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Government backs down on Chilonga as people power triumphs

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Government backs down on Chilonga as people power triumphs
File picture of Chilonga people


TellZim Reporter

Plans by government to railroad Chilonga villagers in Southern Chiredzi into accepting a multi-million dollar grass growing project, on their ancestral land, seem dead in the water with the push to expropriate their land clearly having lost steam of late. 

Indications are that government has decided go back to the drawing board over the lucerne project in a spectacular and humiliating climb-down following a show of people power in fiercely opposing the project.

Government had through a Statutory Instrument gazetted the forced takeover of Chilonga villagers’ land for a bit reported US$60million grass project by Kwekwe-based Dendairy Company.

The owner of the company is suspected to have close business links with President Emmerson Mnangagwa who also hails from Kwekwe.

Original plans were to take over a combined over 12 000hectares inhabited by Chilonga villagers comprising mainly members of the Shangaani ethnic community for the grass project.

Thousands of villagers were supposed to be displaced from the land of their forefathers to pave way for the project, a show of force by big business over poor peasants.

A public outcry ensued with civic society organizations led by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and and the Chilonga community embarking on a spirited crusade to stop government grand infringement of the rights of ordinary people.

The Chilonga issue hogged limelight in the media and also spilled in the courts where government was interdicted for processing to evict Chilonga families in February this year.

Government reacted by gazetting another SI that ostensibly sought to clear the air on the grass project with change in wording stating that there would be no displacement of humans from their ancestral land save for isolated cases of reorganizing the settlements to accommodate planned development under the project.

An attempt was also done to assuage widespread anger by Chilonga villagers through a promise of “sweeteners” such as building of a weather bridge across Runde River at Chilonga for the project to get acceptance.

In April Vice President Constantino Chiwenga flew to the Lowveld to try and douse the growing fires of anger against Government by the Shangaani people over plans to foist the grass project on them.

In the aftermath of Chiwenga’s visit to the Lowveld, where the Vice President came face to face with raw anger of the Chilonga villagers, government seems to be developing cold feet to forge ahead with the project.

Various people canvassed by TellZim News for their thoughts on the future of the project say it appears Government was now reluctant to force its hand in the grass project with one eye on the 2023 polls. 

Chilonga which falls under Chiredzi East constituency had always been a Zanu PF stronghold but angry villagers were openly threatening to punish the governing party by dumping it and voting for the opposition in the coming polls.

Prominent human rights lawyer Martin Mureri says Government succumbed to people power in Chilonga after being pushed to uphold the constitution and respect property rights.

“This is what government should do to respect property rights of Chilonga villagers and not force them off their ancestral land,” he said.

“Now even if they are going to proceed with the project they will have to engage the people of Chilonga because they know the folly of imposing their will on the people no matter what they will be doing will be blatant violation of human rights, government should respect and uphold human rights,”added Mureri.

He pointed out Government push to embark on the grass project had lost steam after facing resistance from Chilonga people and human rights defenders.

“I think the zeal to continue with the project is no longer there. They will now have to go back to the drawing board and start by consulting people on the ground. It’s a lesson to government that rights of citizens must be respected and defended,” said Mureri.

While Chiredzi acting district development coordinator (DDC) Gift Machukela refused to comment on the matter Masvingo provincial development coordinator (PDC) Dr Jefter Sakupwanya put on a brave face and was adamant the project is going on.

“We want to eliminate the misconception that government wanted to impose the grass project on the Chilonga community because we have always favored engagement with the locals and that is what we are doing now. There was no proper consultation and we are correcting that anomaly so that everyone embraces the project,” said Sakupwanya.

The political leadership led by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira is also singing from the same hymn book insisting the grass project will go ahead in Chilonga.

However inside the walls of government offices in Masvingo there is growing belief that it will take a lot of time and diplomatic maneuvering to convince the Chilonga folk to accept the Dendairy grass project.

Covid-19 hotspot Bondolfi locked down

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Covid-19 hotspot Bondolfi locked down

Clayton Shereni 

 Authorities in Masvingo have moved to
contain the spread of Covid-19 in the province by placing Bondolfi Teachers’
College under a tight lockdown and suspending all face-to-face lectures with
immediate effect, TellZim News can reveal.

 Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus
Shamu told journalists during a press conference yesterday (May 27) at Benjamin
Burombo government building that the college was now under lockdown, and no new
visitors will be allowed until the situation has been controlled.

“We have declared Bondolfi Teachers
College a Covid-19 hotspot and students there have been placed on 14 days of
quarantine. We are not allowing any visitors there and no one will be allowed
to leave the college,” said Shamu.

He also said that the first case was
currently quarantined at Rujeko Isolation Centre but they were yet to verify
the variant which has spread at the institution.

“Our index case is admitted at Rujeko
isolation centre and is in a stable state. Currently we are still conducting
tests and as part of our plan, we are going to send specimens to Harare so that
they can do a further analysis to confirm the type of variant which we are
dealing with but at the moment we don’t know,” added Shamhu.

 Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial
Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira said the province was ready to contain
the disease and will be guided by the national taskforce.

“If the national taskforce recommends a
provincial lockdown we will do so because we are still doing an assessment. So
far we are not recording any cases outside Bondolfi which means that we have
contained the disease, said Chadzamira.

Testing is still ongoing at the
institution and 103 cases have been confirmed and are reportedly asymptomatic.

Africa Day: Govt celebrates achievements of women

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Africa Day: Govt celebrates achievements of women
Monica Mutsvangwa

 Wayne
Ncube

The Minister of
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa has said
government marked the 58th celebration of Africa Day with
recognition of the progress and achievements made in the advancement of African
women’s issues in the country.

The minister said this
while addressing a post-cabinet briefing in Harare on May 25 where the day was
being celebrated under the theme ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for
Building the Africa we want’.

She said the day was
the celebration of achievements of women and the progress of the girl child in
the task of nation-building regardless of the many challenges that still
subsist.

“On Africa Day, we
celebrate the achievement of women and the tremendous progress of the girl child
in the task of the nation-building. However, there are still challenges to
overcome but we have comfort that the goal of gender equality shall be achieved”

“The recent signing of
the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) agreement held so much promise
for economic prosperity and African women will be right there with their male
counterparts,” said Mutsvangwa.

In a statement, Woman
Coalition of Zimbabwe Masvingo (WCoZ) said that people should focus on “What is
the Africa that Women Want?”

“While celebrating the
Africa Day under the theme ‘Levers Building the Africa we want’, we should
focus on ‘What is the Africa that Women Want?’” reads part of the statement.

Addressing a press conference,
Labor Economists and African Democrats leader Linda Masarira said women should
ensure that they nurture the continent to unite and build a strong council of
African women which will restore Africa’s identity as well as its dignity.

“Women need to occupy
their space in Africa to ensure that they nature this continent to unite in our
diversity to have a strong council of African women that will restore Africa’s
identity and dignity of women in Africa.

“As we celebrate Africa
Day, let us remember to celebrate all the women who made life a reality and
respect their opinions,” said Masarira.

Africa Day is
celebrated yearly to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity
(OAU), now African Union (AU), by leaders of largely newly-independent
independent African states who gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 25 May
1963.

Nemanwa businesses defy council on new shop licence fees

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Nemanwa businesses defy council on new shop licence fees

Terrence Ndowora

The
Nemamwa business community recently refused to cooperate with a Masvingo Rural
District Council (RDC) finance department official who had been sent to them to
demand payment of shop licence fees.

The
finance department official, who was accompanied by a
security detail, went back to his work station empty-handed after business
owners turned him away.

“MRDC
dispatched Chinyan’anya from Finance Section accompanied by a security officer,
only identified as Chauke, to demand payment for shop licence for the current
term which ends in June 2021,” said a source.

The
business people, however, defied the council representatives saying they will
not pay unless council responded to their petition for a downward review of the
charges.

“The
official was told that a petition which was recently served to council was
constitutional and that business owners were justified in expecting a response.
Since the petition was served, there hasn’t been any official response by
Masvingo Rural District Council.

“When
Chinyan’anya was asked about response to the petition, he said he was new in
the office and knew nothing about it. We could therefore not entertain him and
he went back to his office empty-handed,” said a source.

Another
business person at the growth point told TellZim News that business owners were
willing to pay the shop license fees as long as council justified the increase
from US$24 per term which was paid last year going backwards, to the US$100 per
term which council currently demands.

“In
the recent past, members of the business community demonstrated at the council
offices, and council organised a meeting with Nemamwa Business Management
Committee (BMC). The council then promised to deal with the increase in fees
and revise it downwards but this was never done,” said the business person.

Others
accused Ward 12 Councillor Toddy Nyengerai of making empty promises that he was
going to table the issue in council and see to it that the charges are revised
downwards.

When
contacted for comment, Masvingo RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin
Mubviro complained there was no point in business people speaking about their
issues to the media, saying they must only follow the internal council
mechanisms to get their grievances addressed.

“Nemamwa
business people should approach us and see if there’s anything we can do for them. They cannot run to you media people as if we
have refused to listen to what they are saying,” said Mubviro.

HIV & Aids preventable in tertiary institutions, says SayWhat

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HIV & Aids preventable in tertiary institutions, says SayWhat

SayWhat at an HIV and Aids awareness campaign at the Reformed Church University (RCU)

Kimberly
Kusauka

MASVINGO – Voluntary
organisation SayWhat recently organised an HIV and Aids awareness campaign at the
Reformed Church University (RCU) where the focus was on preventive measures,
abstinence and protection for tertiary students.

Messaging
was transmitted through creatively artistic ways including poems, songs and
presentations to sensitize students on HIV and Aids.

SayWhat
representative, Simplisiyo Chilo said the idea was to encourage uptake of Sexual
and Reproductive Health (SRH) services at Youth Friendly Facilities that are
found at clinics.

“We
want to make sure that students have access to SRH services at the Youth
Friendly Facility at every clinic and they make full use of those services,”
said Chilo.

Peer
educators from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) performed songs and poems on
protection, prevention and abstinence as a way of fighting new HIV and Aids
infections.

A
National Aids Council (Nac) presenter encouraged condom use among tertiary
students, saying it was the most feasible measure against STIs (Sexually-Transmitted
Infections) and unwanted pregnancy.

“Use
of condoms is another way which can be used to prevent HIV and Aids in tertiary
students hence there is need for consistent lessons on how to properly make use
of them,” she said.

A
Population Services International (PSI) representative focused on HIV testing,
screening and treatment for STIs; encouraging students to regularly get tested,
and to accept and make consistent use of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) should
they be found to the HIV positive.

“As
PSI, we support HIV testing, screening and treatment for STIs at every Youth
Friendly Facility at any institution. We encourage students to go and get
tested for free. We also offer ARV drugs to students who are HIV positive in a
private and confidential manner,” he said.

Students
were given an opportunity to visit different service providers who were present
at the event for free lessons on SRH services under the ‘Smart choices for
smart learners’ SayWhat motto.

Pay for your own quarantine and isolation, Govt tells returnees

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Pay for your own quarantine and isolation, Govt tells returnees
Monica Mutsvangwa

 Wayne Ncube

The
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Monica Mutsvangwa has said citizens returning to the country will now
pay quarantine or isolation on their own.

Mutsvangwa
said this while addressing a post-cabinet briefing in Harare earlier this week.

This
is in line with the Statutory Instrument No. 108 of 2021 in relation to the
country’s ports of entry and exit and also in response to fight against the
spread of Covid-19.

Mutsvangwa
said the main part of amendment was that it now defined people who enter
Zimbabwe into three categories which include returning residents and national
or ordinary residents of a Sadc country in transit through Zimbabwe to another
SADC country.

“The
major highlight of the amendment is that it now defines people who enter the
country into three categories which include returning citizens or residents,
and nationals or ordinary residents of a Sadc country in transit through
Zimbabwe to another SADC country,” said Mutsvangwa..

Speaking
to TellZim News Masvingo Provincial Covid-19 Taskforce spokesperson Rodgers
Irimayi said returnees are quarantined or isolated at hotels as they come into
the country where the health personnel certify and the hotel agrees to the
terms and conditions of accommodation.

“Returnees
who test positive to Covid-19 will be isolated in hotels as they come in to the
country where they stay in hotels of their choice. However, the Health
personnel have to certify and the hotels should agree to the conditions. The
bookings are privately done between individuals and concerned hotels,” said
Irimayi.

He
said the returnees should be tested before their departure from the countries
they are travelling from.

“The
proper thing that has to be done is for the returnees to get tested before
their departure from the countries they are travelling from and it is important
for the returnees to ensure they are tested negative before getting into the
country,” he said.

Reprieve for Sese widow who lost cattle to cyanide

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Reprieve for Sese widow who lost cattle to cyanide
Susan Makusha

…
as she gets cattle from well-wisher

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – A
widow who lost five cattle after they reportedly drank cyanide water in a
mining area operated by Murowa Diamonds recently received five cattle from a
Harare-based businessman who was touched by her plight and wanted to help her
recover.

Susan
Makusha, of Mudziwedare Village in Sese of area of Chivi, received three oxen
and three cows worthy US$1900 from Alex Mashamhanda who hails from the same
area.

Makusha
said she was humbled by the assistance, thanking Mashamhanda for redeeming her
from absolute poverty.

 “I am happy that I now have cattle in my kraal
which has been empty since 2018 after my cattle drank poisoned water from
Murowa. I had initially hoped that the mining company will pay for it or
apologise at the very least, but they didn’t,” said Makusha.

The
Murowa Diamond Mining Company which has been prospecting in the area since 2018
is at loggerheads with the community over land degradation and chemicals which
are alleged to have killed the cattle.

Many
people villagers claim that the company is already doing active mining but is
hiding behind the claim of ‘still prospecting’.

Another
Sese resident is alleged also to have lost a number of turkeys which are
alleged to have also drunk water from the Murowa site.

Mashamhanda
has been helping the Sese community with a number of things and is supporting
them against the diamond mining company which many people feel is prejudicing the
area.

Mashamhanda
is paying hospital bills for another widow Vongai Paradza from Chichevo village
in Ward 20 who was beaten and injured by her mentally-challenged son.

He
has provided materials for the construction of a police camp at Sese business
centre, has  funded construction of
Chemakanda Dip Tank and donated dipping chemicals to Chemakanda and Mandizvidza
dip tanks.

Mashamhanda
recently donated around 20 bags to Danhamombe High School for the construction
of a teacher house and a similar number to St Simon Zhara Primary School for
the same purpose.

He
also donated some 210 000 litre-capacity Jojo tanks to both local schools and
has helped setting up of an irrigation in Ward 20.

Chaplin High School scores 100% pass rate at ‘A’ level

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Chaplin High School scores 100% pass rate at ‘A’ level

 

Chaplin High School

… top performing pupil attains 22
points

Tinaani
Nyabereka

GWERU
–
Chaplin High has once again cemented its record as a school of academic excellence,
with a clear 100 percent pass rate in the recently published ‘A’ level results.

The
top performer in the latest ‘A’ level results attained 22 points in science
subjects.

Speaking
to TellZim News during an interview after the release of the results, Chaplin
High head Rosemary Marufu said the school will continue working hard in its
quest for better results.

“I
am proud to be associated with such learners and teachers who have done us
proud. It is because of their hard work that we managed to attain the 100
percent pass rate in most of our subjects.

“I
am also glad that the school is producing remarkable students who have
represented the school well on the world map. We have four pupils who scored
high; 15, 19, 20 and 22 points in Arts, Sciences and Commercials. Previously, we
used to dominate in Arts and Commercials but this time, sciences have joined
the train,” said Marufu.

She
said despite the Covid-19 pandemic, pupils and their teachers exhibited team
spirit and hard work.

“We
have stayed strong despite the challenges we have faced due to the Covid-19
pandemic. I am proud of both our learners and our teachers for this achievement
in the face of adversity.

“We
could not afford virtual learning platforms for all our learners as the
facilities are too expensive for us and for the parents too. We encouraged
self-reading and consultation among pupils,” said Marufu.

She
said that in the recently-introduced practical subjects, students also attained
a 100 percent pass rate.

“We
attained 100 percent in practical subjects for which our students sat for the
first time, and these include crop sciences, sport management, technical graphics,
physical education and mass displays.

“I
urge every other class that will sit for their examination starting this year
to follow suit. As Chaplin we are the best and we will continue to do
everything with honour and integrity just in line with our motto,” she
said.

Women’s rights advocacy groups engage VFU on GBV awareness

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Women’s rights advocacy groups engage VFU on GBV awareness

File Picture

Clayton Shereni 

MASVINGO– The Covid-19 induced lockdown has caused many socio-economic problems, with Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases spiking during this period, it has been established.

Masvingo has not been an exception in these cases and many cases have been reported at various police stations in the province. 

In an engagement meeting between the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) and local women, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) provincial chairperson, Joyce Mhungu said they had been some positive developments in their engagement with VFU. 

“As WCoZ Masvingo chapter, since the inception of Covid-19 we held several meetings with women in a bid to monitor rights violations and emergent socio economic issues. Through the meetings, several duty bearers were identified and dialogues held with the different offices to seek redress. 

“Notable improvements were noted but not as expected as we still have service delivery challenges. The last grassroots meeting we held under TRACE led to the engagement with the police and their VFU department. VFU public relations have improved as they now accommodate our calls anytime,” said Mhungu. 

VFU Masvingo district coordinator, Inspector Tawanda Tongofa said they were swiftly addressing GBV cases and that they had increased VFU officers who are dedicated to dealing with GBV issues only. 

“We received some cases from our previous meeting with people from Manyama area and the issues have been addressed. We have VFU officers at some of our bases especially in town and other bases in rural areas have these officers. Those who have GBV cases must go and report those cases to VFU,” said Insp Tongofa. 

Masvingo police force has increased their VFU presence who are dedicated to deal with GBV issues and sexual harassment victims. 

Cases of sexual harassment and GBV have been rife in the province and one of the areas where this is rampant are mining areas including Manyama, Bhuka and Bhani. 

‘Menstrual challenges must be addressed to empower girl child’

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‘Menstrual challenges must be addressed to empower girl child’
Ezra Chadzamira

 Believe Mpofu

Zimbabwe
National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Masvingo provincial marketing officer Herbert
Chikosi has said that young girls are facing challenges during menstruation
owing to a number of reasons.

This
was discussed on menstrual health management dialogue meeting held on May 19 at
Chevron Hotel.

Chikosi
said many girls were missing school, work and journeys as they do not have the
means to control their menstrual flows.

He
also said myths and taboos that evolved around menstruation were silencing the
girl child; leading to the abuse and the marginalization of women. Chikosi said
some myths and taboos exposed some young girls to unprotected sex as they
believed they will be healed of period pain.

“Myths
and taboos are leading to the abuse and marginalization of young girls since
they are being told by some malicious individuals that if they give in to unprotected
sex, they will not suffer from period pain,” said Chikosi.

He
encouraged companies and other organisations to have clean toilets available so
that girls and women could feel comfortable.

“Toilets
must be comfortable for the girl child for her to change pads or sometimes bath
if necessary. Disposal bins are also required for her to dispose of whatever
needs to be disposed of thereafter.

“We
are organizing that sanitary wear be found everywhere in
public toilets just like condoms. This will help in giving confidence to girl
child,” said Chikosi.

Speaking
at the same event, the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and
Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira applauded ZNFPC for the discussion, saying it
constituted an important platform of engagement on some of the most neglected
topic in society.

 “I am delighted to say that this dialogue is
held at a time when the world must be filled with information about empowering
girl child. This dialogue is going to challenge responsible organizations to
empower girl child like what The First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa  did when she donated sewing machines to make
washable sanitary wear,” said Chadzamira.

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