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Zimbabwe cannot even manufacture crutches – Prof Murwira

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Zimbabwe cannot even manufacture crutches – Prof Murwira

….. Import bill too high

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO –Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira recently said Zimbabwe cannot even manufacture crutches, thereby directly increasing the import bill.

Murwira was speaking at the laying of the foundation stone by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Simon Mazorodze School of Medical and Health Sciences in Masvingo.

Murwira said the Simon Mazorodze School of Medicine was a step in the right direction in implementing Education 5.0 saying they need to invest in biochemical engineering so that Zimbabwe could produce its own medicines.

“We have been training clinicians who just cram the names of medicines we import from somewhere. We have a high import bill because we do not even have crutch manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe,” said Prof Murwira

He went on to say complains by health personnel in Zimbabwe is a clear sign that Zimbabwe is not producing.

“Our nurses and doctors are always complaining that they do not have enough resources or drugs in their workplaces. This is a clear sign that we are not producing and we cannot get enough by importing,” Prof Murwira added.

He however went on to thank President Mnangagwa for the support his government gave towards the construction of the facility that he said was almost complete and would soon invite him for the official opening.

On his part Mnangagwa said establishment of the medical school was a leap forward for the province and Zimbabwe saying it will contribute a lot in the attainment of universal access to health for the people of Zimbabwe.

“This infrastructure is a giant leap forward and will not benefit only the university, but the province as well and the nation as a whole. Such infrastructure helps in our quest to attain universal coverage. This will in turn improve access to hospitals and health care by our respective communities,” said Mnangagwa.

He also said it  formed a strong bedrock for the education  5.0 that focuses on the delivery of a higher and tertiary education system that generates knowledge for the production of goods and services to propel innovation, modernisation and industrialisation.

The medical school is said to be at 95 percent completion and a few touch ups remain for it to be commissioned.

Also present was Dr Simon Mazorodze’s widow Alice Mazorodze.

Democracy under siege

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Democracy under siege

I knew hangu ever since that Zanu PF is violent but I never thought we could reach the stage yatava and this is an indicator that 2023 kunenge kwakaipa kuchipisa. We would replicate the 2008 situation or the worst is looming above the horizon. Hapana kwatiri kuenda ladies and gentlemen. Kwatakabva ndokwatiri kuenda. We will be in 2008 both in terms of political violence and economic meltdown. ‘kkkk you didn’t know kuti ndine maVhokoka, I am a learned person, ladies and gentlemen but it’s because of the guys at the helm of this country that makes me look like a destitute. Kubva 2008 paya, I never recovered zvekutI even wearing a pant is a luxury. Let’s brace for the 2008 situation maCdes, dai paiva nevaccine inodzivirira that I would urge everyone to get it because it’s inevitable. The indicators are there on the ground and I don’t know what else do you need to know that 08 situation is knocking at the door. Kkkk hameno henyu vamwe isu takatojaira kudhara, I have been living like this for a very long time saka hapana chekuchatya.
However, I don’t wish anyone to live in the same situation I am in that’s why I am warning you right now. Vakomana ava havana kuReformer at all, in fact they have gone worse, they don’t care about our lives but only theirs. They are just old wine in a new bottle. They have turned Zimboz into other things, they have taken our democracy, and they have ignored the rule of law. We are under siege maCdes zvotoda nharo sedzana Job Sikhala. Tikasadaro we neve regain our democracy.
Mapombi is really worried about the murder cases and robberies that are on the rise in Zimbabwe, what’s going on really, this lawlessness mmm, something serious needs to be done. But mukati Joji dzakanyatsoti kwesere imiweee, hanzi after a robbery case both the suspect and victim should be arrested, hanzi how can people stash US dollars in houses while there are banks, really, Joji, you don’t know kuti the same banks dzakambonyudza vanhu mari dzavo paya muna 2008 heee, ko kunyarara unobvei. Zimbabweans I know are a peace loving people, so zvaakuitika izvi hazvisi zvega. It is because of the mismanagement of the resources which in turn result in unemployment. Hakuna mabasa ladies and gentlemen that’s why we have a lot of robberies and ritual murders. Others are organising sex parties paKuwadzana 5 apo while others are committing suicide, these are signs of extreme poverty. We cannot be all vendors or money changers guys’ coz ndomabasa ega asara kkkk. But zvimwe ndezvimwe team reKuwadzana rakazozvinyanya. Let’s wallow in abrupt poverty hedu because dzimwe solution mmmm bodo. Mapombi doesn’t condone robberies nor does she encourage people to stash cash under mattresses, all I am saying is iye Joji and the government should restore confidence in the people so that they can bank their money in banks kkkk.
But mmmm guys, zvekuti mukomana ngaapinde tikasangwarira anogona kungopinda muguva. With the kind of vindictiveness being shown mmmm pakaipa. I heard the young man had several clashes nevakomana vemusangano uri kutonga. I am not sure what really transpired kunana Manicaland uko but I heard they tried to bar him from meeting the people. What I am actually sure of is what happened pedu paCharumbira apa. The Charumbiras are becoming notorious sure, they are always fighting with Bere clansman at funerals and now they are turning to Chamisa, adii mwana kkkk. Mupei majiggies anyarare. There is life after politics ladies and gentlemen, it’s not an issue kuti maparties akasiyana, we have freedom of choice, and the problem only comes kana vamwe vaakurova vamwe nekuti they don’t subscribe to their ideologies. Regai Chamisa asangane nevanhu vake, imi endaiwo kune venyu, fair and fine.
But ana Joji and others on Twitter are saying Chamisa is faking the alleged attacks kkkk, who knows, dai mapurisa edu asiri biased we would ask them to investigate and establish who is behind the alleged abductions. I heard there was a gunshot yakapinda nerimwe side ikanobuda nerimwe. Mapombi has never used a gun so she is not aware of how bullet holes look like so I don’t know if it was a gun or not. Again Mapombi was unlucky because she only saw one side of the car and is not sure if it is the side rakapinda nenyere or kwayakabuda nako. If anyone has the two pictures kwakapinda nebara nekwarakabuda anawo please bring them pachitima ndionewo. Chete vakomana vachowo madrama vanomawanza so sometimes its difficult kuzoziva weather it is a drama or not. Ndakaona dzedu FORMER Councillor Daniel Mberikunashe vakaisa mabandages, mmm iwayo I think ndezvekuwedzerera chaizvo. Anyway, drama or no drama, just be careful coc Zanu inouraya. I am glad people are planning to buy a bullet proof car for Nero, good luck with that one.
Ko kwaana Mwonzora kwatova nemaFactions kkkkk, sure kutamba nepwere, three factions kanguva kadikidiki ikaka. Nhamo haibvi pane imwe sure kkkk. Zvino maFactions acho kana ongotanga akapisa zvekutorovana sure haa pakaipa. Manje where else will be apolitical people like Mapombi go. kuZanu hakuite they are very violent and corrupt. Mai Mujuru Joyce Teurai Ropa failed. kuAlliance kwacho they seem not to have a strategy. Toti maybe Dougie zvaakatora Harvest House tikati pamwe zvino manje hey, they are more violent than Zanu yacho. I heard that workers at Harvest house are not being paid as well, Dougie took over ndokuti ngoma ndiyo ndiyo handei mberi nekusabhadhara vashandi kkkk. Ipa vashandi mari iwe, you said you are capable. Ana Mashumba voti kurohwa voti kusabhadharwa. Ndogara ndichitaura hangu but people don’t listen, its either you are with Zanu PF or you are with Chamisa and whatever party yaanenge anayo at the moment. That’s why you see ZANU PF yakamakana fongo naChamisa not Mwonzora. He is the one ari kurira, at least for now because mmm akabirwa zvakare 2023 handioni achimuka with vultures like Biti circulating around him. Yes ana Biti vari kutochidawo chimuti ichi, remember he has always been ambitious saka akamboita zvePDP but he learned his lesson that he is nothing outside the big tent and he is now waiting for the rain ari mukati and if the young man snaps a little, I tell you.
Before I go for my usual lunch of rotten bananas and maputi, can someone tell me why Chiwenga snubbed the laying of foundation stone at Great Zimbabwe University’s Simon Mazorodze school of medicine whereas he is the minister of health. Ha zveJenarari here vakaramwa Marry wani. Maybe Mapombi is rushing into conclusions but things are not well there kkkk. Ko Oppah why kunyarara these days, are you missing Mboko as I do kkkk. Hope we will meet kuAnti Sanction day. After that we need anti-corruption day because it’s more dangerous than the sanctions. Plus masanctions ava pedo nekubviswa zvakwakauya rapporteur kkkk. Let’s meet paRutenga tironge zvekubika mukumbi kkkkk Mboko imboko !!!

Refurbishments of Rodger Howman Training Centre in progress

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Refurbishments of Rodger Howman Training Centre in progress

Fredrick Moyo

Work to complete Roger Howman Training Centre hostels is at an advanced stage to lessen accommodation worries that have haunted the institution for years, with building of one of the hostels that started over 20 years ago being completed this year.
Speaking during a tour of the training centre in Masvingo’s Mucheke suburb on October 16, Minister of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Sithembiso Nyoni said the completion would lessen accommodation worries that have haunted the institution.
“I have seen the great job that is being done here. I have seen the buildings there are adequate, we have to renovate those old buildings and can really help us in making this a production and also a distribution centre,” said Nyoni.
The new hostel with 18 rooms, laundry and ironing, matron lounge and a precast durawall is also going constructed.
The training centre had one old hostel with seven rooms that the minister said needs to be redesigned opening more windows for increased ventilation then it can be used as a temporary hostel.
She added that with the new buildings the centre also needs to leave the old fashioned way of training students but use the modern ways so that this institution becomes a vehicle towards vision 2030 and make it a centre where woman exchange ideas and gain knowledge and skills.
“We cannot have this centre doing the training of the old, this is what I came here to see so that when we come to officially open it, it would be a vehicle to move towards vision 2030 achievement.
“We need to make this centre a place where woman come and exchange ideas, gain skills and knowledge, so that when they leave this institution they can take care of themselves with the skills they would have attained,” said Nyoni.
Nyoni left a task to the people to speed up works so that the hostel can be officially availed for use before year-end as she emphasised that Roger Howman should not just be a training centre but also a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) centre that equips trainees with practical other than theoretical skills.
“By the end of this year we must officially open this place, let us not walk but run around because we are moving towards a certain goal.
“This used to be a woman training centre but we also want it to be a SME centre so that women come and go with skills that ground them to vision 2030 and not just come and gain the theoretical frame work,” she added.
A student at the training centre Tsitsi Chipfuwo said that they are facing a few challenges where they have inadequate sewing machines and they are still using hand machines that are affecting their production process.
“As for now have a few challenges that we are facing as students. We have a few machines and are still using hand machines that are affecting us in producing our garments,” said Chipfuwo.
She also left a message of encouragement to other women out there that they should come at Rodger Howman training centre where they are taught sewing, cutting, and designing for only three months.

Public outcry over 2022 national and local budget consultations

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Public outcry over 2022 national and local budget consultations

Melinda Kusemachibi/ Last Alfandika

Majority of citizens in Zimbabwe have expressed concern over the manner national budget consultations are being held saying there are mere formality as most of the issues ordinary people highlight are often omitted in the final budget.

The numbers of consultation meetings that are also held per each province are very few hence the sample does not reflect the interests of the majority of the citizens in the country.

In Masvingo Provinces, citizens expressed concern over the manner in which the 2022 national budget consultations were conducted as the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance and the Expanded Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) chose only three districts out of seven that people feel are not reflective of the whole province.

The consultations saw the committee visiting Bikita, Zaka and Gutu districts while leaving out Chivi, Chiredzi, Masvingo and Mwenezi prompting the public to conclude that the consultations did not cater for the input of the whole province.

Gutu, Bikita and Zaka districts are close to each other and the citizens there have a lot in common and there are interests are obviously different from those in Masvingo urban, Chiredzi and mwenezi districts which have minority groups.

Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts are mainly Shangani speaking communities and they were totally ignored by the Parliamentary committee which chose to get contributions of only those in Gutu, Zaka and Bikita.

A Chiredzi resident said it was unfair to be left out of consultations on issues that affect their daily lives.

“What Parliament did was unfair because our issues are obviously different from the districts that were consulted. Chiredzi has unique issues to Bikita so we expected them also to come here. It could have been better if they had at least one meeting per district,” said a concerned Chiredzi resident.

Contacted for comment Finance Committee Chairperson Dr Matthew Nyashanu indicated that they only chose a few districts in the province to consult so as to give everyone a voice.

“We select a few districts in a province so that everyone will get an opportunity to speak on their key priorities. That is why we only consult three districts in Masvingo province,” said Dr Nyashanu.

He also said key priorities during the public consultations in Masvingo included access to agricultural inputs, education and health facilities.

“In most public consultations most villagers wanted inputs for agriculture. Education was another key priority, as they wanted their children to be under Basic Education Assistant Module (BEAM) and improvement of teachers’ remuneration.

“Under health, residents wanted health workers to be well paid, construction of clinics since they are walking long distances to get access to medical facilities. Again, access to water was another key area in all public consultations,” said Nyashanu.

However, a Parliamentary 2022 National Budget report on the public consultations stated that issues of education, health, and construction of schools were some of the issues people expect to be addressed.

“The public encouraged government to allocate adequate funding to BEAM facility so that it supports all learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. The public called upon the government to adequately fund upgrading and building of both primary and secondary schools, particularly in rural areas so that the rural children do not have to travel long distances to access education and in turn enjoy the same education packages as being enjoyed by their counterpart’s urbanite children,” read part of the report.

The report also highlighted that agriculture is a key source of livelihoods in Zimbabwe hence government should fully invest in providing adequate infrastructure to support the sector.

“Participants proposed that the Districts Development Fund should ensure that each district receives two tillage tractors to improve farming in rural communities. Members of the public in Muzarabani, Glendale, Gutu and Birchenough Bridge called on government to recapitalise DDF so that it support communities with tillage.

“Tea farmers in Manicaland recommended that government should have a budget for resuscitation and or developing a tea processing plant in Manicaland. Tea farmers submitted that due to manipulation in the sale of their raw tea at the highest price being RTGS$9 /kg, farmers urged government that at least funds should be channelled towards the development of a plant where farmers will process their own products and sell semi-finished and finished product at a better price,” the report read.

Stakeholders applauded the government for allocating 13% of the national budget to the health sector in the 2022 national budget. However, the public pointed out the need for the government to honour the Abuja Declaration of 2000 on health, which stipulates that the health budget must be 15% of total expenditure.

This will not only be in compliance with Section 76 of the Constitution on the right to health care, but could go a long way towards promoting National Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

No reversal on the Budget Committee members vows Mutare council

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No reversal on the Budget Committee members vows Mutare council

…youths, women and disability groups not represented on the Committee

Leslie Karumbidza

Mutare City Council is under fire from youths, women groups and people with disabilities for turning a blind eye towards them in terms of representation in the budget committee thereby lacking balance.
The 13-member committee is accused of lacking balance with only one woman being elected.
Mutare Mayor Blessing Tandi told said there was no reverse on the budget committee membership.
“There is no reversal or review of the budget committee members as the committee is inaugural for the City of Mutare, it might have some flaws here and there but we cannot correct them as for now as we are racing against time to come up with a budget. If we try to ratify the mistakes and errors in the committee, it will derail the whole process. We have observed the concerns and next year we can know how to compose our committee,” said Tandi.
The local authority selected the committee during a two-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting held in Nyanga to come up with the committee comprising of representatives from wards, business community, small to medium entrepreneurs and resident associations among others.
Manicaland Youth Assembly Coordinator Jussa Kudhereze said lack of representation of youths in the committee has made it exclusive rather than inclusive and they expect the local authority to balance the committee in the next budget cycle.
“The recently selected budget committee has no representatives for young people that refer to it as very exclusive rather than inclusive. Although the deed has been done we expect that this under-representation of women and youths must not be taken lightly and this has to be corrected in the next budget cycle.
“Maya supports the work of the budget committee. However, we hope that this committee is not red herring. There should be no interference from other offices hence it should be free to make decisions as the Committee who will be accountable to residents for the budget,” said Kudherezera.
The Budget Committee will spearhead the 2022 budget formulation and consultation processes.

Big plans for 2022 District Budgets: RDCs

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Big plans for 2022 District Budgets: RDCs

Melinda Kusemachibi

Local Authorities in and around Masvingo have declared that they have big plans for the service delivery issues to be prioritized in their 2022 budgets.
Chiredzi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ailes Baloyi indicated that they are still working on the budget but they have big plans for the year 2022.
“We are still working on the budget. Indicators are equipment for road repairs and maintenance, more health facilities, promotion of science education and food security initiatives,” said Baloyi.
Baloyi also indicated that so far there are no plans for increased rates as they are still working on the issue.
“There is no general increase in rates. We look forward to capitalize mainly on devolution funds for our major capital projects. We are still working on that issue on how best we can articulate this,” said Baloyi.
Chivi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tariro Matavire said council proposed tariffs increase that has since been approved by residents.
“In terms of project allocations, we are going to finalize with the council on November 2, 2021 and the operation costs are higher than last year. We are forced to increase rates by a slight percentage to accommodate everything.
“The council accepted these changes, even residents accepted it as there are no complain room from the residents. This year’s budget is different from that of last year as the one for last year was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Matavire.
Mwenezi RDC Council Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga indicated that there are a number of projects in place.
“Water supply has been a problem in our district so we are trying to come up with possible solutions in our district. We have added on bridges due to damages caused by rains. Key priorities in our district include building clinics, bridges, five classroom blocks, road rehabilitations, and drilling of boreholes,” said Chivanga.
Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Chibi said there were no changes in rates.
“Due to economic factors like inflation, exchange rates, and overheads the budget is different from that of 2021. The central government is providing devolution funds, together with Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA). The budget will address key priorities of health, infrastructure development, water, roads rehabilitation under the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
“In terms of rates payments, there are no changes. The charges will remain the same,” said Chibi.
Chiredzi Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma said the budget is still at consultations stage, but nothing has been finalized yet in terms of rate increments.
“Our budget consultations are in three forms and first is devolution projects, we received a budget that was approved ZW$190 million for 2022, which will go towards purchase of road equipment and construction of social amenities like clinics. Second, is Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP). We are yet to receive next year’s budget from Ministry of Finance but they have already approved procurement of two tractors and two tipper trucks.
“Thirdly, on council budget, we have done consultations with residents and they have submitted their projects for consideration. Resident associations will be consulted on October 22, 2021. The budget is still at consultations stage, nothing has been finalized yet in terms of rate payments,” said Kauma.
However, when contacted for comments Gutu and Zaka RDCs said they are not yet done with their budgets according to their Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Alexander Mutembwa and David Majaura respectively.
“We are not yet in a position to give a comment on that as we are still working on it as an authority maybe you can contact me on November 2, 2021 we might have completed,” said Mutembwa.
In 2020, most local authorities hiked rates by over 500 percent for the year 2021, a move that did not go well with residents.

Mwonzora distances self from Khupe aide violence incident

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Mwonzora distances self from Khupe aide violence incident

‘…Mashumba labor issue before the courts’

Kimberly Kusauka

MDC-T party leader Douglas Mwonzora has distanced himself and his party from former Thokozani Khupe aide Kudzanai Mashumba violence incident in which the latter attempted to hold a press conference purportedly on behalf of the MDC-T.

Mashumba is alleged to have tried to address the media this afternoon (October 21), in Harare on the pretext of representing the party, which was resisted by some party members and left property destroyed at Media Centre in Harare.

Contacted for comment, Mwonzora said he was not aware of press conference held and directed all questions to MDC-T presidential spokesperson Lloyd Damba.

“I was not aware of the press conference and investigations have been carried out, for more comments you can contact my spokesperson Lloyd Damba,” said Mwonzora.

Damba said Mashumba was once a party member and an aide to Dr Thokozani Khupe but was expelled and his case is now at the labour court.

“Mashumba was once our party member and Dr Khupe’s aid but he was expelled from the party and his case is at the labor court. He held a press conference with a poster that had a picture of the president and our party logo.

“He is an imposter and he involved himself in violence where he attacked party members who came expecting to be addressed by the president and it is evident from the videos circulating that he was the one who attacked a member,” said Damba.

He said they were not part of the violence that took place and one of their party members Yvonne Musarurwa tried to stop people from attacking Mashumba.

“We are not violent and if you look at the videos circulating, one of our members Yvonne Musarurwa was actually shouting so that people stop attacking Mashumba,” said Damba.

However, Damba said that the incident occurred outside Jurisdiction of harvest house so police have every right to investigate since the press conference was illegal.

In a statement issued by Mashumba, the party constitution has a period stipulated for one to hold a position and Mwonzora was supposed to leave office in 2019.

“The constitution of the party is very clear on the timeframe for any congress. The term of office for 2014 office bearers expired long back in November 2019 and one wonders how and why the current office bearers continue to exercise their functions,” read part of the report.

MDC-T also issued a statement on the commotion at the Media center saying that party youths and leaders were not involved in violence that occurred.

“The MDC-T has noted an incident that occurred at the Media Centre in Harare this morning. Whilst investigations are ongoing, we can fully confirm that our youths and their leaders were not involved in any form of violence,” reads part of the statement.

Last week MDC-A president Nelson Chamisa was attacked in Masvingo in Charumbira communal lands and also in Manicaland showing the level of political violence and intolerance currently obtaining in the country.

Fawez relaunches in Masvingo

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Fawez relaunches in Masvingo

Rutendo Chirume

MASVINGO – Forum for Women Educationalist in Zimbabwe (FAWEZ) a private voluntary organisation biased towards women in education was re-launched in Masvingo following its disappearance in the province for close to 20 years.
The provincial chapter was launched at a colourful event on October 15, 2021 at Victoria High School and was attended by representatives from all the seven districts among them District Schools Inspectors (DSIs), Inspectors, School heads and teachers.
All District School inspectors who were there pledged support to FAWZEZ saying it represented a noble cause that is worth their support.
The guest of honour at the event, FAWEZ national chairperson Dr Alice Tumbare said the organisation has a role to develop the nation and urged Masvingo Chapter to do sensitization seminars with community leaders against child marriages.
“Let us be visible, leave a mark wherever we touch. We need to engage communities and sensitize them against child marriages and promote gender equality. Let us not betray the trust bestowed on us,” said Tumbare.
National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) Provincial Chairperson Dr Edson Muresherwa said his organisation is also behind FAWEZ, which he said is motherly in nature.
“We as NASH and NAPH have the people; education is not done at the district or provincial office but in the classrooms where we are. Therefore, our support is crucial. I liked the organisation because it is motherly in nature and we are confident that it will produce great results,” said Dr Muresherwa.
FAWEZ national member Shylet Makomeke said FAWEZ as a voluntary organisation, will work towards emancipation of women as well as advocate for gender equality in schools.
She went on to say they would advocate for policies that ensure that the girl child is protected in schools, as they are more vulnerable.
“The objectives of FAWEZ are to make sure that there is gender equality between boys and girls especially in schools. We will go on to work with communities, researchers and other Non-Governmental Organisations for the development of the communities.
“As the adage goes, educate a women, educate the nation, we will strive to make it a reality by making sure that the girl child has access to basic needs like sanitary wear among other things to make them comfortable when at school like their male counterparts,” said Makomeke.
She went on to say they would want to carry out researches and find solutions to problems affecting both boys and girls in schools.
“After the release of ZIMSEC examination results, they release percentage pass rates which either show that boys performed better than girls or vice versa and it ends there. We however want to look at the causes and offer solutions to the problems,” she added.
FAWEZ is an affiliate to the continental board Forum for Women Educationists (FAWE) that has 32 member states headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and Zimbabwe is a signatory.
It was once in existence in the province but died a natural death in the early 2000 and the re-launch is an effort to resuscitate the once vibrant organisation.

MDC-T on course to join POLAD

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MDC-T on course to join POLAD

Thabiso Nxumalo

A top party official of the Douglas Mwonzora-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) recently announced that they will be hopping on to the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) bandwagon anytime soon.
Giles Mutsekwa the party’s deputy chairperson said they have consulted and decided to answer to the call by government to join POLAD which was initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the provincial meeting held last Saturday at the party office in Rhodene, Masvingo, Mutsekwa said dialogue and unity was the solution to all problems being encountered in the country.
“Our statement is clear, we have sat down and discussed as the leadership and we now see POLAD as a positive move. Let it be known that we are not friends with Zanu PF but they are an important element in our struggle, we need them as much as they need us,” said Mutsekwa.
Mutsekwa also said as a party they were not ruling out the possibility of a Government of National Unity (GNU).
“This time around if the possibility of an inclusive government becomes a reality, we will make sure we do not get fully engrossed with the government duties and leave our party structures bare, we want to remain ready for anything as a party.
“We will also make sure that in issues to do with governance we are represented on all levels, down to councilors, If Zanu PF wins that particular ward, we want to instill a special councilor and vice versa,” Mutsekwa said.
Meanwhile, the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-Alliance has remained adamant that they will not join POLAD which they say is a group of those who lost elections but want to impose themselves on the electorate.

Residents demand improved services ahead of 2022 budget consultations

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Residents demand improved services ahead of 2022 budget consultations

Kimberly Kusauka

MASVINGO- Residents have implored the local authority to give number one priority to service delivery as the city is mulling 2022 budgets consultations which are expected to be rolled out soon.
The city has been facing a plethora of problems including water woes, poor refuse collection and sewage bursts which have been haunting the city for a long period.
Masvingo Mayor Councilor Collen Maboke said budget consultations were delayed by Covid-19 regulations but promised that the local authority will release the schedule soon.
“We could have started 2022 budget consultations by now but due to tight lockdown restrictions we had to shelve them. Consultations will start soon and we will announce dates once we are done as council,” said Maboke.
Masvingo Residents Forum (MRF) chairperson, Brighton Ramusi however implored council not to notify residents on the 11th hour ahead of consultations.
“Firstly, we would want council to inform us on the dates for the budget consultations a week before the intended date so that residents come in their numbers. We also want council to give us the budget after it’s done so that we can also scrutinize it,” said Ramusi.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson, Godfrey Mtimba said council has to consult residents when carrying out budget consultations and follow dictates of the law.
“As residents we feel that council should do effective budgets consultations by moving in each ward and asking residents on what they want to be included in the budget.
“Council should consider the Abuja Declaration that requires every country or institution to set aside 15 percent of its total budget to health because our health system, our local clinics are deteriorating and we do not have adequate medication,” said Mtimba.
Another residents’ pressure group, Masvingo Service Delivery Residents and Ratepayers Association (MASDRA) secretary general, Moses Mavhusa said the budget must account for hard currency transactions.
“The budget must include revenue being received in forex. As residents we must know how these funds are being accounted for. The revenue being generated from market stands should be transparently accounted for leaving no room for corruption,” said Mavhusa.
In 2020, the local authority hiked rates by over 500 percent for the year 2021, a move which did not go well with residents.

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