of Itai Dzamara still ongoing with fortnight updates from the police,” said Ziyambi.
… As desperate Zanu PF rides on defectors to lure opposition vote
Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Former Masvingo urban Member of Parliament Tongai Matutu who defected to Zanu PF after a fall out with then MDC Alliance party after he was disqualified from contesting the provincial chairmanship post has promised to lure opposition vote for Zanu PF saying he was the ‘best brains’ during his time in opposition. Zanu PF is now using defectors from then MDC Alliance to campaign ahead of the by-elections slated for March 26 with former legislator Matutu being the face of the campaigns in Masvingo.
At the launch of the campaigns last month at Ngundu business centre graced by ZANU PF National Chairperson and Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri, Matutu and former Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu were given a platform to address ahead of a number of politburo and central committee members.
Recently Matutu was asked to address poorly attended Zanu PF mini rallies in Masvingo urban where they are campaigning for by-elections.
At Pangolin shopping centre, Matutu was asked to address supporters by the provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa who had only done introductions.
Matutu went on to tell people that he is the former MP whom they voted for and is now with Zanu PF which he said had direction.
He went on to say he was one of the few people who had the brains in his former party and leaving it meant that it suffered a deficit and urged all level headed to follow him and vote for Zanu PF.
“There is nothing there, I have been there you know it and I am one of the few who had brains and now that we are no longer there, who else is there?
“There are two types of votes, spoiled and counted votes, spoiled are those where you fail put an X where it is required or voting for two or more candidates and also voting for the opposition is now spoiling a vote. So I want to urge you to vote for Zanu PF to avoid spoiling your votes,” said Matutu.
Zanu PF Secretary for Security and Senator for Gutu District Lovemore Matuke said they are confident of winning wards previously held by the opposition saying Matutu knew the right valves to open.
“We are going to win the by-election here in Masvingo urban. We have Comrade Matutu here whom we are travelling with. He knows the valves to open so that things work in our favour,” said Matuke.
He also promised more boreholes in town saying they will connect solar power and make sure that people will alternatively use these boreholes to avoid the ever increasing council water bills.
“Your councillor here appealed for solar powered boreholes and that has been granted by the minister and so soon, if council bills are too high, you just close the tap and go to the borehole,” said Matuke.
However, some analysts said the use of former opposition leaders will not bring any favourable results for Zanu PF as they do not have a following.
Political commentator Dr Davidson Mugodzwa said Zanu PF was using old tricks that will never work wonders since they are a spent force.
“Zanu PF is using old tricks, members relegated from formerly MDC now resurfacing at campaign trails will not work any wonders for Zanu PF. These recycled politicians like Tracy Mutinhiri, Tongai Matutu have already been rejected in their own political backyards, suddenly they cannot be expected to achieve miracles in Zanu PF. These same politicians are really a spent force now masquerading as revolutionaries. No one will be hoodwinked to vote for them whatever colour they now cling to,” said Dr Mugodzwa.
Another political analyst Dr Wellington Gadzikwa concurred with Mugodzwa and said the defectors were only relevant within the brand of the opposition.
“I doubt if it works because these defectors have no traction. They are mainly speaking to the already converted unless there are some ZANU PF supporters who may be feared that they will join the opposition. These defectors were only relevant within the brand of the opposition as Zimbabwean politics is party based rather than issue based,” said Gadzikwa.
The ruling Zanu PF party has been accused of diverting devolution funds towards promoting party interests in Masvingo Province as the nation gears towards the March 26 by-elections. Zanu PF has embarked on a borehole drilling exercise predominantly in vacant wards and House of Assembly seats as a way of drumming up support for their candidates.
Close sources have revealed that in Chivi South four boreholes have already been drilled using devolution funds though prospective candidates have chipped in towards the cause while in Mwenezi the water rigs are yet to start the drilling exercise under the backing of the same funding.
In Masvingo urban, a number of boreholes have been drilled in vacant wards 3, 4, 5 and 7 though without the approval of council.
Boreholes have been drilled using the District Development Fund (DDF) water rig at Sisk in Mucheke, Jazire shops in Rujeko C and Rujeko A shopping center.
At Jazire shopping center in Rujeko C the water rig from the District Development Fund (DDF) sunk a borehole on March 6 though it is unclear on whose expense the work was done.
Contacted for comment DDF Provincial coordinator Marasa Hamudi Gutukunuhwa said his organization is just carrying out its duties and would not know if there are individuals who may want to ‘hijack’ such programmes for political mileage.
“As DDF we are just carrying out government programmes as we are mandated to. I do not know if there are certain individuals who might want to take advantage of such to campaign for political posts.
“Right now I am just talking to you (reporter), but I do not even know you or even the reason why you would ask for a comment for that hence it’s a problem for me to continue commenting,” said Gutukunuhwa before dropping the call.
However, one would question why DDF while doing its mandate is only targeting areas with by-elections and the urgency which results in them sinking the boreholes without following proper procedures and getting approval from council.
Provincial Secretary for Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya said there is no way devolution funds could be used to drill boreholes as part of political party campaign trails and said the issues have not yet reached his desk if anything of that sort ever happened.
“Devolution funds cannot be used for campaigns. What happens is that there are annual programmes of drilling three boreholes per ward that are supposed to be undertaken with supervision from Dr Masuka (Minister of Lands) where government buy water rigs so that the programme can be implemented for the purposes of ensuring water security. Those programmes started way back before this issue of campaigns.
“As a province we have our own provincial development programmes like Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), water harvesting and security among other devolution related programmes which are undertaken by councils based on priority in such particular areas. Resources are channeled towards meeting the needs of people in such districts,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
He went on to say devolution funds cannot be used for campaigns saying the use of the funds is to address community needs which would have been identified by council.
“There is no way devolution funds could be diverted towards campaigns, unless it is meant to meet the needs of a community as would have been identified by council,” he added.
Dr Sakupwanya also promised that his office would interrogate the issue of people drilling boreholes without prior approval of council as that constitutes ‘indiscipline’.
“So who is behind the drilling of those boreholes if council declines responsibility of such? Council is supposed to be in charge of devolution programmes and if they say they are not aware of it, who then assumes responsibility? Devolution fund is given to council, so it is impossible to say there are programmes that are done under the facility with council not knowing about it.
“Devolution is meant to meet the needs of the community. As the Provincial Secretary, I do not have any funds because the money is at councils. I am just there to monitor the expenditure and see to it that the funds are rightfully used for the intended purpose. I will however dispatch a team to monitor all those issues and allegations. Even the president does not condone disorder. We strongly disown such indiscipline as we promote order. Government idealistically should not interfere with the allocation of resources as it is the duty of council,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
However, his sentiments are contrary to what is in the ground where recently municipal police clashed with Zanu PF youths at Sisk business centre where a rig was drilling a borehole.
The council police had been dispatched to stop the drilling saying council had not approved the site but they failed to stop the development as Zanu PF youths threatened to burn the vehicle.
Also during the drilling, most of the people there will be wearing Zanu PF regalia, a development which clearly shows that its party program not government.
During one of Zanu PF mini rallies in ward 5, Secretary for security in the Politiburo Lovemore Matuke said as the party they were going to drill 2 boreholes per ward and said the aspiring candidate for the ward Hakistone Chimwani had asked for solar powered boreholes which he said as a party they had approved it and soon will be done in the ward.
He went on to accuse council of failing to prioritize water provision which he said they were going to take over and if the rates continue to rise people will close the taps and use borehole water.
“Your councilor here has asked for solar powered boreholes and the Minister of State has approved, we have also approved that and soon you will have them. I heard council has increased rates by 400 percent, so if they continue to rise you just close the tap and go to the borehole tap,” said Matuke
During a full council meeting held at Town House on February 28, Masvingo Deputy Mayor Wellington Mahwende sarcastically said there is no need for the ruling party to seek council approval to drill boreholes since they are the ones in power, saying they just sink boreholes and later approach council only to notify them that they have done something on the ground.
“As a ruling party, there is no way we would approach council to seek approval so that we can drill boreholes in the wards. We drill the boreholes, call council and inform them of the developments that we would have undertaken,” said Mahwende.
Contacted for comment Mayor Collen Maboke said in as much as they appreciate development as council, they always expect it to be done through the proper channels to safeguard the city’s drainage system from possible destruction.
“The manner in which the people drilling boreholes are handling it is not correct procedurally. When people need to do a development in the city, they should first approach the relevant authorities before commencement of work.
“For example in this instance, the engineer is supposed to have presented a report on the chosen site for the borehole determining whether it is safe or not for residents of that particular area. Remember there are drainage pipes around the city meaning that drilling of such boreholes without the approval of the engineering department poses a danger of damage to the pipes especially sewerage ones. In as much as we appreciate development, there is need for it to be undertaken through proper procedures. Failure to do so is likely to result in damage of the infrastructure,” said Maboke.
Zanu PF has on a number of occasions been accused of abusing state resources from Pfumvudza farming inputs, social welfare food aid for campaigns and vote buying.
With the government aiming at achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030, various government departments are expected to contribute largely towards achieving the goal. Most government departments work hand in hand and complement each other’s efforts to promote development. However, for any meaningful development to take place, communication is key. The general public ought to know what government plans so that they take part. On this note, provincial head of departments are responsible for dissemination of information to the public and the best way is through the media. However, while some of these head of departments are keen to share information, others always find excuses even on the simplest and most positive development. This week TellZim News is rating provincial head of departments basing on their ability to release information
Information Department
Rodgers Irimayi
The Provincial Information Officer (PRO) Rodgers Irimayi is one of the most key government spokespersons in the province. He gets information from all government departments and from his lieutenants in the District called District Information Officers (DIOs) and he reports directly to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services. So his relations with the media is a key driver in terms of information dissemination in the province.
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, he was the provincial taskforce spokesperson and provided information on behalf of the ministry of health and child care. He also had information from the law enforcement agents which he cascaded to the media which in turn share with the communities. He also facilitated for smooth travelling of journalists who were often harassed by the law enforcement agents. However, he has always been above average in terms of information dissemination. He is open and always gives information where possible. The only time he fails to provide information is when he says he is yet to get information probably from those on the ground. Irimayi gets 8/10 since he works closely with the media. He provides government diaries or events to the media. However, like any government department, sometimes he does gatekeeping and avoids answering critical questions.
Education
Shylatte Mhike
Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Shyllate Mhike is heading the Ministry of Primary Education department on acting basis. She is fair in terms of information dissemination and she gets 6/10. She talks to the media, invites the media to some events organised by the Ministry. She always points out that she cannot give comments to some of the issues which could be negative in nature. She is also open to in-depth interviews and always honour appointments. She gives information in terms of state of preparedness in schools, which is critical.
Police
Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa
Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa gets 7/10. His office is open to all media practitioners and he relates with media personnel very well to the extent that he knows most of them by name. He always gives information and comments to matters within his jurisdiction and refers those that need to be commented at national level. Dhewa invites the media to events organised by the police or some operations carried out by the police and worth media attendance and publishing. However, he also practices gatekeeping on some issues which the media may feel to be critical for the public to know.
Registry
Provincial Registrar Sithembeni Chitsa gets 6/10. Her engagement with the media is average though she usually does not respond to issues related to the processing of passports which she says is guided by the policies that are formulated from head office and only implement. There are no times when the local registry department gives even a press release or new developments to the media despite it being a key department especially towards elections where identity documents are required for voter registration.
Vet Department
Dr Kudakwashe Makwangudze
Provincial Vet Officer Kudakwashe Makwangudze is one of the worst in the province; he is however improving as he now gives comment here and there. Makwangudze gets 3/10. He never gives news tips to the media and always waits to be called and refuses to comment even on serious issues like outbreak of the January diseases. Under normal circumstances, his office should be open and should always engage the media to give farmers information on the best practices in relation to livestock. Makwangudze says he does not entertain questions via the phone and usually invites reporters to his office. However, when one tries to book an appointment he always says he is busy or is out of office. Sometimes he doesn’t answer his cell.
Transport
Provincial Roads Engineer Peter R Mukome gets 3/10. He does not not speak to the media and when called for comments on state of roads in the province. With roads developments currently underway through the emergency roads rehabilitation programmes (ERRP), Mukome does not invite the media or update on the ongoing projects though people deserve to know what is happening in terms of roads rehabilitation.
Provincial Secretary
Provincial Secretary formerly Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Dr Jefta Sakupwanya is always busy and seldom has time for the media especially the private media. Being at the helm of the development programs, Dr Sakupwanya should be always in touch with the media so that people know the developments that are being done on the ground. He is in charge of the province. However when caught at the right time he answers questions though usually not to the satisfaction of the reporters. Dr Sakupwanya gets 5/10.
EMA
Milton Muusha
Though the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is often regarded as one of the most transparent organisations, Masvingo Provincial Manager Milton Muusha gets 4/10 as he is not that open to give comments to the media. However, his office holds press conferences and environmental campaigns where they invite the media. His problem is when he tosses around the media who will be seeking clarity or comments from his office to the PR office which will in turn refer back to him.
Agritex
The provincial Agritex officer Aaron Muchazivepi gets 2/10. He seldom gives comment to the media even some which are of public interest. With the current state of crops in Masvingo, farmers deserve to know what is happening in other areas and get advice and best practices that suit the current situation. However, Muchazivepi believes in the old ways of doing things where everything is centralised to Harare despite the fact that he is the one who gives reports from the province.
ZESA
The regional manager at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Gladys Hlatswayo gets 2/10. She never gives comment pertaining to the state of power supply locally. She always refer all the questions to the PR manager in Harare who in turn request all questions via email and never responds to them. With the frequency in power outages caused by load shedding or vandalism, people need to be kept in the loop on the on goings but the regional manager cannot even provide information of a transformer theft in a local location. The power company should consider setting up a local PR office to keep people up to date on the developments since people need to prepare than suffer losses related to power cutting.
Health
Dr Amadeus Shamhu
The Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu recently improved from how he used to operate in the past so he gets 4/10. Shamhu hardly picks calls and when he does, he always gives excuses. However, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, he sometimes released information relating to statistics but sometimes refused to give information related to policy issues. Health being a critical aspect in any community, the department is expected to be open and provide information to the public.
A man from Chief Nyajena area in Masvingo was recently sentenced to an effective 27 years in prison by Masvingo Magistrate Biashard Chineka for raping his two daughters on several occasions.
The accused pleaded not guilty but was convicted after full trial on March 10 2022 and was sentenced to 32 years behind bars, with five years conditionally suspended.
Prosecutor Liberty Hove told the court that in June 2021 around midnight, the accused knowing that he was alone with his 17-year-old daughter, went to her room and raped her after threatening her with death if she screamed after which he spent the whole night in her room.
On July 8 2021 around 2100 hours the rapist came home drunk. His family was already asleep and instead of going to his bedroom he went straight to his 13-year-old daughter’s bedroom.
When he was about to get inside her blankets, the second complainant ran to her mother and told her about the fathers intentions.
The accused then dragged his wife into their bedroom and locked her up and then returned to his daughter’s room and raped her twice.
The matter was later reported to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
Both complainants were medically examined and medical reports were produced in court as exhibits.
…As he completes the Mandela Washington Fellowship
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Urban ward 3 councilor who is Chiredzi Town Council vice chairperson is still weighing options to run for the legislative post in Chiredzi West Constituency under the Citizens Convergence for Change (CCC) banner after talk in political circles blew on who the better candidate is between him and ward 18 councilor Gilbert Mutubuki after the former recently completed the prestigious Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellowship.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship programme for YALI that empowers young African people through academic coursework, leadership training and networking.
2021’s Fellowship was held virtually, where Makumire was enrolled at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
“I was enrolled at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina where I was studying Leadership in Civic engagement. I learnt about working with the public or people from various walks of life for example different religions, political parties, socio-economic status, race and color. I had an opportunity to network with the Mayor His Worship Rennie Brantz who also gave me honorary citizenship,” said Makumire.
This sparked debate in the Lowveld political circles and on social media as many were encouraging him to contest the legislative post come 2023 under the CCC ticket while others opted for Mutubuki, who has been vocal in opposition politics.
Contacted for comment, Makumire riddled that the CCC party president Nelson Chamisa spoke that only those who have been shortlisted by the electorate will be eligible to contest, indicating that he wants to spent his time in expanding his Town Planning company.
“As what was said by the president (Chamisa), this time it is not for those who want but for those who have been selected by the citizens. If I am one of the selected, I will contest but I think I need to focus more in expanding my profession in Town Planning,” said Makumire.
Makumire became the youngest councilor and vice chairperson in Zimbabwe in 2018 when he was elected as ward 3 councilor on an independent candidate ticket.
He is also a holder of a Masters in Urban Design with National University of Science Technology (NUST), Bachelor of Science in Rural and Urban Planning University of Zimbabwe (UZ) as well as a Certificate in Project Planning and Management from (UZ), currently working as a part time lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) is the Managing Director of a Town Planning Consultancy, KUMS Town Planning and Consultancy.
Makumire said he had an opportunity of networking with young leadership from across the continent where he learnt that as a leader, you should place citizens first and treat them as equal.
“I had an opportunity to network with young African leaders from across the continent. It was so inspiring meeting young minded youths who have made impact in their communities.
“I learnt that citizens should be prioritized first. All people are equal in the eyes of the leader and that as a leader, you should keep people well informed and always create platforms for residents to air their views,” he added.
Dr Julius Witmos Mutumburanzou is the is the man behind the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) educational glory having taken over as the Education Secretary from Samson Shava last year.
An educationist par excellence, Mutumburanzou started his teaching journey at Mupandawana High School in Bikita District in 1982 after having completed a certificate in education at a local college.
From Mupandawana he moved to Chitsa Government High before leaving the secondary schools and moved to Mukaro Central Primary School.
He was then promoted to deputy headmaster, a position he held for 5 years. He was later promoted to headmaster and served on that capacity for 20 years at three schools namely Mukaro Pfungidzo primary, Chihambakwe primary and Bako primary.
In 2014 Dr Mutumburanzou was further promoted to be Schools Inspector and moved to Gutu district education offices where he served for seven years until his retirement in 2020.
During his long career in the education sector, he obtained Bachelors’ Degree in Education Administration. He went further and did a Master’s in Education Administration.
He had done all in developing himself academically, he was persuaded to do a PhD which he later did with the University of Free State in South Africa.
“When I thought I had had enough of learning and wanted to serve for sending my children and grandkids, someone persuaded me and told me that I can enrol using a scholarship which I took up and did a PhD in Instructional leadership.
With his long career in education and his niche academic leadership development, Mutumburanzou is the best man for the job and promised to take RCZ Schools to greater heights.
