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Programme based budgeting to ensure accountability: Eng Kauma

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Programme based budgeting to ensure accountability: Eng Kauma

Fredrick Moyo

Acting Chiredzi Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma said the newly introduced Programme Based Budgeting will go a long way in ensuring accountability and transparency in council operations.
Eng Kauma said the remarkable shift from outdated Zero budgeting to the new Programme Based Budgeting is the new policy introduced by government that seeks to ensure accountability in running affairs of local authorities.
“The Programme Based Budgeting is the new policy introduced by government of late moving forward in running council affairs. We used to operate following the traditional Zero-based budgeting, but now government policy has changed resulting in the introduction of this new programme-based budgeting system.
“The main thrust behind the new system being that programmes are assigned to relevant departments targeting specific individuals who assume responsibility and duties directly. So you are going to realise that the system ensures answerability to the very individuals assigned.
“So when we do our budgets, we are compelled to come up with a five-year strategic plan first that will be aligned to the National Development Strategies 1(NDS1) and for those five years, we will have to break down the plans based on annual basis that the budget will support and that is when the issue of programme-based budgeting gets in,” said Eng Kauma.
He also highlighted that as council they were given a template that outlines programmes to be followed by the council authorities that are further divided into sub-programmes.
“The structure template we got from government has six programmes which would further be divided into sub programmes. As the accounting officer, I would prepare a performance contract and for this year we would attend a signing ceremony for the programmes.
“At the end of the year there would be reviews and evaluations to gauge whether we as local authorities have achieved what we set as targets. The reviews will also focus on assessing how much are we contributing to the NDS1 that will feed to the national vision set for 2030. Thus programme based budget is more like an appraisal which would help in reflecting areas of weakness on part of council and how government can chip in and assist,” he added.
Eng Kauma also took the opportunity to appreciate the role and commitment shown by council employees towards the achievement of ‘The Chiredzi we want’ and subsequently attaining Municipality status.
“Three months ago we had five months’ salary arrears for our council employees but as we speak we are almost approaching current salaries. Then we are also saying as council, when we took over, we had no equipment the reason why you see that our operations are mainly based on human- capital as we have no equipment like graders and thus all our works depended on manual labour (human capital), so our employees have been very supportive, the reason why progress is noticeable.
“The sewer upgrades we are undertaking are being done manually by our workers and so are other projects,” said Eng Kauma.
The Town secretary also said they have already applied to the parent ministry of local government for the granting of municipality status.
“As I have said, as part of our strategic plan, our vision is towards the attainment of municipality status. As an authority we have already applied to the ministry for granting of the status. So there is a template that we were given which we need to follow and follow its requirements.
“We have already started doing what is required of us in the template that includes having a fire station for Chiredzi municipality. Already we have acquired a fire centre and the equipment is being manufactured in China and as soon as the equipment is delivered, we will start working on it. In our budget we have already budgeted for the section.
“Some of the requirements we will work on them as we go on like having updated accounts. As it is we have had two audit cycles as a catch-up programme that is for 2019 and 2020 so that we can move over to 2021 before the expiration of the mandatory 120 days and only then will we be up to date,” he said.
However, Eng Kauma said council is contemplating revoking leases of their two beer halls namely Chigarapasi and Komanani as the revenue generated is way below expectations as compared to that likely to be generated if council operates them.
“We have two beer halls; Chigarapasi and Komanani that we are leasing but the rentals are just too low, hence as council we are realising nothing meaningful. As a result, we are contemplating taking over the facilities,” said Eng Kauma.

Masvingo man Gabriel Mupasiri arrested for manhandling Editor over 2012 story

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Masvingo man Gabriel Mupasiri arrested for manhandling Editor over 2012 story

TellZim Reporter

MASVINGO – A self-proclaimed businessman Gabriel Mupasiri is being charged with disorderly conduct after he manhandled a journalist at a local hotel recently over a story published sometime in 2012.

Mupasiri grabbed TellZim editor Passmore Kuzipa by the collar threatening to beat him up over an issue he was unwilling to disclose.

Kuzipa immediately reported the case at Masvingo Central Police station and the case was filed under CR30/01/22.

Mupasiri is expected to appear in court on January 13, 2022 for disorderly conduct.

On the fateful day (January 10), three journalists and a number of local business people were watching an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match between Zimbabwe and Senegal at a local hotel.

During the dying minutes of the game, Mupasiri came and approached the journalists before rhetorically asking who Kuzipa was among the three.

He then commanded Kuzipa to come where he was standing but before Kuzipa responded one of the journalists intervened and told Mupasisri not to disturb because they were watching a soccer match.

Mupasiri then jumped and grabbed Kuzipa by his collar. He was restrained by other journalists and revellers who then forced him out of the hotel bar.

While outside, some revellers quizzed him about his unruly behaviour and that is when Mupasiri allegedly revealed that Kuzipa once wrote a story about him sometime in 2012 when he was the then news editor of The Mirror.

The article which Mupasiri was referring to is a satirical piece by Hot On The Heels (Hoth) which claimed that a certain guy by the name Gabu who was then staying in Rhodhene was in the habit of bashing his wife and starving her whilst spending money with girlfriends.  HOTH also said in that article Gabu was not paying rentals and each time the property owner asked for his rentals, Gabu would threaten to beat him up.

After the case was published then, Mupasiri stormed The Mirror offices and grabbed Kuzipa by the collar threatening to beat him over that particular satirical article.

An alert was issued by Misa Zimbabwe on May 28, 2012 condemning Mupasiri’s overzealous behaviour.

Fast forward to 2022, it is over a decade since the said article was published but Mupasiri is still angry and wants to cause harm to Kuzipa.

Due to fear for his life because of the unpredictable backward behaviour of Mupasiri, Kuzipa reported the matter to police and Mupasiri will have his day in court on January 13, 2022.

Disabled woman murdered over food

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Disabled woman murdered over food

Princess Masiiwa

A suspected mentally ill man from Chiitani village under Chief Mupapa in Chiredzi allegedly murdered his disabled sister for refusing to give him a third serving of food.
The incident took place on January 2, 2022 at around 0130 hours when Jonathan Chiitani (27) came home drunk and woke up his sister Esnat Chiitani (35) who was sleeping in the same house with their mother Maria Chekani (50) to serve him food.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said they encourage people living with mentally-challenged relatives to always make sure they do not default on their medications.
“We encourage members of the public that if they have relatives with mental challenges not to stop taking their medications,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that Esnat complied with Jonathan’s order, but he kept on demanding for more after which she served him for the second time.
Jonathan demanded a third serving to which Esnat refused to serve him irking the former who then started shouting before their mother woke up, intervening by taking him to his room.
After their mother left, Jonathan followed Esnat demanding more food and he took a Mopani stick from the granary threatening to beat his sister.
Sensing danger, Maria then instructed Esnat to crawl away from Jonathan.
The accused started beating his sister on the face several times with the stick. Maria then ran to their uncle Jephat Chiitani (50) but when she came back with Jephat and nine other neighbors, she found Esnat bleeding profusely, lying unconsciously on the floor with multiple cuts on the head and they reported the matter to Chikombedzi police station.
Reports were also that sometime in 2013 Jonathan Chiitani reportedly went to South Africa to look for a job but later in 2014 came back home mentally sick.
Maria sought treatment for him from traditional healers and his condition had improved when the unfortunate incident occured.

Female mechanic defy all odds

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Female mechanic defy all odds

… navigates male-dominated territory

Kimberly Kusauka

A 23-year-old female mechanic student from African Associated Mines (AMM) training centre in Mashava is defying odds as she ventured into the male-dominated field of motor mechanics, where she vows to excel in her chosen career path.
Nomatter Bizze stationed at Ngundu Business Centre in Chivi South constituency said she finds it difficult sometimes to operate in the world of mechanics, where she is often underrated along gender lines.
“A lot of people are failing to understand that a lady can venture into mechanics and mostly, I get accusations that I am homosexual, which is not true.
“Some people doubt my capability and even refuse to let me fix their cars saying that I am not physically fit to do a job that is usually done by men,” said Bizze.
She said she is currently working at Ngundu Motors where she is raising money for her school fees.
“I am currently working at Ngundu Motors and I go to school for examinations only because I pay for my own fees. I have been at school for my first year only,” added Bizze.
The youthful mechanic initially wanted to be a lawyer but she could not score the required points at Advanced level and that is when she ventured into mechanics.
She said she wanted to be different from other females who are afraid of doing the duties which are stereotypically labelled as men’s.
“I wanted to be a lawyer, but after failing to obtain 15 points at A’ level I was disappointed and decided to go for Diesel Plant Fitting Mechanics since my aim was to distinguish myself from other girls.
“Personally I hate competition, so I realized that in mechanics there is no competition with other ladies since only a few take part in such fields,” said Bizze.
She has a big dream where she wants to open her own garage which repairs cars and sell accessories.
“According to my plan one day I will be having my own garage just like Croco motors and Toyota, where I will be providing labour and accessories,” she said.
Bizze’s supervisor at Ngundu Motors Rhyland Gumbo said she managed to fight her demons and is very passionate about her job.
“Bizze managed to transform from female’s world to male’s world. I can say so by the way she does her job. She is passionate and willing to work.
“She is no longer afraid of the criticism she gets from both men and women who thinks she is not fit for her job,” said Gumbo.

Bikita RDC outlines 2022 major projects

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Bikita RDC outlines 2022 major projects

Kimberly Kusauka

Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) has outlined their 2022 major projects as the year begins while promising 100 percent efficiency in service delivery to all its beneficiaries.
Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Chibhi said they will embark on a number of projects this year, which they expect to be funded through devolution funds as they aim to complete all projects by year end.
“Tenders for all projects have already been done. Our expectation is that by year end, there must be meaningful progress. Every project must be complete.
“We expect all our projects to be funded through devolution funds,” said Chibhi.

Major projects

Health

The CEO said they will be focusing on five clinics namely Chivaka, Uteke, Dungu, Nerumedzo and Tafara. He said each clinic is expected to serve around 5 000 to 6 000 people and also help to reduce the burden of travelling long distances to nearby health care facilities by the villagers.
“Expected catchment area coverage for each clinic is between 5 000 to 6 000 households.
“Our intention is to reduce distance travelled by our people and also to cater for maternal care targeting a reduction in maternal deaths,” said Chibhi.

Education

Bikita RDC is prioritizing the education sector as they are going to be working on three schools which are Musiya primary, Manunure and Tamuka secondary schools.
Chibhi said they are upgrading Manunure and Tamuka secondary schools from being satellites to formal schools as well as constructing Musiya primary which was supposed to have been built soon after Zimbabwe got its independence.
“Manunure and Tamuka secondary are satellite schools, so we want to upgrade them to formal schools. Musiya primary is a satellite which was supposed to be constructed immediately after independence.
“Now the intention is to reduce distance walked by pupils. We will build two staff houses at Manunure secondary, two double classroom blocks at Musiya primary and another two blocks at Tamuka secondary school,” said Chibhi.

Water and sanitation

Bikita RDC is targeting to drill 24 boreholes, eight in each of the three constituencies namely Bikita East, West and South.
Chibhi said they expect each borehole to carter for 100 households and wish to address the water crisis which saw villagers walking long distances to access clean drinking water.
“We have approximated that each borehole will serve 100 households. Currently people are walking long distances to access clean drinking water which is one of the challenges we aim at addressing by drilling those boreholes,” said Chibhi.

‘No to illegal dumpsites’- Council Chair

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‘No to illegal dumpsites’- Council Chair

Melinda Kusemachibi

Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) chairperson Cllr Gibson Hwende has urged residents to avoid dumping waste materials at undesignated places, a development which has seen the mushrooming of illegal dumping spots in town.
Hwende said residents in Chiredzi should make sure that they keep a safe environment avoiding dumping waste at unauthorized places saying litter provides a safe haven for breeding of germs which causes diseases like cholera.
“As council we urge residents to practice high levels of hygiene and not to dump litter on undesignated sites.
“Litter is haven for cholera especially during the rainy season. Let us keep THE CHIREDZI WE WANT clean,” said Hwende.
Addressing various stakeholders who included council employees, residents and business community during a clean-up campaign in Tshovani high density suburb which ran from October 6 to 8, Hwende said they had managed to clean and clear a number of illegal dumpsites in the surbub.
“We cleaned and cleared illegal dumpsites in ward 8 in Chiredzi,” said Hwende.
On October 7, 2021, teams comprising council officials and workers, the public cleared and cleaned Wards 3 and 8 before cleaning Wards 5 and 6.
Three wards, 1, 2 and 8 were cleaned on October 8.
The campaign was initiated by the local authority in an effort to raise awareness in the community about safe disposal of waste.
Council received a donation of 100 liters of fuel for use during the clean-up exercise from Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu while Trade Code Company owned by Chiredzi Bussiness Development Association (LOBDA) Chairperson Venancio Kurauone provided Lorries and caterpillars to remove piles of rubbish from illegal dumpsites.

Zimbabwe Aids Network launches key population engagement project

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Zimbabwe Aids Network launches key population engagement project

Thabiso Nxumalo

Zimbabwe Aids Network (ZAN) has partnered three other stakeholders in forming a project that seeks to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of key population groups in Masvingo province.
ZAN partnered Health Foundation Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Rainbow Community and Women against All Forms of Discrimination in launching the ZIZIWAZI Consortium Project at Lees Inn in Masvingo on January 6, 2021.
The project seeks to empower key population groups which comprises of sex workers, girls and young women and the LGBTIQ Community amongst others in accessing SRHR services and ending HIV related deaths by 2025 as well as reducing transmission by 68 percent the same year.
ZAN programme officer, Lovemore Mupfukura said the project funded by Love Alliance is set to run for five years and its fulcrum is challenging structural barriers of underfunding, criminalization, exclusion and stigmatization of the key population.
“This is a five-year programme; we as key population are not well represented in terms of our rights and resources in every sector including SRHR hence this is us trying to fight for ourselves and get our voice heard and, in the meantime, educating our fellow members on SRHR issues so as to eradicate HIV and AIDS,” said Mapfukura.
He added that the key population contributes 62 percent of the world’s HIV infections whilst they receive only two percent of funding which is a cause of alarm and hence the consortium is in a bid to curb this phenomenon.
“We as key population contribute 62 percent of HIV infections while we only get two percent of funding which makes it hard to fight the pandemic and as such, we are committed to educating our members on options such as condoms, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) among others as well as educating them on their rights.
“We are currently available in only four provinces in the country, which are Masvingo, Bulawayo, Harare and Manicaland,” said Mupfukura.
National Aids Council (NAC) provincial manager, Agrippa Zizhou said NAC values the key population community and is elated with this consortium as it will yield quality services to society and aid in eradicating HIV and AIDS as well as annihilate inequalities and stigmatization.
“We as NAC value every societal group including the key population group. We applaud the strides they are taking in combating HIV and AIDS for the betterment of the country and the globe as a whole,
“This initiative has brought like-minded partners in key population programme in providing quality services to society and as such NAC is mandated with the co-ordination role,” Zizhou said.
This comes a day after First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa donated farming inputs to sex workers in Gweru to engage in income generating farming projects.

The PVO Amendment Bill: A National Disaster

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The PVO Amendment Bill: A National Disaster

Chantel Boyce

In democracy, the promulgation of any piece of legislation should be to the benefit of the nation and its people. However, when pieces of legislation are tailor-made to suppress and oppress, they become counterproductive. The legislative system is now being used to rubber-stamp unpopular laws which do not have the ordinary people at heart. When laws restrict civil rights and suffocate the civil society, they cease to serve national interests in favour of personal ones as well as to achieve political expediency.
This can be said of the proposal made by government of Zimbabwe to push for the enactment of the PVO Amendment Bill. The Bill is being pushed by power hungry politicians who do not have the nation and ordinary citizens at heart.
The battle between the state and civil society in Zimbabwe has escalated to alarming levels to the extent of the former plotting to change the legal environment under private voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations. For a long time the government of Zimbabwe has labelled NGOs agents of regime change particularly those surviving on foreign funding. The label has been generally applied across the whole civil society sector.
The civil society in Zimbabwe has been working very hard as a check and balance of the abuse of power by the state. Civil society organizations like the Zimbabwe Peace Project, Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have been at the forefront of exposing and denouncing abuse of power and repression by the government. Thus restrictions on their operation will lead to despotism.
The civil society in Zimbabwe has been at the forefront of exposing and shaming corruption. Organisations like Transparency Zimbabwe International, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) under the how far mantra have been demanding transparency and accountability condemning the endemic corruption in state circles. Therefore, silencing civil society that helps in the Nobel fight against corruption is not a good fit.
Civil society organizations are necessary in building and strengthening democratic systems in the country. The Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) always encourages people to vote and condemn electoral fraud. Thus making life difficult for these civil society organizations who are in attempt to muzzle civil society so as to deeply entrench dictatorship.
NGOs have been playing a major role in disaster relief and management in Zimbabwe so treating them all as enemies of the state is counterproductive. Due to climate change, Zimbabwe has been regularly hit by natural disasters like cyclones, droughts and floods. In the most recent, Cyclone Idai which hit hard parts of Manicaland and Masvingo, several NGOs partnered government to bring relief aid to affected communities. If draconian laws are introduced targeting NGOs, there is a genuine fear that they will withdraw their services leaving the cash strapped government exposed.
NGOs are working hard to transform marginalized communities in like Gokwe, Binga and Rushinga. A case in point is the work being done by Activista under Action Aid Zimbabwe. The organization installed a borehole at Nyagwande in Nyanga which can now be used to provide clean water to about 32 households. ADRA Zimbabwe has also brought clean tapped water to the Chidora community under Chief Chireya in Gokwe North. If the operations of such NGOs are affected by the proposed law, they will simply shut down and it is the ordinary people who suffer.
Every year, many Zimbabwean communities would be in dire need of food aid. This is largely due to climate change which has greatly affected rainfall patterns leading to drought and famine. 100 000 people have been assisted with food aid through the World Food Program since 2019. WFP helps in both rural and urban communities to the extent of some of them receiving monthly cash pay outs.
NGOs have ensured access to education for thousands of underprivileged children across Zimbabwe. Examples that quickly come to mind are Camfed and Plan International. They build schools and pay school fees. If government drives these NGOs away through draconian policies like the PVO Amendment Bill, no one would ever support the government in developmental projects.
The above submissions are part of the broader discourse on the implications of the PVO Amendment Bill on civil society and NGOs as well as the beneficiaries who are the ordinary people. My submission is that the Bill should be revised or at least scrapped because it will not serve the national interests.

The writer is an opinion writer who can be contacted on 0778413023
e-mail address 0778413023tinnyboyce@gmail.com

Ndogwedu brings life to Paramount FC

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Ndogwedu brings life to Paramount FC

…as the Gokwe boys gun for premier league

Tinaani Nyabereka /Branton Matondo

Gokwe-is currently embracing division one football as Paramount FC aims to compete among the best in a league that carries big names thanks to Australian-based club sponsor, Jemias Ndogwedu.
Ndogwedu expressed satisfaction with the progress made towards uplifting the face of Gokwe in form of spot.
After registering a draw at home in their first league against Chapungu Fc and a 4-2 loss away at Vumbachikwe in the Central Region D1 is nothing but a good start for the club.
“We are looking at bringing entertainment to Gokwe, but our main objective is to give exposure to the talented young players in Gokwe. I am very passionate about soccer, I live soccer, eat soccer and dream soccer but every journey has its hazards.
“The challenge now is the weight on expenses. Remember there are no returns from the sponsorship, so eventually if you are an individual investor like me you end up broke,” he said.
Having been born and bred in Mutimutema village of Nemangwe, Gokwe South before moving to Australia, Ndogwedu said giving back to his community has always been his dream.
“Sponsoring a division one football team is difficult because you have to offer some remuneration to players, travelling and officials’ expenses are also on your financial schedule.
“We are still building and any form of sponsorship from the public or private sector will be important and significant enough to achieve our cause,” said Ndogwedu.
Paramount FC committee member Mesta Mudzorwi however, chronicled where the club is heading towards in terms of football.
“The club was formed way back in 2015. It started as a social club and it raised its name through its performance in the football arena. Paramount Fc has a sister team called Chipaz Academy.
“What we seek to do is to develop our community and create exposure of the talent we have in a remote area. Gokwe needs to be seen and that is what we seek to achieve. We also seek for the community, sponsoring sector and the already engaged members to credit the work on the ground.
“Paramount FC is a newly promoted team. We want to be a competitive side and as a junior team it is our wish to maintain the top half position. The team is promising and players are ready to adjust and win as much away games as possible.
“Gokwe community is overwhelmed with the presence of league football because the last time Gokwe witnessed professional soccer was in 2019 when Gokwe North FC was still part of the league before its extinction.” added Mudzorwi.
Paramount FC head coach, Noah Lunga said his team was all youthful, energetic and looking forward to make it into the big league.
“Paramount FC is among three teams newly promoted to the league, the other two being Bishopstone from Beitbridge and Loss Control Fc from Zvishavane.
“The current edition of central region division soccer league has a lot of big names on the realm but as Paramount Fc, we are confident that we are heading ahead,” he said.

Kombayi re- elected Gweru mayor

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Kombayi re- elected Gweru mayor

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-Ward 1 Councillor and flamboyant businessman Hamutendi Kombayi has bounced back as City of Gweru mayor replacing Josiah Makombe recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC -T last month.

He won by 11 votes to 4, ahead of Martin Chivhoko of the MDC Alliance in an election held today, January 11 2022.

The total number of votes cast was 16, with one spoiled.

Three other candidates namely Ward 9 Councilor Edison Kurebgaseka , Ward 18 councilor, John Manyundwa and Ward 10 councilor  Charles Chikozho also expressed their interest in the race but were reportedly disqualified by the party’s executive, with Kombayi left to compete with Chivhoko of ward 4.

Kombayi was once sacked from the mayoral post by then Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere in 2017.

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Kombayi expressed the need for unity towards developing the city.

“Let’s work together for the development of Gweru. We want a better Gweru as we go forward,” Kombayi said.

It has been reported that all executive representatives were allegedly hosted for a dinner at Midlands Hotel by Kombayi the night before the election.

In a press statement on January 10, former mayor Josiah Makombe bade farewell to Gweru community, revealing that he was recalled from representing MDC-T on December 10 2021.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all residents of ward 2, which comprises the following suburbs: Athlone , Riverside, Josiah Tungamirai Air base, Harben park, Greenville, Winsor park, Coolmooreen,and Lingfield.

“Thank you so much for your support. You trusted and gave me the chance to serve you as your councillor as well as the Mayor of our city.

“I would also want to thank all the residents and stakeholders of Gweru for giving me the opportunity and support you gave me towards the development of the city,” read Makombe’s statement.

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