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Young female horticulturalist defies odds

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Young female horticulturalist defies odds

Thabiso Nxumalo

Gutu born 31-year-old single mother, Yvonne Shumbanhete has emerged as one of the top horticultural entrepreneurs in Masvingo and is making strides in proving that she is equally capable regardless of gender stereotypes.
Having started her farming journey just last year, she has managed to set up an agricultural inputs and produce shop in Masvingo called Farmer’s Haven.
Shumbanhete who has a long-term vision of being one of the best farmers in the country is changing the narrative that commercial farming is a male dominated territory and that they are the only ones that can succeed.
After realising that there was only one major player in Masvingo supplying crop seedlings, she took it to her advantage and ventured into business during the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Shumbanhete feels that young women shun horticultural farming due to the complexity in getting funding and land to undertake such agricultural projects on a larger scale.
“It is difficult to access loans from banks and because of inflation nowadays, if you apply for a loan today and gets approved in a month it will be insufficient by the time you get it,” said Shumbanhete.
She also pledged her support for businesses of some of her customers by purchasing their farm produces.
“I also do value adding, not only do I sell my products, I also buy from people I would have sold seedlings to and supply to large companies like supermarkets.
“Some of the produce I buy from them, is processed and packaged, for example I buy their vegetables and process mufushwa and this is a way of uplifting other women,” said Shumbanhete.
She is also working with Africa-Asia Youth Foundation and says farming projects and businesses can help in curbing social ills that are affecting the girl child in communities.
“I am working with Africa-Asia Youth Foundation and so far using the seeds from my nursery we have started giving out seedlings to young women to start their projects and support them by finding market for their produce and in turn pass on within the club so that everyone ends up with their own business.
“If women are empowered, I believe that most of the social ills will be eliminated like Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) because women will be empowered to report and walk away from toxic relationships and make choices for themselves and not depend on partners to take care of them,” she said.
Besides agriculture, Shumbanhete is an arts promoter, youth pastor, development practitioner who is also a qualified Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems officer.

‘Alcoholics, bar owners top women abusers in South Africa, Zimbabwe’

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‘Alcoholics, bar owners top women abusers in South Africa, Zimbabwe’

Kimberly Kusauka

Excessive alcohol consumption has been cited as one of the major reasons behind failure by drinkers to control themselves and allegedly end up abusing women at both drinking joints and their homes.
The concern was raised during an online meeting hosted by Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) where different stakeholders gave their experiences in relation to alcohol consumption and regulation.
Mhoze Chikowore from the University of California, Santa Barbara History Department said the inability of one to control his alcohol has been a major driver of women abuse since the colonial period.
“Inability to control one’s alcohol consumption is known as alcohol use disorder. Beer became one of the causes of rape amongst black women, where they would be raped by whites especially at breweries,” said Chikowore.
Another presenter Oliver Van Beemen said beer is causing promotion of sexual abuse on women especially those who work at bars and drinking spots.
“Alcohol is promoting sexual abuse of women when they want to be promoted at work and this is happening in almost every African country.
“Women who work in bars and night clubs are usually regarded as prostitutes and they are sexually harassed by both customers and employers,” said Van Beemen.
One female participant in the meeting employed as a bar tender in Rujeko in Masvingo narrated her ordeal saying she sometimes suffer molestation by patrons and could even sleep with her boss to keep the job.
“Men sometimes touch my private parts as I serve them in the bar and they call me a prostitute but I am trying to earn a living and take care of my two school going children.
“I want freedom at work but these men hide behind beer and abuse me. I end up sleeping with my employer just to keep my job,” said the participant.

Spare a thought for the homeless and vulnerable

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Spare a thought for the homeless and vulnerable

This year as the world commemorates World Habitat Day, the plight of the vulnerable and homeless in terms of shelter provision should take centre stage in the priorities of local governments.
Shelter is a basic right but it has turned to be a privilege if someone clearly looks at how local governments are willing to make such provision a basic right.
As the day is commemorated across the globe, an assessment on the role of most local authorities in ensuring that shelter is adequate for all in need will go a long way in addressing such anomalies.
Government should play its part in provision of decent accommodation in most towns and cities other than the demolitions, which have become order of the day especially in the country’s capital city Harare.
Improving human settlements should be a priority instead of destroying what they term ‘illegal structures’ and government is taken to task to consider the welfare of all the homeless leading to the proliferation of undesignated habitats along streets.
City fathers should strive to take collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
Councils should embrace such ideas through organising various activities, events and or discussions on urban sustainability as well as part of the commemorations.
As such addressing such perennial problems bedeviling most if not all councils like failure to provide clean water, poor sanitation as well as poor liquid and solid waste management methods that account for 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally will do more good to the urban populace.
Incorporating local communities, organisations, academic institutions and other stakeholders in creating sustainable, carbon-neutral inclusive cities and towns would amplify global race campaign to Climate change issues.

Chiredzi Town Council, EMA in massive clean-up exercise

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Chiredzi Town Council, EMA in massive clean-up exercise

Lisa Mlambo

Chiredzi Town Council in partnership with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) embarked on a massive three-day clean-up exercise that saw the clearing of illegal dumpsites in Chiredzi that had mushroomed all over.
The campaign was initiated by the local authority in an effort to raise awareness in the community about safe disposal of waste.
On October 7, 2021, teams comprising council officials and workers, EMA and the public cleared and cleaned Wards 3 and 8 before cleaning Wards 5 and 6.
Three wards, which are Wards 1, 2 and 8 were set for Friday October 8.
The local authority said they wanted to send a message to the public that they have to keep their environment clean saying it is not only council’s duty to manage waste as waste management starts at household level.
Speaking to TellZim News after the Thursday cleanup, Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende said they were sending a message to the community to ensure that they always keep their surroundings clean.
“The clean-up exercise is meant to sensitize residents about keeping a clean environment and to ensure it helps in combating some diseases. Residents and council should combine efforts to make sure that we have a clean Chiredzi not only for our benefit but also for the future generations “said Hwende.
He said council will continue monitoring to make sure that residents always maintain the set standards until it becomes a habit.
“We are going to ensure that there is continuous monitoring, we will use Health clubs to maintain cleanliness. As council we shall continue partnering EMA and clean-up exercises regularly,” said Hwende.
Chiredzi Acting Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma said they will resuscitate health clubs which he said come in handy in making the town clean.
He went on to say the waste everywhere in Chiredzi is a health threat that may add up to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to manage waste. The waste does not belong to council alone but to us all, so it is our collective responsibility to manage it,” said Kauma.
Kauma who recently took over from Charles Muchatukwa who passed on last month seems to have hit the ground running after he said sanitation and proper waste management are top priorities in his office.
“We need to acquire another refuse compactor as the town has grown too big for one truck. Our aim is to collect 100% waste generated at every household in Chiredzi town,” he said.

Zaka man shot dead over son’s infidelity

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Zaka man shot dead over son’s infidelity

Thabiso Nxumalo

A Zaka man was shot dead by a South African based relative who also hails from the same area over accusations the now deceased’s son dating the alleged killer’s wife.
Allegations are that on October 5, 2021 Amos Mutamba from Chinoda Village in Chief Nhema shot Pitiros Mutero (64) at Mutero village under Chief Nyakunhuwa once on the chest with an unidentified firearm after an argument in which Mutamba accused Mutero’s son of snatching his wife in South Africa.
Mutero died on the spot.
Mutamba is said to have disappeared after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt for him.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and appealed to the public for information that can lead to the arrest of the accused.
“Police in Masvingo are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Amos Mutamba who is wanted for a murder case which occurred at Mutero village, Zaka.
“The suspect based in South Africa shot the victim, Pitiros Mutero aged 64 with an unidentified firearm on the chest after an argument in which he claimed that his South African based wife, Lillian Marinda was having an extra-marital affair with the victim’s son, Kilopas Mutero in the same country,” said Nyathi.
Other sources however said on the October 3, Mutamba went to Mutero’s homestead with concerns that his son was dating his wife.
They however agreed to discuss the matter on another day. On that fateful day Mutero went back to Mutero’s homestead in the company of Mutero’s brother Gwangu Mutero with a Toyota Pro Box vehicle.
“They tried to discuss the matter but they failed and this prompted Mutamba and Gwangu to leave. A few minutes later Mutamba came back and Gwangu is said to have heard him shouting at Mutero and later heard some gunshots,” said the source.
Gwangu is said to have rushed to the scene ad saw Mutero falling from the chair he was sitting on. He reported the matter to Zaka police and the body was taken to Msiso Mission Hospital for post mortem.

A tale of women with disabilities and scarcity of SRH services in rural communities

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A tale of women with disabilities and scarcity of SRH services in rural communities

…women travel over 10kms to access services

Clayton Shereni

MASVINGO- The advent of Covid-19 in 2019 came as a shock to the whole world and for third world countries like Zimbabwe, the pandemic was a major blow for its bedridden healthcare system.

In an effort to try and combat the spread of this deadly virus, government swiftly moved to impose strict lockdown restrictions that barred ‘unnecessary’ movement and tightened business hours even for the health system.

However, for a country whose majority live in rural areas and are women, this came as a disappointment and infringed on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of many particularly those with disabilities.

Zimbabwean women with disabilities have greatly been sidelined when it comes to access to SRHR due to an unfriendly road network, cultural perspectives that deem them “not sexually active” and the long distances that other women have to travel to access these services at clinics and hospitals.

Communities and stakeholders including healthcare providers have ignored pleas for them to fairly treat people with disabilities (PWDs) in SRHR issues, which seem to be falling on deaf ears.

SRHR policy framework

Although the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) stipulates that each and every government should ensure that PWDs get access to SRHR services, Zimbabwe still lags behind and is not walking the talk.

In 2006 government drafted a National Reproductive Health Policy but experts have rubbished this policy for being silent on SRHR of women with disabilities and treating this group as second-class citizens.

Life has been a horror experience for rural women with disabilities especially those with mental illnesses and whose day-to-day living has been left only in the hands of God and a few caring relatives.

This has been the case for three sisters who are living with a rare condition since birth that has left them not able to do anything for themselves therefore in need of extensive care 24/7.

Face to face with a horror experience

Locadia, (30), Ngonidzashe, (33), and Sakina Mutekede, (36), are surely living a life that no one else would imagine and by virtue of being born in a poor family in Masvingo South, Ward 14, which is a rural village, these three have once in a blue moon accessed SRHR courtesy of a well-wisher.

Their mother, Shylet Mutekede is the only one who has been looking after them while their father looks after their brother who also has the same condition and sometimes exhibits violent behaviour.

The whole community, religious and traditional leaders have attributed the family’s situation to superstition and curses as cause of this worrisome condition.

TellZim News with support from Women’s Action Group (WAG) visited the family and had a face-to-face encounter with the tragedy that has befallen the Mutekede family for over 30 years now.

Upon arrival at the Mutekede homestead, one can easily conclude that the gods have not been smiling and seem to have turned their backs on this family.

For the mother and her three daughters, SRHR is something that they long for and seems so near, yet so far.

Narrating how they have been living, Shylet Mutekede said the road has been rocky and accessing SRHR services will always be a dream that they might not wake up from if something is not done urgently.

“It has been a very tough experience for me taking care of my children. They have been having their monthly cycles but I have no option than to use black t-shirts. Sometimes I just make them use these t-shirts then go to the fields the whole day and no one can change them so they will just have to wait till I come back,” said Shylet.

She also revealed that they walk a long distance to the nearest clinic and this has been a very big challenge for the family since the three women can hardly walk on their own.

“The clinic is quite a distance away, almost 10kms and sometimes when their situation gets worse, we will have to use an ox-drawn cart to Gunikuni Clinic. Life has been very difficult for me and for them as well, we all struggle to access SRHR and considering their situation, it pains me a lot and I hope one of these days we will find a long-lasting solution,” said Mutekede.

Uninterrupted access to SRHR surely means that one will make informed choices, knowledge, skills and safe sexual choices including choosing to or not to have sex.

Commenting on the case of limited access of SRHR by rural women with disabilities, Chief Chitanga, born Feleni Chauke said there is a greater need to improve access to SRHR services especially targeting women with disabilities because they are also in need of them.

“In many areas clinics are beyond even 10km some are as far as 20-30km especially in resettlement areas. Meanwhile we know resources may not permit that they construct proper structural clinics so may introduce mobile clinics where we know that they will be moving from one area to the other so that those with disabilities, especially women, access SRHR services even using a cart because they are in constant need of these services just like other able-bodied women,” said Chief Chitanga.

Economic, political, cultural, social and religious views are the multidimensional factors that have prompted able-bodied people to look at women with disabilities as not mentally and physically fit to access SRHR services.

However, some perverts have taken advantage of the worrisome economic situation with women in rural areas especially those living in abject poverty being the major victims.

Last year, 17-year-old Sharai Matowe who is mentally unstable, was lured by a fellow villager who then impregnated her in return for menial jobs since her family depended on piece jobs for survival.

Sharai was staying with her widowed mother Senzeni Makuleke and siblings sharing one leaky hut in the Dimbiti area under Chief Shindi, Chivi South Constituency surviving on very little food which they got from menial jobs.

Despite her condition, Sharai also had to accompany her mother to fellow villagers’ fields where they would work in exchange for food for themselves and her siblings including two disabled young boys.

For her, there was no time to travel long distances to the nearest clinic and access SRHR services because most of the time they would be in peoples’ fields looking for survival.

“I was impregnated by a local guy and he has not been taking care of me or the child. We do not know where he went but rumour says he went to South Africa. We are failing to get time to walk long distances to access SRHR services because we will be busy in the fields doing menial jobs for survival,” said Sharai.

The family has since relocated to Neshuro area in Mwenezi where they are now staying after being taken in by Makuleke’s brothers.

However, calls to setup SRHR friendly clinics in rural areas are moving at a snail’s pace and less is being done to fill the gap that has always been there.

Government and other development partners have been playing hide and seek when it comes to answering for this problem.

Government position on access to SRHR

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Amadeus Shamhu said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was offering SRHR services and working flat out to ensure that they train health personnel who will cater for the needs of disabled women.

“Clinics are there and SRHR services are being offered at each and every clinic in rural areas. Right now, we are in the process of training personnel who will specifically deal with people with disabilities and other special groups,” said Dr Shamhu.

Covid-19 further crippled the country’s healthcare system due to trimming of health workers by decongesting clinics for fear of spreading the virus.

During the climax of the lockdown people shunned visiting their neighbours and many SRHR service providers closed their doors to the public.

Rural women with disabilities have always cried foul over scarcity of SRHR, lack of privacy and inadequate personnel that are specially trained to deal with PWDs.

Legislators have also failed in parliament to successfully lobby for an all-inclusive Sexual Reproductive Health Policy that binds the government to ensure that SRHR services are always at the disposal of each and every person regardless of their physical stature.

Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Senator Lovemore Matuke said that the government was doing the best to offer services to people with disabilities.

“Government is providing for everyone including the disabled. National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has got mobile clinics that also offer SRHR services so if requested it will be availed. Most of the wards in rural areas now have clinics and those with disabilities usually get services free of charge,” said Matuke.

Way forward

Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT) Director, Henry Chivhanga said women in rural areas were facing a mammoth task in accessing SRHR services and urged government to be cognizant of every women in rural communities.

“You would find these people are facing a lot of challenges especially during the COVID-19 era which restricted free movement even to and from clinics to take family planning tablets.

“It has been a mammoth task for PWDs. Pads are now expensive and imagine the kind of experiences people who use wheelchairs have since they demand total hygiene but they have to compromise. We have seen that priority is being given to able bodied people and we urge government to avail these SRHR services free of charge and more often to all women without segregation,” said Chivhanga.

Funds should be poured in towards improving women’s access to these services and also for women’s rights organizations to carry out campaigns in remote areas.

It is a public secret that women with disabilities have a mammoth task when it comes to accessing clinics in rural areas and there is need for construction of more clinics and also to periodically offer door-to-door SRHR services in marginalized communities.

However, the big question still lingers on whether government and other stakeholders will walk the talk and surely address the epidemic that has befallen rural women with disabilities within a pandemic.

 

Wheat farmers raise concern over market price

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Wheat farmers raise concern over market price

…as government claims there shall be self-sufficiency in stock

Tinaani Nyabereka/Kimberly Kusauka

Wheat farmers in Masvingo have expressed concern over the recently announced new producer prizes for the commodity by government that they feel falls way behind their expectations in the wake of increased cost of inputs.
Recently Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka announced the upward review of the producer prize set at ZW $ 55 517 for ordinary grade wheat while the premium grade will fetch ZW$ 66 621 during a cabinet briefing on September 28,2021.
Masuka also said the nation is expecting volumes of more than 300 000 metric tons against a national requirement of 360 000 metric tons.
“Zimbabwe is anticipating a volume of more than 300 000 metric tons of the cereal, against a national requirement of 360 000.
“This is on the backdrop of the current national wheat stocks which stand at 70 000 metric tons, making Zimbabwe wheat self-sufficient for the first time since 2005. Following extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including farmers’ unions, Cabinet has approved an upward review of wheat floor producer price to ZW$ 55 517,” he said.
He also said that the upward review was necessitated by changes in input prices that, in turn result in higher production costs.
“Farmers expect viability in their operations, and are grappling with cost increases in labour (51%), fertilisers both Compound D and Ammonium Nitrate (27%), and tractor and equipment (144%). The input increases have a net effect of 32 % on the total variable costs per hectare.
“The net contribution of inputs to total wheat production costs in 2021 is as follows: labour 3.19%, seed 5.14 %, fertilizers 26.15 %, chemicals 3.20% and operations 12.37%. The biggest driver of costs is the borrowing rate which stands at 40%,” added Masuka.
Mushandike irrigation scheme chairperson Denhere Bhusumani however said the market price for winter wheat is not enough to cover the expenses farmers incur when buying inputs.
“We bought all our inputs at a higher price so as farmers we are not pleased with the new prices set by government even though there has been a slight increase.
“We bought pesticides for quellia birds to protect our farms,” said Bhusumani.
Another farmer from the same scheme Wilson Makaha said the price of wheat at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) need to be revised since inputs costs were high as compared to last season.
“I am not happy with the price for our produce at GMB because the inputs were a bit expensive as compared to the previous season.
“We need to then change the ZW$ into US$ since the harvest combiners need to be paid in forex,” said Makaha.
However, Minister Davison Marapira who also grew winter wheat said increase of the market price will contribute to a good profit margin and he is in the process of increasing hectares under irrigation.
“An increase in producer price means a good profit margin to our wheat crop, we are doing an average of 9, 3 tons which is a good margin.
“We are in the process of increasing our hectares under irrigation to 600 by leasing land from others,” said Marapira.
The harvesting of winter wheat is already underway and expected to be complete by end of November.

The dire state of Zimbabwean service delivery

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The dire state of Zimbabwean service delivery

…as the world commemorates Habitat Day

Emmanuel Chitsika

“The urgency of improving living conditions has been brought to the fore by Covid-19, which has devastated the lives of millions in cities. Access to clean water and sanitation, along with social distancing, are key responses to the pandemic. Yet in slums it has proved difficult to implement these measures. This means an increased risk of infection, not only within slums, but in whole cities,” said United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteress.
The above remark by Guteress on this year’s commemoration of World Habitat Day running under the theme ‘Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world’ might be in great contrast to the state of service delivery in Zimbabwe’s most urban centres if not all.
Much has been said, with local authorities facing accusations by residents over failure to prioritise the welfare of urban dwellers through failure to provide clean and safe water, poor solid waste disposal as well as liquid waste management that has seen the discharge of raw sewer into natural water bodies.
Despite the fact, that local government, communities, academic institutions and other stakeholders should work together to create sustainable, carbon-neutral inclusive cities and towns, local authorities are found wanting when it comes to service provision.
Masvingo Town Council has been caught off-guard on the provision of clean water consistently in this Covid-19 era when the precious liquid is much needed.
Solid and liquid waste management is another cause for concern for the country’s oldest city, with Mucheke and Shagashe rivers being sewer-infested though they feed into Lake Mutirikwi that in turn supplies water to the city.
Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa however reiterated council commitment towards improving service delivery.
“We are going to prioritize water supply in the city since it is constrained, making residents suffer especially during this Covid-19 pandemic when water is really needed.
“Our second priority is sanitation where the thrust is to collect 100 percent waste generated in the city and properly dispose it. We intend to boost our refuse collection fleet by purchasing two refuse compactors each year from 2021-2023,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
Masvingo council have resumed construction works on the much awaited Mucheke Trunk Sewer project which the city fathers believe will go a long way in easing the overwhelmed sewer plants resulting in persistent sewerage pipe bursts.
Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe said their local authority has made several initiatives meant to protect the environment to ensure human health is prioritized.
“As a local authority, we ensuring that our environment is beautiful by ensuring city greening. We are encouraging residents to have zero carbon plans as climate is changing; we need to ensure that we are also taking that into cognisance for the sake of our health and well-being.
“We encourage stakeholders to avoid the unnecessary emission of carbon dioxide. Residents are also encouraged to make sure they dump refuse in bins so that our refuse collection team will collect on designated days,” said Makombe.
However, on the issue of making access to accommodation facilities is realised, Makombe highlighted that they do not have land for development of residential stands.
“Currently we do not have land for residential use. However we are encouraging our residents to be on the waiting list so that once we get land, they stand a chance to get stands,” added Makombe.
The plight of the vulnerable that have resorted to staying on streets of urban centres also highlight the dire need for proper shelter.
The UN set the Habitat Scroll of Honour award whose aim is to acknowledge initiatives, which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless and improving the human settlements and quality of urban life.
Creating peace shelters for the vulnerable and displaced would go a long way in addressing such a societal ill.
The WHD commemorations come at a time statistics by the UN revealed that cities and towns across the globe are responsible for 70 percent global carbon dioxide from transport, buildings, energy and waste management that account for the bulk of urban greenhouse gas emissions.

‘Zanu PF a violent party’

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‘Zanu PF a violent party’

Clayton Shereni

MASVINGO- Opposition party MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa today urged Zimbabweans to brace for violence that he boldly claims will be propelled by the regime ahead of the 2023 elections.

Addressing journalists at a press discussion organised by TellZim News, Chamisa accused the ruling party of exhibiting violent behaviour ahead of every poll.

He said Zanu PF was tarnishing the name of the country and predicted that the shenanigans that were allegedly exhibited recently were going to persist ahead of the 2023 polls.

“What they did yesterday was primitive things. This is a modern day and what they did tarnishes the name of the country. For us it is almost like an assassination attempt because there could have been loss of lives.

“This shows you that even in the run up to the election, the leopard has not changed its spots. Zanu PF likes to do what they do best, their DNA which is violence especially when they know that they are not winning the election. It does not matter what they do, the writing is on the wall. The people are going to win and they have won,” said Chamisa.

The opposition leader also said all the violence which is being done by alleged Zanu PF youths will not deter their efforts and will not disturb their focus.

“You saw what happened yesterday in terms of the violence, which is an indication that our colleagues in Zanu PF are panicking and desperate. They cannot manage or hold us; this is why they are doing what they are doing. We are not shaken, we are not in any way disturbed but we are determined to go forward and do what has to be done,” said Chamisa.

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF Masvingo Youth League chairperson Godfrey Mukungunugwa scoffed at the accusation saying Chamisa is always in the habit of pointing fingers to his rivals and crying foul.

“That is what he has been doing since 2018 when he lost the election and claimed to have been rigged. Now they are busy circulating a file picture of me handing over food to the elderly and claim that I was bribing youths to attack him. That is what he knows best and we are not moved,” said Mukungunugwa.

This comes in the background of alleged sponsored violence by Zanu PF in Charumbira area where Chamisa’s convoy was attacked and vehicles were damaged by rowdy youths.

Chamisa is on a tour to meet grassroots and community leaders across Masvingo province where he says he will be hearing the citizens’ views and bring communities together.

Click link to watch 

Girl (16) raped fetching wild berries

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Girl (16) raped fetching wild berries

Tinaani Nyabereka

Mvuma- A 16-year-old girl was recently ambushed and raped while collecting some wild berries at a tree near her homestead.
The incident that occurred on September 11, 2021 around 1600 hours only came to light after the minor complained of stomach pains last week.
Circumstances given reveal that the minor (name withheld) was on her way home from a nearby village where she had been sent to collect chicken feed.
As she was passing by, she discovered wild berries and decided to fetch some to eat.
She was then approached by an unknown person who tripped her to the ground before raping her once.
After the act the accused person told the girl not to tell anyone before leaving her alone at the scene.
After two weeks the complainant started having abdominal pains and informed her 28-year-old cousin sister who reported the matter at ZRP Lynwood Base.
On September 23, 2021 the girl was taken for medical examinations at Mvuma district hospital and evidence of forced penetration proved definite.
The accused person is still at large, with iinvestigations still in progress.

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