By TellZim Reporter
Masvingo Province emerged as one of the top performers at the 2026 Performance
Evaluation Ceremony held in Harare, scooping five awards across different categories and
reaffirming its growing reputation for strong public sector performance.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Ezra
Chadzamira, was named Best Performing Minister of State for the second consecutive year,
highlighting the province’s continued progress in implementing government programmes.
Masvingo also celebrated another repeat achievement after Provincial Affairs and Devolution
Permanent Secretary, Addmore Pazvakavambwa, was once again recognized as the Best
Performing Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
At local government level, Masvingo City and Ward 4 councillor Alec Tabe, received the
First Runner-Up award in the Mayor/Council Chairperson category for urban local
authorities.
In the rural local authority category, Chivi Rural District Council earned recognition after its
Chief Executive Officer was named runner up in the Best Performing Rural District Council
CEO category.
Meanwhile, Chiredzi Town Council was ranked the third best-performing urban council.
In other categories announced during the ceremony, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Minister Barbara Rwodzi was named Best Performing Cabinet Minister, while Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,
Prof Dr Obert Jiri won the Best Performing Permanent Secretary award.
Manicaland Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck
Mugadza, was named the second-best performing Minister of State.
Masvingo Province shines in 2026 performance evaluation ceremony
GZU Law School empowers Bikita community on Environmental Laws
BIKITA – Students from the Environmental and Mining Law Unit recently visited Chief Marozva in Bikita for a two-day community engagement and legal awareness programme aimed at educating residents about environmental protection and mining laws.
The programme, held from March 11-12, was organised by the Environmental and Mining Law Unit in partnership with the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Organisation (ZELO).
The initiative aimed to empower local communities with legal information that can help them understand and respond to environmental challenges linked to mining activities.
The delegation included ten law students, led by Executive Dean Mr Maphosa, together with law school librarian Mr Mafuta and environmental law lecturers Miss Masiya and Mrs Ndlovu.
The team met with Chief Marozva and his headmen to discuss environmental concerns affecting the community, including water pollution and land degradation caused by mining.
During the engagement, the students and lecturers held legal awareness sessions to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities under environmental and mining laws.
Community members were encouraged to report environmental damage and to make use of legal support structures available to them.
The Environmental and Mining Law Unit also explained its role in providing legal education and assisting communities to better understand environmental justice.
On the second day, the delegation attended a guest lecture hosted by the law school legal aid clinics at Great Zimbabwe University.
The lecture brought together legal and environmental experts to discuss environmental law, mining regulation, human rights and access to free legal aid.
The session featured Mr Mtisi, Deputy Director of ZELO, as well as representatives from the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Speakers highlighted the importance of protecting natural resources while ensuring that communities benefit from legal knowledge and support.
Organisers said programmes like this help strengthen the relationship between universities and communities while promoting environmental justice in mining areas.
They recommended more awareness campaigns and continued collaboration to support sustainable development.
Drug traffickers arrested with 200kg of mbanje disguised as blankets
By Ndinatsei Mavodza
MASVINGO – Eleven suspected drug traffickers were arrested on March 10 after police
intercepted a load of about 200 kilogrammes of dagga that had been disguised to look like
blankets in an attempt to avoid detection.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident in an X post and said the
suspects who are both men and women were travelling from Beitbridge when they were
stopped during a police operation.
The dagga had been carefully wrapped and packaged in a way that made it resemble blankets,
a tactic believed to have been meant to avoid suspicion during transportation.
During the operation, officers also recovered unregistered medicines that were found in the
suspects’ possession.
The 11 suspects were arrested at the scene and are expected to appear in court facing charges
related to the illegal possession and trafficking of drugs.
Police say investigations are still ongoing to determine whether other people could be linked
to the trafficking syndicate.
In a statement, ZRP warned that the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse
remains a top priority.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against
drug trafficking and substance abuse. All individuals involved in the illegal production,
transportation and distribution of drugs will be arrested and taken to court,” the police said.
Drug trafficking cases have been rising across the country and border towns such as
Beitbridge are often used as entry points for drugs being moved into Zimbabwe.
Police have urged members of the public to report drug dealers and suspicious activities in
their communities to help reduce the spread of illegal drugs.
ZANU PF Masvingo pledges unwavering support for third amendment bill
By Ndinatsei Mavodza
MASVINGO – The ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Executive Committee (PCC) has thrown its weight behind the Third Amendment Bill, which seeks to extend the presidential term limit by two years, during a meeting held on March 12, 2026.
Addressing a gathering that included visiting ZANU PF Politburo members, Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa expressed the province’s firm commitment to the proposed constitutional amendment.
The provincial leadership was appearing before the top brass, which included Secretary General Jacob Mudenda, Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa, and Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke, Secretary for Legal Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi and secretary for commissariat Munyaradzi Machacha.
“As Masvingo, we are behind conference resolution number one and the Amendment Bill number three. We had our PCC and conducted inter-district meetings, educating people about the bill, and we are in the process of going down to all our 630 party districts, similar to what we did after conference when we went to the districts informing them about resolution number one,” said Mavhenyengwa.
He emphasized the importance of grassroots mobilization, noting that stopping at inter-district level risked leaving some communities uninformed and said they were having meeting at every level to make sure that all members are informed.
“We realised that if we stop at inter-district, some chairpersons will not cascade down our message to the people on the grassroots, so we are going down there as leadership to make sure that everyone is aware of what we are doing” Mavhenyengwa added.
Mavhenyengwa said Masvingo was fully prepared for the public consultations on the bill, which are set to be conducted by Parliament.
“We have seven centres established in Masvingo where consultations for Amendment Number 3 Bill will be done. So we are ready to defend the party and government position,” said Mavhenyengwa.
In his address, Secretary General Jacob Mudenda clarified the meaning behind the party’s 2030 slogan, explaining that it carried dual significance.
“The 2030 slogan means two things, making Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy by 2030, as well as extending the presidential term. People should not just make slogans without understanding what they mean,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda also issued a stern warning against factionalism, urging party members to rally behind established leadership structures. He emphasized that the Provincial Chairperson remains in position until the next election, likely after 2030, and called on all members to support him rather than creating parallel structures.
He further warned against regionalism, reminding party members of the liberation struggle’s unifying spirit.
“During the war, people were united for a common goal to liberate Zimbabwe, despite tribe or region,” he said.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, seeks to introduce significant changes to the country’s supreme law. Among its key provisions is the extension of the presidential and parliamentary terms of office from five to seven years .
The bill also proposes replacing the current system of directly electing the President through a public vote with a parliamentary process, where Members of Parliament and Senators sitting jointly would elect the President.
Other proposed changes include the establishment of a separate Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission to handle the delimitation of electoral boundaries, transferring voter registration functions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s Office, and expanding the Senate from 80 to 90 members through the addition of 10 presidential appointees. The bill also seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transfer its functions to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
However, the bill has attracted criticism from some quarters. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has expressed concern that the amendments threaten to erode constitutionalism and concentrate excessive power in the executive.
The bill is currently undergoing a 90-day public consultation process before it proceeds to parliamentary debate.
Mudenda bemoans untapped potential of Tugwi Mukosi
By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Zanu PF Secretary General and Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda
has expressed concern over the lack of progress in utilising Tugwi Mukosi, the country’s largest
inland water body.
Mudenda was speaking at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at
Great Zimbabwe University’s R.G. Mugabe School of Education when he challenged the party’s
provincial leadership to take an active role in overseeing government programmes.
“How many years are there after the completion of the dam? There is water and there is land
there; a lot of development can be done there. We should see a number of projects we can have
fishing projects, irrigation, and other tourist attractions and resorts,” said Mudenda
He said it was the party provincial leadership to monitor progress there and government
departments should report to the party on the progress. He however challenged them to go there
and see what was
“You as the party leadership, have you sat down with the minister of state to tell you if there is
any irrigation taking place there? Do you know what is happening there? You don’t, because you
have never been there. You have to go and see for yourself as PCC,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda said the President could not be everywhere, and it was the duty of the provincial
executive to ensure that they work towards fulfilling the President’s vision.
“The President cannot be everywhere. The President finished his job; we now have the dam, and
it is now your duty to make sure that there is progress. The party is supreme over the
government, so the minister has to report to you every three months,” said Mudenda.
He urged the leadership to empower themselves rather than merely boasting about holding party
positions without tangible achievements to show for them.
“You need to be empowered. Do you have plots at Tugwi Mukosi, and don’t you want them?
Have you lined up your people who will benefit from the plots? Who stopped you? With the
potential of development there, we could have a good road, an aerodrome for tourist to use when
they come to play in the water then we get money.
You should be empowered. You cannot talk of eradicating poverty when you are carrying
poverty on your backs. You can’t just be boasting that you hold such a position in the party when
you have nothing to show for it,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda challenged the provincial leadership to take responsibility for monitoring and
recommending development initiatives.
The meeting was attended by other Zanu PF heavyweights including national commissariat
secretary Munyaradzi Machacha, secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, secretary for security Lovemore Matuke, and party treasurer general Patrick Chinamasa.
Masvingo records 11 human rights violations in February, but concerns persist
By TellZim Reporter
Masvingo province recorded 11 human rights violations in February 2026, marking a notable
decline from previous months when it consistently ranked among the highest in the country.
However, recent findings show that serious concerns remain around access to basic
services, political interference, and media freedom.
According to the February 2026 report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), a total of 105
human rights violations were recorded nationwide, affecting 3,205 victims. Of these, 1,651
were women including 24 women with disabilities while 1,554 were men, including 14 men
with disabilities.
In Masvingo, the reported violations point to ongoing challenges in socio-economic rights,
political discrimination, and restrictions on press freedom.
“One of the most serious violations relates to the denial of the right to healthcare,” reads part
of the report. “Gawa Clinic operated for nearly a month without basic medication such as
painkillers, forcing patients, including children, to travel about eight kilometres to Mashoko
Hospital and incur unaffordable medical and transport costs,” reads part of the report.
The report also highlights the continued politicisation of food aid and social welfare
programmes across the province.
“Several cases reflected politicisation and discrimination in the distribution of food aid and
social welfare assistance, where beneficiaries were excluded or intimidated based on
perceived political affiliation or local disputes, such as in Zaka Central and Mwenezi East,”
reads the report.
In Chiredzi East, community members were reportedly pressured to contribute funds
towards refurbishing a police base, while drought relief distributions were accompanied by
messaging encouraging support for the 2030 political agenda.
Media freedoms were also affected after two journalists from a local media house were
barred by police from covering the installation ceremony of Chief Chikwanda, with access
granted only to the state broadcaster.
Overall, the violations point to a broader pattern of political interference in humanitarian
assistance, shrinking civic space, and persistent barriers to essential public services.
The report attributes most violations to state-linked actors. The Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) accounted for 21.12% of cases, while ZANU PF members were responsible for
35.46%, mainly through political intimidation, coercion, and interference with freedoms of
assembly, association, and expression.
Local councils accounted for 15.14% of violations, while school authorities contributed
11.55%, often exerting control over civic and community spaces. Traditional leaders made
up 6.37% of perpetrators, with other government officials and suspected state agents each
accounting for 3.59%. The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) accounted for 1.20%, while
1.99% of perpetrators had no known affiliation.
Nationally, Harare recorded the highest number of violations at 30 cases, followed by
Manicaland (17) and Matabeleland North (16). Mashonaland East recorded eight cases,
Mashonaland West seven, and Mashonaland Central six, while Bulawayo and Midlands
recorded four cases each.
Masvingo Dams reach full capacity as national average hits 91.7%
By Karen Sibanda
Masvingo Province’s major dams are sitting at impressive levels following consistent rains
received across the country, with the national dam level average now standing at 91.7percent as of 4
March 2026.
According to the latest update from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Tugwi-
Mukosi Dam and Lake Mutirikwi are both now at 100percent capacity, marking a major boost for
water security in the Province.
The full capacity of Tugwi-Mukosi, Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam, is expected to strengthen
irrigation activities in the Lowveld, particularly for sugarcane estates in Chiredzi and
surrounding farming areas. It also improves prospects for fisheries, tourism and other
downstream economic activities.
The second largest, Lake Mutirikwi, which supplies water to Masvingo City, generate power and
supports irrigation schemes, reaching 100percent capacity ensures stable domestic water supplies for
residents and industries.
The development also brings relief to farmers who rely on the dam for winter wheat production
and other irrigation-based crops.
Other dams in the province have also recorded strong levels. Manjirenji Dam is at 92.8percent, while
Manyuchi Dam stands at 99.5percent, further strengthening agricultural and rural water supply
prospects.
The high dam levels are expected to improve agricultural productivity, enhance livestock water
availability and reduce the risk of water shortages in both urban and rural communities.
However, authorities are likely to remain alert to manage potential spillages and downstream
flooding risks.With the national average at 91.7percent, Masvingo Province is well positioned for a
productive season backed by strong water reserves.
Zaka school (64) head up for raping 14 year old girl
By Staff Reporter
A 64-year old Mbuyamaswa Primary School Head in Zaka recently appeared before Zaka Magistrate Grace Tupiri on rape charges allegedly after raping a 14-year-old form 2 leaner from nearby Mutevhure Secondary School.
The head, Alexander Gwara from Manhubvu Village, Chief Ndanga in Zaka was arrested on March 5, 2026, and is charged with rape as defined in Section 65(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at Chiredzi Regional Magistrate’s court on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
The state led by David Mavenga told the court that the incident occurred in November 2025 at around 1320 hours.
The complainant from Chief Nhema, Zaka, had left Mutevhure Secondary School to visit her younger brother at Mbuyamaswa Primary School, which is close to the school together with her friend.
The court heard that the complainant and her friend met Gwara in the schoolyard and he allegedly requested the two girls to fetch water from the nearest borehole, promising them US$2 for the job.
When the two returned with the water, Gwara gave them only one dollar, and told them to collect the balance the following day.
The following day at lunchtime, the complainant and her friend proceeded to the accused’s house at the cottages to collect the outstanding money. They found Gwara at his house, who handed over the dollar to the complainant’s friend.
It is alleged that the accused then told the complainant to enter the room, saying he wanted to give her a message to deliver to her mother, while leaving her friend standing outside.
When the complainant entered, Gwara allegedly closed the door and dragged her to his bedroom while covering her mouth with his right hand.
The court heard that the accused took a cloth and used it to cover the complainant’s mouth to prevent her from shouting.
He allegedly held her hands tightly before raping her once.
The matter came to light on March 2, 2026, when the complainant’s mother noticed her crying and scratching her privates at night.
When asked, the complainant told her mother that she was feeling pain in her genitalia and disclosed that she had been raped by the accused.
The complainant’s mother escorted her to report the matter to the police leading to the accused’s arrest on March 5.
Man takes poison at in-laws home over marital dispute
By TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – A domestic dispute ended in tragedy, in Chief Budzi area, Bikita after a 31-year-old man from Buhera allegedly took his own life after drinking a suspected poisonous substance during a domestic dispute at his in-laws’ homestead on February 27, 2026.
Masvingo Deputy Provincial Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, confirmed the incident and urged members of the public to look for peaceful ways of resolving conflicts.
“Suicide is not an option and we encourage couples facing challenges to involve third parties when disputes arise,” said Ass Insp Patinyu.
The deceased, Courage Zvoumba (31) of Chief Nyashanu, Buhera, had reportedly travelled to Chief Budzi to resolve a marital dispute with his wife. During the meeting, a quarrel allegedly broke out after the wife accused him of being abusive and violent and declared she was no longer interested in continuing the marriage.
In a dramatic turn of events, Zvoumba allegedly produced a 500ml container with an unknown liquid and consumed its contents. He reportedly collapsed shortly afterwards and began vomiting. Efforts by his wife and mother-in-law to administer first aid were unsuccessful and he died on the spot. His body was taken to Silveria Mission Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
In a similar incident in Chivi, a domestic dispute over suspected infidelity ended in a double tragedy after a woman died from complications of a bite wound before her husband was later found hanging near their home.
According to Police reports, the couple allegedly had a misunderstanding at their home around 10PM on February 13 over suspected infidelity. The dispute reportedly turned physical when Mbathane grabbed Mataga’s private parts. In an attempt to free himself, Mataga allegedly bit her right arm, inflicting a deep wound.
Mbathane did not immediately seek medical attention. Days later, her condition reportedly worsened as the wound became severely infected. She was admitted at Chivi District Hospital in critical condition on February 19 and was transferred to Masvingo Provincial Hospital the following morning. She died on the way along the Tokwe-Mandamabwe Road.
Her body was taken back to Chivi District Hospital for a post-mortem.
Later that same day at around 4PM, Mataga’s body was discovered hanging from a tree branch on a mountain approximately 200 metres from their home.
RIDA begins rehabilitation of Chivi’s Makonese Denge Dam
By Andrew Zhou
CHIVI – Hope has been restored for the Denge community following the official launch of
rehabilitation works at Makonese Denge Dam in Chivi North ward 9.
The project, spearheaded by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), seeks to
repair the critical water source which was destroyed by heavy rains a year ago.
During the official mark-out ceremony held at the dam site, Chivi North Member of Parliament,
Hon. Godfrey Mukungunugwa, highlighted the hardships endured by locals since the dam’s
infrastructure failed.
He noted that the destruction of the dam didn’t just break a wall but broke a way of life. The
primary impacts included collapsed irrigation schemes that supported local livelihoods and a
domestic water crisis that forced families to rely solely on a few overstretched boreholes.
”The people of the Denge area have suffered significantly over the past year.Water is life, and
without this dam, our irrigation systems were paralyzed. Depending on boreholes for everything
is simply not sustainable for a community of this size.” Said Mukungunugwa.
Speaking on behalf of the government, a RIDA representative confirmed that the contractor was
on-site to begin the structural repairs. The agency emphasized that the speed of the project
depends heavily on the local environment and community support.
“The speed at which we complete this project is heavily dependent on the local environment and
the support we receive from the community,” the representative stated.
The representative urged the people of Makonese Denge to cooperate fully with the contractor to
ensure the security of equipment and a smooth workflow, which will allow the dam to be
completed as early as possible.
“I encourage the people of Denge to cooperate fully with the contractor to ensure the security of
equipment and a smooth workflow, which will allow the dam to be completed as early as
possible.” Said the rep.
The rehabilitation project is expected to bring back the productive gardens that once defined the
area, providing both food security and income for Chivi North villagers.
Speaking to TellZim News, Chivi District AGRITEX officer Brighton Hadzirabwi said the
destruction of the local dam had triggered a severe livelihoods crisis in Denge area, leaving
hundreds of families without a reliable source of income or food security.
The collapse of the dam effectively paralyzed the local irrigation scheme, which had served as
the lifeblood of the community for years. Many farmers who previously specialized in
horticulture had been forced to abandon their plots, leading to a significant spike in poverty
levels within the district as the once-productive greenbelts turn into dust.
”A total of five hundred households were affected since the irrigation scheme stopped
functioning when the dam was destroyed,”said Hadzirabwi.
One of the local villagers, Dambudzo Tongofa, expressed his gratitude, noting that the
restoration would resolve the perennial water challenges that have crippled the community.
“I applaud the government’s move to rehabilitate the dam, which was destroyed by rains last
year. It will once again ease our water burden and improve income generation through farming,
specifically in both livestock and crop production,” said Tongofa.
Sharing the same optimism, another villager from Ward 9, said the project would serve as a
lifeline for those struggling to maintain their herds and gardens.
“This project is a massive relief for us in Ward 9. Without this dam, we had no way to sustain our
livestock or grow enough food to sell. Its rehabilitation means we can finally return to productive
farming and support our families again,” the villager said.
With the dam contractors Travesal Trading teams now on-site and the community standing ready
to assist, the path to recovery for Chivi North is finally clear. As the dust settles on a year of
hardship, the successful restoration of the Makonese Denge Dam promises to transform these
once-parched plots back into the thriving greenbelts that sustain the heart of the district.