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80-year-old widow kicked out moments after husband’s funeral

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80-year-old widow kicked out moments after husband’s funeral

Monalisa Matongo
MUTARE – A 63-year-old man from Gutarurare village under Chief Zimunya was
recently dragged to kraal head Machikiti’s court where he was made to kneel on
the ground and pay a cow as fine for kicking away from home his 80-year-old step
mother moments after his late father’s burial.
Joseph Magagada declared that he had every right to kick out
Rosemary Tinofara from home, claiming that the property belonged to his late
father and mother and not to her.
He claimed that Rosemary did not build any house, kitchen or bedroom
for herself when her husband was still alive as per tradition, so there was no
space for her in the homestead.
During the case’s settlement, Tinofara complained that Magagada had
always been a thorn in the flesh for her even when his father was alive. She
claimed that while on his deathbed, Magagada’s father had instructed that no
one should ever kick her out.
Neighbours testified that Magagada and Tinofara had never been in
good books and they always quarrelled.
After deliberations, Tinofara then opted to go away and start a new
life on her own, and the court agreed with her as she had no marriage
certificate to help her assert her rights.

Makanaka High School opens doors in Victoria Ranch

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Makanaka High School opens doors in Victoria Ranch

TellZim Reporter
School
children in the sprawling suburb of Victoria Ranch can now breathe a sigh of
relief after a new school, Makanaka High School, has opened its doors to cater
for pupils from and around the new high density suburb.
There
has been many calls for a high school which will service Runyararo North West,
Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch. Residents tried in vain to engage the city
council to build the high school but the city fathers cited financial
constraints.
The
Simukai Reformed Church run Makanaka High School is that answer. The opening of
the school will help to decongest the already existing few high schools.
Makanaka
High School becomes the sixth high school in Masvingo City joining the league
of Ndarama High School, Mucheke High School, Masvingo Christian College,
Victoria High School and Masvingo Day.
Makanaka
High School is registered with the ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
and will be a Zimsec center.
Speaking
during a tour of the school, Makanaka High School Board of Trustees treasurer,
Ephraim Gwanongodza said the school will seek to bridge gap left by the
existing high schools.
“This
school came to be after residents complained that their children were
travelling long distances to access high schools.
“We
build this school to service the community and the fees will be fair for
everyone. No one should travel long distances to access education. If possible
each location should have both a high school and primary school,” said
Gwanongodza.



Another
member of the school’s board of trustees, Goddart Dunira said the school is
there to serve the community and provide education for everyone in the area.
“We
saw that the special need for a High school in Victoria Ranch so we built a
school which is affordable to all.
“This
is not a private school and we have plans to introduce night school classes so
that we cater for everyone who wants to learn and we are doing things according
to what the government wants, which is education for all.
“Makanaka
High School is an inclusive school and we will thrive to offer the best,” said
Dunira.
Dunira
said they will soon be constructing a primary school which will feed into the
high school.
The
school fees at the institution per term for Forms 1-3 are ZWL$700 and a
registration fee of ZWL$200.

Court bars Chief Tshovani from Neromwe’s territory

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Court bars Chief Tshovani from Neromwe’s territory

 Neromwe (left) with Tshovani (right), Charmubira (2nd from left) and an unidentified individual during the launch of the Kilimanjaro Project in late 2019           


Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI
– Embattled Chief Tshovani, born Hlaisi Mundau, was recently banned from
setting foot in Chief Neromwe’s territory after the latter approached the courts
seeking a restraining order against the former who had trespassed into his
chiefdom and addressed his subjects, TellZim News can report.
Chief
Neromwe, born Clemence Madzingo, approached Chiredzi Civil court applying for a
restraining order against Tshovani whom he wanted banned from setting foot in
his chiefdom after he had addressed multitudes of Neromwe subjects at Ditoi,
challenging his chieftainship.
Chief
Neromwe was officially installed as substantive chief by the Minister of State
for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira under the authority of
President Emerson Mnangagwa.
The
installation ceremony was held at Masimbaavanhu Primary School but Tshovani has
been challenging the installation through in the courts of law.
The
creation of Neromwe chieftaincy saw Tshovani losing Chiredzi Rural District
Council (RDC) wards 17, 26, 27 and 28; leaving Tshovani with only wards 20, 22
and 32.
In
his ruling, magistrate Rogers Mawarire said his decision to award the
restraining order had been made after considering that the installation of
Chief Neromwe was done by the respectful board involving the president of
Zimbabwe, Minister of Local Government July Moyo and his permanent secretary,
who are the authorities in that area.
Mawarire
also said his decision was made after observing proximity, convenience, history
and language spoken in the area, though the area is still yet to be gazetted as
they are resettlement areas.
“Neromwe
must hold fort to wards 17, 26, 27 and 28 until the government gazettes to
identify who possessed the land because it is a resettlement area. This is
meant to avoid anarchy and chaos,” said Mawarire.
He also
said Tshovani’s lawsuits against the legitimacy of the Neromwe chieftainship
had come at a huge cost to the new chief.
“Chief
Tshovani is therefore barred from conducting any public meetings in Neromwe’s
territory or any form of gathering until the government gazette has been
released.
“Tshovani
has harassed Madzingo almost every time by challenging his chieftainship in
courts and he should have not opposed the application. He also preached that
his chieftainship was challenged and he has not been successful in all these
legal battles therefore he has to pay back Chief Neromwe the resources he spent
defending his rights,” said Mawarire .
Chief
Tshovani is set to pay more than $200 000 to Chief Neromwe.

Shirley Makausi and the beauty of retirement

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Shirley Makausi and the beauty of retirement

…veteran
educationist, Ndarama High School head savours moments of newfound rest
Star Matsongoni
Retiring
from work could be a wonderful and fulfilling experience especially for those
that do so voluntarily and after having left behind a positive legacy worthy
emulating.
This
is the story of former Ndarama Government High head Shirley Makausi who now
walks with her head held high in the full knowledge that she has moved on to
yet another stage of her life having led what used to just be ‘another public
school’ to a great institution that it is today.
Ndarama
High School is one school which is living in the beauty of its dreams after the
former head presided over its rapid transformation into the best performing
government high school in Masvingo province and even beyond.
Makausi,
who now lives a quiet life away from the public glare, opened up in an
interview with TellZim News that she was satisfied by the progress that she
helped cement at the school.
“It
has been a hard journey but one which I do not regret, one which helped me grow
my knowledge and competencies. I am glad that I have disembarked not from a
sinking ship but from a one which is intact and destined for greater
destinations,” said Makausi.
She
said she was particularly pleased with the quality of the school’s overall
performance in terms of academic development, performance in the sports field
as well as improvement of infrastructure and learning conditions.
“The
school’s academic competency remains at its highest at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels.
Since 2004, ‘A’ level classes have been growing from 75 percent towards the 100
percent pass rate mark. In the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, we had 100 percent at
‘A’ level. Our ‘O’ level pass rates have been growing rapidly and beginning in 2017,
we attained 100 percent.
 “I am glad that that I helped the school
to excel not only academically, but in the whole curriculum package we give to
the learner; in sports, arts and culture,” said Makausi.
Makausi
reframed the school’s objectives, vision and the rules and made sure that they
were followed.
“I
knew what I wanted and I wanted Ndarama to be one of the most recognized schools
so I had to change the school’s vision, objectives and rules.
“It
wasn’t easy as I faced resistance, and had to charge some teachers for them to
see how serious I was and for them to accept the change. After I had shared my
vision and made sure that my staff understood and embraced it, things started
to flow and they were happy as they started to see light at the end of the
tunnel,” said Makausi.
She
credits her Catholic faith for keeping her going even in the most challenging
of all circumstances, saying God had been her guide throughout.
“My
day started at 5 am when I would attend the 5-6 morning mass and by 6:30, I
would be at school by the gate. How you start your day is also important
because I see the hand of the Lord in everything I have done,” said Makausi.
The
experience she gained at other schools before she moved to Ndarama High was
also invaluable in her efforts to transform the government school.
Makausi
served as deputy head at Victoria High School and as school head at Chirichoga Secondary.
“The
experience I gained at the other schools helped me to shape up. I would like to
particularly acknowledge the experience I gained under the then St Anthony’s
Musiso High School head Mr. Nengeze who taught his staff true love for work and
how to implement change.
“I
strongly believe in excellence which I learnt at Victoria High School. This is
how I managed to help improve Ndarama as a school. I was able to help provide a
conducive working and learning environment; even our grounds are perfect,” said
Makausi.
In
terms of infrastructure at Ndarama High School Makausi made a huge difference
with new classroom blocks being built and existing ones being improved. The ‘A’
level science laboratory block has now been completed.
The
school is also engaged in agricultural projects such as the production of eggs
and cabbages that are supplied to some boarding schools.
The
mother of three and grandmother of four says she is looking forward to becoming
a consultant, offering advice to others as she is no longer interested in being
a fulltime employee.
Makausi
went to Asher Girls’ Secondary School in Bulawayo and St David’s Bonda in
Mutare.
She
graduated from the then University of Rhodesia with an Honors Degree in Shona
and Theology in 1975. She then went and taught at Duwere High School for a year
before going back to school after which she graduated with a Certificate in
Education.
Before
becoming a school head at Ndarama, Makausi worked in the education sector at
different schools including St Anthony’s Musiso from 1980-1983 and Masvingo
Christian College from 1983-1994.
In
early May 1994, she was promoted to Ndarama Secondary School deputy head and
she served in that capacity until 1995. She was then requested to go to
Victoria High where she served as deputy head from 1995-1997. She served as
school head at Chirichoga High from September 1997- February 2004.
Her
journey at Ndarama High started in 2004 and the fruits of the journey are
testified by the visible imprint she has made at the school.
Makausi
believes that it all starts by being a good teacher, knowing what you want and
your responsibilities.
At
Ndarama, she won a lot of awards among them the Secretary’s Merit Award twice
(2013 and 2018), Best School Head and Most Outstanding School Award.
“We
once had a challenge when other school heads complained that Ndarama should be
rated under boarding schools to make the ratings fairer, but then we were not a
boarding school and Ndarama remains a day school to this day,” said Makausi.
“If
there was a time which brought the school together, it was the time of
receiving our ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examination results. We would sing and dance in
celebration. I will always cherish those moments. I am also proud that we
constructed a good ‘A’ level laboratory block,” said Makausi
Makausi
said she never had any challenges being a female school head.
“I
never had problems as a female head as all my staff respected me and I had an
imposing motherly figure to them. I respect girls’ high schools very much as
they teach confidence, being courageous. “I believe in saying my mind out as
that is the only way to make people understand you,” said Makausi.

Violent Zanu PF 2008 run-off election activists face judgement

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Violent Zanu PF 2008 run-off election activists face judgement



…as 12-year-old election violence case refuses to
die down
Nyashadzashe
Mambure
ZAKA
– Three Zanu PF
activists accused of illegally confiscating a cow from a village family he
accused of being MDC members during the violent presidential election run-off
of June 2008 will know his fate on January 30, 2020.
The three, who were part of the Zanu PF campaign
machinery, allegedly seized the beast from which belonged to Alouis Mashiri of
Mashiri village under Chief Nhema, Ward 15.
The
accused persons; Cosmas Simon, Zvirevo Majoni and Sekai Pepukai
of Fuve village, are accused of confiscating the cow as punishment on Mashiri
whom they accused of voting for the MDC.
They
are being represented by James Makiya of Makiya of Makiya and
Partners.
The
Mashiri family had their cattle seized and killed for meat by Zanu PF
supporters at the height of political violence which followed the ruling
party’s electoral loss to the opposition MDC.
The
accused have pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing that the case is a
result of personal grudges and a quest to settle scores.
The case was for long out of court after the
docket and other documents reportedly disappeared, only for it to resume on
October 14, 2019 following the recovery of the documents reportedly at the
Masvingo Magistrates’ Court.

Legal perspectives: A Look Into types of marriages in Zim

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Legal perspectives: A Look Into types of marriages in Zim

Marry
‘Chiwenga’ marriage fraud case: A Look Into types of marriages in Zim

With Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa

Marry Mubaiwa, the enstranged
wife of Vice President Chiwenga recently made headlines after being arrested inter alia for allegations of
fraudulently attempting to upgrade
their Unregistered Customary Law Union (UCLU) into a Civil Marriage.  This article explores the types of marriages
recognised in Zimbabwe.
Unregistered Customary Law
Union
The majority of marriages in Zimbabwe are UCLUs. There is
no marriage certificate for an UCLU because it is legally not a marriage. The
law however recognises it for purposes such as maintenance and custody of
children. It comes into being through a
roora/lobola ceremony. In Hosho v Hasisi
HH 491/15, the
High Court reemphasized that the customary meaning accorded to this type of
marriage revolves on the payment of lobola.
Parties
to an UCLU can agree to upgrade it into a Customary or Civil Marriage. Mary
Mubaiwa is alleged to have attempted to register their UCLU into a Civil Marriage
purporting that the VP had consented to the upgrade when in actual fact he had
not. The way UCLU can be dissolved varies with custom. In most Shona customs it
involves payment of a divorce token known as ‘gupuro’. It is however permissible to have an UCLU dissolved by a
court especially where disputes concerning the sharing of matrimonial property
arises.
Customary
Marriage
A Customary Marriage is solemnised
in terms of the Customary Marriages Act [Chapter 5:07] and like an UCLU it
can be polygamous. It is solemnised by a customary marriage officer who can
either be a magistrate or an official/chief appointed as a marriage officer by
the Justice Minister. Proof of its existence is a marriage certificate. A
Customary Marriage can be converted into a Civil Marriage but the latter cannot
be converted into the former. A Customary Marriage is dissolved by an order of
a magistrate.
Civil
Marriage
Civil Marriages used to
be solemnised in terms of a statute then known as Marriage Act [Chapter 37]. It is as a result of the foregoing that
some people still call them “Chapter 37”. They are now solemnised in terms of
the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] and are
monogamous. A magistrate or other legally designated marriage officer such as a
priest or a pastor solemnises Civil Marriages. It cannot be ‘downgraded’ into
an UCLU. A Civil Marriage can only be dissolved by an order of a High Court
judge.
About Cohabitation
Cohabitation
is when a man and a woman stay together as husband and wife without payment of
lobola nor registration of the union. This is commonly referred to as small
houses, kubika/kuchaya mapoto or ukuhlalisana.
Clause 40 of the Marriage Bill, 2019 which
stirred a public outcry mid last year sought to legalise cohabitation.
 Conclusion
Civil Marriages and
Customary Marriages are the legally recognized marriages in Zimbabwe. UCLUs are
technically not marriages but are legally recognized for other purposes. The
gazetted Marriage Bill, 2019 if
passed into law will harmonise Zimbabwe’s marriage laws and align them to the
Constitution.
Fiat
Justitia Ruat Caelum!
Nyamukondiwa Fidelicy writes in his
personal capacity. He holds a Diploma in Law and is a former Public Prosecutor
at Masvingo Magistrates Court. He is a LLB (HONS) student at Herbert Chitepo
Law School. Contactable on 0785827154 /nhanyams@yahoo.com.

Masvingo City Council investigates water works Supt for incompetence

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Masvingo City Council investigates water works Supt for incompetence

                                            Charles Gusha

…as council battles to
restore public faith in municipal water
Moses
Ziyambi
The commission of
enquiry recently set-up by City of Masvingo following a water chemicals supply
debacle is targeted at Bushmead Water Works superintendent Charles Chapanduka
whom the city accuses of recently failing to timeously report that one chemical
was fast running out.
Speaking at a press
conference organised to try and discredit a recent TellZim story on how council
pumped inadequately-treated water, Mayor Collen Maboke sought to exonerate city
engineer Tawanda Gozo and pin all the blame on Chapanduka.
“Actually, it’s the
station superintendent who can be accused of incompetence because he failed to
report the issue on time. He is the one being investigated,” said Maboke.
He said a subordinate
at the water works came and tipped council that there was only two days’ supply
of aluminium sulphate left when normal procedure would have seen Chapanduka
communicating directly with Gozo on the state of chemical supplies.
“Had it not been for
that tip, it could have gone wrong. I discussed it with the town clerk and we
went to Zinwa (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) and borrowed 15 tonnes of the
chemical that we expect to bay back soon. There is an arrangement which allows
Zinwa and the city to lend each other chemicals if there is need. There is
nothing amiss about that,” said Maboke.
He said council awaited
the results of a commission of enquiry which was recently instituted to
investigate the alleged incompetence on the part of Chapanduka so that
appropriate disciplinary procedure could be taken.
TellZim reported last
week that on some occasions from the end of November 2019, council pumped
inadequately-treated water after its stores ran out of aluminium sulphate,
which is one of the key chemicals used in the water purification process.
The publication reported
that the engineering department, which is headed by Gozo, and in which the
water treatment plant falls, was taking the blame for incompetence within its
senior ranks.
Maboke, however, said
disciplinary action will be taken against Chapanduka if he is found to have
failed to execute his duties as per expectations.
He however refused to
categorically state as fact that council had managed to get the supplies from
Zinwa before the two-day period had lapsed.
He instead chose to
stick to his position that council had never pumped insufficiently-treated
water to homes.
He said council
position was that supplies would rather be stopped rather pump
inadequately-treated or raw water.
“We are responsible
city fathers whose actions can never endanger the lives of the residents of the
City of Masvingo and let me make this commitment that we will never supply the
residents with water that does not meet the minimum WHO and SAZ standards for
drinking water.
“We are also going to
further strengthen our water quality monitoring systems by introducing periodic
monitoring visits to the water works by our policy makers,” said Maboke.
He also announced that
council had since organised a media tour of the water works to ensure that
journalists get a ‘clearer’ appreciation of the operations there.

City of Masvingo organizes media tour to water works

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City of Masvingo organizes media tour to water works

City of Masvingo engineer Tawanda Gozo

 …as water quality gets questioned
TellZim Reporter
City of Masvingo today, January 17, organized a media tour of its Bushmead
Water Works after TellZim last week exposed incompetence within the
city’s engineering department which pumped inadequately treated water to residents.
There
was a public relations crisis at the city council after the report had been
made that the city council pumped water to residents without applying aluminum
sulphate, one of the three chemicals used to treat water.
When
TellZim News published the story, the city council called for a press
conference addressed by the mayor Collen Maboke in which he tried to dispel the
report saying council never pumped untreated water to residents.
The
city council was at pains to try and save face and organized a media tour to
its water treatment plant.
City
engineer Tawanda Gozo said that the council has enough chemicals for four
months and residents have nothing to worry about as they have the cleanest
water in the country.
“Our
water is very clean and safe, residents have to drink it without any
hesitation. We have enough water chemicals to sustain us for four months.
“We
had low supplies of aluminum sulphate which could only last for two days but we
managed to acquire 15 tonnes from Zinwa,” said Gozo.
There
were piles and piles of aluminum sulphate at the council warehouse as were
other water treating chemicals.
Gozo
said council would never pump untreated water to residents but would rather not
pump at all if they do not have chemicals.
Though
the city council denied having run out of aluminum sulphate, the engineering
department has put the water superintendent under investigation for
incompetence.
The
water superintendent is being accused of watching as stocks of aluminum
sulphate run out to two days’ supply without notifying the city’s engineer.
  

Kasukuwere speaks out

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Kasukuwere speaks out


…former
Zanu PF political commissar says Zim being led by mafia
Upenyu Chaota 
The
self-exiled former Zanu PF political commissar Savior Kasukuwere has for the
first time opened up to the media since the November 2017 military takeover
when he, together with other Generation 40 (G40) faction members skipped the
borders in fear of being killed or arrested by the new government.
In an
exclusive telephone interview with TellZim News from his base outside the
country, Kasukuwere opened up on what he thinks about the current government
led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He said Zimbabwe
was in a mess and that corrective measures had to be taken for the country to
prosper; adding that the mafia-style leadership being exhibited by Mnangagwa
and his government should be put to an end.
“The
country is being run by a mafia and it is in a mess. Corrective measures have
to be taken to right a lot of wrongs.
“I will
not speak about my future plans yet because one has to be strategic. You will
hear of my plans when the time comes and I promise you that we will make
Zimbabwe a pride for everyone,” said Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere’s
plans have shaken Zanu PF to the core as many within the ruling party are said
to still bear allegiance to the former national political commissar who, during
his term, managed to solidify his control of the ruling party’s lower
structures.
The launch
of the TysonWabantu Movement in Bulawayo may be the first signs of the coming
of Kasukuwere.
In
November of 2017, the politics of the country and Zanu PF were re-written after
the military effected a coup which marked the end of former president Robert
Mugabe’s 37 years of a ‘brutal’ and ‘disastrous’ reign.
The same
military take over brought to an end one of the worst factional fights in Zanu
PF with the Mnangagwa-aligned faction, Team Lacoste, prevailing over the
Generation 40 faction aligned to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The G40
faction was in a habit of louding its dominance, oblivious to the military
power behind Team Lacoste.
Lacoste
waited for the opportune time to strike and they did so swiftly and with
precision leaving G40 confused as to what had hit them.
All
perceived members of the G40 faction were hunted down with some going into
exile.
Mnangagwa
promised a new dispensation where the Mugabe play book would be thrown out of
the window and many people believed him only to be disappointed later on.
A few
months later, Mnangagwa went back on his word and the man who claimed to be as
soft as wool proved to be as tough as nails, giving credit to those who
nicknamed him Crocodile.
The
situation in the country has gone from bad to worse leaving many wondering why
they participated in the military-led march to oust Mugabe.
It was not
long before many Zimbabweans became disillusioned and wished they could go back
to the Mugabe era where they claim life was better than under the ‘new
dispensation’.
Life has
become difficult for the majority of Zimbabwe with prices rising unabated and
salaries getting eroded by inflation. Mnangagwa has kept his hands on the
trigger to scare off any threat to his power in the face of pressing economic
matters.
It is too
late now for Zimbabweans to raise their voices against the Mnangagwa-led
administration because he has proven to be more brutal and lethal against
dissenting voices.
Desperate
citizens are increasingly turning to religion where some unscrupulous men of
cloth rob them of their hard-earned resources in the promise of a better life
that never comes
People have
tried to vote Zanu PF out of power but that strategy has failed since
independence prompting many to come to terms with the reality that Zanu PF has
mastered the techniques of staying in power.
Many
people believed in the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC but it has proven to be
ineffective to confront Zanu PF in an election or the streets.
It has
become apparently clear that Zimbabwe now needs a saviour beyond Mnangagwa and Chamisa.
Since
rumours of the vanquished G40 faction regrouping to challenge Zanu PF in 2023
elections have begun spilling from across the Limpopo, many Zimbabweans have
found themselves divided on whether the former local government minister and
former Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who is exiled
in South Africa, could be equated to the biblical Joshua who will take the
people to the promised land.
Kasukuwere
is being touted as new leader of yet-to-be unveiled party made up largely of
former G40 functionaries to challenge President Mnangagwa in 2023.
The
composed Tyson, as Kasukuwere is nicknamed, has however managed to keep his
cards close to his chest leaving many guessing his next moves.
What has
become clear is that Kasukuwere is bitter with Zanu PF and now that all the
criminal charges levelled against him have been dropped, he can now come back
into the country and be the saviour everyone so desperately needs.
The Zanu
PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda once told a Masvingo provincial
inter-district meeting that those wavering members whose allegiance is in
question would be kicked out of the party.
Matemadanda
made the threats after it was reported that G40 had a secret meeting in
Masvingo in which they laid the foundation for the coming of Kasukuwere.
“We want
people who are true to the party. Those who are wavering must go where they
think they belong. Make no mistake, Zanu PF did not take this country to let it
go like that.
“This
country was left without a President when Mugabe resigned and President
Mnangagwa was out of the country then. No one dared to sit of the throne, not
even Kasukuwere. So what does he think has changed now? We all waited for
President Mnangagwa to come back,” said Matemadanda then.
However,
some sources who reportedly harbour loyalty for Kasukuwere told TellZim News
that Zanu PF was trying to isolate Kasukuwere by luring all people around him.
It is said
that Zanu PF has compromised all people who could make any Kasukuwere-led party
a formidable force by giving them lucrative deals.
The
sources say the formation of The Zimbabwe People’s Party (ZPP) which is led by
another former G40 functionary and former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi, is
testimony of the Zanu PF hand hard at work.
“The plan
is to isolate Kasukuwere and take away all the people around him. Zanu PF is
trying to reach out to all the G40 elements and offer them deals so that they
do not join Kasukuwere.
“Do you
really think Mzembi can be President? 
Mzembi personally knows that he is far from being a leader of anyone but
his party was only created to create diversion. Kasukuwere is an idea whose
time has come,” said one source.
Political
analyst Alexander Rusero said Kasukuwere will never be the saviour of Zimbabwe
due to the historical baggage he carries.
“Kasukuwere
is definitely not the saviour. For the umpteenth time, the balance of power in
Zimbabwe shall be confined to binary politics of MDC and Zanu PF.
“The
burden Kasukuwere carries is to be labelled a former Zanu PF who cannot do anything
new, a Zanu PF project and diversionary gimmick ahead of 2023 and or a
political spent-force whose movement will die a natural death,” said Rusero.

Half billion dollar Tugwi- Mukosi dam a white elephant?

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Half billion dollar Tugwi- Mukosi dam a white elephant?

TellZim Reporter
The giant Tugwi- Mukosi dam project which is
estimated to have cost close to half a billion dollars risks being a white
elephant with the government failing to come up with its master plan three
years after completion.
When it was completed in December 2016, Tugwi-Mukosi
formerly Tokwe-Mukosi, became the largest inland dam in the country with the
capacity to irrigate about 30 000 hectares of land and generate over 15 Mega
Watts of hydroelectricity.
Former
President Robert Mugabe officially commissioned the dam on May 18, 2017 and
promised Masvingo province that it would benefit enormously on agriculture and
other business ventures but to date, nothing has materialized.
The
former president promised that the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam master plan would be
expedited but he was removed one year later by his long term allies before
delivering on that promise.
It
is two years now under the President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led ‘new dispensation’
and Masvingo province still awaits for the master plan.
The
master plan will designate land use patterns in and around Tugwi-Mukosi dam.
Minister
of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira says that the master
plan will be unveiled within the first quarter of 2020 as the government has cleared
the US$200 000 debt owed to the South African consultant to complete the master
plan.
“Work
on the master plan had been affected by delays in the payment of about US$200
000 to the consultant to complete the work.
“We
are very excited that the Tugwi-Mukosi master plan will soon be out after the
consultant doing the job was paid,” said Chadzamira.
He
said if all things go as per the plan, the Tugwi-Mukosi master plan will be out
in March and the dam will be fully utilised.
“By
the end of the first quarter around March, the master plan will be out and we
hope everything will move according to plan.
“Our
cry has been over failure to fully utilise Tugwi-Mukosi Dam despite its huge
potential to change lives of our people, but now we are on track.
“We
are very grateful to President Mnangagwa and his government for making sure
work on the master plan is completed,” said Chadzamira.
Masvingo
province still suffers from the effects of drought despite housing the two
biggest inland dams in the country, Lake Mutirikwi and Tugwi-Mukosi.

Tugwi-Mukosi dam was mooted in the 1960s by the Rhodesian government but the
contract commenced in April 1998 with a planned construction period of four
years stretching from 1998 to 2002.

However, works were suspended in 1999 due to shortage of funds. The project
then went through start-stop phases from 2001 to 2005.

Construction then commenced in May 2011 with plans to complete the project
in November 2013 and plans to start impounding water in November 2013.

Due to funding constraints, the project went through some delays but the
government cleared all outstanding arrears to the contractor by October 2016.

TellZim News established that the government has not been honest with the
people as to the initial cost of the project.

It has been established that the project could have not been realized had it
not been for Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe which paid for the last phase of the
project.

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