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OK Zimbabwe arrives in Chivhu

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OK Zimbabwe arrives in Chivhu

 

TRACY FUZHA

CHIVHU –
Listed retail giant OK Zimbabwe has acquired land from Chikomba Rural District
Council (RDC) to construct a supermarket in Chivhu.

Construction
work is at an advanced stage near Dirozvi shopping complex along the Harare
-Masvingo Highway.

Chikomba
Rural District Council Chairman Israel Dhikinya confirmed the deal to TellZim News
saying the development will give impetus to the growth of the small town.

“Chikomba
Rural District Council has sold land to OK Zimbabwe to construct a state of the
art supermarket near Dirozvi shopping complex along the Harare-Beitbridge
Highway just 140km from the capital.

“I
am not sure about the exact cost of the land sold but what I know is the rural
district council has sold more than one hectare of land to the retailer and
construction is now at an advanced stage,” Dhikinya said.

Dhikinya
said there was high demand for retail outlets in the small town due to its
fast-developing population.

“The
establishment of a supermarket by OK Zimbabwe in Chivhu dovetails with our
vision and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’
mantra and like-wise, we are open for business too,” he said.

No
comment could immediately be obtained from OK Zimbabwe management.

Chivhu
residents who spoke to TellZim News said they were happy with the confidence
that big business were expressing in their town.

“Chivhu
is now awake from a deep slumber. This development is a great achievement for
our town which is registering some development because of the contributions of
ratepayers and council leadership,” said Sarah Jeke who spoke on behalf of
an association of vendors.

Man faces rape charge for failing to pay lobola

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Man faces rape charge for failing to pay lobola

 Tendai Mbede

CHIREDZI-
Bismack Zhou (25)  from Monyoroka
village, Triangle appeared before Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu
facing rape allegations after his girlfriend reported him for having sexual
intercourse with her before paying lobola to her parents,
TellZim News can report.

According
to State papers, on September 11, 2020 the accused invited the complainant to
his house for formal introductions to his siblings.

The
State argued that after dinner, the accused locked the complainant in his room
and declared that they had been officially married as husband and wife without
the accused’s consent.

The
accused went on to have sexual intercourse with the complainant without her
consent while his brothers were on guard.

The
accused’s sister would accompany the complainant to the toilet whenever she
felt like relieving herself so as to prevent her from escaping.

They
stayed together having sexual intercourse several times from September 11 until
the accused managed to run away on September 26, 2020.

The
accused had given the complainant’s aunt a goat as a token of appreciation for
giving him a wife.

In
his defence, the accused said on September 05, 2020, he went to his
girlfriend’s place (complainant) and told her that he wanted to marry her and
she agreed. He said they proceeded to his homestead and stayed together until
September 26, 2020 when she ran away from his house.

He
also told the court that there was some misunderstanding between ‘his wife’ and
his mother.

When
the accused phoned the complainant asking about her whereabouts, she told the
accused that he must pay lobola first to her parents so that they could stay together
formally.

The
accused said he had no money during that time and that is why the complainant
made a police report and filed a rape case.

The
accused later went to the complainant’s parents to discuss about the
compensation and he produced only an identity card saying he had no money.

Prosecutor
Noel Muranda represented the State and the case was moved further for trial continuation.

Shock as grave is opened a week after burial

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Shock as grave is opened a week after burial
File Picture

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA –A
man who lost his daughter who stayed in South Africa suffered double tragedy
after he got stabbed by his younger brother after a misunderstanding over a
hole which was found on the late daughter’s grave.

Anthony
Chengetanai of Rudhanda village under Chief Bota area woke up one morning to
find a deep hole on the grave of his daughter who had been buried for almost
one week.

As
the family tried to come to terms with the incident, Chengetanai and other
family members disagreed on the next step resulting in him being stabbed by his
younger brother.

Masvingo
Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said they had not
received any report of both the assault and the grave incident.

“We
have not received any report of both incidents, we however urge members of the
public to report cases of similar nature to the police,” said Dhewa.

Chengetanai’s
daughter, Evidence died on March 05, 2021, after a short illness in South
Africa where she was working and was repatriated back to Zimbabwe where she was
buried in Zaka on March 13.

Chengetanai
told TellZim News that the mystery surrounding the gaping hole on his
daughter’s grave led to friction among family members as people suspected each
other of performing dark rituals on the grave.

 “My child died in South Africa after short
illness. We buried her at our family grave site and as per custom, we went
there the following day and all was well.

“After
a week we visited the grave site with the intention of putting up material for
the unveiling of the tombstone. We were shocked to find a deep hole close to the headstone but there was no footprints,” said
Chengetanai.

Chengetanai
said that they consulted some prophets who told them that there were some
people who had tempered around with the deceased.

“We
went to consult some prophets who told us that there are some family members
who tempered with my daughter’s spirit and could be using it to do something
bad,” said Chengetanai.

He
went on to claim that other family members were against the idea of backfilling
the hole, a disagreement which got him stabbed with a knife.

 Chengetanai said he suspected the sibling who
stabbed him had something to do with what happened at the grave as he was
opposed to the hole getting plugged.

“I
was stabbed by Lovemore who seemed to know something about what is happening
and is trying to silence me before I expose those involved. I was rushed to Musiso
Hospital where I was stitched on the wound and was discharged.

“We
need help because we now hear some strange noises at home during the night;
ysterious footsteps of people running and mysterious voices,” said Chengetanai.

Fired Councillor Vows 2023 return

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Fired Councillor Vows 2023 return
Daniel Mberikunashe

 Wayne Ncube/ Believe Mpofu

MASVINGO – Recalled Councillor for Ward 5, Daniel Mberikunashe who was fired
for sympathizing with MDC-Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, has vowed to
continue supporting Chamisa and that he will run for the ward in the upcoming
2023 elections.

Mberikunashe who is believed to be related to Chamisa said he is
unapologetic and that his unwavering support goes to Chamisa.

Mberikunashe told TellZim News that he will continue rallying behind
the MDC Alliance president and that he was optimistic of a return at the town
house in 2023.

“I will continue supporting Chamisa until the end because we can’t
keep on putting old, lazy people in the office. I will come back again in 2023
on the side of Chamisa and I’m prepared to be back in local governance to serve
the people in Ward 5,” said Mberikunashe. 

Mberikunashe added that MDC Alliance councillors Members of
Parliament (MP) should continue representing the people who voted them into
office even if they are threatened with recalls.

“My advice to MDC Alliance councillors and MPs is for them not to be
scared to getting fired or recalled. They should continue serving the people who
voted for them and supporting their party because we also did the same and we
stood our ground,” he said.

He added on that if he is awarded a chance to be back in office
again, he will continue lobbying for the construction of a primary school in Ward
5.

“If people trust me to serve and get back in the office again, I will
do everything in my power to lobby for the construction of a primary school in
the ward and market stalls,” said Mberikunashe.

Mberikunashe who was serving his second term was fired together with
three others; Tarusenga Vhembo, Godfrey Kurauone and Richard Musekiwa
councillors for ward 3, 4 and 7 respectively.

Masvingo police descends heavily on mshika-shika

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Masvingo police descends heavily on mshika-shika
File picture of an illegal pirating taxi

Wayne Ncube

The
police force in Masvingo have scaled up efforts to deal with illegal pirating
kombis and taxis which are now operating freely, ignoring the set Covid-19
regulations which only allows Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) to
transport commuters.

Increased
economic activity in the Central Business District (CBD) after the government
loosened the lockdown saw the resurfacing of pirating vehicles who are posing a
serious challenge to ZUPCO.

However,
the police force in the country has been directed to descend heavily on those
caught on the wrong side of the law.

Speaking
to TellZim News Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said
they are impounding vehicles every day and that they are going to make sure
pirating vehicles are a thing of the past.

“When
the lockdown was eased, pirate vehicles increased their operations but we have also
increased our police force on the road and we are impounding vehicles daily. We
will make sure the pirating kombis and taxis are off the road and that Covid-19
regulations are being followed by those who are authorized to operate.

“We
will not hesitate to arrest those who defy the set rules and regulations
because that is our duty as the police,” said Dhewa.

Masvingo
Provincial taskforce spokesperson, Rodgers Irimayi said over 25 000
mshika-shika drivers have been arrested and 6 000 vehicles have been impounded
since the beginning of the year.

“Since
the beginning of January 2021, we have arrested 25 587 mshika-shika drivers and
impounded 6 418 kombis and taxis. Since the inception of the Covid-19 lockdown in
March 2020, a total of 61 776 arrests have been made while 17 346 pirate
vehicles were impounded,” said Irimayi.

Lupane elderly denied food aid on political grounds

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Lupane elderly denied food aid on political grounds

 

Tryphine Khumalo

Moses Ziyambi

Dozens of elderly people in Ward
10 of Kusile Rural District Council (RDC) have for several years been denied government
food aid on grounds of their perceived support for the opposition MDC Alliance,
TellZim can report.

Sources said the elderly victims have
given up hope of ever being included as beneficiaries of the food aid which is
distributed by the Department of Social Welfare.

Their councillor, Reuben Gabadela,
who is a member of the MDC Alliance, blames partisan interference by shadow
Zanu PF councillor Tryphine Khumalo (pictured) for the injustice.

He told TellZim that Khumalo
often hijacks government programmes to make sure that all opposition members and
supporters, real or perceived, are excluded.

“It has been going on for many
years and this Zanu PF shadow councillor abuses the authority which she has
given herself. She makes gross interferences in government programmes and turn
them into partisan political party affairs where perceived enemies, especially
opposition members and supporters, are excluded,” said Gabadela.

He also said the issue had been
reported several times to the relevant offices including that of the Lupane District
Development Coordinator (DDC), formerly District Administrator (DA).

He confirmed that many needy
people in his ward have been victimised on those grounds for many years and
they do not have any recourse.

Repeated attempts over two days to
get a comment from Khumalo, who was defeated in the elections for the council seat
in 2013 and again in 2018, failed as she initially did not pick up calls before
her phone became unreachable.

However, Lupane DDC Ennety
Sithole said she had not received reports of the politicisation of food aid in
that specific area, but said those that feel unfairly excluded could engage the
Department of Social Welfare.

“The list of beneficiaries is compiled
by the Department of Social Welfare which is responsible for making assessments
of deserving cases. That particular case has not reached me as yet but people
are free to take their issues to the department if they feel unfairly excluded,”
said Sithole.

Other sources said the issue had
been reported to former Lupane DCC Zachariah Jusah who was later transferred to
Insiza district.

The sources said among the many
over 80-year-olds that have been excluded from food aid at the behest of
Khumalo included Patrick Mpofu, Sifule Moyo, Nursy Sibanda, Sunday Nyoni and
Ernest Mpofu.

 

 

Zanu PF conducts primaries for vacant Masvingo Urban wards

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Zanu PF conducts primaries for vacant Masvingo Urban wards
Taurai ‘Bhucho’ Mudzviti

Terrence Ndowora

Zanu
PF says it is ready to wrestle the four Masvingo Urban wards from the MDC
Alliance whose councillors were fired by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, and is
conducting primary elections this Friday, May 20, for two of the wards.

Nominations
were held for the vacant wards earlier this week, with Taurai ‘Bhucho’ Mudzviti
sailing through uncontested in Ward 3, which was won by Tarusenga Vhembo of the
MDC Alliance in the 2018 harmonised elections.

Vhembo,
along with Godfrey Kurauone of Ward 4, Daniel Mberikunashe of Ward 6 and
Richard Musekiwa of Ward 7 were recalled earlier this year.

In
Ward 5, Hakistone ‘Wanzai’ Chimwani also sailed uncontested and will be the
ruling party’s candidate once the Covid-19 induced restrictions on electoral
activities get lifted.

Three
of the expelled councillors; Mberikunashe, Vhembo and Richard Musekiwa have
indicated that they will contest again saying people still need them.

Mberikunashe
said he was confident that he will win back the ward and mocked his rival
Chimwani who he said was up for humiliation come by-election day.

“He
wants to further humiliate himself by contesting against me. I never stopped
working with the people so they need me and that’s why I will be contesting,”
said Mberikunashe.

Meanwhile,
Kurauone is not likely to be able to contest in Ward 4 as he has now relocated
to the United States of America.

MISA Zimbabwe takes WPFD celebrations to rural communities

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MISA Zimbabwe takes WPFD celebrations to rural communities

 

From left : Cris Chinaka, Denford Masiya and George Maponga

Perpetua Murungweni

MASVINGO–
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe took this year’s World Press
Freedom Day (WPFD) to Nemamwa Growth point as a way of recognizing the
significance of marginalized communities and bridging the information gap in
rural areas.

Speaking
during the celebrations, Misa Trustee, Cris Chinaka applauded the local media
stakeholders for changing the character of media which has always been regarded
to as urban centric and not inclusive.

“Media
has run away from being an urban centric industry but an industry that serves
everyone in the community. The community is represented by the public and the
public constitute both people from the rural and the urban,” said Chinaka.

Chinaka
also urged the media fraternity to disseminate information that benefits
everyone in the communities which they serve and is of public good.

“The
information that the media collects, report and edit should be of public
benefit and be understood by the public in order for them to be able defend the
media space.

“The
media space can only be recognized if the public understands and benefit from
the information which they are given by the media,” said Chinaka.

Chiredzi
East legislator who is also a member of parliamentary portfolio committee on
Information Media and Broadcasting Services, Denford Masiya gave a thumbs up to
Misa for taking the media to all angles of communities and for reminding
everyone that the media is for the public.

“I
support Misa for bringing the media fraternity to rural areas and for also
reminding everyone that the media is for the public,” said Masiya.

This
year’s WPFD celebrations which are being held 30 years after the Windhoek
declaration was held under the theme ‘Information as a public good’.

Misa
Masvingo provincial chairperson, Passmore Kuzipa promised to keep organizing
WPFD celebrations in rural communities and improve access to information in
marginalized communities.

“Over
the past years we have been celebrating this day in town but this year we chose
to come to Nemanwa so that the people here get to interact with media
stakeholders. Next year we hope to celebrate this day in Zaka as we continue to
try and bridge the information gap between the rural and urban folk,” said
Kuzipa.

The
day was capped with an intriguing soccer match between Masvingo Journos
Football Club (fc) and Nemanwa FC.

Although
Masvingo Journos lost 2-0, it was the first half solitary strike of team
captain and marksman George Maponga which was the major highlight after he hit
the back of the net but was ruled out for offside from a tight angle.  

KREDA secures artificial leg for crocodile attack victim

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KREDA secures artificial leg for crocodile attack victim
Faase Tagurana Sithole

Livingstone Mtetwa

CHIPINGE – Kanyi Redu
Development Association (KREDA), a non-governmental organization based in
Chipinge, has come to the rescue of a 17-year-old girl by securing her an
artificial leg after eight years of suffering.

Faase
Tagurana Sithole lost her leg to a crocodile attack while she was nine-years-old
and had used an artificial leg ever since, but it had grown smaller as she grew
up.

The
situation affected her education as she could no longer go to school but her
prayers were answered when she was adopted by the organization following the
death of her grandmother who was her guardian.

KREDA
Board of Trustees (BoT) chairperson Sailas Chawira and Vice chairperson Grace
Dube, together with People Living with Disability Commission (PWDC), reached
out to Gross Care International Sales director, Diana Shonhiwa who agreed to
provide a new artificial leg for Sithole.

Dube
said securing a new artificial leg for the girl was a huge task and a great
achievement for KREDA, as they had limited by resources.

He said
KREDA and the PWDC will benefit from the mutual relations with Gross Care
International which provides technical assistance to improve life for the
disabled and the elderly.

“KREDA,
PWD Commission shall benefit from this relationship with Gross Care
International. They supply assistive adaptive technologies, independent living
products, mobility aids and paralympic sporting equipment for people and
learners with disabilities,” said Dube

Gross
Care International also supply innovative technologies that help create equal
opportunities for the elderly, the disabled and persons from disadvantaged
backgrounds to remove stigmatization of people and learners with disabilities
in the community.

KREDA
executive chairperson, Sinotheni Chibarirwa said the partnership with Gross Care
International is a notable breakthrough and KREDA still need more partners to
circumvent scarcity of resources hindering its vision of changing lives in
Chipinge.

“Although
we managed to assist Sithole, we still have a long way to go in finding other
partners and I call upon all commissions or individual members to  assist in any kind of way to save lives and those
willing to assist can contact our Vice Chairperson Grace Dube  on +263 77 512 2895 ,” said Chibarirwa.

Chabarirwa
said the story of Sithole marked the good work being done by KREDA and encouraged
members to continue the good work to their communities.

“KREDA
has done wonderful and commendable work. Good work always pay in the long run. Chipinge
community members must emulate the good work being done by KREDA and support
the good work,” Said Chabarirwa.

Under pressure SMM Holdings offers houses to settle salary arrears

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Under pressure SMM Holdings offers houses to settle salary arrears

 …ex-workers
reject offer over ‘unfair terms’

Clayton Shereni

The
battle between Shabanie-Mashava Mines (SMM Holdings) and its former employees
has taken a new twist, with mine authorities finding new ways to try and get
rid of its ex-workers in Mashava, TellZim News can report.

Former
workers, who have been holding on to properties as leverage for unpaid
salaries, have now been offered a chance to buy the houses.

However,
the purchase price of the houses will be set-off against salary arrears, a move
which has not been well-received by the former employees who are demanding what
they are owed in hard currency.

Letters
signed by SMM Holdings Administrator, Afaras Gwaradzimba offers the houses on
condition that the company performs some valuation exercises on the properties
first, with the ex-workers required to pay for any possible difference between
the value of the house and the amount they are owed in salaries.

“The
property described in the paragraph above is offered to you at the discretion
of SMM. The selling or purchase will be set-off against salary arrears owed to
you. In the event that the total of the selling or purchase price of the
property and Value Added Tax is higher than the amount owed to yourself, then
you shall be liable to pay the difference within an agreed timeframe from the
date of you having accepted the offer,” reads the offer letter.

TellZim
has since established that houses in Temeraire are being valued at an average
of US$6 000, those in Westonlee are being offered from a range of US$18 000 to
US$50 000 while those in Eastvale are going for an average of US$15 000.

A
former employee who was offered a visibly dilapidated house which is being
valued at US$6 000 told TellZim News that the offer was an insult and it
reflected badly on the company’s sincerity on settling
the dispute once and for all.

“How
could they possibly offer me such a ramshackle for US$6 000? What I want is my
money then I vacate their house. I worked for several years to get money, and
not to be mocked like this,” said the ex-employee who spoke on condition of
anonymity. 

Before
the offer, SMM Holdings had been evicting former workers, some of whom were
served with papers that claim they owed the company since they had stayed in
the houses without paying rent.

SMM
Holdings owes its ex-employees over US$17 million and current workers US$19
million in unpaid salaries, a debt which has accrued in a period covering 17
years.

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