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Chiefs continue to hijack funerals to settle boundary disputes

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Chiefs continue to hijack funerals to settle boundary disputes

…mourners left dumb founded with violent behavior

Clayton Shereni

MASVINGO- Burial of veteran educationist Alice Tabe in Ward 9, Mushandike Resettlement Area turned into a fierce chieftainship fighting ground after members from Chiefs Bere and Charumbira clansmen clashed over jurisdiction of the ward, bringing a halt to burial proceedings.
The rival clans who are embroiled in a fierce battle for land control could not take their fight elsewhere but preferred the gravesite almost ruining the burial of the respected educationist.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered the renewal of Bere chieftainship after years of non-existence.
Tempers got high when Chief Bere’s representative Greya Mapiye started delivering his speech.
Charumbira clansmen were angered when Mapiye claimed that Ward 9 fell under Bere’s jurisdiction.
Bylaw Charumbira, son to Chief Fortune Charumbira stood up to reprimand Mapiye but instead he was poked and told to sit down.
This then angered the Charumbira clansmen who then confronted Mapiye.
Stanley Mugandani, nephew to the Charumbiras pushed Mapiye and was in a near fist fight with some of Bere’s clansmen.
Mugandani started shouting at Mapiye bringing funeral proceedings to a halt and when one police constabulary tried to cuff him, he resisted arrest.
Contacted for comment, Chief Bere’s spokesperson, David Masomere said they are the bonafide owners of the land and were the ones with the mandate to preside on events in that ward.
“That area belongs to Chief Bere but it then becomes difficult when another person builds on a land that is not theirs and starts to claim ownership of the land.
“We do not condone violence but we retaliate when we are fought,” said Masomere.
One of mourners who spoke to this publication said the rival camps were now taking advantage of funerals to settle their scores.
“These people are exhibiting very bad behavior. Every funeral is now like a boxing ring for chieftainship wrangles. Government must stop this madness,” said the mourner.
Chief Charumbira lost a number of wards after government revived the Bere and Nemamwa chieftainships dealing a major blow to Charumbira who boasted of being the most powerful chief in the country.

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Chamisa using divide and rule tactics

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Chamisa using divide and rule tactics

So we as a country have allowed chikomana chepa Manicaland to continue holding the whole country at ransom only because he wants to fix Chamisa. I do not know why we are so docile to the extent of watching Mwonzora urinating on us while we fold our hands. I know some will say Mapombi doesn’t know the major culprit in this whole situation is ED.
Yes he is and we have been fighting the system since time immemorial. Zanu has been the perennial enemy of progress in Zimbabwe but when someone formerly from the opposition rank against the system and its shenanigans decide to join it and deny the majority a right to choose their leaders then we get in deep shit. Sorry dear readers, ndangopinda ndakabairirra tsono, I am really disappointed by Mwonzora, sure after chopping representatives chosen by people, he has no shame to stop by -elections.Really. To which end? Zvozodii kana tagara tisina, only because one or two people are bitter with Chamisa. Iwe Dougie stop holding us at ransom, we need one enemy at a time, we cannot deal nenhamo mbiri. If you represent people, why are you afraid of by elections? Isn’t it the chance to put your own people heee, haa tikwanire apa.
Enough of Mwonzora, last week I told you that for you to be Zanu PF, you at least have to be shameless or crazy. At least after what this guy called George did you now believe me? I used to think we only have one crazy George, uyu wekuzviti Jamwanda on Twitter. Today I am not talking about that George hangu, I mean this guy from the ministry of finance, yes Guvamatanga. This pantless lady travelled all the way from SA to perform at his party. I don’t know his source of wealthy but what I know is that he is moneyed, but I think he skipped the simple bible lesson yekuti charity begins at home. Munhu anotya mwari would never call artists from South Africa to splash them with money like that. Worse the artist recently torched a storm on social media for performing asina kupfeka mushe. We have a lot of talented local artists who are struggling financially, why not support them? As if that was not enough, he went on to promise Mafikizolo an amount five times more than the original charge. Charity begins at home iwe Guvamatanga. kuri kuda kuona here,uchaita shohwera. I like Makhadzi and Mafikizolo zvangu and I am not against South Africans coming to perform here but pamazimari apo. Maybe it’s only myself but handisati ndambonzwa kuti he sponsored our local guys. Sure kukundwa naJava who promotes local artists. i thought Tagwirei has reformed but alas, dzinonznvana dzakakora, the amount he splashed on Guvamatanga mmmm, vamwe vanhu havaende kudenga.
Factionalism is rocking the ship cdes, hazvisi kuZanu chete, now mukomana watiri kuti ngaapinde is doing it the Zanu or Mugabe way. Divide and rule tactics are at play. Ari kuita divide and rule mukomana kkkk, nhasi zvangu nemaNerorists. Hanzi touch not the annointed but mapombi is a gentlemen haavanze, Ndinobata chero panopisa ask the Generari. If you don’t believe me come here at Chitima and tell me what the appointment of Sesel Zvidzai as co-vice chairperson weMusanganao uri kuda kuzotonga means? Ko anoita basa rei maVC maviri. Toti maVP matatu, toitazve maVice chair maviri. Whats the difference between you and Zanu now? Zanu itori nani yakatotivhara nekubvisa Kembo pahu VP hwenyika. Hanzi nemaNerorists it’s because Thabita Khumalo has not been feeling well for some time, if that’s so then why can’t you retire her and appoint someone? Will appointing another VC make her well? Now listen to me ladies and gentlemen, this is just factionalism between Nero and his VPs because Job is in Biti’s basket. Yes it’s an alliance but those guys are not in good books. Ana Biti are a threat to the Youngman and that is why there was double allocation of candidates in 2018, Chamisa made sure that team Biti won’t make it to parliament kkkk. Now factionalism is manifesting in other forms. I once told you again that Job is a threat again to Nero because he wants a radical and militant approach while Nero prefer going to war asina pfuti achitemba nemuromo.
Zvidzai’s duty is now to neutralize Sikhala and if history repeats itself, we will soon see him achienda nechimuti Job akati vavava. Zvana Molokele izvi its just blinding us but the real tsoro is on Job and Zvidzai. Ko handiti that is exactly what happened paya pakapinda Nero. Madam Khupe had been elected kucongress but Chamatama, MHRIP appointed Chamisa and Mudzuri unconstitutionally kkkk. Nero later booted madam Khupe out kkkk. Asi unodarirei nhai Nero, inga munobva kwaGutu wani naJob? Why doing that to your own homeboy kkkk. I am not well conversant with the Alliance’s constitution but this is unconstitutional pasi nekudenga. Leaders should be elected. Job beware; don’t say Mapombi did not warn you.
Cdes from the opposition; trust Jonso at your own peril. Remember he is the author of some misfortunes in Zimbabwe. How can he now offer to train MDC Alliance polling agents while he is outside? Why not formally join the party. Akadii kuzviita 2018.Iro team remusoro bhangu iri Jonso and Madhuku beware of them. Ini hangu personally treat everyone who was once ZANU PF with caution. Please don’t trust Jonso, munonyura makatemba. He has been accused of being a spy even while in Zanu PF then why trust him now. Dai asina kudzingwa where would he be now?
And this catch and release gimmick by the so-called Anti-graft commission ZACC hehede kusekera godo semukadzi wenhaka. Obadiah of Drax scandal is now a free man. Zvakaoma ko munotambisirei upfumi hwenyika muchikona kuchengeta nherera nevasina pekugara mumaguta medu umo. Ko saka zvese zvakabiwa zvedenda reCovid-19, moti kudini nazvo.Toda kudzorerwa zvakadyiwa nehwiza veduwee senyika kwete kunanzvana kwamukuitana imi varikunyepera kutungamirira nyika yedu vakainangisa kumajokochwa. This ZACC is proving to be a toothless bulldog to say the least. Murume waMarian chedu sorojena Chiminya was released due to lack of evidence. Iri beby raHungwe Pirisika makaregedza, kungogondera iye Undenge Kkkkkk zvinopisa tsitsi. Chawira mwana wehama hachisekwi vakadaro vakuru asi haaa mazvinyanya veduwe itai muchisiya pamangwana pamaitiro enyu ka.
Before I go zvangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, allow me to ask where the sick lady Thabita is? I pray she will pull through. Where is she? I wanted to bring her Russian and chips from Bakers inn manje hey, takaparirwawo naMbudziyadura kkkkk, I heard it’s now US$1.25 kkkk, they want to justify their crazy rate. Takambozvitaura izvi, the rate between bond and US will never be stable, especially with the likes of anaGuvamatanga vachibata mari dzedu kudaro. Is Guvamatanga and Matanga related? Just asking hangu coz ndakazombonzwa kuti the late VP Msika’s full surname was Msikavanhu but it was cut shot to suit the unity accord agreement kkkk. With Zanu at the top, anything is possible.
I wonder where is doctor Stop it ana Guvamatanga and Nero vachiita zvese izvi? Where are we with Uncle Bob’s exhumation? I heard Gire said she will do anything in her power to stop it kkkk. Regai zvibayane. Ko Mphoko ari kupi, why can’t he just take Gire agare nhaka yaBob? He failed to take over from power but I am sure he can take over the wife and her notorious kids Chatunga kkkkk. Mboko Imboko.

Decentralizing Covid-19 official information by government critical

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Decentralizing Covid-19 official information by government critical

Official information on Covid-19 has been monotonously the duty of central government and Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) at the expense of other key stakeholders involved in information dissemination like the media.
Government went on to criminalize the release of what may be deemed fake and false information likely to cause alarm and despondency through statutory instruments.
While credit is given to safeguarding the spread of false information on the coverage of this pandemic, it is the bureaucratic nature in which government releases it for public consumption that has raised eyebrows from the fourth estate (media).
Such centralization of information is negatively impacting on the coverage thereby paralyzing media operations and thus reducing their information dissemination role to mere spectators.
Criminalizing coverage on the crisis would only do more harm than good to media personnel whose hands become tied up and block them from performing their watchdog role effectively.
With government setting the target herd immunity of around 60 percent of the national population before year end, the role of media could not be overlooked as it must be regarded a key component towards the realization of such a goal.
There are a number of factors that are at play concerning the vaccination programme varying from vaccine hesitancy, societal myths and misinformation among others, so considering the input of the press instead of setting legal barriers against them would be the best way to go.
Though the proliferation of bogus online media platforms has been a cause for concern, coming up with measures to curtail such anomalies would be proper other than putting both ethical and unethical journos in the same bracket in a stifled working environment.
Government therefore should avail information to established media outlets so that they report accurately, truthfully and timely without any inconveniences if the nation is to realize the dream of this herd immunity by December.
With accurate information readily accessible, speculative reporting would soon become a thing of the past and media personnel would strictly adhere to their professional ethics as a result.

Church urged to expose crime

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Church urged to expose crime

…CCJP lauded for taking the lead

Kimberly Kusauka

MASVINGO- As crime rate soars in the province; the church has been urged to be on the forefront to expose criminal activities that have been on the rise in recent months.
This came out during a stakeholder engagement meeting facilitated by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJP) held on Sunday 30, 2021.
The engagement was in response to socio-economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that has disturbed peace in communities and propelled crime.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) representative at the meeting, Superintendent Vhulindela Jamela said the church should not be accessories to crime by hiding criminal activities.
“We encourage church leaders to expose criminals even when they are from your congregation and stop sweeping crimes under the carpet because when the matter comes to light, we will arrest all participants involved,” said Jamela.
CCJP National Coordinator Paul Muchena said the church was facilitating programmes aimed at promoting peace and stability in many communities across the country.
“As Catholics we are working together with government in maintaining peace and justice through our social teachings.
“We have programs that target to strengthen the church’s role in civil participation and they are coming from national level down to every society,” said Muchena.
Chief Gutu born Edmund Masanganise also applauded CCJP for being key in peace building and offering a platform for people to come together and develop their communities.
“The engagements carried out by CCJP are fruitful since a lot of stakeholders bring up ideas on how to build peace within communities,” said Masanganise.
CCJP is currently working on a project called Churches Convergence on Conflict and Peace (CCOP) in conjunction with Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA), Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum (ECLF) and Zimbabwe Divine Destiny (ZDD) targeting implementation of peace building projects in the country.
Also present at the meeting were representatives, from Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ).

 

Millions worth in cotton gutted down in Checheche

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Millions worth in cotton gutted down in Checheche

Livingstone Mtetwa

CHIPINGE- Thousands of tons of processed cotton bales worth millions of United States dollars were on Monday morning reduced to ashes after a fire broke out at Parrogate Ginnery at Checheche Growth Point in a case of suspected arson by a disgruntled farmer.
The destroyed cotton bales believed to be around 5300 in total worth an estimated value of US$2, 5 million belonged to four companies namely Cottco Zimbabwe, Consolidated Cotton of Zimbabwe, Shawasha Cotton and Southern Cotton that bring raw cotton to Parrogate for ginning.
National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case of malicious damage to property saying investigations are underway to establish the cause of the fire.
“Police are investigating a suspected case of malicious damage to property following the discovery of a note at the site where 5300 cotton bales were burnt to ashes in Checheche.
“The incident occurred at around 0327 am when a truck driver loading cotton bales parked his vehicle to make a call. While he was making the call, he is reported to have spotted a flame of fire towards his vehicle and the cotton lint was burnt to ashes,” said Ass Com Nyathi.
He also said an ultimatum note addressed to one CC was found at the scene threatening more havoc if the writer was not paid his/her dues within five days.
“A note was found addressed to CC threatening to cause more fire if the suspect was not going to be paid his/her money within five days,” added Ass Com Nyathi.
Member of House of Assembly for Chipinge South, Enock Porusingazi also confirmed the sad development saying both the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were still being assessed.
Porusingazi said the fire started around 3am in the storage area where bales ready for dispatch are kept. He said that although the vicious fire was put under control by fire fighters from Green Fuel and Buffalo Range, it will take the next few days to completely extinguish it.
“Cotton bales gutted by the fire belonged to four companies (Cottco, the Consolidated Cotton of Zimbabwe, Shawasha Cotton and Southern Cotton) which hire the Parrogate ginnery to process the lint for export.
“The cause of the fire is not yet established, but it occurred around 3am. We are grateful to the swift reaction from Green Fuel and Buffalo Range fire squads that helped to put out the fire. The fire was threatening to destroy the entire ginnery and the neighboring complex. Preliminary indications are that it may take two to three days to completely extinguish the fire,” said Porusingazi.
However, strong winds blowing in the area on that particular day made it difficult for the fire details to contain the fire.
Cottco is believed to have lost around 1 221 000 kilograms of cotton worth US $ 2 500 000 and a forklift in the process.

Armed robbers pounce on Neshuro Growth Point

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Armed robbers pounce on Neshuro Growth Point

…leave security guard battling for life

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi-A gang of armed robbers pounced on two shops at Neshuro Growth Point on the night of September 27, leaving one of the security guard critically injured before disappearing with an undisclosed amount of money.
The incident occurred at around 6:15 pm when shops were about to close for the day and the thieves robbed Shovorai Zizhou’s shop and Chingwanga Neshuro supermarket.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident saying the gang is yet to be arrested.
“We have received information concerning that robbery and investigations are ongoing but so far no arrests have been made,” said Dhewa.
According to eyewitnesses three armed robbers who had a getaway car first entered Chingwanga supermarket, fied warning shots and ordered all the clients to lay down after shooting the shop’s security guard.
After getting away with undisclosed amount of money from the supermarket, the thugs proceeded to Zizhou’s shop were they also got away with some money.
Shop owner Shovorai Zizhou better known locally as kwa Mai Tina told TellZim News that two armed men entered her shop and got away with some money soon after they had robbed at Chingwanga supermarket.
“When the incident occurred there were about 12 clients who were in my shop. Two armed man entered and fired some shots. I am not sure about the exact amount of money which they got away with because we were yet to count but it could be something more than ZAR 1000 and 400 US,” said Zizhou.
After pouncing on the two shops the robbers reportedly fled with their getaway car along Matibi Mission road.
By the time of writing, Chingwanga security guard shot in the stomach was in the theatre where he was being attended to at Neshuro District Hospital.
Cases of armed robbery have been on an upward trend around the country of late.

Council targets to complete road rehabilitation before rainy season

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… As residents slam council for lip servicing

Felix Matasva

MUTARE– Council is racing against time as it targets to complete all intended road rehabilitation programmes before the rain season commences and ruin all their efforts.
City of Mutare Mayor Blessing Tandi said council is targeting to complete the ongoing Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) in the eastern border town before incessant rains start.
Tandi said this during a Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt Development (ZIMCODD) and TellZim News ‘HowFar’? Service delivery ward feedback meeting held at Mutare Holiday Inn over the weekend.
He indicated that the local authority had completed some projects and said the pending ones are expected to be completed anytime this month.
“We are contemplating connecting Hobhouse through Jeff road which is main commuters’ route to the high density suburb. We have a 1.7-kilometer stretch that we expect to be tarred under ERRP.
“All road projects should be completed before the rain season commences, that is between October and November,” said Tandi.
He claimed that under the ERRP, the city rehabilitated 1.3 kilometers of the Aerodrome road, 5 kilometers Magamba -Musikavanhu road while the local authority’s resources funded 3.2 km.
The city had reportedly embarked on pothole patching on some roads that are in need of attention after damage by last season’s rains.
Commenting on the state of road rehabilitation in the city, Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) programmes coordinator, David Mutambirwa lamented ‘shoddy’ road rehabilitation done on some of the roads.
“I would want to hammer on the issue of compliance when it comes to road rehabilitation. There is need for effective monitoring for compliance in order to come up with a credible and up to standard road surface.
“You will realize that there are some roads which were done below standard for instance, in FairBridge there is a wetland and the road was poorly resurfaced,” said Mutambirwa.
The city is subcontracting the programme since it is incapacitated but has bought a pneumatic roller and chief spreader that is yet to be delivered.
Also speaking at the same event, TellZim News director, Golden Maunganidze said the feedback meeting will help journalists to amplify community voices and make public office bearers come face to face with the public.
“We are engaging residents and the media so that we give them a platform to meet and make follow ups on service delivery issues under the HowFar? Campaign launched by ZIMCODD. There are things that residents were promised, so we now want to see how far the local authority have gone in living up to their promises,” said Maunganidze.
The state of service delivery in most cities and towns around Zimbabwe have been in poor state prompting residents to accuse local authorities of neglecting ratepayers’ welfare through misplaced priorities.

Mental illness major contributor to suicide cases

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Mental illness major contributor to suicide cases

Kimberly Kusauka

Suicide is a major health problem, and the global suicide mortality rate amounts to 1.4 percent of all deaths worldwide whilst most cases are related to psychiatric diseases with depression, substance use, disorders and psychosis (a mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality) being the most common factors behind suicide.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year approximately 703 000 people take their own lives and there are many foiled suicide cases that are recorded annually.
Suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and has long-lasting effects on friends and relatives left behind.
Suicide is ranked as the fourth leading cause of deaths among 15-29 year-olds globally in 2019.
Ministry of Health and Child Care(MOHCC) Mental Health Director, Fabison Musoro said the ministry is working tirelessly to promote mental health and prevention of mental illness through mental health cycle social support in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Mental illness is the end result when someone fails to maintain his mental health so we have mental health cycle social support which we are currently providing together with WHO where we are providing technical or copying mechanisms to individuals,” said Musoro.
He also said that they are collaborating with the media and other stakeholders to disseminate mental health awareness messages.
“We work with the media which helps us to disseminate our messages and partners like Young People Mental Health (YPMH) who operate in schools educating pupils on how to handle stress and anxiety,” added Musoro.
Clinical Psychologist, Lyn Chinenyanga said people suffer mental illness due to genetic composition, substance and drug abuse and stress disorder from frustrating life experiences.
“There are various reasons why people suffer mental illness, some individuals are predisposed because of their genetic composition that is it runs in the family, for some individuals it is induced through substance and drug abuse while others are overwhelmed by the challenges they face in life.
“There is a lot happening in our communities, the major being the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced people to accept the situation as the new normal. Some people fail to cope and end up committing suicide,” said Chinenyanga.
Second Chance Foundation Founder and Director Careen Chikwanha said suicide causes include financial crisis, relationship failure in most youths and depression being the major cause.
“People are suffering from financial crisis, relationship failure affecting more youths but the major cause is depression especially during this Covid-19 pandemic hence a lot of people are failing to handle problems and they opt for suicide,” said Chikwanha.
She went on to say that, they are working on helping people suffering from mental illness mainly through online platforms.
“This year we have managed to help 197 people suffering from mental illness who were on the verge of committing suicide,” said Chikwanha.
Tertiary institution students have been involved in most suicide cases necessitated by depression arising from heartbreaks.
Midlands State University (MSU) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Benson Judah said they have a club set up only to help students suffering from stress disorder or any mental illness and sub-wardens in each hostel so that they do not opt for suicide.
“We have a club called Wati Wati where students meet and discuss issues of all kinds giving each other psycho-socio support and advice so as to avoid contemplating suicide.
“We have carefully nominated a board of sub-wardens who are available at all times in every hostel so as to provide counseling to any student who would need assistance,” said Judah.
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) director of information, Anderson Chipatiso said the institution offers free counseling services at their multi campuses so that they help students with problems of any nature.
“GZU has robust counseling services offered on campus and students with problems of any nature and the counseling is offered for free. We have qualified Psychologists on campus, officials like the Dean of students and lecturers.
“We strongly encourage students to make use of counseling services before they think of taking their lives,” said Chipatiso.
A parent who spoke on condition of anonymity after losing a child through suicide blamed herself for not noticing that her child was having stress disorder as she could have easily helped to overcome.
“I blame myself for not being there for my child, I always think if I had done things differently. I cannot cope that my child is no longer around, I have always had big plans for my child,” said the parent.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that cannot be easily ignored due to its lasting, significant effects on youths, families, peers, and the community at large.
Last month a 22-year-old Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) student, Desire Mungoma committed suicide after his girlfriend had ended their relationship and he could not bear it.
On September 19, 2021, another GZU student Vilify Mbakada was found dead, floating in Nyamafufu dam, Mvuma and sources claim that she was suffering from depression.
In another case, a 27-year-old Harare Polytechnic college student, Takudzwa Chifamba committed suicide after his girlfriend of four years eloped with another man.
However, being haunted by psychological trauma, the girlfriend could not handle the situation and committed suicide.

MCAZ delaying lactating mothers, 14-17 year-olds vaccination

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MCAZ delaying lactating mothers, 14-17 year-olds vaccination

Kimberly Kusauka

The inclusion of lactating mothers, pregnant women and children aged 14-17 still remain in the hands of Medicines Control Authority in Zimbabwe (MCAZ), a month after government announced plans to include these groups.
MCAZ is reportedly carrying out clinical trials to determine whether these groups are safe for vaccination or not.
Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Public Relations Officer Donald Mujiri said the ministry is still waiting for MCAZ to give them a directive to start administering the jab.
“As a Ministry we get authority from MCAZ to use any drug or dose. Right now, we are waiting for them to finish clinical trials so that we can start vaccinating lactating mothers, pregnant women as well as children from the age of 14-17,” said Mujiri.
He however, said there are no exact dates for commencement of these groups’ vaccination since they are awaiting authority from MCAZ.
“We do not have a date as to when these groups will start receiving their jabs since the trials are scientific and they take time to be completed. However, MCAZ is doing the work right now, so we hope they will be done soon and we commence the vaccination program,” Mujiri added.
Barely two weeks after schools were ordered to reopen; a surge in Covid-19 positive cases have been recorded at schools in Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland provinces.
The cases were recorded mostly at boarding schools and the virus is spreading to teachers and other staff.
Last week the Secretary for Public Service Commission (PSC), Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said government Ministries would help personnel who missed opportunities to be vaccinated so that they can report for work.

Chipinge residents corner local authority over water shortages

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Chipinge residents corner local authority over water shortages

Kimberly Kusauka

Chipinge ward 4 residents have raised concerns of neglect by council amidst worries over poor service delivery that is currently rocking most local authorities in Zimbabwe.
The ward’s councilor Raina Madenyika was a victim of MDC power struggles that saw her recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T on August 6, along with three other Chipinge councillors allegedly aligned to MDC Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa.
However, the unexpected recall of four councilors in Chipinge has left many areas wanting in terms of service delivery since no one is representing their concerns.
This came out during the HowFar? Ward feedback meeting organized by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) and TellZim News in Ward 5, where councilors and residents met to discuss the state of service delivery in Chipinge.
One of the participants who reside in ward 4 said there are acute water shortages and no alternative clean water sources since some of the infrastructure was stolen.
“We are not getting council tapped water in ward 4 for quite some time. Some of the boreholes where we were getting domestic water from are no longer functional since pipes were stolen.
“We are walking long distances to get water and we are at great risk since we are living in the Covid-19 pandemic which needs consistent supply of clean water,” said the participant.
Another resident said they heard that council bought a refuse compactor for ward 4 but they never saw it leading to the proliferation of illegal dumpsites.
“We only heard that we have a refuse compactor in our ward but we never saw it coming to collect refuse. We end up dumping refuse at an illegal dumping site which is a health ticking bomb since children play there,” said the resident.
Chipinge Town Residents Association (CTRA) Chairperson, Simoyi Mhlanga said council is still lagging behind in its services especially sewage management since people who were working on maintaining drainages withdrew their services.
“There is need for improved service delivery here and mostly sewage remains a problem since those who were working on maintaining drainage systems withdrew their services,” said Mhlanga.
Ward 5 Cllr Haruchineyi Nhengu who is doubling as the interim ward 4 councillor professed ignorance over refuse collection and water shortages but promised that if there is such a crisis, the local authority and other stakeholders will move in to address it.
“We are not aware that some households do not have water supply. We will go and report the issue in our council meetings and there are plans in place by council and Plan International to improve access to clean water,” said Nhengu.
“There is a refuse compactor which collects refuse every Tuesday in ward 4 and it is very unfortunate that part of ward 4 extension is being overlooked. We will monitor those responsible so that they cover the whole area,” added Nhengu.
The state of service delivery in Zimbabwe has been a cause for concern of late as most local authorities have been accused of neglecting the welfare of ratepayers while others are accused of misplaced priorities in their budgets.

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