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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.

Incapacitated ZPCS using public transport to ferry inmates

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Incapacitated ZPCS using public transport to ferry inmates

Clayton Shereni

MASVINGO– Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) are reportedly using public transport to ferry inmates from Mutimurefu prison to Masvingo Magistrate’s and High courts due to persistent breakdown of ZPCS security vehicles.
ZPCS Masvingo province has just one security truck that has been down with mechanical faults for over a month.
This has left authorities at Mutimurefu with no choice but to resort to public transport and use of some vehicles owned by ZPCS officers.
Contacted for comment, ZPCS Masvingo Public Relations Officer, Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Stanslous Sanike declined to comment and referred all questions to the national spokesperson.
“I cannot comment on that for now, its best that you get in touch with the national spokesperson as he is the one who can give you a response pertaining to that,” said Sanike.
Mutimurefu, which has a holding capacity of 800 inmates is reportedly overwhelmed and is failing to make it possible for inmates to be arraigned before the courts.
Sanike however said he could not reveal the number of inmates at Mutimurefu prison that he said was in violation of their constitution.
“We are not allowed to disclose the number of inmates in jail, and that is according to our constitution. So I cannot give you the number of inmates at the facility,” said Sanike.
ZPCS national spokesperson, Superintendent Meya Khanyenzi was recently quoted in the press saying they had few trucks that are grounded and that they are in dire need of more trucks.
“We do not have enough vehicles to ferry inmates to and from court. Most of the vehicles are down and parked at our workshops countrywide. The current fleet is obsolete and we need more vehicles. For us to function properly, we require 45 more security trucks,” said Supt Khanyenzi.
ZPCS has 46 facilities spread across the country but only 11 vehicles are servicing all, one vehicle per province while Harare has two servicing six prisons.

Masvingo High Court acquits convicted rural teacher

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Masvingo High Court acquits convicted rural teacher

Leslie Karumbidza

Masvingo High Court recently reversed judgement and quashed charges leveled against a 53-year-old teacher arrested in 2020 for protesting against poor salaries.
Masvingo Provincial Gender Secretary for Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Sheila Chisirimunhu was arrested in June 2020 together with ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure for staging an ‘illegal protest’.
Masvingo Magistrate Mbonisi Ndlovu convicted and sentenced Chisirimunhu to 16 months imprisonment and conditionally suspended eight months on good behaviour for participating in the protest.
She was later released pending appeal after spending 18 days in prison at Mutimurefu.
Chisirimunhu through her Lawyer Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers of Human Rights (ZLHR) appealed to the High Court challenging Ndlovu’s ruling.
Two Masvingo High Court Judges Justice Sunsley Zisengwe and Justice Garainesu Mawadze on September 15 2021 quashed the conviction and 16-month imprisonment of Chisirumunhu.
Chisirimunhu and other 48 accused persons still at large stormed the Ministry of Education Masvingo District Offices carrying rolled banners with different messages denouncing the Zimbabwean currency.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure told TellZim News that the judgement shows government’s attempt to use the judiciary to thwart labor rights but had been successfully thwarted.
“Our right to protest has been upheld. Going forward the union will embark on mass mobilization for mass protests demanding a living wage and improvement of welfare of teachers which we have been calling to the government to change,” said Masaraure.
The teachers protested against poor salaries, unfavorable working conditions and demanded to be paid a monthly salary equivalent to US$520.

‘How Far?’- TellZim, ZIMCODD take council to task

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‘How Far?’- TellZim, ZIMCODD take council to task

Beatific Gumbwanda

Chiredzi Town Council recently confirmed that they are still conducting a comprehensive study on ways to mitigate water challenges in Ward 5 which has gone for decades without the precious liquid.
Speaking at the How Far feedback meeting organized by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) in collaboration with TellZim News at Westwood Lodge, councilors explained the progress they have since made and challenges they are facing as far as service delivery is concerned.
Chiredzi Town Council Vice Chairperson, Ropafadzo Makumire highlighted that water distribution in ward 5 is a thorn in council’s flesh as they are still conducting comprehensive studies on ways to solve the recurring challenge which continues to haunt the oldest location.
“We made promises as council on the way forward to the challenges we were facing as a town and now ZIMCODD and TellZim News are here to check on the progress we have since made in our service delivery through the How Far campaign.
“On the water situation, in ward 5, it is a miracle to have a shower. The ward is a red zone where we are doing a comprehensive study in order to solve the problem but council is procuring some pipes in order to isolate this ward from the main water line as our current water system does not have pressure to fill up ward five which is on higher ground,” said Makumire.
He added that though they are still facing a challenge in ward 5, they have managed to solve the same challenge in wards 2, 7 and 8.
“We managed to construct a direct water line to Makondo 9 (ward 8) and it has been helpful enough as quite a number of households are receiving water though on zonal basis. 85percent of the residents are now having water.
“The upgrade of our water treatment plant requires a lot of money which is beyond our capacity as local authority and for ward 7 we have begun another direct line which is connecting the one at the Lowveld Adventist Primary School which I am sure will help mitigate water challenges in ward 7,” he added.
However, United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) Advocacy Officer Constance Chikumbo said council was reducing the morale on rate payments by residents as they are taking long to process payments through their biller code.
“During this time, where we are being urged to do business from home, residents no longer opting to pay using the biller code as some are forced to pay twice after failure by local authority to process those payments and this is going to reduce council’s income,” said Chikumbo.
Ward 7 Councilor Rogers Chikonye chairperson of the Finance Committee also spoke on the budget performance as at June 2021 where they were supposed to collect ZWL$114 187 384.00 but they only collected ZWL$48 000 000.00 with a variance of ZWL$59 000 000.
“Our ZWL$457 000 000.00 budget for 2021 is not performing very well.
As at June 2021, we managed to collect only ZWL$48 000 000.00 instead of ZWL$ 114 187 384 making a variance of ZWL$59 000 000.00. We are still to receive our 2021 Devolution fund of ZWL$97 000 000.00 as well as ZINARA fund for ZWL$22 000 000.00 which we will use to put a tarred road on Magwaza road. We are still waiting for the disbursement of funds from the central government,” said Chikonye.
Council is owed a total of ZWL$81 425 927.39 against their debt of ZWL$15 882 271.00.

Rujeko D stands servicing on the cards

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Rujeko D stands servicing on the cards

Rebecca Tshoga

The wait for Masvingo residents on Rujeko D suburb waiting list will soon be over as council will start preparations to service the stands before issuing them out to beneficiaries.
Masvingo City Council is set to embark on a programme to service the stands so that the local authority can begin clearing the long waiting list.
Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa confirmed the development and said council is expecting house servicing as soon as they get the funding.
“The Rujeko D house servicing is still in progress but we are expecting to start as soon as November,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
Lack of funding has been cited as one of the major hindrances to infrastructure development.
Council applied to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in May this year for borrowing powers to raise more than US$ 7 Million to cater for housing and procurement of equipment, and part of the funds would go to the servicing of Rujeko D housing schemes.
“Negotiations with the Ministry of Local Government and Public works are still underway. As soon as funding comes in we will start the proper servicing of houses as we start issuing out stands to residents,” added Eng Mukaratirwa.
Stands surveyed in Rujeko D by Council are awaiting approval of layout by the Department of Physical Planning.
Council is hoping to have as many high density suburb stands as possible.
“The stands we are expecting are slightly above 700, as we wait for provision of offsite sewer reticulation infrastructure,” he said.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mutimba confirmed that residents are expecting the servicing of stands at Rujeko D to be complete so that they get their own properties.
“The servicing of stands at Rujeko D comes at a time when many residents are facing housing challenges, so this will allow residents their right to shelter,” said Mutimba.
Council suspended selling residential stands and the city’s housing backlog would be reduced through opening up more land for housing at Rujeko D.
“After servicing the housing backlog in the city will be reduced and residents will enjoy their right to shelter,” Mutimba said.
The Rujeko D project will also help in controlling the clustering of residents in the high density suburbs considering the growing population in the city.
“The population is getting larger by the day. A lot of people have been on the housing backlog list for over 10 years, so it is a right move for people who are renting houses which is becoming very expensive, so buying own stands will be helpful economically,” remarked Mutimba.

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