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Masvingo Councilors In Voter Education Drive

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Masvingo Councilors In Voter Education Drive

 …as ZEC intensifies media campaigns

George Chimwayange

As the 2023 harmonized elections draw closer, a number of Masvingo Urban councilors have confirmed that they have already embarked on a voter education drive which seeks to improve youth participation in electoral processes. 

TellZim News caught up with some councillors who revealed that they were making frantic efforts to maximize youth participation which will likely improve voter turnout in the forthcoming elections.

Ward 1 Councilor, Alderman Selina Maridza said she is capitalizing on all social gatherings where youths will be gathered to spread the gospel of registering to vote.  

“I am trying my best to bring awareness amongst the youth in my ward. Whenever I see a group of young people playing soccer, at shopping centres or at boreholes, I educate and encourage them to go and register to vote. I have assisted some of them to access national identity documents so that they can be able to register,” said Maridza. 

Ward 10 Councilor, Sengerayi Manyanga said due to Covid-19 restrictions that bar people from gathering he has resorted to utilizing online media platforms to rally youths to vote.

“I am using social media platforms like WhatsApp and have created groups targeting youths in my ward so that I can encourage them to go and register to vote.  Statistics show that the youth are not registering to vote so in almost every WhatsApp group, I urge youths to register to vote,” said Manyanga. 

Deputy Mayor and Ward 6 Councilor, Wellington Mahwende said he has lined up sporting events to spread awareness but was waiting for the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. 

“I have lined up a number of soccer and netball matches for youths as a way to rally them to register to vote in 2023 so am just waiting for Covid-19 regulations to be relaxed. I have already bought new balls and kits,” said Mahwende. 

Ward 8 councilor, Against Chiteme who is also a religious sect leader said he is capitalizing on that platform to implore those eligible to vote to go and register. 

“Everyone should go out in their numbers to exercise their right and register to vote. I am also spreading the message through church platforms and through social media platforms because we cannot gather due to Covid-19 restrictions,” said Chiteme. 

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Masvingo has also collaborated with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to intensify their voter registration campaign in rural areas. 

ZEC Deputy Provincial Election Officer, (PEO) Maxwell Ncube said they are working with NGOs in spreading the message to the people in rural areas. 

“We are working with a number of NGOs which are helping in spreading the message in rural areas especially where there is limited radio frequency.  We have people who are doing awareness campaigns in rural areas,” said Ncube. 

Some of the organizations which have been working on voter education campaigns include; Elections Resources Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN).

ZEC Masvingo managed to register only 72 people across all the seven districts in June, where Gutu had  44 new voters, Masvingo registered 23, Chiredzi four, Mwenezi one while Bikita, Chivi and Zaka offices did not record any new voter. 

‘No Donations Without Zanu Pf Approval’

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‘No Donations Without Zanu Pf Approval’

Brighton Chiseva

Zanu PF Zaka District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has banned party members from doing charity work like donating goods without knowledge and approval from the DCC, sitting councilor and respective Member of Parliament (MP).

The move is meant to bar aspiring MPs and councillors from campaigning indirectly as has been the case.

In a communication that circulated in Zanu PF social media platforms, the DCC said failure to abide by  new regulations by party members was going to attract disciplinary action.

“Members are advised not to distribute any donations, financial or material, without the knowledge of DCC or sitting MPs. This position was taken by the DCC in order to strengthen unity and peace in the party

“Distribution by non-state actors in our wards should be done with councillors who in turn inform their MPs. A violation of this position by Zanu PF cadres attracts disciplinary action over such. Anyone who wants clarity on this position can contact the DCC Chairman,” reads the memo.

However, Zaka DCC secretary for information Pepukai Chiwewe dismissed the communication saying they did not ban donations but as a party, they wanted to foster unity and development.

He said in the meantime, the party was only campaigning for the president so party members, councillors and MPs should work together to foster development and show a united front.

“We urged our members to do donations in presence of the MP or councillor so that we do not seem to be fueling divisions. That shows we are working together. Currently we are not campaigning for any other position. We are only campaigning for the president so there is no problem in people going together to do charity work and campaign for the president,” said Chiwewe.

However, sources within the party in Zaka district said this move was a result of fear among  sitting councillors and MPs as aspiring candidates are already campaigning indirectly.

“The MPs are afraid of competition from aspiring candidates and they want to ban them from indirectly campaigning. A number of aspiring candidates have already started doing charity work in the constituencies especially in Zaka Central where there are a number of candidates,” said the source

Another source said sitting MPs in Zaka are afraid of competition and want to use their positions in the DCC and Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) positions to elbow out rivals.

Clemence Chiduwa of Zaka East and Davison Svuure of Zaka Central are DCC Chairperson and vice chairperson respectively.

Robson Mavhenyengwa of Zaka North is Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) vice Chairperson and Zaka West’s Ophias Murambiwa is the PCC secretary for Information.

Religious, Traditional Beliefs Major Hindrance For Aspiring Female Politicians

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Religious, Traditional Beliefs Major Hindrance For Aspiring Female Politicians

…as women rights groups demand quality service delivery

Melinda Kusemachibi/Nancy Bayereka

MASVINGO– The political environment has always been deemed unfavorable for aspiring female politicians whose low participation has been attributed to religious and traditional beliefs that bar them from taking up leadership positions.

Speaking during a recent online meeting facilitated by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) representative, Tawanda Mafuta said some religious sects were demonizing women who are active in politics.

“Women constitute more than half of the world’s population but their participation in electoral and governance processes that affect their lives is very limited or rather minimal.

“Some religious sects discourage women to participate in political and leadership processes quoting some biblical teachings, therefore, we often see low turnout of women in electoral processes,” said Mafuta.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Masvingo District Elections Officer (DEO), Gertrude Murumbi said the commission was leading by example as women occupy its top posts.

“The Commission is leading by example. This is confirmed by the balanced gender representation whereby, our chairperson is a female and there are female directors at the Commission. There is no male domination,” said Murumbi.

Meanwhile, WCoZ has teamed up with two other organizations to demand an end to dwindling service delivery, which they believe is mostly disadvantaging women and children.

Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) and Women in Politics Support Unit (WIPSU) have embarked on a programme, ‘Collective Action to Realize Equality’ (CARE) being funded by Womankind that is meant to capacitate women in demanding efficient service delivery.

Grace Sithole who attended a two-day virtual meeting organized by the three organizations meeting lamented delayed refuse collection and how it has fueled illegal dumpsites that are now a health hazard.

“The dumpsite in Sisk near the Border football ground is a threat to us and our children who pick up used masks and other objects which may be hazardous to their health. Council is not doing anything about the area so they must address this issue because it has become a health hazard,” said Sithole.

City of Masvingo Acting Assistant Welfare and Recreation officer, Chishamiso Mhizha encouraged residents to avoid illegal dumping of waste and compliment council’s efforts in refuse collection.

“Let us always report such cases to our nearest council offices and avoid littering as this affects all of us , so let us help each other and keep Masvingo clean,” said Mhizha.

City of Masvingo currently has only two functional refuse compactors that are not enough for the whole city that is growing.

Corruption: VID depots point fingers over horror crash

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Clayton Shereni

Masvingo and Zvishavane Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) depots are playing the blame game after details emerged that the Toyota Wish that was involved in the Mhandamabwe road carnage which claimed 20 lives recently had been impounded and corrupt officials may have released it in unclear circumstances.
The Toyota Wish, which was carrying 10 people had reportedly been booked twice by the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) but mysteriously found itself on the road.
Blame game seems to be in play as both the Masvingo and Zvishavane are denying that they had booked the vehicle twice, despite the matter being confirmed by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona on July 9 when he visited the accident scene.
Mhona on July 9 visited the accident scene and said he also wanted to know how the Toyota Wish found its way to the road when it had been impounded, as he had been told there were VID papers to that effect.
“As you have heard from the VID officials, the Toyota Wish was not supposed to be on the road as they are in possession of papers that proves that it was supposed to be in their custody as they had impounded it. We want to know how the car found its way on the road as it was supposed to be at the respective VID Depot,” Mhona said.
When contacted for comment, VID National Director Dr Johannes Pedzapasi referred the reporter to VID Masvingo Depot manager Paulos Banda for finer details.
“You can get in touch with Banda who is the Masvingo manager so that they check their records,” said Dr Pedzapasi.
When TellZim News contacted Banda, he said they were not the ones who had impounded the car, directing all questions to VID Zvishavane Depot.

“We received the report from the Zvishavane Depot, so you can contact Zvishavane Depot manager. He is the one who can comment,” said Banda.
Zvishavane Depot manager Godfrey Mashoko however denied ever booking the vehicle and said Masvingo Depot was answerable to the case.
“That car falls under the jurisdiction of Masvingo, I just accompanied them to the accident scene. They are responsible and they are the ones who took the car. If they keep on
denying it, tell us then we tell the directors,” said Mashoko.
Calls have been made for heads to roll and national police spokesperson, Asst. comm Paul Nyathi last week said they are not going to leave no stone unturned to expose how the two vehicles got past checkpoints when they were overloaded.
However, Nyathi on July 15, 2021, said he cannot give a timeframe for the investigation which he said was still in progress.
“The investigation is still ongoing. We can’t give you the exact dates of conclusion but when we are done with investigations, we will let you know,” said Nyathi.
Drivers of pirate Toyota Wish vehicles usually travel at high speeds as they will be racing against their daily monetary targets.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) Director Clifford Gobo expressed disappointment in the conduct of road users and called for compliance to the law by all citizens so as to reduce road accidents.
“Only roadworthy vehicles must be on the roads and the passengers themselves must reject to be overloaded because they also have a responsibility to protect themselves. The transporters should be good citizens who follow the rules. If your vehicle is deemed not roadworthy by VID then we mustn’t see it on the road,” said Gobo.
Earlier this year three VID officials were arrested in Karoi for allegedly parceling out 26 provisional licenses to prospective drivers who had allegedly failed the mandatory written examinations.
This has allegedly spread out to the unwarranted release of vehicles at various depots across the country.
Toyota Wish vehicles are now a common feature on the Masvingo-Mbalabala highway and many times these vehicles will be overloaded, mixing goods and passengers.

Climate change, Covid-19 double tragedy for rural women

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Climate change, Covid-19 double tragedy for rural women

Courage Dutiro 

The outbreak of Covid-19 has doubled the plight of rural folk, where the impact of climate change on the socio-economic state of women continues to take its toll.

Rural women who have been hard hit by climate change before the outbreak of the pandemic are being dealt another major blow as Covid-19 worsened their day to day living standards. 

The latest World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report, before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic ranked climaterelated risks at the helm of 10 global threats. 

Speaking to TellZim News, Shamiso Mupara an Environmentalist and founder of Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe (EBZ) said rural women who have been grossly affected by climate change are enduring a rough patch at the hands of Covid-19.

 “Most Zimbabwean cultural norms burden women with the responsibility to provide food (relish), fuel and water. Mostly, they depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Therefore, rural women are affected by climate change because it affects the natural resources, for example, water scarcity is caused by extremely hot temperatures and droughts. In this covid-19 era women in rural areas are forced to travel long distances many times to fetch clean water,” she said. 

Tatenda Mutasa an official from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry said rural women depend on agriculture for food security and if agriculture is affected by climate change rural women now need to diversify their livelihoods by venturing into other activities so as to sustain their incomes, which are however affected by Covid-19 regulations.

“If agriculture is affected by climate change, women need to diversify their livelihoods and venture into other forms of livelihood activities like clay pot making but others do not have the skills. Those who have the skills do not have the capital to do such projects. Those who can do such activities especially in this Covid-19 era are not able to travel to urban and other areas to sell their products due to Covid19-induced travel restrictions,” he said. 

Mutasa added that women are the pillars of most households, but if they are impacted on negatively it means everything is distracted. 

“Rural women need to make sure that there is enough food, clean water at the house and also make sure that children are safe and protected from the Covid-19 virus. The burden of water and firewood fetching owing to climate change that ruined the natural resources base force rural women to walk for long distances which in most cases can expose them to the risk of infection. At some water sources they would be crowded and this puts them at the risk of contracting Covid-19,” he added. 

In recent weeks, rural setups across the country including Chivi, Zaka and Chiredzi have been recording an increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases. 

In some rural areas, people travel long distances to get water, one can travel 1,5 to 2 km to the nearest water source during dry spells. 

Villagers of Mabhiza area in ward 23 of Chivi South travel for more than 2km to Mutumbwi garden where they fetch water at a nearby borehole. 

As a result, villagers in the area are not able to provide enough safe water at hand washing points popularly known as chigubhu-giya.

These points were introduced as a way of trying to curb the spread of the novel virus but scarcity of water has forced villagers to ignore this safety precaution and it has also forced them to abandon their gardening activities hence affecting food security. 

Introduction of community gardens which are powered by solar boreholes can help to address the gendered impact of climate change  in rural communities.

Covid-19 is intensifying the problems created by climate change on rural women whose food security systems and livelihood options are running out.

Zaka man axes friend for dating his daughter

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Zaka man axes friend for dating his daughter

Blessed Mandaza

CHIREDZI-A Zaka man will spend the next five years in jail for attempted murder after he attacked his friend with an axe for having an affair with his daughter.

Maxon Mungozi (31) from Manyemba Village under Chief Nhema in Zaka had initially been slapped with six years imprisonment by Chiredzi Magistrate Judith Zuyu, but one year was suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

The state case as presented by Prosecutor Rutendo Ndibwe was that on April 2 this year, Mungozi and his friend Peter Mutorogodi (40) were summoned by Chief Nhema to bring axes and matchetes for the clearance of Zunde Ramambo.

On their way back home after completing the task they were assigned to do at the Chief’s court, the two began arguing, with Mungozi accusing Mutorogodi of having an affair with his daughter. 

A misunderstanding ensued and the two exchanged harsh words until Mungozi   seized the Mutorogodi’s axe and struck him on his left arm, which made him fall in a pit where he continued striking him with the axe’s cutting edge.

Mutorogodi was later rescued by passersby after they saw him being attacked by Mungozi around 8pm, before he was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where he was transferred to Harare for treatment.

In his defense, Mungozi argued that he was trying to get hold of the axe to stop Mutorogodi from injuring himself, which led to Mutorogodi accidentally getting injured when the axe fell on the ground.

Zim Internet Service providers widening digital divide

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Zim Internet Service providers widening digital divide

Leslie Karumbidza

The cost of internet bandwidth in Zimbabwe during Covid-19 has created an inequality that will only be improved through policy formulation and enhancement, a MISA Zimbabwe Multi-stakeholder engagement meeting on internet and accessibility in Zimbabwe recently noted.

The meeting, which was held virtually on July 2 2021 was attended by members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICTs), together with content creators and internet service providers.

Speaking during the meeting, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on ICTs deputy chairperson and Hurungwe North legislator Ability Gandawa said with the Covid-19 pandemic having increased reliance on the internet, Zimbabwe was facing digital inequality and there is consensus that internet affordability is a challenge in Zimbabwe.

“The covid-19 pandemic has left most citizens without adequate information both in rural and urban areas. Cost of data is high and internet accessibility is a challenge in Zimbabwe, and internet service providers have indicated that the rise in data is due to operation cost which then determines the overall cost.

“The development of a stable internet which will enable all citizens to access it is being held out by government regulations which acknowledges that there is need for improvement on those policies. 

“These policies will create demand among citizens and competition from internet service providers,” said Gandawa.

Gandawa said the government through POTRAZ was in the process of constructing base stations in marginalized areas using its own resources so that the service providers will be able to improve network connectivity in rural areas.

Speaking in the same meeting, Community Podium TV Executive Director Nkosikhona Dibiti highlighted the impact internet accessibility and affordability has on content creators and the media, which affects the free flow of news and information.

“Internet access is severely limited in Zimbabwe, exacerbated by a growing economic crisis. Internet penetration, quality and accessibility of connections remain limited in practice, therefore the cost of accessing news becomes a challenge.

“People in the rural areas use WhatsApp as the primary source of news, and sometimes bandwidth is out of reach, affecting them on accessing their sole source of information,” Dibiti said. 

Dibiti also said internet accessibility also affects content creators as much as it affects consumers of content because they have to research and fact check before publishing information.

“Limited access of social media information verification tools and language of news makes it difficult for people who then have to make life and death decisions based on information they are inherently skeptical about,” said Dibiti.

The Girls Table Programs Officer Sandra Nokuthula Gama also said women in rural areas find it difficult to access information as there is lack of homegrown solutions to digital inequality.

“Language is a barrier as most digital platforms, websites and programs are in English. There is need for homegrown solution as to accommodate the rural population.

“Society thinks social media platforms are for people with loose morals and some youth are not even allowed to have social media platforms which is a stumbling block in bridging the digital divide,” said Gama.

Following the Covid-19 induced lockdowns that require social distancing, dependence on the internet has grown since the start of the pandemic.

Lions club extends helping hand to PWDs

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Lions club extends helping hand to PWDs


Blessed Mandaza

CHIREDZI-Having spent the last 38 years struggling to move around conveniently, a 42 year old Chiredzi woman has finally found reprieve after Lions Club Chiredzi Chapter recently handed her a donation.

 Haruperi Katini of Vhurumuku area in Chiredzi was a fortnight ago surprised with a wheelchair, a food hamper among other goodies by the Melvin Jones Lions Club Chiredzi Chapter at a ceremony held at Camp David in the Lowveld. 

Katini suffered a stroke at the age of four and this unfortunate incident has brought a lot of problems for her, as she is often segregated society. 

Katini had a torrid time in accessing public transport and sometimes the operators would demand money to accommodate her whenever she wanted to seek medical attention. 

Speaking after receiving the donation, Katini expressed gratitude to the Lions Club saying she was now capacitated to roam around mixing with others. 

“Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for this donation. I never saw this coming and it came as a surprise for me, surely I can now go to the shops and also visit friends and family in the vicinity,” said Katini. 

Former Lions District Charter Governor David Saunyama said it was the organization’s mission to put smiles on the less privileged and marginalized members of the society. 

“As Lions, our everyday goal and mission is to put smiles on the less privileged members of the societies we live in. They also deserve the best and today we remembered them,” said Saunyama. 

The Chapter, in partnership with Botswana’s Phalakhane Lions Club also handed over clutches, sanitary pads and groceries to Primrose Hlaisi at the same ceremony. 

Lions Club is an international organization and also has a district charter which constitutes of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi and Mozambique. 

Chiredzi West Member of Parliament, Farai Musikavanhu and Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson and Lions Club member, Gibson Hwende were also in attendance. 

Masvingo man jailed for defrauding job seekers

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Masvingo man jailed for defrauding job seekers

Nancy Bayereka

A Masvingo man was recently sentenced to 21 months behind bars after being convicted of defrauding people who he promised to assist to get jobs and driver’s licenses after paying him a certain amount of money.

Polite Mushore (45) was initially slapped with 24 months imprisonment by Masvingo Magistrate Grace Tupiri who later suspended three months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.  

On June 13 2021 Mushore (45) met Christabel Charity Guchu (27) and told her that he worked for the Vehicle Examination Department (VED), Masvingo depot and convinced Guchu to pay some money and get a driver’s license. 

Mushore further claimed that there were job vacancies at VED and for Guchu to get a job there, she was supposed to pay him US$120 after which she paid.

After receiving the money, Mushore disappeared into thin air while the desperate Guchu kept looking for him to get an update.

Two days later, Mushore then approached Bongani Ngwenya and told her the same story, after which he was paid an undisclosed amount of money and once again disappeared.

Ngwenya was later told that Mushore was an employee at Econet Wireless not VED and on realizing that he was tricked, Ngwenya reported the matter to the police. 

Mushore then started going around Masvingo pretending to be an Econet Wireless employee and met Yolanda Matambudze who he told to pay some money so that she will be given interview questions for her to be employed at Econet Masvingo branch. 

He also approached Martha Taruvanda falsely claiming that if she pays him a certain amount of money he would assist her with getting training to get employment at Econet Chiredzi branch.

Mushore’s luck ran out when police caught up with him after Taruvanda and Ngwenya made reports at Masvingo Central Police Station leading to his arrest.

Prosecutor Nyaradzo Maorera represented the state.

Old infrastructure to blame for Gweru perennial water woes

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Old infrastructure to blame for Gweru perennial water woes

George Chimwayange 

Infrastructure which was last upgraded over 50 years ago has been blamed for Gweru City Council’s failure to supply clean water to its residents despite its two main water sources, Gwenhoro and Amaponongwe dams being 90 percent full in capacity, a recent report revealed.

The Public Resource Management and Situational Report of May 2021 by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) revealed that the local authority continues to tighten water rationing in areas around the city where some areas have gone for long with dry taps.

“Although water is a basic human right and a key to achieving gender equality and household food security, water shortages continue to manifest themselves in Gweru and other cities,” reads the report.

Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe attributed the water shortages to challenges in maintaining a dilapidated infrastructure, some of which was last upgraded 54 years ago.

“The water situation in Gweru is mainly because of an obsolete infrastructure the city has.

“The treatment plant was put in place in 1967 and has never been upgraded nor changed in spite of the growth in the city’s population from 170 000 then to approximately 350 000 people,” said Makombe

The city of Gweru was once hit by a typhoid outbreak which claimed many lives in 2008 and this current situation poses another looming health disaster.

Hwange town was also mentioned in the report as it faces a similar challenge of failure to access clean water despite being next to Zambezi River. 

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