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Gokomere CPS, High school authorities granted bail

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Gokomere CPS, High school authorities granted bail

TellZim reporter

Authorities at Catholic- run Gokomere CPS and High schools were on Thursday granted bail when they appeared at Masvingo Magistrates Court for embezzling schools funds.
Gokomere High head Acquanos Mazhunga (56), deputy head Cephas Vhurumuku, Priest-in- charge John Magadzire (40), CPS head Mhangarai Celestino Masakadza (50) and Alex Mawaya (52) stand accused of theft of trust property.
They were granted ZW$ 10 000 each by Masvingo Magistrate Patience Madondo and remanded out of custody to October 28, 2021.
Madondo also ordered the accused persons to reside at given addresses, not to interfere with state witnesses and surrender their travel documents.
The complainant is Masvingo District Schools Inspector (DSI) Ishmael Chigaba who made a report after Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) received complaints about abuse of funds on May 27, 2021 from parents who have children at the two schools.
An audit carried earlier in May this year unearthed massive corrupt dealings of unsupported payments transacted through ZB bank debt card with no payment vouchers, invoices or receipts amounting to ZW$ 1 477 373.
The audit also revealed that the school’s fourth account held at Standard Chartered bank (01002680031401) in the name of John Magadzire received ZW$ 1 722 697 in levies but a total of ZW$ 1 456 064 was spent on non-school related transactions.
The schools authorities are alleged to have siphoned a total of ZW$ 2 933 437 from January 01, 2020 up to May 31, 2021.
Allegations are that they would instruct the school bursar to transfer money from the main ZB bank account into the debt accounts they had opened as they were the only signatories in the absence of the SDC.
The trio of Mazhunga, Vhurumuku and Magadzire also did not elect a School Development Committee (SDC) thereby violating Statutory Instrument 87 of 1992 Section 8(1) that requires the election of SDCs by parents at every Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The last five SDC members to run the affairs were elected in 2018 but three of them ceased to be members since their children are no longer enrolled at the school.
The quintet were represented by Advocate Collen Maboke while Janeth Muvavi represented the state.

Mwenezi man killed over beer

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Mwenezi man killed over beer

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi –A 24 year-oldman lost his life after an intense argument emanating from refusal to share his beer with another reveller at Mhlanga Pool Shade, Neshuro Growth Point on September 30, 2021, TellZim News can report.
Maxwell Simba (24) was stoned to death by 23 year-old Simbarashe Mafembo after the former pursued his would-be-killer after an argument over sharing beer.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident.
“I confirm receiving a report of a 24 year-old man who was killed by one aged 23.Mafembo is alleged to have drunk the beer belonging to Simba without him consenting to that leading to a heated argument. At around 1830 hours, Morris Manyangire (41) refrained the two from fighting.
“At around 9pm Mafembo then left the shopping centre but Simba followed him saying he was not satisfied that the former a younger man could out-muscle him. The accused then picked up a stone and struck him on the head and he lied unconsciously,” said Insp Dhewa.
Some sources privy to the incident said the two were mocking each other and that did not go down well with the deceased leading to a fight.
“The two’s argument started during a snooker game which was being played outside Mhlanga Bar. Though the bar was closed, some people were playing pool. The two began to mock each other over some petty issues. This did not go down well with Simba who followed Mafembo when he left the place after brief exchange of some blows, “said the source.
Upon walking for about 300 meters from where the argument started, with Simba in pursuit, Mafembo is said to have picked up a stone and hit him on the head leaving him unconscious.
The deceased bled excessively at the scene and was declared dead at Neshuro District Hospital.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrator who is at large.

 

Mr President Tinyareiwo

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Mr President Tinyareiwo

I had vowed that I will not talk about the crazy professor Mthuli but eish you know how Mapombi is, haagone kunyarara when things are going south. I don’t know how many times I have told you that Mthuli is crazy but I know some of you thought I was the crazy one. But now I think maakuzvionawo kuti ndairevesa zvangu. I used to emulate the professors and Doctors in Zimbabwe but mmmm , now I don’t, especially after Mthuli and Dokora. I heard things are not good for the crazy doctor Dofora who introduce CALAZ To our education system. haa these guys don’t want to leave office, after Dofora was dismissed from government I thought he has retired and will focus on his project yekuchengeta ndebvu izvo bodo, vari kutoda zvigaro muZanu. Kkkk hanzi he moved out of the race yeucheyameni kuMash Central after an assassination attempt kkk hokoyo naKazembe Kazembe.
Back to our learned professor of Incompetence, chatanga bootlicking, hanzi ED is the best boss I have ever had, tikwanire apo iwe Mthuli, how can he be the best when he is failing to run the company you work on. Yes ED is the CEO, hanty he is taking this country like a private company where he and his sons and a few others enjoy while we languish in poverty. How can he be the best when the company is running losses every day? So this simply means one thing, you don’t care about other people but yourselves chete. The problem that we have as a country is that we don’t tell the leaders the truth, bootlicking yakanyanya and it is costing us. Please Mthuli tell ED the truth kwete kumunyepera, zvinhu hazvina kumira mushe.
Ko ndiyani akaroyawo Mathema nhai, I heard the guy has suffered a stroke, haa I hope it is just a normal stroke hakusi kuroyewa. Did I waste my prayer last week but one paya pandakati ndomunamatira, at least he is alive hake. But mmm kuZanu kana usina chero muteuro wamadzibba zvawo unenge uri pama1 because boys riya kana usina kusimba vanokupfuudza. Chete in Zanu we have a lot of moving graves, chitima chevarwere. Kembo, General, Khaya Moyo and of late Mathema havs joined the band wagon yevarwere who do not want to leave office. Why not go and rest and leave the party to the energetic youths, ipai vana Gomwe ivavo vamhanye nacho kutema vamwe nemachair shows they are energetic. Kkkk but kuZanu Kwakoma, kutemena nemachir fighting to get into positions of corruption. The internal elections were not only chaotic in Harare, pedu paChiredzi apa MP Svuure vakamhanyiswa vakasiya kumwe kusina machairpersons kkkk, that’s Zanu PF for you, I however like their baboonish behaviour, they fight each other very much, but when it comes to fighting the common enemy they unite kwete. During elections iiii vanomira, or at least the disgruntled just chill kwete zvekuMDC zvekuti angofunga otonotanga zvake. Zvakamboitwa nana Biti with PDP, Weshman, ana Linda Masarira, ana Khupe vakazodai kutorerwa naDhagi kkkk, seka zvako Mapombi. kuZanu we need youthful people to square it off nana Chamisa vso that vanodashuranawo nevezera tambawo nevezeara kwete madara anoda kuita Gondo Muzvitiyo.
Ko zvemaMinister without potifolio zvichiriko? I thought zvakapera kudara ini, sure in this age and era munhu anonzi should just be a minister even if you don’t have zvekuita. Sure uku ndokutijairira chaiko. At leat just respect us and squander the money and state resources as you have been doing all along makanyarara. Please tinyareiwo Mr President, or else ndimi maguta henyu kunyarwa. We know you abuse state funds but this is too much. Kana munhu arwara arwara simple, minister without portifolio chii, ichocho. Why didn’t you just give him the ministerial pecks without us knowing? Please Mr President tinyareiwo, kana arwara arwara amana ngaazorore. Moti Minhu akadai kudzosa amCala ari kunetsa vana, momipa futi huminister. He failed to protect the teachers kuti vasabatwa chibharo negovernment and in return oripwa kugara. Hezvo now Rwanda want our techers, because you are failing to pay them.
Mapombi feels sorry for Marry Chiwenga, I feel sorry for her as a fellow woman, General please feel pity for our Marry. I wonder where is Auxilia, sure how can she forsake Marry when they were together manje manje whe she took over the Angel Of Hope Foundation. Was her taking over a pre planned thing to strip Marry? I have been silent about this but it’s now too much. Let’s forget about what she did to Shingi Kawondera, I think she has already learnt her lesson. To all ladies married to powerful people out there, secure your future time ichiripo so that you won’t suffer kana masiiwa. Those in marriages please don’t leave your husband’s nekuda mari you will suffer at the end. Ndatoparidza ndapedza so, those with ears I hope vatonzwa.
Before I go kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, can someone tell me if the crazy professor is still at the hotel? I thought there is nothing like that in the new dispensation, I thought they have reformed but mmm Zanu IZanu nomatter who is at the top. Asi Mthuli haana kuenda KuChitepo School of ideology kkkkk. i think there they only teach cadres to be corrupt and shameless. Mmmm zvimwe zvinonyanya vakomana, kusanyara kwachoka, zvimwe itai muchiti munotamba vakomana.
Enough of Mthuli, let me warn my comrades in the MDC, if you need to win the 2023 elections please you need to up your game. I am sure you have seen that ZEC is very biased, kudedza Dhagi leaving the big tent to critical electoral consultative meetings means one thing, and come 2023, Zec will still side with Zanu. Malaba akadzoka kuConcourt, Chigumba is there and someone very old called Kazembe is also there so pakaipa. Hanzi ZEC hais kuziva kuti who are you, vanoziva Dhagi kwete imi kkkk.
To all Zimbabweans, my simple advice is that lets all register to vote. Pekuvhotera mopaziva mega, all I want is for the bigger part of the population to determine the future leaders, kana mati tidzosere varipo hapana problem, Eh ngaatonge hake mudara kkkk, at least it just has to be a collective decision not for 5 million people to decide for 17 million people. Kana mati futi Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana then toita zviripo.
Where is Mphoko ladies and gentlemen? Is he the one who told Mthuli to stay in a hotel? But Mphoko was better ladies and gentlemen, aitombouya nemaIncubator kkkkk mphoko imphoko.

Media not a tool for ‘Infordemic’-VMCZ

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Media not a tool for ‘Infordemic’-VMCZ

Emmanuel Chitsika

Media personnel and content creators in Masvingo province have been challenged to bear in mind their profession’s ethics when reporting on Covid-19 pandemic so that information dissemination would not end up being an ‘infordemic’.
Speaking during the launch of Covid-19 reporting guidelines supported by the European Union and United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at Chevron hotel in Masvingo on September25, 2021, Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) Executive Director Loughty Dube urged fellow journalists to exercise caution when handling the crisis so that the fourth estate would not create a ‘crisis within crisis’.
“Journalists are encouraged to ensure total adherence to ethical considerations of the profession that is paying particular attention to creating balance in news reporting, accuracy and truthfulness so that whatever information, they disseminate for public consumption will not result in an infordemic which is information pandemic.
“We have noted with concern the proliferation of bogus content creators and online publications where fake news have become predominant,” said Dube.
He also urged journalists to create and maintain their information sources in form of health experts such that they prepare good articles from an informed viewpoint.
“Covid-19 reporting goes beyond focusing or paying attention to post cabinet briefings or the Ministry of Health and Child Care reports thus coming up with thought provoking news articles,” he added.
Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum national coordinator Njabulo Ncube also weighed in placing emphasis on the need for journalists to guard against discriminatory jargon whenever they are called for duty and ensure they respond positively to capacitation on accurate reporting.
“As media we were caught up in this crisis, we had never reported on this new norm. Therefore, the guidelines are intended to guide us as we report on this new norm. Reporters did not understand the reporting on Covid-19 that led to them harassing of a Covid-19 positive person in Bulawayo.
“Covid-19 is not an elitist phenomenon but it is a crisis. No matter the circumstances, journalists are called to duty where they risk their lives as part of work routines. So let us embrace this new medical journalism subject as we provide coverage of the pandemic,” said Ncube.
Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) Nigel Mutumbuki however bemoaned the restrictive working environment journalists worked under during the peak of lockdown measures where the journos were at first not regarded as essential service providers hence difficulties in accessing information for publication.
“During the first days of the pandemic, most journalists worked from home where at first we were not recognised as essential service providers and it is not even clear on what our role would be in times of crisis.
“We have to really invest in a process of actually establishing on what we can do which is not just thinking while seated at our homes but something within the media fraternity. The survey looked at identifying the needs of the media that is personal safety (personal protective equipment), freedom from harassment as well as digital equipment for media sustainability and capacity concerns,” said Mutumbuki.
He also pointed out the challenge of lack of access to information affecting news gathering and reporting.
“Up to now the statutory instrument by government on Covid-19 that centralizes the dissemination of information and that the only official authority is central government which bureaucratize information thereby paralysing the reportage on the pandemic
“The fact that the legal frameworks criminalize the dissemination of what is deemed fake and can cause alarm and despondency, one would face a jail term and it is similar to criminal defamation. The best defence against fake news is doing away with infordemic which is the main thrust of what brought us here,” he added.
The empowerment workshop was meant to equip journalists with skills and expertise on how best they can go about the reporting on Covid-19 so that reporters accurately report on the subject at the same time doing away with sensationalizing news through unscrupulous newsgathering methods.

Siltation threatens Rupike Irrigation Scheme

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Siltation threatens Rupike Irrigation Scheme

Melinda Kusemachibi

Rupike Irrigation scheme in Renco Mine is probably one of the few farmlands that have remained productive as most farmers in this drought-stricken part of the province rue the losses of the El Nino-induced drought that wiped out most crops and some livestock.
Situated in Ward 23, under Chief Nyajena area Rupike Irrigation Scheme that the community relies on is now under threat of siltation as Tugwane dam, the sole water supplier  is in dire situation thereby disturbing the production of crops in the community.
Rupike Irrigation Scheme Agriculture, Research and Extension(Agritex) supervisor, Tinashe Chirambadare told TellZim News that due to siltation the water holding capacity of the dam had dropped very much and called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
“Tugwane dam had a carrying capacity of 330000m/liters but now with siltation, the capacity has dropped possibly by 35 to 40 percent.
Rupike community is therefore appealing for immediate action from responsible authorities that is Environmental Management Agency, Rural District Council (RDC), District Development Coordinator (DDC)’s Office to visit the area before onset of rain season,” said Chirambadare.
Tugwane dam capacity is reduced every rain season due to massive erosion on the upper stream and catchment area.
The dam may be history soon because a stretch of about two kilometers of the dam has been filled with sand.
Mushrooming Mukosi settlers are accused of carrying out farming activities like stream bank cultivation all over the catchment area.
Recently Masvingo Provincial Mechanization Engineer Andrew Muparirwa said several irrigation schemes are heavily affected by siltation in Masvingo province a development likely to lead to reduced agricultural production in the province.
He also pointed out that the nationa’s biggest inland dams Tugwi-Mukosi and Mutirikwi are the only ones that have not been affected though he said they are under threat.
Rupike Irrigation Scheme sustains 100 families on 200 hectares of irrigated farmland that produces Gloria ‘sugar’ beans and Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) maize seeds among other cash crops.
It is reported that farmers at the scheme are engaging in contract farming that requires them to produce the seeds for sale to agro-dealers.
The scheme is sustaining not only Rupike farmers but is also serving the surrounding communities.
The scheme was set up in 1992 after the construction of Tugwane Dam where farmers draw water from.

Council delays rehabilitation of one kilometer road stretch

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Council delays rehabilitation of one kilometer road stretch

Melinda Kusemachibi

MASHAVA– Residents are unhappy with Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) over failure to complete a one-kilometer stretch along the Balmain-Bere road that has been under rehabilitation for over a month.
It is alleged that the RDC initiated the project and abandoned it midway after just grading and leveling the road without tarring it.
Mashava resident Onias Chepiri accused council of lacking seriousness saying the project was abandoned long back.
“After council had graded the road, they abandoned it and it is now almost two months after they started. We are not happy at all because they seem to have forgotten that they have a pending project. By the look of things, resources meant for the project might have been diverted or even looted.
“Council previously made promises of constructing up to standard roads to residents for a long time, but this promise has not been fulfilled though the local authority received funds from government under the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Program (ERRP),” said Chepiri.
When contacted for comment, Ward 5 Masvingo (RDC) Councilor Aleta Makomeke highlighted that the road project has taken long than expected therefore inconveniencing residents.
“We had a meeting on September 14, 2021 and frantic efforts to engage the contractor to expedite the completion of the road are being made. Soon the project will resume going stage by stage,” said Makomeke.
Masvingo RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Martin Mubviro said grieving residents have to come forward and report the matter straight to council for a lasting solution.
“Contractors are already doing their job and residents should communicate to council all their grievances,” said Mubviro.
Recently Mashava residents fumed at a budget consultative meeting where they expressed their displeasure over ‘unfair treatment’ by the local authority in implementation of developmental projects.

Stakeholders’ input critical for CALA success

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Stakeholders’ input critical for CALA success

The recently re-introduced Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) sounds like a noble idea in as far as formative assessment of school learners is concerned though the reservations by a section of stakeholders in the education sector would raise eyebrows on its intended success.
The statement issued by Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary education Edgar Moyo that ‘The most vocal are non-progressive, but the progressive ones are quiet. They must reduce their appetite of postponing this and postponing that’ could prove to be an underestimation of the critical role those stakeholders who were suggesting the postponement in implementing the programme.
The success of education in any given society must be hinged on the various players and thus not taking consideration of their views or opinions on particular issues need to be seriously taken into account.
Teachers play an equally important role in the implementation of the curriculum, hence their contribution to success should be taken note of. The fact that they are already demotivated with earning a decent salary being a bone of contention between the employer and employee with no lasting solution being muted.
Government should always weigh options on how to go about certain programmes in the wake of the floppy implementation of the revised curriculum which left so many citizens wandering as to what former education minister Lazarus Dokora was up to when the programme he started saw the plundering of US$ 4 million which arguably went down the drain.
Learning from that ‘mistake’ would have been a better option to Moyo instead of imposing the programme on educators when he is well aware that morale is at its lowest level among the workforce whose dignity is now a thing of the past.
The new dispensation should have learnt from the mistake Dokora made then correct such instead of repeating the same undoing which sooner or later will cost the nation’s once thriving and highly-ranked literacy level.
Consider teachers integral part of curriculum implementation and avoid taking them for slaves who would just listen from their master when the master does not.
What would be of the rural learners under such scenarios?
The research-based CALA would need commitment of the teacher on the ground but with the situation currently obtaining in most educational institutions, a dark cloud hangs over the success on whether they will benefit or not.
Thus considering the input of all concerned stakeholders is the key driver of development.

Residents appeal for Chikanga market relocation

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Residents appeal for Chikanga market relocation

Leslie Karumbidza

MUTARE-Residents in Chikanga have appealed to the Mutare City Council to find an alternative place to relocate the newly opened Chikanga market which they claim has brought suffering within the community.
The market place, which is located close to residential areas is causing land, air pollution and have seen the number of criminal activities rising within the community as some residents have reported cases of break ins and stolen car batteries.
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT) Director Edson Dube told TellZim News that it is disheartening that the youth center has been invaded by council through allowing the Chikanga market to continue its operations, and council should look for alternative places to relocate the market away from the sports field which it has invaded.
“We call upon the local authorities to come up with alternative solutions to find a well designated place for the market and withdraw from the sports field as this belongs to the youths.
“The continued use of the Sports Center as a vending site is insensitive as the field was acting as a rehabilitation center for the youths as they could use it to engage in different sporting activities which would take away their minds off drugs and harmful substance abuse,” said Dube.
Charles Moyo a resident in Chikanga expressed his disgruntlement and said the local authority at first did not consult residents about their move to relocate the vendors from Sakubva into the sports field.
“We once wrote a petition to council about the problems which the market has brought to us as residents but up to now they have not replied. The market is causing suffering within our residential areas. Land pollution has been the major problem as council is even failing to provide bins at the site and there is litter everywhere,” said Moyo.
Residents have also complained about noise coming from the market, as well as air pollution is also being experienced.
Mutare Mayor Cllr Blessing Tandi said the market was moved there as a way to decongest and decentralize old markets in Sakubva and it is just temporary setup.
“During the Covid-19 times we saw it fit to decongest Sakubva markets as a way to avoid the spread of the disease as the markets were flooding with many people.
“Council has not yet found an alternative place to move the market away from residential areas and the sporting field but sooner than later the resolution will be out,” said Tandi.

Mupandawana High SDC dissolved over fraudulent activities

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Mupandawana High SDC dissolved over fraudulent activities

…Covid-19 blamed for disposal of school projects

Kimberly Kusauka

Mupandawana High School Development Committee (SDC) was dissolved last week after allegations of improper disposal of school projects and assets that were distributed without following due processes during the Covid-19 induced lockdowns.
Parents and school authorities held a crunch Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 16, where they passed a vote of no confidence and unanimously agreed to dissolve the SDC.
The meeting was convened after school standards continuously deteriorated at one of Gutu District’s oldest schools.
The projects, including piggery and poultry were allegedly disposed after school authorities cited economic hardships of Covid-19 arguing that the school coffers were dry since no tuition was paid during the lockdown period.
Efforts to get a comment from School Head Kundai Kufa were fruitless as she declined the call and never picked her mobile when persistent efforts to contact her were made.
A new SDC elected and to be chaired by Innocent Bveketo vowed to bring sanity and accountability to the school.
“I was appointed the new chairperson for the SDC and we promise to bring transparency and accountability to the school. We are going to make financial statements and call auditors to audit the school accounts so that we start on a clean slate,” said Bveketo.
Bveketo a former secretary with the dissolved SDC board will work with a committee that includes Thaddeus Vhondo and Samuel Mawere.

 

Of herd immunity and low vaccination turnout

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Of herd immunity and low vaccination turnout

….growing complacency or chaotic administration at vaccination centres

Kimberly Kusauka

When government rolled out the Covid-19 vaccination programme back in February this year, a lot has taken place in as far as the administration of the jab is concerned and quite a number of factors came into play as the nation embraced it.
The nation targeted to reach herd immunity in which 60 percent of the total population should be vaccinated by December this year, a deadline government set.
There are, however a number of factors at play pointing to hindrance to the achievement of the herd immunity chief among them being low turnout at vaccination centers, evidenced by shorter to no queues compared to the past few months.
Lack of information and misinformation regarding the Covid-19 vaccine in Zimbabwe appears to be stepping up, leaving several people across the country undecided on whether to be vaccinated or not hence hindering the nation’s target of reaching herd immunity by December.
Last month, Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu said the province’s vaccination programme was at one point affected by staff shortages since most of the staff tested positive to Covid-19 and administration challenges where some centers who would run out of vaccine and take time to communicate for the delivery of the next consignment.
At the time, Dr Shamhu said the issue of staff shortages is a national problem hence the solution does not lie in the province.
“We cannot quickly resolve the issue of staff shortages anytime soon since it has to be approved by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development since they have to make a budget for the new staff salaries,” said Dr Shamhu.
About the administration challenges of getting enough vaccines for the province, Dr Shamhu said the province has no power to ask for the vaccines they need but they receive any consignment given to them, which is mainly influenced by the vaccine uptake.
“We do not bargain for the number of vaccines we need as a province but we receive any amount consigned to us and obviously we give districts where demand is high more doses than districts where the demand is low.
“The response to the vaccine is overwhelming in the province and centers end up having nothing to spare,” said Dr Shamhu.
He said so far 20 percent of the provincial population has been vaccinated and will provide current statistics as soon as he got them.
“We need to calculate the figures so that we know the number of people that have been vaccinated so far in the province, so last week we were at 20 percent,” said Dr Shamhu.
Medical expert, Dr Phineas Makurira said it is possible for the nation to reach herd immunity by December this year since government had involved private players in providing the jab which he feels will go a long way in making the vaccine more accessible and conveniently.
“It is still possible to reach targeted herd immunity because the channel of vaccination has improved whereby vaccination centers have been increased. Initially private sectors were excluded from offering the service.
“Our center (Makurira Memorial Clinic) has been inspected and we are now waiting for the government to deliver the vaccines so that we start vaccinating.
“Those in different provinces who have the right to distribute the vaccine should do it properly so that we reach herd immunity,” said Makurira.
specialists in the area however discovered that Zimbabwe’s low vaccine rate is as a result of societal myths and rumors surrounding Covid-19 vaccine that have created a hesitancy syndrome in people especially those living in the country’s remote areas.
Masvingo Provincial Covid-19 Taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said the province and the nation at large can reach herd immunity but people in remote areas are not fully participating in the vaccination program as well as abiding by rules and regulations as they think the pandemic is a myth and only affects those in urban areas.
“As a taskforce we are working everyday carrying out campaigns in a bid to reach herd immunity. However, we are having challenges with people from marginalized and rural areas who think that Covid-19 does not affect them as they shun wearing face masks; gather in large numbers at various events and thus living life the way they used to even before the pandemic.
“Therefore, we are trying by all means to disseminate information and educate them that they should get vaccinated and adhere to Covid-19 regulations all the time,” said Irimayi.
The exclusion of pregnant and lactating women from the vaccination programme has also been raised as another obstacle towards herd immunity achievement as they are also part of the target population.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) however said they will include the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children from 14-17 years in the vaccination program about a month ago but to date nothing has been done to include these groups and arguably, eyebrows have been raised on the commitment of government towards the set goal of herd immunity.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the MoHCC, Donald Mujiri said the Ministry is in process to vaccinate all eligible people and herd immunity could be reached within stipulated period.
“The Ministry is on the ground working on including the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children from the age of 14-17 in the vaccination program so that the country reaches herd immunity by December this year,” said Mujiri.
Mujiri said the MoHCC would continue acquiring more vaccines so that 60 percent of the total population would be vaccinated before year-end.
“The MoHCC is not stopping to look for more Covid-19 vaccines so that a total population of 60 percent would have been vaccinated by December and the nation would reach herd immunity,” said Mujiri.
Recently a provisional High Court order allowed unvaccinated congregants to attend church services together with the vaccinated members who have been attending services a few weeks ago which some experts say that this might lead to people relaxing and omit vaccination.
Zion Christian Church Leader Reverend Offiro Mawewe said the High court has done well by giving provisional order allowing unvaccinated members to attend church services because vaccination should be voluntary not mandatory though he however encourages church members to abide by the Covid-19 regulations so as to curb the spread of the virus.
“Allowing unvaccinated church members to attend church is a good move made by the High Court of Zimbabwe. I always wanted vaccination to be voluntary not mandatory.
“We are aware that the unvaccinated members might spread the virus to the vaccinated members in church but we will continue preaching the advantages of getting vaccinated and encouraging our members to get vaccinated as well as abiding by Covid-19 regulations at all times,” said Mawewe.
He also said it might not be possible for the nation to reach herd immunity now that lockdown measures have been relaxed from level four to two prompting reluctance among people.
“It is now a bit difficult for the nation to reach herd immunity since we are now in level two. The vaccination program will not be at the peak like it was during level four, so I think the nation will not achieve herd immunity by December,” said Mawewe.
Some commentators say that the spread of rumors about the vaccine on social media is causing hesitation and people end up opting not to take the jab hence the nation might not reach herd immunity by December.
In a story recently published by TellZim News, Communication specialist Dr Gift Gwindingwe said many online platforms spread unverified information thereby misleading people especially in the peri-urban and rural areas where people have limited access to the mainstream media.
“On social media platforms individuals are not concerned on whether they are sharing correct and verified information or not, unlike what professional journalists do on their official accounts, websites or in their official media channels,” said Dr Gwindingwe.
As at September 13 a total number of 2 856 955 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 out of a total population of approximately 15 million people in the nation.

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