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Biti, Sikhala saves MDC Masvingo executive from dissolution

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Biti, Sikhala saves MDC Masvingo executive from dissolution
Sikhala and Biti in at the Tsavingirai Memorial lecture in Masvingo on Feb 14, 2020

                                 
…as Chamisa settles for suspension
Upenyu Chaota
MDC
vice president Tendai Biti and national deputy chairperson Job Sikhala last
Sunday came to the rescue of the under fire MDC Masvingo provincial executive
which party president Nelson  Chamisa had
moved out to dissolve but had to only be suspended after Biti and Sikhala’s
intervention.
Time
has proven right sentiments by former MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora
who lambasted the MDC Masvingo provincial executive when it was elected last
year at the chaotic provincial congress saying they were incompetent and the
party, in the province, was doomed.
The
James Gumbi led executive retained the province at the last year’s controversial
provincial congress presided over by Chamisa but has failed to pass the test of
time with the party becoming dormant in the province under their watch.
Chamisa
told the MDC provincial assembly last Sunday that the province has failed and
showed gross incompetence which has resulted in chaos in the province with some
districts being presided over by parallel structures.
“Masvingo
has a big problem. We have a dysfunctional provincial executive which has
failed the people and the party.
“It
is my duty to dissolve this province because they have shown gross incompetence
and insubordination,” said Chamisa.
Biti
and Sikhala told Chamisa that it was prudent for the matter to be discussed at
the national council arguing that dissolving the province was rather too harsh
before ascertaining all the facts.
Chamisa
gave each provincial executive member the floor to speak for themselves but the
majority agreed to be dissolved saying they have failed but Chamisa went on to
suspend them indefinitely pending finalization of their charges by the national
executive.
Gumbi
was conspicuous by his absence from the provincial assembly meeting and he took
a lot of punches in absentia.
“Where
is Gumbi? Why is he not here? Who did he tell? That is clear insubordination.
This meeting was called for by the party’s leadership and Gumbi decides not to
show up without giving a reason. 
“I
will not tolerate indiscipline in the party. The party has protocol and
hierarchy. If you hold a position you serve at the pleasure of the people. But
if you see that you can no longer deliver as per the will of the people that is
your end,” said Chamisa.
MDC
Masvingo provincial organizer Elton Ziki tried to throw Gumbi under the bus
saying Chamisa must not paint them with the same brush arguing that it was
Gumbi who had a problem and he should be the only one to take the fall.
“We
should not paint everyone with the same brush. Some of us are just caught up in
between when the real problem is with Gumbi.
“Gumbi
is a highly temperamental character and he does not take onboard other people’s
opinions. He gets angry easily and imposes his will on the province,” argued
Ziki.
Chamisa
fired back at Ziki telling him that Gumbi alone would not have destroyed the
province but it was a collective effort by all provincial members.
“The
problem is not Gumbi. You have all failed. Do not try to defend yourself. You
fail as a team. The province has no capacity to work together. Objectively
speaking this province has failed.
“I
told you to deal with the mayor Maboke issue but you did not listen. The party
has become dormant under your watch. We will not have this. There are serious
factions in the province and there are a lot of parallel structures in most
districts and the province is the problem so we are suspending it.
“An
independent team will be put in place to deal with all the problems in the
province,” said Chamisa.
Gumbi
could not be drawn into comment as his mobile went unanswered.

Year 2020 is ours: Bikita RDC

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Year 2020 is ours: Bikita RDC
Peter Chibhi

Brighton Chiseva

BIKITA – Bikita Rural District
Council (RDC) is confident that 2020 will be their year, with many projects
nearing completion while many others are being planned.
The Shumbaimwe
Clinic project in Ward 11, which was constructed by the local authority in partnership
with Bikita Minerals, is one of the major projects that have already been
completed.
The project is
set to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2020, and will lessen the distance
travelled by locals to the nearest health centres.
There is hope
for greater portable water provision in the form of bush pumps as well as
solar-powered boreholes which are to be drilled in the first quarter of this
year in various wards of the district.
Bikita RDC Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Chibhi said he was confident that the local
authority will be able to complete all outstanding projects within the
stipulated timeframe.
“The year 2020
is set to be the year of achieving the results. We want to meet the set targets
and provide excellent service to the people of Bikita. I am confident that we
will commission a number of projects as well as complete those that are still
underway.
“The main focus
is on health, education and provision of safe drinking water. In that regard,
we are set to commission two more clinics namely Odzi Clinic in Ward 3 under Chief
Mabika and Mupamaonde Clinic in Ward 22 under Chief Mukanganwi in the second
quarter of 2020,” said Chibhi.
In the education
sector the local authority is set to commission a double block at Zindove
Primary School in Ward 2 under Chief Mabika and another at Mupakwa Primary in Ward
13 in Mukanganwi area again in the second quarter of the year.
In the third quarter
of 2020, Bikita RDC aims to complete more projects including Chibvure Clinic in
Nyahunda area, Ward 28.
“Our 2020 budget
was approved, and this will now give us room to enforce the tariffs. We want to
maximise revenue collection so that we can meet the set targets,” said Chibhi.
He urged
ratepayers to pay their dues in time to help the local authority to meet its
targets and ensure good service delivery.
“We encourage
all our ratepayers to make sure that they pay in time. This helps us to meet
the set targets. We want to make sure that we provide quality services to our
residents but we can only do that when they play their part,” said Chibhi.
Last year, the
local authority won a number of accolades and awards with Chibhi himself being
named CEO of the Year for the second year running during the Megafest Local
Governance Awards held in Harare.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                        

‘No coronavirus at Mutare’s Golden Peacock Hotel’

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‘No coronavirus at Mutare’s Golden Peacock Hotel’


…hotel management assures counters
smear campaign
 

From left Golden Peacock Villa Hotel Food and Beverages manager Willard Mudhombiro, General Manager Celia Woo and Sales Manager Matthew Takura

Felix Matasva


MUTARE – In
wake of the deadly coronavirus, many Chinese-owned businesses in the country
are bearing the brunt of stigmatization, with some potential clients shunning
those businesses in fear of the contagious diseases which has killed over a
thousand people in China.
One
such business is Golden Peacock Villa
Hotel
which this week moved to allay fears of coronavirus being present at the place.
Speaking
during a press conference which was held at the hotel on Tuesday February 11, Golden
Peacock Hotel general manager Celia
Woo said the false claims by its competitors were a marketing gimmick which was
neither fair nor ethical.
“Because
of the coronavirus, most of the Chinese business enterprises in Zimbabwe have
been greatly affected. Our business operations have been on the low since many
people no longer want to be associated with anything China-related.
“We
understand the concerns of our clients but we reassure our clients that this is
and has always been a perfect destination where their safety and needs are
satisfied with utmost care and love.
“What
we do not understand is why some of our competitors are taking advantage of
this situation to slander us… it’s very unfortunate and unethical. I want to
make it clear that this hotel is very safe and our clients have nothing to
worry about,” said Woo.
She
said she herself had never been to China for the past six months and their
clients had nothing to fear when they see her and other Chinese staff.
“At
the moment there are only two members of staff who are Chinese, myself
included. We both have not been to China since the outbreak of the virus.
“We
have not been receiving anything from China since the outbreak of the virus so
we assure our clients that this is a safe environment as it has always been.
Our competition should adhere to professional codes of ethics and not cause alarm
and despondency among clients,” said Woo.
Golden Peacock Villa Hotel sales manager Mathew Takura
said they were asking for travelling documents as a control measure to revoke
bookings from the coronavirus affected countries.
“As a control measure we ask for identity cards
and passports and if we see that the person is from China or other affected countries, we are
not accepting the booking.
“Almost all our customers are locals. So everything we
prepare here is local as we buy from local farmers and shops and nothing is
imported from China,” said Takura.
Golden Peacock Villa Hotel food and beverages manager Willard
Mudhombiro said that they
target local and international customers hence their cuisines are not specifically targeted
at
the Chinese only.
“When we opened this hotel there was a
misconception that we cook dog and snake meat. 99 percent of our customers are
Zimbabwean and we have tailor made our cooking methods to suit them.
“We do not have any Chinese cuisine targeted at
Chinese people. We do not
cook dog and snake meat here as our meals are meant for Zimbabweans and other international guests,”
said Mudhombiro.
Golden
Peacock Villa Hotel has grown to be the largest hotel in Manicaland with
regards to room and conference capacity since it opened its doors in June 2012.
The
hotel can accommodate 1 000 people per day in their conference rooms and in
terms of room occupancy it can accommodate around 230 people per night.
As valentine’s special their rooms will be sold at 30
percent discount with a lot of activities lined up for the day.
The
Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed that the country can now identify,
amplify and detect the deadly disease in the local laboratories.
Coronavirus
cases are being quarantined and admitted at Wilkins Infectious Diseases
Hospital in Harare.
The
number of deaths related to the coronavirus outbreak in China rose by more than
100, bringing
the total number of deaths across the Chinese 31 provinces to 1 016, with more
than 42 600 confirmed cases according to NBC News.

Legal Perspectives with Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa

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Legal Perspectives with Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa



Corporal punishment: Are parents, teachers allowed to whip children?
With effect from 03
April 2019, judicial corporal punishment on male juveniles is no longer
permissible in Zimbabwe. This follows a far reaching Constitutional Court
judgment in the case of S v Chokuramba
CCZ 10/19.  The apex court is however
yet to make a determination on the constitutionality of administering corporal
punishment in school and in the home. This article unpacks the legal position
regarding corporal punishment in Zimbabwe.

What
is corporal punishment?
The
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as ‘Any punishment
in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain
or discomfort, however light.’ It follows therefore that any form of kicking,
smacking, slapping, spanking, pinching or the doing of anything which causes bodily
harm is corporal punishment.

History
of corporal punishment in Zimbabwe.
In 1987 and in S v Ncube and Ors 1987
(2) ZLR 246 (S), the Supreme court sitting as
a Constitutional Court held that administering corporal punishment upon adult male
convicts was unconstitutional. In 1989 the
Supreme Court similarly declared judicial corporal punishment upon male
juveniles unconstitutional in the case of S v A Juvenile 1989 (2)
ZLR 61 (S)
In 1990, the
then Constitution outlawed corporal punishment upon adult male offenders but overturned
the decision in S v A Juvenile by
inserting a provision which permits judicial corporal punishment upon male
juveniles. The same year, section 353 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence
Act [Chapter 9:07] (hereinafter CPEA) was enacted to reintroduce corporal
punishment on male juvenile offenders. In 2006, the Criminal Law (Codification
and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 (hereinafter the Code) brought in provisions
which permits the administering of ‘moderate corporal punishment’ by parents at
home and by school authorities.
In 2013,
the current Constitution came into effect. Section 53 of the Constitution enshrines
the protection of the fundamental right of any person not to be subjected to all forms
of physical or psychological torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.

The Chokuramba Case
In S v Chokuramba HH-718/14 the
High Court made an order declaring judicial corporal punishment on male
juveniles unconstitutional because it violates section 353 of the CPEA. An
order of constitutional invalidity made by the High Court or any other court has
no force of law until confirmed by the Con-Court.  As a result of the foregoing, Muremba J
referred the case to the Con-Court for possible confirmation. On 3 April 2019,
the Con-Court subsequently confirmed the finding of the High Court and declared
judicial corporal punishment unconstitutional.

Corporal punishment in the home or school.
On 03 March
2017, Mangota J sitting as a High Court in Pfungwa
and Anor v Headmistress Belvedere Junior Primary School and Ors HH 148/17 made
an order to the effect that the imposition of corporal punishment on children
at home or school violates children’s rights set out in sections 51, 53 and 81 of the Constitution. The High
Court order is still awaiting confirmation by the ConCourt. Corporal punishment
upon children at home and at school is therefore still legally permitted in
Zimbabwe.

Conclusion.
If the
ConCourt is to confirm the decision of the High Court in Pfungwa, no one, whether a teacher at school or a parent at home
would be legally allowed to whip, spank or even pinch a child. This would
undoubtedly be a bitter pill to swallow for many. The heavens will fall upon others.
Courts are however guided by the Latin maxim; Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum which means “Let Justice Be Done Though
the Heavens May Fall.”
Nyamukondiwa
Fidelicy writes in his personal capacity. Contactable on 0785827154/
nhanyams@yahoo.com.

Ghanaian trio joins Shabanie Mine FC

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Ghanaian trio joins Shabanie Mine FC

Exsto Makunzva
ZVISHAVANE- Three
players from Ghana’s Volta International Sports Academy (Visa) have reportedly
joined Central Region Division 1 outfit Shabanie Mine football club (fc)
popularly known as Bvaru Bvaru starting this season.
The
trio is said to have been in contact with the club and one of the players,
Julius Welback, is already in Zvishavane awaiting finalization of his work
permit.
The
19-year-old striker Ishmael Dadson and goalie Johnson Kofi Osei aged 20 are the
other two players who have reportedly agreed to join the Zvishavane based side.
Bvaru
Bvaru spokesperson Weston Wesley confirmed that the club has acquired the
services of three foreign players and called upon the corporate world to rally
behind the club this coming season.
“It’s
true, one Ghanaian is already here and the other two Dadson and Kofi are
supposed to arrive on February 7. We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest
to regain promotion in to the top flight league. We are appealing to the
corporate world for sponsorship as you know that there has to be a combined
effort in order for us to achieve our goal,” said Wesley.
In
an interview with TellZim News, King Ishmael Kwasi Amegatsey the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of the players parent Academy confirmed that the two
are yet to arrive in the country and said he was confident that the players
will add value to Shabanie Mine FC.
“Yes
I can confirm that one player has arrived and the other two are expected to
land at Robert Mugabe International Airport this Friday. Ishmael spent eight years
at the Academy and we felt that he had matured enough to play at any level.
“Johnson
is also another great player who has tried his luck at a couple of top clubs
across Africa including Orlando Pirates. I’m optimistic that they can make a
positive impact at the club if awarded a chance,” said Amegatsey.  
Shabanie
Fc coach, Timothy Maphosa said he welcomes the Ghanaians and believes the three
will add value to the team but said the club has fallen victim of player exodus
in recent years because they can’t afford better remunerations.
“It’s
good that we are going to have new players from Ghana but our biggest fear is
losing them to other big clubs if the players exhibit good skills. Last season we
had to start afresh after we lost almost the whole squad during the transfer
window and I had to look for players from the social league and from Division 3.
“Shabanie
fc is a very big brand and almost every team in Zimbabwe has a Shabanie flavor
so it is my plea to the Zvishavane business community to grab this chance and
be part of the history of bringing back lost pride,” said Maphosa.  
 Bvaru Bvaru have managed to secure sponsorship
from Verenga Empire and Barmlo Company but the deals need a backup.
The
2020 Division One season is expected to start in March although many teams are
reportedly weighing their options whether to take part or not due to the
soaring economy which has not spared the football fraternity.

Talented Bikita musician becomes voice disabled artists

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Talented Bikita musician becomes voice disabled artists
Clever Gumbo

Ruvarashe Chichera
Disabled upcoming gospel musician,
Clever Gumbo from Ward 32 in Bikita district is stepping up his work with an
ambition to become an ambassador and a voice for other disabled upcoming
artists.
Gumbo is drafting a constitution
for an association called Zimbabwe Association of the Disabled Upcoming Artists
(ZADUA).
Gumbo is a partner of the Centre
for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CGCDZ), an organization which
is committed to building socio- economic capabilities of community partners
mostly woman and youth for sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
She leads a music group of four
visually-impaired people which has released two albums aimed at showcasing the
talent of people with disabilities and fighting discrimination.
Gumbo said she was pushing hard
to get recognition as she launched the second album titled Nenyasha which
contains songs: Ndakagara Ndazviona,Ndokupupura, Ndidzidziseyi, Mutoro Unorema
and Muri Mutsvene which is the hit song 
on such radio stations as Hevoi Fm , Ya FM, Radio Zimbabwe and National
FM.
She told TellZim News her goal
was to overcome challenges she faces and become a mentor for artists facing the
same challenges.
Gumbo said she also wanted to
help people with disabilities get recognition in the arts industry.
“I have a vision similar to that
of Mtukudzi who built Pakare Paya. I would like to create a centre for disabled
upcoming artists where we will motivate and inspire each other and fight for
the rights of people with disabilities,” said Gumbo.
She expressed disappointment that
people with disabilities are sidelined even in their own spaces and functions
for example at the annually-commemorated International Day of the Disabled where
she feels few disabled artists are honoured or given a chance to perform.
Gumbo said she hoped that well-wishers
will help her so that she could do video-shooting for the new album, buy
instruments and get recognition from music promoters.

Removing Mnangagwa not treasonous, he is not Govt

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Removing Mnangagwa not treasonous, he is not Govt

…State accuses MDC of plotting coup
Upenyu Chaota
The
treason charge against MDC national deputy chairperson and Zengeza West Member
of Parliament (MP) Job Sikhala has put the state and defense teams on a
collision path over interpretation of subverting a constitutionally elected
government with the defense counsel led by top lawyer Beatrice Mthetwa arguing
that President Mnangagwa is not the government and can be removed from power
before 2023.
Sikhala
appeared before the Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze early
this week facing subversion charges where he threatened to take “the war and
fight to President Mnangagwa’s doorstep and overthrow him before 2023
elections”.
The
state prosecutors led by Tawanda Zvekare built their case of treason arguing
that Sikhala and his party were plotting to topple the government by using
violence and force but had to be schooled on the technicalities of the case in
which Mthetwa pushed for the exception to trial arguing that the state had a
weak case.
The
case which was supposed to run for a week was postponed to February 14 pending
determination by the court on whether the case should go for a full trial or be
thrown out.
The
state went to town arguing that the matter should go for a full trial saying
that they have video evidence and witnesses to the effect that Sikhala indeed
committed treason.
Mthetwa
argued that Sikhala never threatened to overthrow the government but was
specific saying it was President Mnangagwa he wanted to see gone before 2023.
“Mnangagwa
is not the government of Zimbabwe. Sikhala’s statement doesn’t refer to the
government as the government does not comprise of one person.
“Sikhala
said we are going to overthrow ‘him’ meaning one person. If he had said we are
going to overthrow ‘it’, the State would then have had a better case.
“Saying
President Mnangagwa will go before 2023 is not criminal because the
constitution provides for legal ways in which a sitting President can be
removed from office like through impeachment.
“The
statement meant that Sikhala being a Member of Parliament, will take the war
and fight to President Mnangagwa’s doorstep through mobilizing for an
impeachment. There is nothing treasonous about that.
“President
Mnangagwa can be removed from office before 2023 because the constitution sets
out the process which can make that happen and that is what Sikhala meant,”
said Mthetwa.
She
gave reference to the removal of former president Robert Mugabe before the
expiry of his term, a move which the High Court declared as legal.
Mthetwa
said that the state must not be confused by the use of words ‘war’ and
‘violence’ because they do not necessarily mean violence.
She
argued that there is nothing in Sikhala’s statement which points out that
President Mnangagwa will go through unconstitutional means.
The
State, however, argued that Sikhala’s utterances meant that they are going to
use violence and force to usurp power from the government.
“President
Mnangagwa is the government and if you threaten to remove him it means you have
threatened to remove the government.
“He
is addressed as the head of state which means everyone in government serves at
his pleasure. If you cut off the head everything else falls.
“Sikhala
meant that they are going to effect a coup on the government,” said State
prosecutor Zvekare.

Knives out for Simukai Primary head

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Knives out for Simukai Primary head

…parents
withdraw children from school
Elliot
Jinjika
CHIVHU—
Daggers have been drawn out on Simukai Primary School head Samuel Chinokwetu
whom parents accuse of abusing his authority and running down the school which
has affected grades.
Parents have since lodged a petition with the
Chikomba District Schools Inspector (DSI), Emmanuel Kwenda and have withdrawn
their children from the school until the head is gone.
A representative was sent by parents to approach the
District Development Coordinator, District Schools Inspector and Ministry of
Education and issued them with grievances and a proposal to dismiss Chinokwetu
as the school head.
Part of the grievances issued by the parents include
alleged child abuse by the headmaster with general work becoming part of every
day’s activities, imposition of policies and tuition fees without consultation
with parents.
Chinokwetu is also being accused of embezzlement and
privatizing school assets among other accusations.
Chikomba DSI Kwenda said that they are looking into
the allegations levelled against the head and the findings will determine the
course of action which will be taken.
“We have listened to the grievances by parents and
we are going to launch an investigation into the matter.
“The findings from the investigations will determine
the course of action that will be taken. A school can only be run when there is
good blood between parents and the school administration.
“Parents should return their children to school
while the matter is being finalized,” said Kwenda.

National Art gallery officially opens Rudo neTariro exhibition

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National Art gallery officially opens Rudo neTariro exhibition

Heather
Buzuzi
MUTARE—
The National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe last week opened the Rudo neTariro art
exhibition aimed at raising funds to support the underprivileged girl child
during the times of economic hardships.
Pupils drawn from different primary and secondary
schools across the province as well as students from tertiary institutions
showcased their art work which was put on sale.
Speaking at the exhibition, National Art Gallery
director Elizabeth Muusha said their organization is taking steps to encourage
talented upcoming artists to empower the girl child through equipping them with
requisite self-sustaining skills.
“Working together with the ministry of Primary
and Secondary Education and the ministry of Tertiary education, we would like
to nurture and explore the artistic talent in the girl child.
“The girl child suffers immensely to the harsh
economic conditions and they end up being victims so by tapping into their
artistic potential, we give them value and support so that they can be
self-sufficient,” said Muusha.
She said part of the money raised will go towards
paying fees for the underprivileged girls in the society.
“When the art pieces are sold the young artists get
45 percent of the amount and 35 percent will be directed towards charity and 20
percent is for the gallery.
“There nothing more empowering than education so we
want to make sure that the girl child gets education. Most societies still
believe in the primitive notion that the girl child’s education is

Gutu RDC boosts road construction fleet

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Gutu RDC boosts road construction fleet
New tipper purchased by Gutu RDC

…takes delivery of $1.24 million
tipper truck

Precila Takabvirakare
Gutu
Rural District Council (RDC) has taken delivery of a brand new tipper truck
which will add to the road construction fleet.
The
Tata tipper truck was recently delivered at the council offices by Tata
Company.
Bought
at a whopping $1.24 million in local currency, the truck is said to have been
delivered when the state of the roads in Gutu continue to deteriorate.
Gutu
RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Mutembwa said the delivery of the
truck will help ease the challenges the local authority has been facing in road
construction.
“Our
roads keep deteriorating and we have been facing a lot of challenges in
maintaining them. The biggest challenge is that our road maintenance fleet is
small and we have old machinery which sometimes break down and take time to
fix.
“The
purchase of this truck is the first step in the right direction to make sure
that we are back on the track and ensure good roads for our people.
“We
still have to purchase more machinery but the tipper was the most needed as we
had challenges to ferry gravel to the maintenance sites,” said Mutembwa.
The
recently purchased tipper becomes the first of its kind in the Gutu RDC’s road
construction fleet replacing the tractor which the local authority has been
solely relying upon.
Mutembwa
said that they thrive to make sure that they deliver top class services to
their people who pay their bills.
“Our
people pay their bills and they expect us to deliver on the services. We also
purchased a refuse compactor not so long ago because there was a dire need in
that area.
“We
have a lot of things which, if we had the funds, we could buy but we are strained
financially so we just have to work with what we have and make priorities,”
said  Mutembwa.

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