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World Peace Summit Calls for Collective Effort

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World Peace Summit Calls for Collective Effort

To commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the WARP
Summit, international peace organization Heavenly Culture World Peace,
Restoration of Light (HWPL) together with International Peace Youth Group
(IPYG) and International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) held different events
across the world with 300,000 participants in over 166 locations in 113
countries including Germany, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zambia and the Republic of
South Africa throughout September.
The main event was held in South Korea
from the 18th till the 19th of September in support of
the United Nations’ International Peace Day celebrated on the 21st September,
which calls on all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to
contribute towards building a culture of peace.
In his welcome speech, Chairman of
HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee reminded the guests about the determination they had to
ensure peace is a reality, five years ago when they drafted the international
law peace: “On the day of the peace summit 5 years ago, politicians determined
to support the drafting an international law for peace, religious leaders
pledged to make religions one under peace, and social representatives promised
to encourage and support these efforts.”
This year’s summit, in particular,
addressed the “Legislate Peace (LP)” project, a global citizen-led peace
movement that includes the “Peace Letter” campaign, “Sign your Support”
campaign, and “Peace Walk.” The LP project urges national leaders to support a
legally binding international framework for peace and the cessation of wars.
The 10 articles and 38 clauses of the
DPCW – Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – were drafted with the intent
of representing marginalized voices of all those yearning for peace at the same
time calling the united efforts of states to practice the principles of the
Declaration, ultimately ceasing all conflicts and hostilities and facilitating
peace in a cultural asset.
Earlier this month, 350 participants came together to
celebrate the commemoration at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town, South
Africa. As a part of the Peace Letter campaign, where thousands of youth wrote
peace letters to their Heads of State urging for the adoption of an
international peace law for peace, the responses from the President of
Seychelles and the President of Mozambique was read out during the event.
Some of
the solutions proposed by the youth include; preventative measures such as
peace education as a curriculum in schools, developing a culture of peace
through collaborative governance and the promotion of a new international law
for peace. In South Africa, these solutions remain unheard as the youth found
themselves swept amid the most violent scourge of xenophobic attacks, murder, and
raping of our women.
In a
letter addressed to South African President Ramaphosa, thirteen-year-old
Liesbeek Primary School student from Mitchell’s Plein Kiara Keffers highlighted
the current surge in gender violence: “Women should not live in fear of being
physically or sexually abused. Children should not live in fear of being
kidnapped, killed or trafficked around the world.” Keffers also encouraged the
president ‘to wage the war against abuse to women and children by signing the
Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War to prevent and end violence against
our people.’
Up to
date, IPYG has received numerous responses to their peace letters. These
include Former President of Malawi Joyce Banda, the First Lady of Namibia as
well as President Danny Faure of the Republic of Seychelles.

Manicaland traditional leaders accused of extorting from widows

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Manicaland traditional leaders accused of extorting from widows

Munyaradzi Goche

NYANGA – A traditional
leader has been forcing relief aid beneficiaries – mostly widows to share their
food with his friends and relatives who are ineligible to benefit from the
programme, it has emerged.
The
Zimbabwe Political Victims Foundation Trust (ZPVFT) coordinator Nyasha Gombe
has since launched a police report against Kamucheka village head Andrew
Chitaka together with his assistant Morgan Dzenga.
Nyasha Gombe is accusing the two of theft and bullying.
He alleges that on August 21, the two ordered at least 30 Action Aid
beneficiaries in Nyanga Ward 2 to give up $60 to select friends and relatives
who are not on the aid list.
Beneficiaries
of the Action Aid relief programme get $180 every month to cushion them against
extreme poverty and deprivation.
Among
the victims of Chitaka and Dzenga’s alleged extortion is Mariam Teta (60), a
window who cares for her orphaned granddaughter.
She
was reportedly forced to hand over $60 to newly-wedded Gabriel Nyakatsapa, who
is close to the traditional leader.
Gombe
said he filed a report at Ruwangwe Police Station Sunday, claiming the
extortionate practice was getting out of hand.
He
said his organisation was deeply concerned at the unethical behaviour.
“As
ZPVFT, we are deeply concerned at this abuse of authority by traditional
leaders and we have since made a police report to protect the rights of these
people,” Gombe said.
Efforts
to get a confirmation of police report were unsuccessful due to bad network
connection.
The
incident open sheds more light on traditional leaders’ influence on aid as they
are often accused of including specific individuals and households on aid lists
while excluding more deserving people on such basis as political correctness.

Tiringindi returns from UK, sets new course for MRT

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Tiringindi returns from UK, sets new course for MRT

TellZim
Reporter
Human rights defender and Masvingo Residents Trust
(MRT) coodinator Prosper Tiringindi, who has been in North England since
September last year on a fellowship programme, has returned home vowing to
transform his organisation using ideas he learnt while away.
Tiringindi joined other rights defenders from across
the African continent in a relationship building programme in Yorkshire City at
York University’s Centre for Applied Human Rights.
While in the United Kingdom (UK), Tiringindi was
afforded a chance to visit the UK parliament where he says he got to experience
mature debates.
“It was a great experience and an eye-opener. It was a
learning experience and my hope is that I will be able to apply what I learnt
in the UK here at home for the benefit of our people.
“I observed that our politics is so toxic that it
affects every aspect of our lives. While attending debates in the UK
parliament, I realised that they put their country first above politics. This
is what we lack here in most African countries.
“We put politics first before national development. If
an honourable member makes a very sober and lucid argument but belongs to the
other side, the contribution is crushed. This is how low our politics is and it
is my hope that one day things will change,” said Tiringindi.
Tiringindi said he has learnt new ideas which he will
use to transform MRT and make it tackle issues to do with access to education
for the girl child and the disabled in Masvingo.
“MRT will go beyond pushing for service delivery in
the city but will go to rural local authorities in Bikita, Gutu, Zaka and
Mwenezi.
“We will also be tackling issues to do with access to
education for the girl child as well as the disabled people in the four
districts.  We will be taking issues from
the community to the relevant authorities,” said Tiringindi.

Tsvingwe residents unhappy with Redwing Mine dumps

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Tsvingwe residents unhappy with Redwing Mine dumps

…reject Freedom of Info Bill as unfriendly


Munyaradzi Goche

MUTARE – Many residents in Tsvingwe are not happy with the manner in which Redwing Mine is disposing of its waste, TellZim News can report.
Speaking at a recent public hearing on the Freedom of Information Bill hosted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting at the United Methodist Church (UMC) building, residents said the mine waste was putting their health at risk.
Munashe Zemo, an ex-employee of the mine, said the mine seemed not at all worried about the concerns that he said residents have always raised.
“They take our worries lightly yet we are suffering due to their activities. Some toxic dusty particles rise from their dumpsites and is inhaled by residents,” said Zemo. 
Another former employee identified as Charles Karuza said even government departments were reluctant to take responsibility and confront the mining company.
“You go to the Ministry of Environment and express your worries and they tell you to go to the Ministry of Mines. They send you from pillar to post because they are not willing to take responsibility,” said Karuza.
Other residents said they opposed the Freedom of Information Bill in its current form as it allows officials to take too long before they released requested information.
“It means we will ask these people about why nothing is being done about the dumps and they will tell us to pay some money and wait for 21 days for the information to be released. We are ordinary, unemployed citizens. Where do we find all that money from? Information must either be cheap to access or must be free,” said Tadonha Mutasa.     
Government is proposing three bills to replace the malevolent Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa).
The Freedom of Information Bill, in its current form, proposes that those who request information must bear the costs of its retrieval and officials may take up to three weeks before releasing the requested information.
       
 

Buhera RDC out to transform district

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Buhera RDC out to transform district

…road-surfacing project changes
face of Murambinda
Brighton Munyikwa
MURAMBINDA – Buhera Rural District Council (RDC) has received some
praise from residents and business people who are impressed by efforts being
made to improve the state of infrastructure in the sprawling growth point.
Road infrastructure is being
surfaced by Jepnik Civil Contractors.
The company has already surfaced
the road connecting Murambinda Magistrates’ Court to Buhera RDC offices. The
road continues straight to the new Nyaradzo offices right up to the Central Business
District (CBD)
The section of the road connecting
Murambinda Mission Hospital to the Murambinda CBD was also surfaced, and many
people say the developments will help the growth point attain town status
sooner than later.
“Murambinda is poised for growth
because business confidence is growing. People are taking note of what authorities
are doing to improve infrastructure so I am convinced that new money will come
and we will soon be a town,” said one business person who runs grocery shops at
the growth point.
Another business person said she
was now motivated to pay rates because council was doing some tangible work
with ratepayers’ money.
“We do not need to be reminded
every now and then that we must pay council what is due to them. If we see that
the money being paid is being put to good use, there will be no problem. I am
now more prepared to support the council to deliver services,” said the
business person.
One resident said she was pleased
that the road upgrades will reduce the amount of dust that gets to her house.
“I hope the work will continue so
that we have less dust rising. There is nothing that can stop us from becoming
a clean and well-maintained town. The little money that council collects must
continue being used in the right way. We can achieve town status and go on to
attract big businesses,” said the resident.
Buhera RDC CEO Dr Emily
Chibvongodze said council will continue working hard to improve service
delivery.
“We will continue to work to
improve not only Murambinda, but the whole of Buhera. Ours is a vision to work
with the people and ratepayers to bring tangible development to make our
communities better,” said Dr Chibvongodze.
                                         Murambinda growth point

Mnangagwa humbles Chamisa in Zaka East

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Mnangagwa humbles Chamisa in Zaka East

Upenyu
Chaota
Despite the economic hardships being experienced in the
country, the rural electorate seems confident in President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led
administration as shown by Zanu PF’s continuous wins in by-elections conducted
so far.
The Zaka East parliamentary by-election held on
September 21 is the latest result which has proven that the Nelson Chamisa-led
MDC, which is the most formidable opposition party, still has a long way to go
in efforts to break Zanu PF’s stranglehold on rural areas.
Zanu PF has managed to bag all the rural by-elections
against the MDC by a wide margin, but the opposition party has also managed to
consolidate its grip in urban areas.
The recent MDC defeat in the Zaka East national
assembly by-elections is, according to Zanu PF, the death of the biggest
opposition movement.
The Zaka East national assembly by-election saw four
political parties going for the polls, with Zanu PF’s Clemence Chiduwa entering
the race as a favourite.
Zaka East has never been won by the opposition and
Chiduwa outshined MDC’s Derrick Charamba by a wide margin.
Chiduwa polled 7 119 votes against Charamba’s 1 518
votes while NCA’s Clemence Chavarika and FreeZim Congress’ Lazarus Mubango
settled for third and fourth positions with 83 and 63 votes respectively.
About 15 000 people were registered to vote in the
Zaka East by-election and voter turnout was about 55 percent, a typical trend
in the history of by-elections across the country.
Both MDC and Zanu PF have blamed the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (Zec) for the poor turnout after many potential voters
were turned away due to a ‘compromised’ voters’ roll.
Many people, who had voted at their usual polling
stations in the 2018 elections, found their names moved to distant polling
stations about 50 kilometres away.
There were some cases of people from Benzi area
finding that their names had been moved to Rudhanda.
Both Zanu PF and MDC accused Zec of connivance to
disadvantage them but Zec said there was nothing amiss about the voters’ roll.
The electoral management body claimed it had only done
a clean-up exercise to make sure that voters are allocated polling stations
which are closer to their addresses.
“We are cleaning up the voters’ roll and we are
allocating voters to polling stations which are closer to their addresses.
“If you stay in the Benzi area but you registered and
put an address that is in Rudhanda, we will be moving your name to a polling
station closer to Rudhanda,” said Zec Masvingo provincial elections officer Zex
Pudurai.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Ezra
Chadzamira said his party was unstoppable and will make sure that by 2023,
there will be no opposition to talk about.
“We are very happy with the result we got from Zaka
East. If you look at the margin it shows you that our people have faith in our
party and its leadership.
“Zanu PF is doing tangible things while the opposition
is busy pushing for the suffering of the masses. They know that they have no
cards to play so they are holding on to the suffering of the masses card.
“President Mnangagwa is working hard to make sure that
things get back to normal and once that is done, there will be no opposition to
talk about. Chamisa and his party will be extinct by the time we get to 2023,”
said Chadzamira.
The MDC defeat in Zaka East has caused serious
divisions in the party with some accusing the national and provincial
leadership of abandoning their candidate.
MDC national organiser Amos Chibaya is the only top
party leader who came to campaign for Charamba, and he came just a few days
before elections to address a handful of people who turned ward rallies.
Sources within the MDC said the party had resolved not
to contest the by-election but Charamba was stubborn and was told he will not
get any support.
“The party was in a catch 22 over Zaka East and
national leadership did not want to contest because they knew losing was
guaranteed. President Chamisa did not want to be involved in campaigning for
the election because he did not want to be embarrassed.
“Gumbi was a better brand than Charamba but he lost
over and over again so it was time to retreat and go back to the drawing board.
Charamba insisted on contesting and was plainly told that he would not get any
support and he was ok with it.
“He only got support from (former) Senator Misheck
Marava. The party knew that going against Chiduwa who has vast was a futile
exercise which is why they had decided to let it go,” said a source.

‘Youths in Masvingo prefer morning-after pill to condoms’

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‘Youths in Masvingo prefer morning-after pill to condoms’

                                           Herbert Chikosi
Heather
Buzuzi
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC)
has lamented what it called a worrying trend among young people who seem to
prefer emergency contraception to condoms.
Speaking during an interview with TellZim News this
week, ZNFPC provincial marketing officer Herbert Chikosi said it was
unfortunate that many young people were shunning condoms and having unprotected
sex.
He said the
youth seemed to be more worried with preventing unwanted pregnancies than
preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
“Emergency contraceptives can help us win that one
battle but cannot help us win the war against STIs particularly HIV. We
encourage young people to be responsible enough and use condoms rather than
rely on emergency contraception,” said Chikosi.
He said as part of broader efforts to fight new HIV infections
and other STIs as well as prevent unwanted pregnancies, ZNFPC was extending
condom distribution to all critical places.
“Our condom
champions are doing a good job distributing the contraceptive at hospitals,
bottle stores and other key areas. We aim to see a society where people are
conscious about their health and are aware of the appropriate contraceptive
options available to them,” said Chikosi.
Chikosi said ZNFPC distributes an average of between
six and seven million condoms quarterly and it has increased per capita condom availability
from eight to 12 among sexually active individuals.

WOAMO promotes peace, business for women

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WOAMO promotes peace, business for women

                                                         Evangelist Mazhara 


Emmaculate Mukokoromba
Women
On A Mission Organisation (WOAMO) recently held a workshop to promote peace and
entrepreneurship among women and young girls at New Life Centre Church in
Masvingo.
WOAMO
founder, Evangelist Romina Mazhara said the workshop was meant to discuss issues
of peace and business management for women and girls.
Speaking
at the event, Mazhara said women should not wait for miracles but strive to be
successful, fight gender imbalances and aim for better positions in every
sector.
“People
have a problem in that they pray and relax; they want miracles to achieve
everything instead of being innovative and work hard,” said Mazhara.
One
of the guest speakers and entrepreneur, Angeline Mikiri encouraged women to
partner with people who share the same goals, values and principles with them
to maintain peace.
“You
should partner with people with whom you share the same goals, values and
principles to maintain peace,” said Mikiri
Another
guest speaker and representative from the Ministry of Women Affairs Tichatonga
Mugabe said women and girls should seek knowledge about business from
established organisations or business training centres.
“Seek
relevant information on business management from well-established organisations
or business training centres for your business to be sustainable,” said Mugabe.
He
also encouraged women to collaborate, support each other by sharing ideas on
how to manage their businesses and create helpful linkages.
Mugabe
said people should venture into businesses that they know best, compete against
situations not against each other and raise capital through cooperative groups
like Fushai.
 “People turn to value salaries than business
not knowing that business brings more money than salary,” he said.
Apostle
Zivai Mapanzure of New Life Centre church urged people to supplement their
business with prayers for there to be peace.

Moza-bound FC Platinum still confident despite home draw

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Moza-bound FC Platinum still confident despite home draw

Exsto
Makunzva
ZVISHAVANE
–
FC Platinum coach Lizwe Svesve is confident and still dreams big for his boys
ahead of the Confederations of African Football (CAF) second round return match
in Mozambique next weekend.
This comes despite the
club drawing against lowly-ranked Mushowani Stars last Saturday at Mandava Stadium.
Svesve, who took over
the reins at Pure Platinum Play after Norman Mapeza threw in the towel earlier
this month, said he was happy with his team’s performance.
FC Platinum were held to
a nil all draw by the Madziva-based Mushowani Stars who are in the relegation
zone.
“I am actually happy
with the way my boys played. It’s unfortunate that we could not score but the
good thing is we created chances and with a bit of lucky, we could have reaped
maximum rewards from one or two of those chances,” said Svesve.
Asked if the draw
affected their confidence ahead of the CAF champions league match in Mozambique,
Svesve said he was not bothered.
“This will not affect
us at all as this is a different game all together. We are carrying a 1-0 lead
to Mozambique and that alone is a morale-booster so we are not worried at all.
The champions league is a different game with a different approach,” he said.
After the match,
Mushohwani coach Newman Mashipe was beaming with joy as he probably could not
believe that his team had just managed to hold one of the best-performing clubs
in the PSL.
“I am happy with the
result. FC Platinum are the reigning champions and are playing in the champions
league so drawing here at Mandava, their home ground, is a good result and just
collecting a point away from home is remarkable,” said Mashipe.
The Mushowani gaffer
praised his goalkeeper Admire Masuku for making some brilliant saves that kept
the team’s hopes alive throughout the match.

Chivhu business community laments open defecation

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Chivhu business community laments open defecation

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – The
shortage of water in Chivhu has led to an increase in open defecation especially
at the area adjacent to Chivhu Food Court, with business owners now requesting
council to quickly find a solution.
The
local business community has raised alarm as the open space has become a health
hazard affecting such businesses as furniture maker Mafika Investments, Chivhu
Food Court and vendors at Masvingo bus terminus.
Travellers
from across the country relieve themselves in the small bushy area especially
during the night since toilets at the food court are often closed due to
non-availability of water.
Since
the beginning of load-shedding, pumping capacity at the water works declined and
businesses like Chicken Inn are now closing their toilets during the night.
 “My business is suffering because we are
closest to the area. Cross-border travellers and others have turned this place
into a big stink. During the night, Chicken Inn closes its toilets due to water
shortages and people line up here to relieve themselves,” said Mafika
Investments director, Ronald Mafika.
He
urged council to quickly find solutions, saying the open space was also
becoming an illegal dumpsite.
Mafika
Investments has already written to council for permission to develop the area
into a recreational park as a way of bringing value to the piece of land and
reverse its deterioration into a faeces-strewn illegal dumpsite.
“I
write this letter requesting for your response to my letter dated 18/09/2018
about developing the space adjacent to Chicken Inn into a recreational park.
Time is not on our side as people are using the area as a bush toilet …. People
are littering and defecating on the open space,” reads part of the letter.
Another
letter, dated August 30, 2019, requesting permission to build ablution
facilities at the area had not been responded to by the time of writing.
The
letter reads: I write this letter to ask permission to build some toilet cabins
with septic tanks. I am prepared to do that even in partnership with council
……This is worsened by passengers who disembark from buses with the intention of
relieving themselves at Chicken Inn only to discover that the toilets are
closed due to the non-flow of water as a result of erratic electricity supplies.
No
comment could be obtained from Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) council by
the time of going to print.

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