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Covid-19- Treat everyone as suspect

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…as Zim enters danger zone

TellZim Reporter

As
the wave of coronavirus continues to sweep across the country leaving bodies in
its wake, the acting minister of Health and Child Care Professor Amon Murwira
has called on Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and treat every person as a
suspect in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Murwira
said though the world is pinning its hopes on a possible medical breakthrough,
Zimbabweans should change their behavior so as to beat the pandemic.

“Our
cases are growing daily and the number of local transmissions is worrying.
Recent developments have shown us that the virus is here and will not take any
prisoners if our people are not careful.

“All
we have is ourselves and no one will come to rescue us. Our people need to
understand that Covid-19 is not a joke.

“There
is still too much reluctance when it comes to Covid-19 and people still think
it is a joke. That mentality will put lives at risk. At this stage, it is safe
to assume that every other person has the virus and you have to protect
yourself,” said Murwira.

He
said there are a lot of people who are crossing into the country illegally and
are being harbored by their relatives so that they avoid quarantine.

“People
are coming back from abroad through illegal means and some are being smuggled
in by truck drivers and will secretly go to their homes and lay low.

“By
doing so, the lives of those people harboring a returnee will be in danger and
they will only realize that when it is late.

“We
will not beat this monster if we do not change our behavior. There is no
science that can beat that. The world is looking at a medical breakthrough but
there is no science that can beat behavioral change. People should wash their
hands, put on face masks in public and avoid unnecessary movements,” said
Murwira.

Testing
in the country remains low but the government has said it has plans to
intensify testing so that they can get an appreciation of the extent to which
the virus has spread.

Since
the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak on March 20, 2020, Zimbabwe has recorded 2
704 Covid-19 cases and thirty six (36) deaths as at July 28.

 

Chamisa to sit out July 31 protests

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Nelson Chamisa at his rural home in Gutu (File Pic)



Upenyu
Chaota

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who
is currently on leave mourning over the loss of his mother, may be absent from
the planned July 31 protests called for by Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob
Ngarivhume.

Ngarivhume has since been arrested on inciting
charges and placed in remand to August 6 leaving the much hyped protests
leaderless with all eyes now pinned on Chamisa to lead from the front.

In a telephone interview with TellZim
News, Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda cast doubt on the biggest
opposition leader’s presence on the demonstration saying his boss was in his
personal space and deserves to get some rest and mourn his mother.

“President Chamisa is in his private
space and we honestly cannot expect someone who is mourning over the loss of
his mother to come and lead protests.

“He is on his leave and let him rest.
He has not been on leave since the 2018 elections and the man has worked so
hard and deserves a rest,” said Sibanda.

After the death of his mother, Chamisa
took a sabbatical from politics leaving one of his deputies Welshman Ncube to
take charge until he returns.

MDC Alliance national organizing
secretary Amos Chibaya told TellZim News that the July 31 protests were not
called for by his party and there was no need for people to look to Chamisa to
lead from the front.

Chibaya said the people of Zimbabwe
should not wait for anyone to come and free themselves from the chains of bondage
and poverty but have to take the initiative and lead from the front.

“President Chamisa is on leave and our
party is being led by acting president Welshman Ncube. If you want more
information regarding the participation of president Chamisa you have to go
through Ncube.

“But people should know that the
protests were not called for by the MDC Alliance but by Ngarivhume (Jacob). Our
party will simply show solidarity.

“It is high time that Zimbabweans rise
up in unison and stop looking to one person. The struggle is ours together and
we will achieve victory.

“The regime has since arrested
Ngarivhume with the intention of scaring people off but I am pleased that he
people are so raring to go. This is the mentality we want,” said Chibaya.

TellZim News could not get a comment
from MDC Alliance acting president Ncube as his mobile was out of reach.

Zanu PF has designated those who
participate in the ‘unconstitutional’ July 31 protests, aimed at usurping power
from a constitutionally elected government, as terrorists.

All Zanu PF wings have come out in full
support of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and vowed to defend him at all costs.

 

Masvingo Provincial Hospital investigates accounts officer

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Brighton Chiseva

Masvingo
Provincial Hospital has opened an investigation into their accounts officer’s
conduct after it emerged that he was using his personal EcoCash account to
receive funds from patients.

TellZim
News recently published a story from which patients were questioning why they
were being made to pay hospital fees into the accountant, Semucle Ganyani’s,
personal EcoCash account instead of the hospital’s account

Masvingo
Provincial Hospital public relations officer Ruth Zulu said they have since
initiated an investigation to see how the funds were handled.

“We
were not aware of this development until we read in the newspaper that our
accounts officer was using his personal EcoCash to receive hospital funds.

“We
would like to get to the bottom of the matter and we would like all those who
have been made to pay into Ganyani’s account to come forward with the receipts
they were given so that we can verify if they are genuine,” said Zulu.

Speaking at TellZim offices where she had come to try get more details about the matter, Zulu said it was illegal for hospital staff to use their personal accounts to receive
hospital money.

“The
hospital has its forms of payments and it is illegal to use one’s personal
account. When the hospital payment methods are all down, which is highly
unlikely, we would let patients go and they will come and pay later rather than
use a personal account.

“We
have since questioned the accountant and he told us that the hospital EcoCash
platform was down and he used his personal account for EcoCash payments and he
would then swipe for the same amount using his card.

“We
will go and get the bank records to see if there are any transactions swiped by
Ganyani’s card,” said Zulu.

 

 

 

GZU media lecturer Maphosa appointed ZMC commissioner

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Jasper Maphosa
TellZim Reporter
Jasper Maphosa, a Media and Cultural Studies lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) was today, July 24, appointed a commissioner of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Maphosa, who has over 10 years of experience in the media industry, is also the Media Owners Association of Zimbabwe vice chairperson.
His appointment together with eight other commissioners was announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.

The commission will be chaired by Prof Ruby Magosvongwe. Those that have been appointed commissioners underwent a rigorous interview process a few weeks ago.
Maphosa has become one of few GZU media lecturers who have been made an impact on the national media landscape including the likes of Golden Maunganidze who is the current Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe national chairperson.
Both Maphosa and Maunganidze are Mandela Washington Fellowship’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) fellows.

Covid-19— Red Cross, Coca Cola donate to quarantine centres, vulnerable groups

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The donation being handed over to minister Gwaradzimba



Felix Matasva

MUTARE— The
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society in partnership with the Coca Cola Foundation
recently donated an assortment of goods to vulnerable homes and quarantine centers
in Manicaland as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of Covid-19.

A consignment of hand washing
buckets, hand sanitisers, liquid soap and gloves among others were donated to
the elderly and other less privileged groups.

The beneficiaries
included Zororai Old People’s Home, Chengetai Orphanage, Rukariro Rehab Center
and
Nzeve for the Deaf Centre
.

Rowa, Vumba,
Toronto and Magamba quarantine centers also benefited from the donation.

Speaking during the
official handover of the donation to the Manicaland provincial Covid-19 task force chairperson who is also the minister of State for Manicaland
Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, Red Cross Society
representative Golden Muchekweni said that they pooled resources with the Coca
Cola foundation to make an impact on people’s lives during the coronavirus
pandemic.

“The elderly are
more vulnerable to coronavirus and someone has to remember them during these
trying times.

“The Coca Cola
Foundation, based in the United States, found it necessary  to work with us in making sure we take
appropriate measures to control and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“The best remedy to
combat this scourge is to change our behavior. We need to adopt a culture of
washing our hands using running water or sanitisers. We have come with the
buckets and sanitisers to make sure that the less privileged can use them,”
said Muchekweni.

The Red Cross
Society also made a direct donation of 600 blankets for use in quarantine centers.

Minister Gwaradzimba expressed gratitude for the
donation and called on all business people and community to offer a helping
hand during the course of the pandemic and lock down.

“We have to look
after each other. We are in this together and for once we are all on the same
side. We have a lot of underprivileged people in society and they all look up
to us for help.


“We give thanks
to Red Cross Society and the Coca Cola for the donation and we hope it will go
a long way in helping our people,” said Gwaradzimba.

 

 

 

 

 

PPC donates 36 tonnes cement for Cyclone Idai homes

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Part of the donation made by PPC

Felix Matasva

MUTARE- A
promise for better living conditions for families from the Cyclone Idai ravaged
Chimanimani district, who have been living in tents after their homes were
destroyed, has been guaranteed after one of the largest cement manufacturer
Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) last week donated 36 tonnes of cement towards
the rebuilding of the destroyed homes.

The cement valued
at US$15 000 is, according to PPC, part of the company’s corporate social
responsibility.

PPC head of sales
and marketing, Nkosana Mapuma, said the cement producer is committed to helping
the people of Zimbabwe and they have targeted the Chimanimani area as it is
still struggling to rebuild from the Cyclone Idai disaster.

“We learnt with a
lot of disappointment that a lot of people who had pledged to contribute in the
rehabilitation failed to keep their promises. We had to provide the basic human
need for the Cyclone Idai affected people which is housing.

“After interactions
with the local government ministry and certain esteemed government officials,
we were advised that housing was a matter of urgency hence the donation of 1 800
bags of cement to kick start the rehabilitation process.

“This is the first
phase of donations and more are coming after we make an assessment of the first
phase,” said Mapuma.

Mapuma encouraged
more players to come on board and join hands with PPC to play an active role in
the rehabilitation programmes saying it was a matter of urgency in the face of
the ravaging pandemic.

“We felt that
rehabilitation must be conducted now with urgency. It really pains us that
during this Covid-19 pandemic, there are people who do not have a roof over
their heads,” said Mapuma.

Manicaland
Provincial Development Coordinator, Edgars Seenza, expressed gratitude to PPC’s
donation saying many failed to walk the talk in their bid to donate.

“I’m grateful that
PPC have lived up to their promise after making arrangements with the ministry
of local government. We have a number of well wishers who had promised to
assist the displaced people however they have not fulfilled their promises,”
said Seenza.

Cyclone Idai, one
of Southern Africa’s worst nightmares, displaced thousands in Zimbabwe, Malawi
and Mozambique in March of 2018.

The calamity
devastated infrastructure and claimed the lives of many people and animals.

According to the
Department of Civil Protection, there are about 30 000 people from Cyclone Idai
affected areas, who are staying in tents.

PPC has also
rehabilitated a number of Hospitals in Bulawayo, Gwanda and recently
Chitungwiza Hospital.

 

 

 

 

Zifa Eastern region distributes $1.6million Covid-19 relief package

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…as transparency concerns are
raised

Clayton Shereni

The
Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Eastern Region has begun distributing the
Covid-19 bailout package to the affiliated Division One teams.

Zifa
received a total of US$1.3million from Fédération Internationale de Football
Association (
Fifa) and Confederation of African Football (Caf) as a Covid-19
relief package and the Eastern region received an allocation of $1.6million in
local currency.

Zifa
Eastern Region chairperson Davison Muchena confirmed to have started disbursing
the funds but admitted that there was no consensus between club chairpersons.

“We
held a meeting over the weekend with club chairpersons on how we should
distribute the funds which we received from the national office.

“Yes
there were concerns from other chairpersons stating that the funds were too
little and will be easily eroded by inflation, but at the end of the day we
came out with a decision to distribute that which we received as we wait for
more,” said Muchena.

The
Felton Kamambo led Zifa executive has stirred more controversy over
transparency on the distribution of funds and is failing to give a satisfactory
answer why they chose to convert the Covid-19 bailout package into local
currency.

One
of the club chairpersons who spoke on condition of anonymity accused Zifa of
trying to fleece them of the money by giving them local currency and playing
with figures.

“If
people hear that a D1 club was given $85 000 they will think that we got a lot
of money but this is not enough to foot our expenses.

“Why
did Zifa national choose to change the money from US Dollars? There is
something fishy here, by the time we access this money inflation will have done
the damage, they are just talking big figures to confuse people,” he said.

Clubs
are reportedly going to receive $85 000 each as the first phase of the relief
package from Zifa.

Masvingo
United FC chairperson Hubert Fidze said his club was yet to receive the money and
was making a follow up on processing of the funds.

“I’m
doing a follow up concerning that issue, we are yet to receive our share,
nothing has reflected in our account so far,” said Fidze.

Other
three regions have also reportedly started distributing funds to their
affiliates with each team expecting to get their bite of the cherry.

 

 

Prisons vegetable truck impounded for violating lockdown

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Virginia Njovo

City of Masvingo police details on Friday, July 17,
impounded vegetables from a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) truck
which was parked in the opposite Home Base contacting business at an
undesignated selling point.

Pleas from prison officers who were manning the truck
to be spared since the produce belonged to government fell on deaf ears as
council police insisted that they were doing business illegally.

Other officers also accused the ZPCS team of
contravening the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations promulgated by the same
government as well as City of Masvingo by-laws forbidding illegal vending.

“We are just doing our job without fear or favour. The
CBD is not for vending so you are supposed to go to the places designated for
vending,” said one of the council police officers.

After council police refused to back down, the ZPCS
team capitulated and could only watch as all their merchandise got carried
away.

When contacted for comment, Officer Commanding ZPCS
Masvingo Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga denied knowledge
of the incident saying those who were selling the produce were most probably
doing it as individuals and not on behalf of the organisation.

“We do not have any vegetables going onto the market
at the moment, and I have not yet heard about that incident. They were probably
doing it on their own individual capacity because we do not have any vegetables
being sold out there,” said Snr Ass Com Ndanga.

A source privy to the incident, however, said the
produce, which included king onions and other vegetables, indeed belonged to
ZPCS.

“They ignored our first warning when we impounded
their vegetables and advised them to go and ask the housing officer at Mucheke
admin offices for an appropriate selling space. Instead of complying after we
released their goods, they went back and continued selling.

“We were shocked as we did not expect such behaviour
from members of a key security arm of the state during this lockdown period. We
then impounded their goods again and this time we took it to our offices where
they await destruction on Monday 20 July,” said the source.

When contacted for comment, City of Masvingo public
relations officer Ashleigh Jinjika requested for comments to be put in writing
but had not responded by the time of publishing.


 

 

The July 31 march of madness

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Mapombi is back. Firstly I would like to offer my
apologies to my avid readers for depriving you of your right to read what I
write. I was in quarantine for the past few months and fortunately I tested
negative for coronavirus. Ko ndini ndadiiwo ingawani Khedha akamboshaikwa for
over five months achinorapiwa nemazhingzhong kuChina uko akadzoka ava mukaradhi.
Manje zvinhu zvemaChina hazvigari ndiri kunzwa kuti dzakadzokera futi kuChina
kumbonowedzerwa dzimwe nyama kkkk. Hanzi kumagumo kune nyaya yakadaro Masvingo.
A lot of things have happened while I was away and I don’t even know where to
start kuvhiya nyama iyi. Munongoziva kuti Mapombi anotaura nemo nemo handina
mutunhu unoera mago. Kana Mnangagwa akonewa ndinomuudza sezvazviri and haana
zvaanondiita. Chitima ikozvino chakavharwa saka I don’t have my usual meal and
a hungry woman is an angry woman.

I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to
Nelson Chamisa. Chikomana chakashaikirwa namai vacho saka tinoti zororai
murugare mbuya Nero inzira yedu tese. Kana mukasangana naSave kunyika dzimu
munongovaudzawo kuti tichiri nayo Zanu dai mapindira. Asiwo Thokozanu Khupe
haunyari wakaita sei. Shuwa ungabva watorera Chamisa party kumusiya ari
muswinda kudaro here. At least waifanira kumusiyawo ane chero Harvest House kwete
kubva watora everything. Zvakaomera Chamisa hama dzangu. Haachina party uku mai
vakabva vashaika. Mapombi is with the Chamisa family in prayers and I would
like to thank mbuya Chamisa for bringing into the world this young man who has
managed to stand up to Zanu PF and gave some hope to Zimbabweans that victory
is certain. But Khupe ndine daka newe. What were you doing kurufu? Wanga uchida
kunyatsa kudii chaizvo? Did you think that MDC supporters would welcome you
with open arms after what you did to their movement? Imiwo machinja muri
mbwende. Dai makabata munhu kkkkk. Hanzi naJah Prayzah ndiri kunzwa kuda kurova
munhu, ndiri kunzwa kuda kubata munhu, huya ndimbokurova Khupe kkkkkk.

Khupe aifanira kubva ipapo tsvimbo iri mugotsi because
anga auya kuzodenha. Ini Mapombi I am so angry at Khupe zvekuti dai akarohwa
ndaisamboita problem nazvo. Dai Mwonzora, Mudzuri and Komichi vakatouya havo
kurufu zvaitova nani because ndidzo mboko dzaifanira kunatsa kudashurwa
zvemhando yepamusoro. But why Mwonzora? Mapombi knew that this Mwonzora guy
would one day mwonzora Chamisa kuita wekudzura pachigaro. It is sad ladies and
gentleman. I know most of you are groaning under the yoke of this lockdown
yakaitwa nababa wedu Mnangagwa. Asi ED zvimwe nezvimwe wakonewa mwana wamai. We
have suffered enough because you have chosen to surround yourself with thieves.
Remember Mugabe makamutandanisa nenyaya yekuti he was surrounded by criminals
so what should we do with you now that you have followed the same footsteps?
While Mapombi was in quarantine, I was following the developments in our
country with a keen interest so that I come talk about them. I am happy at
least ED fired that useless Obadiah Moyo but he is not the only one. Why target
Moyo alone when we have useless people like this other Moyo wekuLocal
Government. July Moyo unondinzwa here iwe. Uri corrupt murume iwe but since uri
mutight waED tingagokudii and hapana zvatinokuita but kumagumo kune nyaya.

Ko imi masoja nemapurisa munoreva here kuti zvenyu
zviri kufaya. Gen Sibanda where are you? Why do you let your boys be cheapened
by being deployed to man roadblocks? Putting our soldiers on the road is not
good for the force General PV Sibanda. Our soldiers will soon be accused of
taking bribes which they already are but hatisi hedu kuda kuita noise about it.
Zvipipipi zviri kungoita madiro ajojina zvichingotonyora mari pamaroadblock ane
masoja iwayo. Nhai General makaona kuti hamungasaririwo here kuda kujoiner
mapurisa kubira vanhu. Regai ndisanyanye kudzika dzika nenyaya iyi otherwise
ndingaitwa zviya zvechikomana Chipanga chakazopfeka juzi riya rakaita
mukurumbira. Kana ndanyanyisa kutaura chokwadi I ask for your forgiveness
General I am still young and learning. Mthuli Ncube huya pano. Can someone tell
me what is wrong with this guy? At first I thought anowanza mandudu but I
realised kuti haa bodo muchinda uyu anotopenga chaiko. Ikozvino you don’t
understand kuti mari irikushanda munyika medu ndeipi. Bond redu harichambodiwa
but Mthuli chinoramba chakasadharara kuti shandisai mapepa iwayo. Bond note is
the strongest currency in SADC kkkkk. Nyika yaenda kumawere iyi varume but we
have brilliant minds who can be better Finance ministers kwete zvaMuturi zvaari
kutiitira izvi. Biti and Chinamasa please help this useless professor. We
thought vampires are myths but Mthuli is a living testimony. He rejoices when
we suffer. People used to buy petrol at US$.90 per litre Mthuli chikauya
chokwidza hacho just because of ethanol. Kungoda kuitisa Billy mari chete. Dai
mbuya vangu kwaChirimudombo vairoya shuwa ndaiti torai Mthuli mudye zvenyu.
Tingagara sei nhai amai. Tingagara sei nembavha.

I want to urge people that Coronavirus is not a joke.
It is here and we will die if we are reckless. Please stay safe dear readers
and always remember to wear a face mask in public, sanitise and condomise
kkkkk. I said ED is surrounded by criminals and I wonder if he would go the
Mugabe way. July 31 has been hyped so much as the day on which something
important is going to happen. Are you guys serious? Have you not learnt a
lesson yet? In Zimbabwe guns shoot at 30 degree angles and still kill people.
Which part of that do you not comprehend? Iwe Ngarivhume usada kuchekeresa vana
wevanhu nhaika. Enda wega kustreet on July 31. We all want Zanu PF to go but
not the way yauri kuda kutifurira nayo iyi. Ini Mapombi kustreet handiendi.
Zanu PF kills and munofira halas. There is no honor in being a dead hero,
cowards will claim the heritage. How can you send vana kuhondo kune enemy ine
pfuti iwe woti endai munopopota? All opposition forces are yet to figure out
how to deal with Zanu PF. What kind of a strategy is that nhai iwe Ngarivhume?
I hate to burst your bubble but do you think Zanu PF will to allow you to
demonstrate against it kkkk. If Zanu PF says no, which they obviously will,
then hype yese yamakaita iyi hapana nezviripo.

I will never inform my enemy kuti ndiri kuuya kumba
kwako kuzokurova then give him all the details. Either you will find the enemy
gone or you will find him or her well prepared for you zvekuti unozvipa nhamo.
We are in the Covid era and obviously Zanu PF will use this to their advantage.
They will stop the demonstration hiding behind Covid saka dzikamai henyu anhu
woye. We have sacrificed a lot of people by these demonstrations and we have to
sober up and try a different strategy. Chando chino unorohwa nemboma ukaremara.
Zanu PF is not an organisation yekutamba nayo chiramu. At least Chamisa
akanyarara hake about this demonstration because ari kumbochema mai vake.
Yatova nherera mufana uyu. Ngarivhume I hope you will lead from the front. Tese
tirikutambura and we all want Zanu PF to go but not the July 31 way so please
stay home and stay safe. Semunhu who has been in quarantine I have a lot to say
but I will end here. Regai hangu ndinokanga maputi angu for lunch since kusina
mabanana akaora mazuvano. Thank you City of Masvingo for renovating my home
kuno kuchitima. I hope muchapawo Mapombi a decent place to sleep. Mboko imboko.

MP blasts Renco Mine for drinks bonus

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Renco Mine workers scavenging for scrap metal



… as employees scavenge for scrap metal to survive

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Member
of Parliament for Masvingo South Claudius Maronge has blasted Rio Zim’s Renco
Mine for awarding its employees two 300ml soft drinks as a token of
appreciation for meeting their monthly targets.

Maronge
said Renco Mine was failing to pay its workers reasonably and many were living
in poverty as witnessed by the scrap metal rush.

Renco
Mine asked its workers to bring empty bottles to collect two 300ml soft drinks
each as a token of appreciation for the good production achieved in the month
of June which they collected.

After
the workers received their drinks, Maronge said he called the mine authorities to
express his displeasure with what he regarded as an insult.

“I
called them to enquire why such a big organisation could give workers drinks
for their hard work and they claimed that it was just an extra complement
following a monetary bonus for reaching a monthly target,” said Maronge.

Maronge
accused the mining company of failing to fulfil in its social responsibility despite
acknowledging that they were meeting their output targets.

“They
claim to be meeting their targets but they are failing to do their social
responsibility. They are not helping to develop the area and are failing to pay
their workers. We expect them to be improving roads that link Renco Mine and other
areas. The Renco Turnoff Road and the Mashate Road are very bad and they should
be gravelled.

“We
also expect them to improve services at Jena Rural Hospital where the
surrounding communities get health services since their clinic only tends to
their workers and their immediate family members,” said Maronge.

There
has been an increase in Renco Mine workers visiting the dumpsite to scavenge
and dig up old scrap metal for sale so as to complement their meagre earnings.