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‘Aippa repeal unconvincing’

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‘Aippa repeal unconvincing’

Courage Dutiro
The
Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe has claimed government’s
commitment to the media reform agenda was questionable, saying bills being
advanced to replace the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(Aippa) were equally draconian.
Addressing
media practitioners at the Civic Centre on Saturday in belated commemorations
of the 2019 World Press Freedom Day, Misa Zimbabwe director Thabani Moyo said
if the three bills are passed in their current form, it would be more or less
of the same.
“The
three bills that are meant to replace Aippa would not be the kind of ideal
legislation that you want to enjoy your freedom as the media. They make small
compromises and sneak in new restrictions that are as bad as those contained in
Aippa,” said Moyo.
The
three bills government has advanced to replace Aippa are Data Protection Bill,
Freedom of Information Bill and Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill.
Moyo
said the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, for instance, would concentrate all
media regulation power in the Zimbabwe Media Commission when the ideal thrust
is a move towards self-regulation.
He
also said provisions in the Freedom of Information Bill to the effect that data
requested by the media could only be released in its original form was an
indirect attack on access to information.
“We
know that some data is stored in safe formats meaning that if it is released in
its storage format, you would not make any sense out of it. That provision
actually means if the data is encrypted, it will be given to you exactly in
that format and you will not be able to read it,” said Moyo.
He
also attacked the Broadcasting Services Act amendment bill, saying it would
stunt the development of the broadcasting industry and stifle the community
radios initiative if it gets passed in its current form.
“The
bill restricts foreign ownership in broadcasters to not more than 25 percent.
Now, who will come to invest in that sector when you are not allowed to have a
controlling stake? The broadcasting sector is a capital intensive industry and
many locals cannot make it alone.
“The
bill also bans broadcasting stations from receiving donated equipment and that
alone kills the community radios initiative because our communities are too poor
to afford their own broadcasting equipment,” said Moyo.
He
urged journalists to participate in public consultations on the bills and make
contributions on what they think must be changed.
Great
Zimbabwe University (GZU) Media lecturer, Last Alfandika said it was surprising
that government was still afraid of community radios and was moving against
international standards.
“Real
community radio stations are yet to be licenced although government pretends
that by licencing regional commercial stations, it has licenced community
radios. Our understanding is that community radio stations must not be driven
by the commercial imperative and must be apolitical but if you look at what has
been presented as community radios, they are commercial stations owned by people
or organisations with close links to the ruling party,” said Alfandika.

Man jailed for stealing US$1

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Man jailed for stealing US$1

Tendai Mange
A
22-year-old Kadoma man was recently slapped with 30-days jail sentence by
Masvingo magistrate Dambudza Malunga after being found guilty for stealing US$1
from a handbag.
Talent
Mukwinda was charged with theft as defined in Section (113) (1) of the Criminal
Law (Codifications and Reform) Act: Chapter 9:23.
It
was the State’s case that on April 08, Mukwinda went to Fadzai Mujoni’s work
place, who is employed at the Consumer Council in Masvingo, took US$1 and
RTGS$99 from Mujoni’s handbag which was outside the door of the office on the
ground and went away.
The
accused was seen by Loice Zhou who quickly alerted the complainant and they
both followed Mukwinda.
Mukwinda
was taken to the police and Mujoni recovered all her money.
Mukwinda
told the court that he was drunk on the day in question and he did not really
know what he was doing.
“I
am not a thief but was very drunk and that’s why I acted in that manner” said
Mukwinda.

Mwenezi East MP Omar donates to Chimbudzi Clinic

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Mwenezi East MP Omar donates to Chimbudzi Clinic


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – As
part of efforts to improve access to basic healthcare in the district, Mwenezi
East Member of Parliament (MP) Joosbi Omar recently donated various items to Chimbudzi
Clinic.
The
gifts handed over to the clinic’s staff by Omar during his recent constituency
tour in Ward 4 under Chief Mawarire included a wheelchair, a hospital bed,
wooden stool, steel cupboard and an adjustable table.
Addressing
audience who gathered to witness the handover of the property, Omar acknowledged
the quandary that the country’s health sector finds itself in and pledged to
continue supporting his constituency.
He
said health facilities in the district needed as much support of leaders and
well-wishers as they could get.
“We
are aware of the various problems being encountered from across the district
especially with regards to shortages of equipment and drugs. We will continue
to put a lot of effort, together with the responsible authorities, to ensure
that lives are saved at various health institutions,” said Omar.
People
who witnessed the donation said they appreciated the MP’s gesture, adding that
a lot still needed to be done to ensure optimum services at public health
institutions in the district.
“There
is no medication at the clinics at the district hospital. You don’t find even
painkillers there and what the nurses are doing is just to make a diagnosis and
give you a prescription which you will then have to use to purchase the medication
at private pharmacies. Most people here do not afford private healthcare,” said
an elderly resident of Ward 4. 

Zimparks fails to catch large python at Zinwa offices

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Zimparks fails to catch large python at Zinwa offices

         Zimparks only managed to catch the smaller of the two pythons spotted at Zinwa offices

Anymore Magawa
MASVINGO – The
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) was recently called to catch
two large pythons spotted at the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) Masvingo
provincial offices but they managed to catch only one.
The
Zinwa offices are situated at Number 717 Mineral Road in the industrial area.
Some
Zinwa employees now say they are no longer feeling safe working at the premises
as they do not know whether or not the other python, which is said to be much bigger
than the captured one, is close by.
Sources
said the sneaky reptiles were seen by a security guard slithering towards the
guardroom on May 08 at around 21:00hrs.
The
frightened guard then fled the guard room and called his superiors who then
called the Zimparks provincial offices.
“Zimparks
personnel took their time and went to the premises very late. They
then managed to catch one but the other one managed to flee,” said a source.
Other
sources said it was horrible that Zimparks had failed to do their job properly
and exposed staff at the premises to unnecessary jitters.
Staff
at the Zimparks provincial office refused to comment about the matter and
referred questions to their national spokesperson Tinashe Farawo who said the
incident was a non-issue.
“Snakes
like to move around in grassy and bushy surroundings. There is nothing we can
do about it,” said Farawo.
Pythons
are by law an endangered species that should not be killed or unlawfully
captured. Although they are not venomous, they are deadly predators that kill
their prey by constriction.

“From a victim of war to the leader of peace”

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“From a victim of war to the leader of peace”

In May this year, marking the 6th
Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace, about 70 countries host
various citizen-participating events and peace walk. This event is aimed to
mobilize a worldwide network of youths and citizens to spread a culture of
peace in respective communities and to urge for the cooperation for building
sustainable peace in the global society. Especially, Seoul in South Korea,
where the Declaration of World Peace was proclaimed, will have the
commemoration on May 25th.
With 30,000 youths from all over the world
present, the Declaration was announced on 25 May, 2013 by an international
peace NGO called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in
Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
and associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC).
Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, a war veteran,
stated the background of proclaiming the Declaration. “We cannot claim to
desire peace and continue to provoke one another, causing conflict for the sake
of valuing our own national interests above those of others. This will only
take the lives of the youth, wasting them in the futility of war. This is not a
legacy we can leave to future generations.”
The Declaration addresses the value of shared
effort of all members of society as they work as peace messengers. It includes
principles such as that the heads of each state to sign an international
agreement—a commitment to bring all wars to an end, that all youth to unite in
an effort to stop wars and pursue the restoration of peace, and that the media
to report responsibly and promote a message of peace to the world.
Such values from the Declaration led to drafting
the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as an advanced designation
of global responsibility to establish a legally binding international legal
framework for peace. This year’s event will be focused on the “Peace Letter
Campaign” led by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), an affiliated
youth organization of HWPL. The campaign is aimed to urge for the support of
the heads of each state to develop it into a legally binding document by
submitting it as a resolution to the UN.
According to the official of HWPL, the
foundation of the DPCW is to build a world of peace secured by the rule of law
that is based on the universal values including coexistence, cooperation, and
mutual respect. The 10 articles and 38 clauses with the settlement of a dispute
and measures for sustainable peace address the international cooperation at the
governmental level as well as the role of individual of the global society to
achieve peace.
At the commemoration of this year, the
participants will call for the replies against the heads of state for the peace
letters that have been already sent to them and the messages of peace written
by citizens will be delivered to high-level officials of governments and
international organizations in 193 different countries.

Tsiga Secondary headmaster divides school with holiday lessons money

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Tsiga Secondary headmaster divides school with holiday lessons money

TellZim Reporter
ZAKA
– There are serious divisions at Tsiga Secondary School after the school head
divided the money raised through April holiday lessons among all teachers
including those who refused to teach during the holidays.
Sources
said the school head Godfrey Tinarwo and some teachers ganged up and refused to
accept the RTGS$20 per child April holidays fees saying it was too little for
them.
Together
with a building studies teacher Atmore Musunga and senior lady Mawana who
teaches fashion and fabrics, Tinarwo felt $20 was not worth the trouble and
stayed away from the holiday lessons.
Other
teachers, however, accepted the offer and taught pupils during the holidays but
only for them to be later on forced to share the proceeds of their hard work
with the teachers who rejected the offer.
“The
teachers who came to teach during the holidays are very unhappy with the
headmaster’s decision to divide the money among everybody including those who refused
to come for holiday lessons. I think the aggrieved teachers are justified
because the headmaster acted corruptly. How then do you encourage hard work and
commitment if those who are choosy are rewarded the same way as those who want
only the best for children,” said a source.
Another
source said after noticing that many children had paid up for holiday lessons
resulting in a substantial amount of money being raised, the choosy teachers became
greedy and sought to have a share.
“They
went to the headmaster and struck a suspicious deal that allowed them to
provide their own extra lessons over the weekend and be paid from the holiday
lessons money. It is ridiculous because they were paid the money upfront before
they had even worked for it. There is so much grievances among the good
teachers and it’s affecting the children. Policy does not even allow teachers
to be paid for weekend lessons.
“The
headmaster is mismanaging the school and creating divisions through his
favouritism and corruption. Since he took over from Fanuel Mukokoromba, the
school began to decline and many teachers are seeking transfers.
TellZim
News managed to contact some of the disgruntled teachers who refused to speak
about the issue saying they feared victimisation.
Tinarwo,
however, refuted the allegations as malicious, claiming there was unity at the
school and that the holiday lessons went on smoothly.
“My
teachers and I work very well together. Those allegations are not emanating
from my teachers. I also personally do not teach any ‘O’ level class so I
cannot take the money,” said Tinarwo.
Provincial
Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga said the report was concerning and
promised to make an investigation and deal with it.
“We
haven’t received that report yet but we will do our own investigations. I can
assure you that if I receive the case, we will deal with it in the proper
manner,” said Chitiga.

Hope for Bikita as ENSURE opens dam, irrigation scheme

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Hope for Bikita as ENSURE opens dam, irrigation scheme

Anymore Magawa

There
was excitement in Bikita district Ward 1 last week when Care Zimbabwe through its project called Enhancing, Nutrition,
Stepping Up Resilience and Enterprise (Ensure) handed over Chamanhokwe Dam to
the community and officially opened Chamanhokwe Irrigation Scheme.
The
projects were set up to help improve food security in the area.
The
occasion was graced by many people including Ensure representatives, Bikita
South Member of Parliament (MP) Josiah Sithole, Chief Mabika and Bikita Rural
District Council (RDC) Chief Executive officer (CEO) Peter Chibi.
Ensure
has similar projects in other districts where over 20 dams were built and a
total of 211 hectares of land were put under irrigation for the benefit of over
5 000 villagers.
Speaking
at the occasion, Chibi praised Ensure for what he described as momentous
efforts towards making the district a greenbelt.
“I
would like to express my sincere gratitude for this wonderful work and I feel
so honored to have such development in my district. I am also happy that we
have already begun our move towards Vision 2030. As you may all know, 80
percent of Bikita district is dry land so the land must be turned into a
greenbelt,” Chibi said.
Ensure
programmes manager, Archibald Chikavanga later told TellZim News that the
Chamanhokwe dam and irrigation projects were just among many others that were
done in other districts of Masvingo province.
“We
are celebrating the achievement done here in Bikita district and hand-over
Chamanhokwe Dam and officially opening the irrigation scheme. It is our hope
that we will be able to continue supporting vulnerable communities by helping
to build their self-sustenance capacity,” said Chikavanga.
The
Chamanhokwe projects have helped several families to gain livelihoods from
agriculture in an area with erratic rainfall patterns.
“We
are grateful for this life-changing opportunity. We now have hope and the means
to improve our lives. The irrigation scheme is thriving and the fishery project
is also doing very well.
Ensure
is weaning us off but I must say we have been capacitated enough to manage
these assets. We will work with agritex officers and security guards to improve
performance and protect these projects. We plan to drill boreholes to ensure a
constant water supply even if the dam is to run dry in the course of the
seasons and we plan to build more fish ponds so that we will have fishing
competitions in the future,” said Esau Gwande, who is the asset manager.
Market
facilitator, Dadirai Mawanza said produce will be sold to local schools and the
wider community.
“Access
to the markets for our products is not a problem since we sell our vegetables,
chickens, tomatoes and fish to such school as Mashoko High and to the
surrounding communities,” said Mawanza.

NPRC in community outreach drive

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NPRC in community outreach drive

                       Rtd Justice Sello Nare and other commissioners during the Masvingo outreach

…commission
to set-up peace committees
Anymore Magawa
The
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) recently held a meeting in Masvingo
to appraise people on the mechanisms and approaches being used to handle issues
of national healing and reconciliation..
The
meeting was graced by the Masvingo Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira,
Provincial Administrator (PA) Fungai Mbetsa as well as by NPRC commissioners
including Netty Musanhu and its chairperson, Sello Nare.
In
his address, Nare said the commission was formed to foster peace and heal
victims of political violence in the country.
“The
establishment of the commission was an attempt to address past incidences of
political violence and bring healing to victims.
“I
am here to launch NPRC in Masvingo and this marks the beginning of national
unity and reconciliation. The NPRC was formed in 2013 and it does a conflict
analysis in an attempt to address social cohesion and help citizens to
understand the peace-building processes,” said Nare.
He
said by June this year, the commission will have set up thematic peace
committees from district to national level to quicken the resolution of past
conflicts and healing process.
“We
are launching the outreach programme here in Masvingo and we will do the same
in other nine provinces.
“We
will soon conduct hearings where we will meet the victims. By June this year,
we should have come up with peace committees after which we will conduct hearings
for the victims of violence,” Nare said.
In
her remarks, Musanhu said the organisation planned to do a thorough conflict
analysis that will help shape the way forward, adding that past conflicts
covered the pre-independence era going forward.
“You
may remember that before independence, we had some issues on people’s livestock
which were taken and that was source of conflict. At independence, some
celebrated the new dawn of political emancipation, but there was a lot of
unfinished business.
“On
Gukurahundi, there are still a lot of scars, as we all know what happened.
Lastly, we considered the year 2000 to date where inflation, street protests due
to price hikes and electoral violence happened,” said Musanhu said.
The
core functions of the commission is to promote post conflict, justice, national
healing and reconciliation as well as to facilitate truth telling, rehabilitation,
conflict prevention and the promotion of national unity and cohesion.

Vic High head fights SDC

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Vic High head fights SDC

              Vic High head John Muzamani
….rejects
new committee members on political grounds
Tendai Mange
There
is instability at Victoria High with reports that school head, John Muzamani is
refusing to accept the new School Development Committee (SDC) executive which
was elected in March, TellZim News has learnt.
The
elections were run by Masvingo District School’s Inspector (DSI) Ishmael
Chigaba whom Muzamani is said to be accusing of politicising and manipulating
the outcome.
A
fierce physical clash happened recently with the newly-elected committee
members reportedly manhandling Muzamani after he repeatedly refused to do a
handover-takeover ceremony on four occasions.
TellZim
News learnt that the fight happened at Victoria High on April 29 after the
members of both the old and new SDCs came to school to perform the same duties.
One
of the SDC members who did not want to be mentioned by name for security
reasons said Muzamani was rejecting the new committee because he accuses it of
being made up of MDC members.
Muzamani
reportedly wants to continue working with the old committee which reportedly
comprises his ‘pliable friends’.
“The
head told us that the elections were in favour of the MDC that’s why all
members are from the MDC party. The headmaster has control over the old
committee and he doesn’t want to be challenged,” said the member.
Chigaba
confirmed there was indeed a conflict, but was quick to say he was not in the right
position to talk about it and referred the reporter to Provincial Education
Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga who said he was trying to resolve the matter.
“I
am aware of the matter and we are looking at how we can solve it. We urge
people to avoid conflict and work together,” said Chitiga.
He,
however, professed ignorance on the incident of the physical clash between the
two committees that are fighting to control the school.

Charumbira loses more land as Nemamwa chieftainship is restored

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Charumbira loses more land as Nemamwa chieftainship is restored

                               Headman Nemanwa is expected to become acting Chief Nemanwa until a                                             substantive chief is selected

Brighton Chiseva

NEMAMWA – Chief Charumbira
is set to lose more land to the Nemamwa clan following government’s decision to
upgrade the Nemamwa headmanship to a chieftainship, a move which will leave the
former with only one ward.
The Nemamwa
chieftainship was abolished more several decades ago after the colonial
government classified most of the land as white settler land.
The latest development,
however, comes barely a month after the installation of Chief Bere who took a
large chunk of land from Charumbira. Many people feel Charumbira could be
reduced to a headman as his land is now very small.
Masvingo Provincial
Administrator (PA) Fungai Mbetsa confirmed the development and said it was an on-going
province-wide programme to correct colonial and historical anomalies. He said the
programme had seen the restoration of Neromwe and Bere chieftainships.
“The government
has since written and notified the Nemamwa family about the development and now
Nemamwa will be at the same level with Charumbira who will remain a chief
though his area will be smaller,” said Mbetsa.
He said the
records showed that Charumbira was given land by Nemamwa so Charumbira could
not be the chief while the person who gave him the land is a headman.
He further said
that an acting chief will administer social matters in the area for the mean
time but will not be able to parcel land until a substantive chief is installed
and the boundaries have been identified.
“We are waiting
for funding so that we can start our wide consultations in the resettlement
areas to draw boundaries between the chiefs. So far, only Chief Musara is the
only chief in the province with an area covering a resettlement area and with
power to administer matters of land but once we draw the boundaries, others
will be empowered,” said Mbetsa
Mbetsa also said
there were more chieftainship issues which were being dealt with at the moment
where there are no substantive chiefs.
He said the
chieftainship wrangles in Nyakunhuwa and Bota in Zaka, Ziki in Gutu and
Mukanganwi in Bikita remain unresolved. He said in Masvingo Rural, the Nyajena chieftainship
issues were also being attended to.
He said in the
case of Nyakunhuwa, a team will soon be send to assess the matter since the
last meetings did not yield any results.
“In areas where
chiefs have been selected amicably, we are only waiting for the right time for the
installation of substantive chiefs while in areas where the involved families
failed to agree, we will send another team to review,” said Mbetsa

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