For the first time in four years Mapombi dreamt about the future of this country once again. The last dream I had was few months before the November 2017 coup. O-oh nhasi zvangu nana mukoma zvandichapfekedzwa Apolo-jersey saKudzai Chipanga kkkkkkk. Asi politics so! Anyway, I meant the military assisted takeover that diposed Cde Mugabe, and of course our one and only Dr Amai.
Honestly speaking I really miss Dr Amai Grace Mugabe aka Dr Stop it. As we are busy celebrating International Women’s Day, we must be celebrating women like Dr Amai – she was one of a kind kkkkkkk. Big men such as Ignatius Chombo would kneel down before her whilst others would brand their motor vehicles with her pictures captioned Munhu Wese kuna Amai. Even vana Philip Chiyangwa vekuzvida nekuti vakamboita tumari kudhara vakanga vava kungoimbawo kuti munhu wese kuna Amai kkkkkk. That’s how powerful Dr Amai was then. I think her biggest blunder was when she threatened and challenged vana Kedha kuti huyai mundipfure kana kundiuraya kana muchida while she was addressing one of the famous youths rallies. Kedha and the other Cdes reacted swiftly and disposed uncle Bob ndokusiya Grace ava pamhene chaipo.
Eish, Dr Amai is making me diverting from my initial issue. But of course before I go back to my dream last night allow me to say Happy Women’s Day to my fellow women. Inini Mapombi nditori gamba chairo and I deserve to be buried at the national heroes’ acre because I have done a lot for this country. To be more blunt, I died for this country kkkkkkkk. Vakomana musatamba nekurarama uchigara at Chitima Market surviving on maputi and rotten bananas. How many of you will be able to survive even for a day under such horrible and filfthy environment like Chitima market where we eat while seated next to human waste? Can Mthuli be able to do that? Or Auxillia chaiye angazvikwanisa here ndiye anombonyepera tutsika twenhema kupfugamira imbwa nekitsi dzekumamisha uko kuri kuedza kuda kubata vanhu kumeso. Let Mapombi tell you guys, Auxillia is another mental case chaiyo and she is another Grace yet to manifest asi isu zvedu tinoshandiswa nemweya waMwari tinenge tatooneswa zvedu kuti nyika ichapinda dambudziko namai ava. Let me zip my mouth because I heard she is ruthless zvekuti ndikanzwika ndinoswera ndinwiswa maSewage zvangu, but chete ini ndakafa kare I don’t even care! You can come and kill me kana shungu kkkkkkk.
But on a serious note the dream I had last night is worrying me. I have mixed feelings – should I celebrate or cry? Honestly I don’t know because the last time takafarira n’anga yakadzoka yobata amai. Yes, the whole country was in cloud nine except for a few of us inini nana mukoma Jealousy Mawarire and the G40 cabal tisu takanga takangosunga zviso but the rest were ululating kuti chaenda chimudhara chekwaZvimba, baba Chatunga.
Of course uncle Bob had overstayed his welcome but I was totally against the way he was pushed out of office. But now that he is gone and he went that way ndava kungotiwo ngoma ndiyo ndiyo ini chero uripo iyeyu kana muchida kungomuendesa the same way bva ngaabaye. It’s no longer a secret that ED has failed. In fact I knew him as a failure since I was in my mother’s womb. Those who support him and vow to die for him can you tell me one thing that ED done for the benefit of ordinary people? Either as minister, vice president or President? Haiwavo tibvirei po ndiyani arikuti akagadzira migwagwa nemadhamu uyo? Tikwanire! Isu vana Mapombi tinodya migwagwa kana madhamu here isu? I don’t even have a car neither do I dream to buy so why should I celebrate construction of roads or dams? Even teachers whom Mthuli said they can now buy cars duty free are still roving around netsoka or is it called tsokorola? Kkkkkk but zvinoita Mthuli so. But Mapombi is not surprised because ndakangochitarisa chimurume chiya ndinoona senge dzisina kuti kwesere ini. I think that whole ministry yakasekwa chaiko ini; even the deputy minister wacho uyu Chiduwa haaaaa kkkkkkkkkk haaa zvakaoma chaiko chiregai ndisunge wangu muromo kuti shweee otherwise I will need a day and half just to talk about these not so intelligent Cdes.
My point is that Cde ED has failed and its now clear for everyone to see. Remember Mapombi once said this about Mugabe before anyone dared to say so. Before even vana Mutsvangwa, Mahiya and Mr Ibhu Matemadanda vamboti bufu. By the way, where is Mr Ibhu these days? kuMozambique kuChimoio kkkkkkkkk. This is one thing ED has failed to manage – ane chinya sechegurwe kuti rikangotsamwa rotozvitashura dumbu. Each time ED gets infuriated he acts very quickly and we all know what happened to Mr Ibhu, General Rugeje, Kembo and Mudha Ncube recently. But all this is not helping the economy in anyway. Ordinary people want a stable currency, not capital projects hatidyi izvozvo isu. Fuel price will soon be US$2 per litre yet munhu is busy kungoti Bhustiwai kuti bhu bhu bhu bhu – aaaah nhai nhai vakomana hazvisetse izvi.
But if what I dreamt about yesterday comes to pass then haaa makata anoshura mawere. My fellow Zimbabweans, kana ndichishaura mabatai manzwi kuitira mangwana. Let me explain the dream and tell you zvandakarota zvese. I know some of you will be quick to dismiss vachiti mupengo but don’t forget vamwe vakaudzwa hondo nemurwere wepfungwa.
Anyway, let me have my lunch first and then tell you about the dream. Don’t worry my lunch is not like that of vana Mthuli ka inotanga nema Starter, main meal then dissert – yangu its just maputi nemabanana akaora ndotonwa zvangu yemaMucheke River ine maSewer iyoyo kkkkkk kuramba guva huona jena. But do you know that I am a whole graduate who graduated with a book prize? I have a distinction but I am stark here at Chitima market thanks to Zanu PF. My father abandoned school and went to war to make sure that Zimbabwe is independent. Is this what you died for my father? Anyway, let me eat my maputi and rotten bananas zvangu but chingoma kana choririsa chava pedyo nekubvaruka. O-oh ndopika naKedha kudai. Skilled Rebhara will not tolerate this for too long handiti you know the man is very impatient? Yes, Kedha is very impatient I saw it in the dream guys and pandichakuudzai hope idzodzo you will all agree with me.
By the way, I heard Dr Khupe is very active on tweeter these days talking about the citizens kkkkkkk haaaa zvakaoma. Khupe chaiye now knows about the citizens. And you all know what Nero is going to say, right? ‘Chenga ose manhanga hapana risina mudzi.’ Kkkkkkk nhai mwana waBambo vangu listen and listen very carefully, kwedu uko twakazara tuma nhanga tusina modzi and hatunake ukada kutudya. Im sure those who understand Shona you hear me, loud and clear. I have nothing against Khupe but I am a very principled woman. Thabita Khumalo said over my dead body, and mapombi is also saying over my dead body. So Nero let this sink in your head, kana uchida zvaKhupe enda naye kumba kwako not to bring her to the citizens. I know uri musorobhangu nguva zhinji asi apa kana uchida kuona kuti chidyamatovo anodzipiwa neganda remhuru chete try to accept Khupe back. Let her go and join Dougie – if she has 45k supporters I can bet I will make sure that 50k youths get registered to vote so that I cover the number she wants to bring. I have said too much today so let’s meet next week then I will start with the dream that I had. But ED reminds me of Mphoko guys kkkkkk Mboko imboko!
ED has failed, Cdes
Councilor threatens to ‘unleash army’ on council
Emmanuel Chitsika
Ward 10 Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga made a chilling remark during the full council meeting held at Masvingo Civic Centre on February 28, saying he had received a call from top army leadership from Four Brigade threatening to ‘unleash’ army personnel to council to resolve continued water woes.
The controversial Zanu PF politician said council’s continued water supplies through bowsers to Four Brigade compromises the security of the army barrack and hence the commander called him expressing concern towards the arrangement.
“Mayor (Collen Maboke), Alderman Maridza (Selina), I have already told you that the commander called me enquiring on the water supply arrangements to their barracks. The commander is not happy with this continued lack of supplies that has led to deliveries of water in bowsers. He went on to tell me that if the situation does not improve he would send his personnel to Town House or even the army’s engineering department to go to the water treatment plant.
“As for 4.1 Brigade, they have a borehole to assist them, what about Four Brigade which has no other alternative? Why should we as council continue to compromise the security of those people who defend the nation? What would be of their situation if someone can decide to poison the water in the bowser? Council must resolve this issue because the area is a much bigger constituency and the 7 000 people there, need water,” said Manyanga.
He went on to urge council to consider the brigade, claiming that they are the one who paid a lot of money, which in actual fact was part payment to the debt they owe council.
“Remember that these guys paid around ZW$ 24 million which we are using to buy cars, so please make sure they get enough water supplies,” he said.
Responding to the matter Maboke said council prioritizes the welfare of all its residents and would like to ensure adequate water supplies to all residents in the city.
“As council, we always want to ensure all residents get water all the time. All residents of this city are important and I am sure our engineering department will do everything they can to ensure water supply issues are rectified and restore normal supplies,” said Maboke.
However, Town Engineer Kudzaishe Mbetu promised that normal water supplies would be restored on March 1, 2022.
“As a department, we have rectified issues behind water shortages and we are sure water supplies will be back to normal tomorrow (March 1),” said Eng Mbetu.
The city has experienced water shortages for the past two to three weeks with some areas going for long with dry taps.
Perennial erratic water supplies have been one of the major challenges haunting most local authorities around the country.
PWDs bemoan exclusion in climate change action
Courage Dutiro
People With Disabilities (PWDs) have called upon government and other stakeholders to ensure inclusive information dissemination so as to bridge the information gap on climate change to improve their inclusion.
This comes amid the realisation that many PWDs do not understand climate change issues even if they experience consequences.
Annah Shiri, former senator for PWDs said lack of inclusive information dissemination methods on climate change and its effects is an impediment to the inclusion of PWDs in climate change action in Zimbabwe.
“PWDs have no adequate information about climate change due to lack of inclusive information dissemination tools such as braille for persons with visual impairment.
“Also most persons with disabilities are not in the ownership of cell phones due to economic difficulties, hence information cascaded through cell phones is not being accessed by many of the PWDs, therefore most PWDs are left behind in climate change issues,” said Shiri.
She also said as a former senator, they are advocating for the inclusion of PWDs in climate change action.
“We are engaging the authorities responsible for issues to do with climate change, including the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) so that people with disabilities can actively participate in disaster risk management committees,” she said.
Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT) director Henry Chivhanga said the document for the climate change policy of Zimbabwe does not cater for other PWD groups as it is limited to one format.
“It is limited in one format. We need such information in braille, sign language and in various local languages. This guarantees effective information dissemination,” said Chivhanga.
He also said the perspectives of PWDs on Climate change are not recognized in the national climate change policy.
“It seems our contributions towards climate change issues are of less importance since we are not included in the planning stages. Our perspectives are not infused in the policy framework in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe Disability Advocacy Empowerment Rehabilitation Technology (ZDAERT) International founder Cover Mugwadi said issues to do with PWDs are not usually upheld because some of the people who are imposed to represent PWDs in the Senate have less knowledge of disability.
“It is unfortunate that the people who are appointed to represent us have little knowledge about disability issues. Thus the reason why perspectives of PWDs are not infused into policies,” said Mugwadi.
Maboke applauds Chadzamira for debt recovery from govt departments
TellZim reporter
Masvingo Mayor has applauded the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira for his support to the local authority in their endeavours to recoup big debts they are owed by mostly government departments which he believes would help re-vitalize council operations.
Speaking at the sidelines of the routine full council meeting held at Town House on February 28, Masvingo Mayor Cllr Collen Maboke said their working relationship with the minister will go a long way in recovering debt as these government departments owe them a lot of revenue.
“On government debtors, we have got that obligation to follow them up but we work through the office of Ministry of State. The Minister (Ezra Chadzamira) is working with us well and he has helped us a lot. Recently we managed to get a bulk payment of ZW $24 million as part payment of the amount we are owed by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
“We cannot say government is doing nothing as we are getting assistance from Minister Chadzamira to that effect. Government institutions are amongst our big debtors who owe us a lot of money,” said Maboke.
He however said if these big debtors pay up their debt, council would be in a better position to cater for some of its priorities from the resultant revenue collection.
“If these big debtors pay up the amounts, we may be in a better position to solve some of our problems we have at council using the revenue. We have issues like that of a depleted fleet of refuse compactors that I raised during the meeting where I was probing why refuse is not being collected like we intend to,” he added.
Most local authorities around the country face periodic challenges in terms of revenue collection as most government departments owe them huge sums of money which they would pay long after they are due and most probably when inflation would have chewed into the money.
ZW $100 million devolution boost for Mucheke Trunk Sewer
…As contractor resumes operations on the project
Melinda Kusemachibi
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 TC launches Leadership Visibility Program
…As they move to improve service delivery
Beatific Gumbwanda
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 council exempts Stanley School parents from parking fees
Tinaani Nyabereka
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.
Benedict ‘Kaka’ Bere the driving force behind Una Una midfield
Fredrick Moyo/Emmanuel Chitsika
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.
Mazorodze elected Gweru chamber of SMEs Chairperson
…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.
Information dissemination: TellZim rates local authorities
TellZim Reporter
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.