Home Blog Page 376

Mucheke Stadium, Dikwindi Primary school ‘condemned’

0

Priviledge Muchadenyika

Mucheke Stadium and Dikwindi Primary School may soon need to be closed for some time to pave way for revamping the infrastructure, most of which needs to be built from scratch.
Speaking during a full council meeting on November 1, 2021, Masvingo Mayor Cllr Collen Maboke said Dikwindi Primary School’s deplorable state is no longer suitable for learning activities and may soon pose a danger to pupils.“It would be better to destroy the buildings to pave way for new ones that will be up to standard at the council-run primary school.
“The buildings are sub-substandard to such an extent that renovating them will be a waste of resources and the best solution will be to start building all over again.
“There were projects in the pipeline to build one block a year until finished but due to the economy it is impossible to do that. Council was supposed to build the second block from levies,” Maboke said.
Maboke also spoke on the dissatisfactory manner in which council is running affairs of Mucheke stadium which has suddenly been turned into a white elephant due to the dilapidated infrastructure.
“Turning to Mucheke stadium, if you look at the facility, the toilets and the playing turf are all in poor state. There is need to revamp the whole turf because the lawn is no longer conducive. The facility no longer meet the standards required even for hosting local premiership matches.
“If we do not address the issue, we will end up in the situation our national soccer team is likely to be in after continental soccer governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF) hinted on banning hosting of soccer matches at the National Sports Stadium in Harare,” said Maboke.
Maboke said there was need for council to utilize the opportunity of non-presence of a local soccer team using the facility to do serious renovations.
“Why can we not utilise this opportunity for renovations and ensure standards are improved at the facility to ensure that it meets certain standards?” he said.
Ward 10 Councilor Sengerayi Manyanga proposed that council demand the payment of council levy for each learner at Dikwindi before being allowed into the classroom.
“Learners who would not have paid council levy, an amount of ZW$260 must not be allowed to attend lessons so that their guardians are motivated to pay fees which would help in improving infrastructure at the school,” said Manyanga.
In close proximity to the school sewage also flows, posing a potential health hazard to learners.

Covid-19 vaccination extends to teenagers

Kimberly Kusauka

Vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds was recently approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), with lactating and pregnant mothers being given green light to be vaccinated if they wanted.
In a press statement on vaccination issued recently by MoHCC, specialist pediatricians have recommended the vaccination of teenagers aged 16 and 17 with Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.
“Based on the available scientific data in line with the Medicines Control Authorities of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) guidance, specialist pediatricians have recommended vaccination of the 16-17 years age group with Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine,” read the statement.
Masvingo Covid-19 Taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said they have received information that teenagers are included in the vaccination programme but they are still waiting for communication so that they can strategize on awareness campaigns for that age group.
“We have received the directive from MoHCC that children aged 16 and 17 have been included in vaccination program but we are not carrying out any campaigns for them specifically.
“We are yet to receive the communication so that we can strategize and will update after consultations with relevant authorities,” said Irimayi.
Recently MoHCC Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said the nation has reached 38 percent on achieving the 60 percent herd immunity of the total population while addressing journalists at a National Aids Council (NAC) workshop in Chinhoyi.
“On achieving herd immunity, we are now at 38 percent and it is everyone’s duty to contribute towards achieving 60 percent by end of 2021. We have publicly announced that if pregnant and lactating women want to be vaccinated, they can do so,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Early September this year World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement on their website claiming that vaccination of lactating and pregnant mothers brings in more benefit than harm as they are also at risk of infection.
“WHO recommends vaccinating pregnant women and lactating mothers where benefits outweigh the risks. That means pregnant women with heightened exposures to Covid-19, such as health workers and those with comorbidities, stand to benefit from vaccination,” read the WHO statement.
In August, MoHCC said they were working on including pregnant and lactating mothers, together with children from 14 to 17 years in the vaccination program but health personnel manning vaccination centres were turning them away saying they had not received a circular to that effect.
MoHCC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Donald Mujiri in September said the ministry was in process to vaccinate all eligible people so that the herd immunity could be reached within the stipulated time.
“The Ministry is on the ground working on including pregnant women, lactating mothers and children from the age of 14-17 in the vaccination programme so that the country reaches herd immunity by December this year,” said Mujiri.
As at November 3, 2021 a total number of 3. 336 079 people had been vaccinated against Covid-19 nationally.

ZEC to engage in mobile registration blitz

0

Fredrick Moyo

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC is set to begin a mobile registration exercise in Masvingo Province that will run from December 1 2021 to end of January 2022 with the exercise expected to cover all the 26 constituencies in the province.
The mobile registration exercise is meant to help people in marginalised areas and those who have to walk long distances access ZEC offices to register to vote as well as increasing the numbers of people registered to vote.
Masvingo ZEC Deputy Provincial Election Officer (PEO) Maxwell Ncube confirmed the registration exercise and said the exercise would target those people who have never registered to vote.
“We are expecting to start on December 1 to 20 when we will break for Christmas and resume on December 28 up to the end of January 2022 and expect that by the end of January 2022 we would have covered all the constituencies.
“Our main target in this exercise are those people who have never registered and never voted before so that they may be part of the voter registration for the upcoming elections,” said Ncube.
He also added that the proposed registration exercise is expected to cover whole districts and constituencies and four officers and three BVR kits will be deployed per constituency.
“We are expecting to cover all the constituencies and we are going to have one mobile registration team comprising of three BVR kits and four officers deployed per constituency,” added Ncube.
Ncube also confirmed that figures of registered voters for the month of October had sharply decreased, with a total number of 98 people registering to vote as compared to 132 in September.
“Our registration figures decreased this month and I do not really know what might be the cause as we were engaging our stakeholders to spread the message of registration,” said Ncube.
He also mentioned that the mobile registration blitz would also help in increasing the registration numbers as they will be moving around constituencies and in homes.
“The programme will help in increasing the registration numbers as a lot of people will be reached in their homes and nearby areas and given a chance to register,” said Ncube.
From the 98 people who registered to vote in the month of October, there were 26 females and 72 males, with numbers decreasing from the 29 females and 103 males in the month of September.
There were also 55 transfers recorded at the provincial office and from the 55 there are 19 females and 36 males.

Welcome back Mr President

0

Mapombi is beginning to doubt the saying yekuti experience is the best teacher, infact it is not. After all, I thought ED with the experience he had in government before he became the president, he now knows what to do and what not to. However, he seems to have learnt nothing. Kukundwa naHichilema sure achangopinda who went to Scotland with a very lean entourage and secured bilateral agreements chero tisati taziva hedu zvavaisaina saina kkkk. Vedu ava had a big team but I don’t think besides kumwa zvavo whiskey, there is any other thing that he brought back. I will come back to this but for now let me talk about this other president of ours. The president of the Chief’s council Fortune Charumbira or should we call him Headman? Because haa haachinaka nzvimbo yekutonga. Bere took away a bigger chunk and when we thought that was enough, Nemamwa came in full force also vying for another portion of his land. I used to think he is clever especially with his post in the Pan African council. However, he has since joined the bandwagon of crazy people, the likes of anaMthuli Ncube and company. Hanzi Zanu PF belong to the Chiefs kkkkk, it belongs to him and the other like-minded. Chinopenga chete chikomana chiya. How can he say Zanu PF belong to them iyo isingatomudi. Charumbira aidiwa neOld dispensation yaUncle Robert na sisi Gire aka Dr Stop it, not these guys, they are the ones vari kuda kutomupedza. Mnangagwa resuscitated the Bere Chieftaincy achangopinda. It is one of the first things he did, I am not sure hangu kuti akatanga chii kumutsa Ushe hwekwaBere kana kuchinja scud achiunza ichi chaakunzi chiMnangagwa ichi kkkkk. Iwe Charumbira stop meddling in Zanu PF politics and do your constitutional mandate, the constitution stipulates that Chiefs should not be involved into politics hence be apolitical but iwe uri chibaba chazvo.
Mapombi wanted to welcome the president on his return from Scotland so that she can see for herself if he really came empty handed. I hear a lot of people saying dzakauya dzakarembedza maoko neScarf bedzi and I wanted to see for myself because people are now good at lying kkkk. Hanzi I wanted to ask him if it is true that he addressed empty chairs or it was a photo shopped picture kkkk. Sure randakaratidzwa kuno kuchitima kana risiri cropped or warped sure maiva musina vanhu. However, I heard others saying the slot he was given yaiva isina vanhu apa we were not given the reason why. Hanzi even the likes of ana Boris presented musina vanhu so hameno ikoko.
I would like to say welcome back our president, ko makatiigirawo here ma Glenfiddich amaisunda mumaTrolley, but doro riyaka, ndoda kumborinzwawo because mmmm, I hear even pano paBenjamin apa ukangoenda naro haa wapinda kkkk. Kune vamwe vandoziva vakatopinda nekuda kwaro kkkk. I hope the sanctions issue was addressed, because the Crocodile managed to have time to sit down with Biden and Boris zvekuti I don’t think we will have them for the next few months, I think vanenge vabvisa. Yeah, that was the most opportune time you would ever have Mr president, talking to them eye to eye. If there was need for you to kneel and beg I hope you really did because you have been telling us that they are the ones affecting us as Zimbabweans and most of the people believed you kusiya kwangu and a few who know the truth.
But what is it with our politicians guys, I thought it’s only Chamisa who was excited by meeting team iro kkkk. Chete the Youngman met the administration not the real guy. But Mr President I know, unlike Hichilema you didn’t sign any deal there but at least you were supposed to bring the Scottish whisky, even iya inonzi Scottish Leader zvayo, it was better. Dai makatovati vazovhura imwe plant yeScottish Leader kuno because I see zvemukumbi mozvifarira izvi, barely a week after opening Amarula plant kwamakazora mafuta eshomhwe, you were welcomed to bottles paGlasgow kkk. I wanted you to ask them to open another plant paZaka apa coz mapfura aripowo futi. But I think when the president came back, he had hangover of the wines he took on the parties organised for him and his entourage in Glasgow. I heard our president had the largest entourage ikoko kkkk, apa Gasgow yacho is the most populous city in Scotland kkkkk. Hanzi you all saw that I talked to Boris, hanzi he did not only stretch his hand to greet me, vakanyemwerera vakanyemwerera kkkk. Kufarira smile sure haa I can see the level of immaturity in our leaders. Do we eat smile yaBorison nhai Mr President? How can you get that overzealous?
Ko vakomana mava papi neMota yaChamisa kkk, I last heard kuti panga pava ne US$2 000 yoga, mmm if that’s true inogona hayo kukwana next year December unless muchida fun Cargo coz with the pace ikufamba nemadonations acho, mmm pakaipa. Please Machinja itai serious mutengere president mota kwayo. I am still weighing options kuti ndichavhotera ani hangu in 2023 so count me out for now. I heard again that Chamisa did not report the attempted murder to police, apawo Ass Com Nyathi is saying they are not manje toita waani Mutape.
Before I go hangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, let me come closer home and please hear me out. Manyanga and company please spare us the crap, regai Rujeko school ivakwe and take your political rivalry somewhere else. I know the issue is not about Nyokanhete not following procedure but countering propaganda by Musekiwa who was claiming that he facilitated the construction of the school through CDF. The matter is not between Nyokanhete and ladies and gentlemen, vana Manyanga are trying to soil Musekiwa’s name since he is hoping for a comeback in council if by elections are okayed. Speaking of by elections, who is holding the keys to that much awaited election. People are rightfully waiting and ZEC yanaChigumba is saying they are waiting for a go ahead from the Ministry of health and the ministry is saying its ZEC’s call. Hatisisi kutambwa here apa, this blame game is benefiting Zanu PF at the expense of the population. So ana Manayanga tikukuzivai hedu you always want to cause confusion. I heard others saying Manyanga and Chiteme are dull kkkk. I tried to tell them kuti Manyanga is learned, he graduated from Border Gezi and is a full time Green Bomber so you need to accept who he is kkkk. Hanzi Manyanga ndochilocal rigging machine zvekuti the faction supporting Mavenyengwa should make sure that Manyanga is nowhere near the voting centers on the day of the provincial elections or else havalume.
Asi nhai vanhu, can someone tell me what’s going on with our country, the way people are killing each other mmmm. Every month we hear of people killing a number of innocent souls. Zvimwe hazvichada mapurisa asi kutoti mweya mutsvene chaiwo. MaPrayer warrios where are you while Satan is haunting us? Ko ava maporofita 8 vokufira tsvimbo what were they really up to.Why is it that province yekumusha kwaPresident iyo Midlands ndiyo yainda nenyika saTocky panyaya yekupondana? Asi ndeyambuya Nehanda here tsvimbo yacho or yaRobert iyo yakaita kuti ade kuvhukunyugwa.
Ko mandiitawefodya Chimene makazodii naye nhai maCdes? I miss her with her red eyes dzakarohwa nembanje. Please if anyone comes across her, greet her for me. Ko hapanawo anoziva kunaMboko futi here, I wanted to tell him to facilitate that we get some chicks here for Xmas. Ana profeeds are failing to meet the demand kkkk. Mboko Imboko

Diaspora community remembers Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital

Thabiso Nxumalo

United Kingdom based Zimbabweans who trace their roots back to Masvingo province recently handed over a consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital in an effort to cushion the institution from the spread of Covid-19.
The donation that was presented to Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira by Chief Neromwe included hundreds of face masks and face shields that will be shared amongst inmates.
Delivering a speech during the handover ceremony at Benjamin Burombo building, Chief Neromwe said the group of diasporians strives to see the province excelling in all aspects.
“Such a gesture will not end here, this is surely a start to many as we are determined to see Masvingo strive.
“The guys have promised to do their best with the resources that they have so that when they come back to Zimbabwe they find the province at a more advanced stage. It is also their wish to see others engaging in these kind of gestures,” said Neromwe.
In his acceptance speech, Chadzamira expressed gratitude and said this gesture is in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mandate of engagement and re-engagement.
“We are very happy for such a donation from the UK diaspora Agricultural Engagement organization as it upholds the mandate of engagement and re-engagement.
“What they have done is so profound and thoughtful as they have considered the needs of the marginalized groups such as the mentally challenged,” said Chadzamira.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Amadeus Shamhu also applauded the donation and promised that every single piece of the PPE will be accounted for.
“This is a relief for the institution, although we are yet to ascertain the number of the PPE, we know it will go a long way in covering up for the shortage and we will account for all of it and make sure they all arrive at the hospital,” said Shamhu.
UK Diaspora Agricultural Engagement is an organization made up of Masvingo residents living in the United Kingdom and their main objective is to aid and help Masvingo through philanthropic work.

CGCDZ escalates women empowerment

Melinda Kusemachibi

Center for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CGCDZ) has escalated its women empowerment goals for Masvingo through distributing farming inputs as well as training them on fish farming.
Speaking during a workshop held at Mbetu village in Ward 11 Masvingo West on October 29, where they toured Mbetu Kushingirira garden, CGCDZ Projects Manager Chidaushe Mudadi said women ought to be empowered so that they will be able to take care of themselves.
“We advocate for women empowerment that is why we are doing projects that help them to sustain themselves. As CGCDZ we don’t just advocate for women empowerment but we also help them to start some projects,” said Mudadi.
The Garden Chairperson Elmina Mauta said CGCDZ has changed their lives in the village through training and distributing inputs which they are now growing, a development that has helped them to alleviate poverty and sustain their diet.
“These projects helped us as women, we are now able to pay fees for our children from the money we raise from selling vegetables. Center for Gender ‘ndizvo’,”said Mauta.
Ward 11 Councilor Petros Jorodani also praised CGCDZ saying what they were doing in different wards would go a long way in empowering the rural women.
“Our village is a dry land, we do not have rivers or dams but through CGCDZ there is now a very big change. Solar panels were installed, and they drilled water tanks for us to water our gardens. Women and youths are happy as they have something to do that puts money in their pockets,” said Jorodani.
CGCDZ’s objective is to uplift and improve the living conditions of poor and marginalized communities (men, women & youths) with a special focus on women in projects utilizing local resources through economic empowerment, citizen participation and climate change, mitigation and adaptation.
Although CGCDZ is a gender sensitive organization, it focuses mostly on women recognizing that they are the key drivers of economic growth mostly in emerging market countries, Zimbabwe included.
CGCDZ takes community centered and community led initiatives as the basis for all interventions and livelihood activities.

Lake Mutirikwi water level at 93 percent

0

Fredrick Moyo

The second biggest inland lake in Zimbabwe after Tokwe-Mukosi, Lake Mutirikwi, is now at 93.29 percent water level with the levels expected to increase as the country is expecting more rains this year.
According to information released during a tour organised by Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) on October 21 2021, Zimbabwe National Water Supply Authority (Zinwa) river inspector Tungamirai Chireshe, said the dam level stood at 93.29 percent.
“Currently the dam level is at 93.29 percent and the maximum capacity of the dam is 100 percent and this is when the water spills through the top flood gates,” said Chireshe.
Chireshe also said the current water level is not good for the structure as we are nearing the rain season because it is not safe for the dam to spill water during the first rains and it is dangerous for the structure as there will be much pressure for the dam wall.
“As we face the rainy season, it is not safe and not recommended to spill water during the first rains, as it is a threat to the dam wall as it might crack or move due to the pressure or force,” said Chirese.
He added that the dam is spilling almost 10 000 litres per second and they are expecting to increase the volume to 20 000 litres so that they feed the down streams dams like Bangala Dam and wish to reach a level that is safe for the structure.
“Right now we have opened one gate that is spilling almost 10 000 litres per second and we are proposing to increase to 20 000 litres per second so that we feed down streams like Bangala dam.
“It is better that we drain the water downstream because we are expecting more rains this year and our wish is to get at 80 percent water level before the rain comes as it is a bit safer for the structure,” added Chirese.
Chirese also said that they are engaging in many measures to reduce or prevent siltation around the lake and also educating villagers on the dangers that they face by living in and around catchment areas.
He said Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and sub-catchment councillors are also helping them in educating the people together with prevention measures.
“We are engaging in many measures to prevent siltation with help from EMA and sub-catchment councillors. We are also trying to educate the people near the lake on the dangers they can face by settling in the catchment area,” said Chireshe.

Masvingo Music Awards founders set up recording label

0

Priviledge Muchadenyika

Founders of the Masvingo Music Awards (MAMA), Pride and Proud Masekesa have taken their arts journey to a new level after they successfully launched a recording studio last month as they continue to spread their wings in the music industry.
P n P Studio that is situated next to Bilcro Hardware Shop opened its doors on September 24, 2021 and is mainly focusing on giving a platform to the youths and help in keeping them off the streets where drug abuse has been rampant.
Pride Masekesa told TellZim News that they opted to open a studio to cater for the vast musical talent that is failing to find recording space at the few record labels in Masvingo.
“Masvingo has few professional producers who are failing to cater for every artist and the awards which made us realize that there is a lot of untapped talent. We set up this studio at a centric place to cater for those who come from uptown since some of them may find it awkward to record in the ghetto,” said Pride.
His twin brother, Proud also said they are working with artists from various genres although Zimdancehall will be the main focus.
“We do all kinds of genres but mostly we focus on Zimdancehall. So far, we have worked with local artists like Jodah Fyah, Ceeydah and NASH. As for recording fees, we have a flat fee for all genres be it Gospel, Rhumba or Sungura but we sometimes record other struggling artists for free as a way of giving back to the community,” said Proud.
27-year-old Patrick Mangena well known as Pekbeats will be behind all productions under the P n P Studios.
The record label also offers commercials that include; voice overs, jingles and documentaries.
Proud and Pride who launched the MAMA in 2014 are also the founders of P n P Global Marketing which focuses more on pushing entertainment content.

Gweru bizarre family killer dies at court

0

Tinaani Nyabereka

Leo Kanyimo (38) of Woodlands, Gweru, who killed his wife and two kids in cold blood on November 2, 2021 collapsed and died in the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) holding cell at the Gweru Magistrates’ Courts on November 4, two days after the gruesome incident.

A close source said police who attended the scene observed that Kanyimo had stitched deep cuts in his head, which he sustained as he resisted apprehension by the community on the day he was arrested, soon after killing his wife and children.

One of the eye witnesses to the incident said community members resorted to hit now deceased with stones after realizing that he was attacking anyone who tried to apprehend him as he dangled his baby in the middle of the road before finishing her off with a log he was holding.

Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector, Emmanuel Mahoko however said he could not comment on the issue as it was being handled at the national office.

Chiadzwa unrest: Headman, 29 villagers granted bail

0

Leslie Karumbidza

Headman Chiadzwa and 29 community members who were arrested by police on November 2 after they had gone to Anjin mine to allegedly make a follow up on last week’s agreement with the company have been granted bail.

Mutare Magistrate Langton Mukwengi granted them ZW$ 3000 bail each on Thursday November 4 on condition that they do not engage Anjin mine officials or get within a 100m radius of the company premises.

Chiadzwa community members last week shut down operations at Anjin mine protesting against the company’s lack of corporate social responsibility, transparency, accountability and demanded compensation for invasion of their land.

The Chiadzwa clan alleged that the diamond mining company had made their community poor and miserable.

Anjin Company had reportedly promised the community feedback from their superiors on the resolutions to their demands from the company, and when villagers went back to confront them, they were arrested and later transferred to Mutare Central Police Station.

Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZIDAWU) in a press statement released on November 3, 2021 condemned the arrest as unlawful, unconstitutional and against the principles of a democratic state.

“As ZIDAWU and residents of Chiadzwa community we stand in solidarity with our traditional leaders and fellow villagers arrested on November 2, 2021. The charges are yet to be ascertained though they are linked to voicing against lack of socio- economic development in the area.

“We would want to indicate that the headman and 29 villagers arrested are law abiding citizens who were lawfully seeking engagement with the mining company. Unlike ZCDC, Anjin never attended any multi stakeholders meeting despite being invited. The villagers have been requesting the company for engagement but to no avail,” read part of the statement.

Among the complaints tabled by the villagers are poor working standards, underpayment of wages yet long working hours with unpaid overtime, ill-treatment, with some workers being severely assaulted in violation of the provisions of the Labour Act.

Villagers are also alleging that Anjin was one of the companies dissolved in 2015 and to their surprise it made an unexpected return in February 2020.