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Family digs up missing granny’s remains in field

 Tinaani Nyabereka

An 88-year-old granny who went missing in May this year’s remains were recently dug up by family members, with the community suspecting that she might have been murdered by her mentally ill grandson. 

Cini Bhebhe who went missing in early May’s family woke up to a dog eating a suspected human bone on June 23, after which they discovered blood stained clothes she was last seen wearing, leading them to a shallow grave in a field. 

Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the matter and said police was investigating the case which they suspect to be a murder.

Circumstances given are that Cini Bhebhe who resided in Njini village under Chief Sogwala with her grandson Proud Bhebhe (42) who has some mental illness, left her home on May 7 to visit her sister in Mtabeni Village.

Bhebhe did not reach her destination and was never seen again thereafter, which led to the family making a missing person to the police.

On 23 June, the old woman’s son Never Jabulani Bhebhe (68) reported that the family had discovered their mother’s blood stained clothes and a suspected human bone being eaten by a dog.

Police attended the scene and during searches in the fields at the homestead, two more bones were discovered, after which they also discovered what appeared to be a shallow grave which was dug but nothing was found inside. 

The suspected human bones were taken to Maboleni police station pending examination by experts, while Proud Bhebhe was arrested as the murder suspect.

Poet appeals for sponsorship to publish Covid-19 poems

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Peter Marimi

Covid-19 continues to cause havoc to individuals, in families, nationally and worldwide. Given this scenario we cannot afford to be complacent even with the coming in of vaccines. 

It is imperative, therefore that we go on with vigorous ongoing awareness campaigns in order to prevent this deadly menace from spreading and killing more people. 

Awareness is currently being achieved through various means that include TV, radio and newspaper messages, posters, billboards and music. 

As we utilise these different modes of communication it is important here to note that poetry is also a powerful and effective means of communication becoming even more powerful when accompanied by music. However poetry is currently not being fully utilised in Covid awareness campaigns. 

So in order to address this situation Peter Marimi (69) so far has 70 poems in both English and Shona specifically on Covid awareness that were published in The Mirror newspaper  through a poetry column called Covid Poetry Corner that features informative and educative poems on the deadly virus.  

Marimi is a published poet in two anthologies that include Jakwara renhetembo (Mambo Press) and Mutakunanzva wenhetembo (Booklove). However, these are being read by The Mirror readers who can only access the newspaper online since the printing of hard copies has been suspended due to Covid-19 induced challenges. 

So in order to reach more people with Covid awareness messages Peter Marimi would like to get his poems published in book form under the title Covid Rhymes. 

This way they can also be used during Covid awareness campaigns, in communities, schools, colleges, businesses, churches and other institutions. NGOs involved in Covid awareness can also utilise the poems. 

The poems can also be used in other forms of media like TV, radio, YouTube and WhatsApp in order to reach more people. 

This will result in improved awareness of Covid-19, reduction of morbidity and mortality, improved uptake of Covid vaccination, reduced healthcare burden, improved economy and social life for the population.

Marimi is therefore requesting for sponsorship in order to get the book published. More sponsorship can be used to record some of the poems or shoot videos that can be shown on TV, YouTube and WhatsApp.

Marimi can be contacted on 0772405790 or peter.marimi@gmail.com

Chadzamira warns lazy legislators

TellZim reporter

Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira has warned ‘lazy’ legislators in the province and encouraged them to focus on development in their respective constituencies than focus on cheap politicking and jostling for positions.

Chadzamira said legislators should ensure that the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated to each constituency should be channeled towards development other than personal gains.

“Our focus should be on development so that by the year 2023 we would have accomplished so many things that we promised in 2018.

“The President is reviewing the implementation of the programs we promised to undertake. CDF should be used for development and projects should not become white elephants. Engage the general populace and fund social services for the benefit of the people,” said Chadzamira.

He went on to castigate those legislators who are using social media to gain political mileage and personal gains.

“Do not waste your efforts seeking political power instead focus on development.

“Shift from blackmailing each other and focus on improving the lives of people in your constituencies. Use social media to promote and consolidate the interests of the party,” urged Chadzamira.

The call by Chadzamira comes amid discontent among several party members in the province who are already campaigning for positions which has since led to some members allegedly lining up for  intra-party elections that are yet to be conducted.

“Some of our members have their line-ups for the elections from the grassroots up to Central Committee.

“District Coordinating Committee (DCC) members you are giving us the wrong information. After the completion of the DCC restructuring exercise we will swap these districts for the sake of verification of the information that you are giving us,” Chadzamira said.

He also claimed that informal meetings are taking place in several districts around the province as party membership lobby for positions in the upcoming DCC elections.

‘Zimbabwe army to take active role in Mozambique’

Emmanuel Chitsika

Zimbabwe is likely to play an active role in the ongoing conflict in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region to save their ‘brother’ at war, Zanu PF Secretary for Science and Technology Christopher Mutsvangwa said recently.

Addressing several members of the Zanu PF Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) at Great Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe campus on June 20, Mutsvangwa said the nation was geared and prepared to play an active role to fight the Islamist rebels in war-torn Cabo Delgado.

“Zimbabwe can intervene in the Mozambique conflict. We have the capacity to deal with the enemies of the Mozambican government.

“The President of Zimbabwe is very confident and has got the situation under control. We will play a major role under Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in helping our neighbour,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

He however said he could not reveal the details on how the government of Zimbabwe would go about the intervention.

“I am not allowed to discuss details on national security though,” he said.

The revelation came on the heels of the call by French President Emmanuel Macron for Zimbabwe to intervene and resolve the Mozambican crisis.

“As a former ambassador, I know the kind of language I am speaking. Our former detractors are making efforts on the diplomatic front to try to re-engage us as a government and sooner than later you will have the results of the meetings availed to you,” added Mutsvangwa.

The northern part of Mozambique has been embroiled in a conflict between rebels and government forces since October 2017. 

The head of the Angolan diplomacy on Monday June 28 announced a budget of US$12 million for the deployment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) standby force in support of Mozambique in a diplomatic meeting held by the regional bloc.

Analysts have said Zimbabwe, along with Namibia and Angola were likely to be involved as they have participated in other deployments in the past.

CGCDZ donates sanitary pads, textbooks

Kimberly
Kusauka        

Centre for Gender and Community Development in
Zimbabwe in partnership with Vasikana Project recently donated sanitary pads
and menstrual hygiene text books to Mbetu villagers in rural Masvingo.

The event, which was hosted at a vegetable garden in
Mbetu village under Chief Charumbira, saw young women and girls receiving
menstrual health books made especially for those who find it difficult to get
menstrual health advice from their parents or guardians.

CGCDZ projects manager Chida Mudadi said they
collaborated with Vasikana because they are all gender based organizations who
focus on women and girls.

“We collaborated with Vasikana because we are
all gender based organizations and we focus with women.

“We wish to continue working with Vasikana so
that we empower young girls and women on Menstrual Health Management,”
said Chida.

Speaking at the event Vasikana project Director
Honesty Mamutse said he chose the rural community because they are the ones
that are underprivileged, with no income generating projects.

“We chose the rural communities because they
are the ones that are underprivileged and there are no income generating
projects in rural areas.

“We want to empower girls so that they are
aware of their bodies and their rights to make sure that they will not get
married without their consent,” said Mamutse.

One of the beneficiaries Ngonidzashe Ponde said the
donated pads will help her a lot as she is not given money for sanitary wear by
their parents since pads are very expensive and they end up using cloths which
give them infections sometimes.

“We are very fortunate that we were given
sanitary pads which our parents cannot afford in the rural areas,” said
Ponde.

A teacher from Mafuga Primary School Karai Makoho
said the book is very useful since it imparts knowledge that the girls were not
getting from their parents.

“These books are going to be very useful in
imparting knowledge to young girls of Mbetu village since their parents are not
teaching them on how to handle menstruation and I urge girls to share the
information with their mates,” said Makoho.

Constance Njerenje, a young woman from the area
however raised her concern about lack of concern by parents on menstrual health
issues because the cost of living is too high.

 “As
young parents we cannot afford to buy sanitary pads for ourselves and our young
girls because they are expensive, so we prioritize buying sugar instead of
sanitary pads.

“We also urge Vasikana project to also donate
panties for our young girls since they do not have anywhere to put their
pads,” said Njerenje.

Vasikana project
started in 2014 and is aimed at empowering girls by providing puberty education
and safe dignified ways for young girls to manage their periods.

Manyuchi promises to triumph on home turf

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Charles Manyuchi and Muhamad Sebyala

TellZim Reporter

Boxing
champion, Charles Manyuchi,
is confident that he will successfully defend his World Boxing Federation
(WBF) middleweight championship title
when he faces a tricky Ugandan opponent tomorrow (July 3) at Flamboyant hotel.

 The match
which will be held under strict Covid-19 protocols will see
Manyuchi
exchange jabs with Muhamad Sebyala in
the ‘Duel of Doom’ fight.

Speaking
to the press this afternoon, Manyuchi said he was 100 percent ready and
confident that he was going to retain his prestigious title.

“I’m
going to win this clash like I always do. I am ready to defend my title.
I
cannot afford to disappoint given that this fight is being held in the town
where my journey began,” said Manyuchi.

Manyuchi’s
manager, Prosper Chibaya said Manyuchi was ready to rumble and is raring to
outclass his opponent.

“He
has been training very hard for the past 30 days in preparation of this match
and we are 100 percent confident that we are going to win tomorrow,” said
Chibaya.

However,
Abbey Mugayi, who is Sebyala’s manager said they did not come as tourists but
to take the title to Uganda after defeating Manyuchi.

“We
are not here as tourists but champions because we are going to win. My boxer is
more than ready to defeat Manyuchi. Manyuchi is going to be punished in the
ring,” said Mugayi.

The
boxer who will emerge victorious will also walk away with the WABA World
Supreme and World Professional Boxing Federation titles which the Ugandan is
currently clinching on to.

The
fight was initially scheduled for April 4, 2020 but it was called off on the 11th
hour due to outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manyuchi,
won the title in September 2019 and failure to defend it would have seen him
stripped of the title by WBF.

The
champion breathed a sigh of relief after he got a special waiver from the SRC
to hold the fight.

CGCDZ distributes rape seedlings to Ebenezar Zvamahande Cooperative

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CDCGZ projects manager Chidaushe Mudadi

Kimberly Kusauka

Centre
for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CDCGZ) recently distributed
1000 kilimo rape seedlings to Ebenezar Zvamahande Cooperative, a gardening
project in Ward 33 in Masvingo District after conducting training in bookkeeping
and documentation.

CDCGZ
projects manager Chidaushe Mudadi said that the donation was made on June 3 and
it benefited 51 women and 10 men, which he said was a success as sometimes
communities like these lacked support in their projects.

“The
donation made by CDCGZ benefited more women than men, thus enhancing women
empowerment.

“Communities
lack start up support hence the distribution of these seedlings will go a long
way in the realisation of the farming cooperative’s plans,” said Mudadi.

Chairperson
for Ebenezer Zvamahande garden Eslina Madzvamuse said the garden project will
women who had to travel long distances to fetch water to irrigate their
vegetables, and they have also taken the opportunity to come up with a funeral
policy.

“As
the chairperson for Zvamahande garden, l am very happy with the project because
it helps 50 women who used to walk long distances to fetch water for irrigating
their plants.

“The
women were given an opportunity to gather and they managed to come up with a
funeral policy which is yet to be named,” said Madzvamuse.

CDCGZ
is supporting another garden project in Mbetu Village in Ward 11 Masvingo
District where women are growing vegetables they will sell at Chitima Fruit and
Vegetable Market.

The
organization has also donated sewing machines to women in the same area which
they are using to sew reusable sanitary pads for women and girls as well as masks.

Covid-19 regulations should apply to all

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 Following the surge in Covid-19 positive cases across the country, set regulations should apply to all people regardless of their political affiliation. The recently revised regulations and ban on all public gatherings except for funeral services with a very limited number should be adhered to. However, the ruling party seems to be immune from these regulations as they continue to hold meetings from ward to provincial level. Recently they held meetings for cell registering and verification with people gathering in unlimited numbers.

They also held war veterans’ verification exercise where people were gathering and if other political players try to do the same, they will be prosecuted and persecuted.

People should be reminded that the pandemic is still with us and it knows no political party or religious belonging. The Madzibaba sects are some of the religious groupings who are normally in violation of the stipulated regulations.

The police are there to enforce these regulations but in most cases they seem to abuse their arresting powers to arrest people and taking bribes. If one visits ZRP Masvingo Central Offices, he or she will notice that most of the officers will not be wearing their masks when they are in the office. However, when it suits them, they raid offices arresting people who are not wearing masks even if there is only one person in the office.

So basically what it means is that there are some sacred cows when it comes to the enforcement of Covid-19 regulations. But in broader senses there is need for universal application of the law if we are to survive this pandemic

Tertiary institutions as well in Masvingo are not spared by this piece as we expect these institutions of higher learning to ensure safety measures and precautions are put in place to curb the spread.

It would be wiser to adopt E-learning as a measure to arrest the further spread of this disease as it would not make sense to lose our would-be graduates while they try to complete their courses at their respective campuses. The students as well are expected to reciprocate efforts by our government and play a pivotal role in this fight against Covid-19.

There is need for collective action including various stakeholders to join hands in the fight against this recent increase in cases of infections. 

Mwenezi widow appeals for help after fire gutted her house down

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Few goods that were recovered from the fire

Leslie Karumbidza


Mwenezi–A 45-year-old widow from Mukachana Village One in Mwenezi is appealing for help after her house and belongings including clothes and food were destroyed by fire.
Viola Shava, who is unemployed, lost all her property and food after the fire destroyed her house, which she shares with her three children aged 14, 13 and eight during the day on June 16 2021. 
A teary Shava told TellZim that the devastating accident occurred when she had left her house around midday to run errands only to be called that her house has been destroyed by fire.
“At around 16:00hrs I received a phone call from my neighbors who notified me that  fire had engulfed and destroyed my house ,” said Shava.
She said she arrived home only to find the neighbors trying to put out the fire but the house and belongings had already been destroyed.
“I rushed home and when I arrived, my neighbors were on the verge of putting off the flames but most of the things had been destroyed,” said Shava.
The cause of fire is not yet clear but she suspects that the fire was caused by a solar battery which was on charger which she think could have exploded igniting the fire.    
She needs help in form of food and clothes and well-wishers can contact her on 0779333114. 
In January this year another widow from Village 10 in Mwenezi was left homeless after her house was gutted by fire.

Man jailed for cutting sister’s boyfriend’s dreadlocks with machete

File picture

Perpetua Murungweni

A 29-year-old man from Siwara Village, Chief Musara in Masvingo will serve five months behind bars after cutting his sister’s boyfriend dreadlocks with a machete.

Trymore Tafirenyika was initially sentenced to ten months imprisonment before Magistrate Grace Tupiri suspended five months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. 

The state case as presented by Prosecutor Nixon Chamisa was that on June 11 this year Tafirenyika found William Tinago (21) sitting with his sister Tendai Tafirenyika (19) in her bedroom.

On the following day Tendai informed her brother Trymore that she could not find some US$20, suspecting that Tinago has stolen it. 

Trymore allegedly went to Tinago’s residence armed with a machete and upon arrival he started assaulting Tinago while cutting his dreadlocks with the machete.

Tinago managed to escape and reported the matter to the police.