Home Blog Page 569

Masvingo residents celebrate TellZim News full council meeting live streaming innitiative

TellZimNews
-
0
Masvingo residents celebrate TellZim News full council meeting live streaming innitiative

TellZim News this week broke new grounds by introducing livestreaming of the Masvingo City full council meetings. The move was applauded by many residents saying it promotes transparency and enhances access to information. Below are reactions from different residents in the city (the video can be accessed on the TellZim News Facebook page: TellZimbabwe)

David Masomere – live streaming is a noble idea which brings transparency to council deliberations. When the council officials know that everything they are doing is being seen by residents they will do their deliberations with serenity. It also shows that we are living in a democratic society where there are no sacred cows, people are free to access information from the council, something that has not been known in Masvingo. Live streaming also controls the behavior of both the councillors and management, when they know that they are being watched they will definitely behave well than what we used to hear.
It also gives residents an opportunity to see the participation of their councillors and know if they are really representing them. This allows them to make informed decisions during election time. It is also an advantage to good councillors and a disadvantage to those who sleep during council meetings.


Wilson Dumba – This is the first step towards good governance at local authority level. It allows residents to know who is really suppressing service delivery and will know who to blame when the council fails to deliver.
The fact that it will be broadcasted to anyone even those abroad, it opens up and exposes to the local authorities to other people who have an interest in the local authority. Investors will come in after seeing the level of transparency and investment opportunities which will be discussed in the meetings.
The move also shows that Masvingo city council is now moving with time and shows that they have nothing to hide in as far as the council matters are concerned.

Chrispen Zvinowanda – livestreaming of the full council minutes shows maturity in our leadership as a city. It shows that they are now conforming to the prescriptions of democracy and good governance. It promotes transparency and instils confidence into the public for they know that their leaders have nothing to hide when they deliberate in public.
Most of the residents do not know how the council operates. People do not know the powers of the councillors and the management so when they begin to see the council deliberations they will get an appreciation of how the councillors and the council operate.
In most cases people blame the councillors for the management’s mistakes and vice versa. So when they see the council deliberations they will be able to put the blame on the right shoulders.
People also do not know the responsibilities of the council so by broadcasting their deliberations they will be educating people on what issues they can bring to the council. It’s more often than not when people blame the council for damaged roads when the road does not fall under the council’s jurisdiction but the ministry of roads.

Admire Wakurawarerwa – it is a good thing to do live streaming of full council meetings. This is just the beginning of transparency and engagement between the people and the local authority. There are many things that are hidden to the public but livestreaming the event will disseminate accurate information and the people can access first hand timely and accurate information. It has also an advantage to the council and the councillors an opportunity to talk to a wider audience, this enables transparency in information dissemination and acquiring.
Owen Bero – The system of livestreaming full council meetings was long overdue. It was supposed to have started long ago because nowadays people need to be given raw information and make their own conclusions. We used to rely on council minutes if we manage to get them but some of the information would have been filtered so this development is welcome. We used to rely on newspapers who will write short stories but now I will be able to watch the whole event and make my own conclusions. That is democracy where one is given all the information and decide on what he or she wants.

Ward 7 Councillor Richard Musekiwa – Livestreaming is a good move, it increases the level of debate in the meetings for we all know that the people we represent are watching us. We will be also following on social media and see the people’s comments and these will shape what we are going to say next. It will also promote interaction with the people, after the meeting they will come to us and ask for clarification on other things they would have heard us debating in the meetings.

Dereck Charamba – In any democratic society, access to information is a key, so when the council allows livestreaming then that’s moving with time. They are not doing a favor but fulfilling a responsibility they have to the taxpayer. Residents have every right to know how the council operates and how the councillors are representing them. Livestreaming of parliamentary debates are broadcasted why not the local full council meeting. This has to be adopted with all the local authorities in partnership with the media so that people are fully informed.
Ward 1 councilor Sellina Maridza – Livestreaming council deliberations is a noble idea, I personally have nothing to hide so I support the initiative. It helps the people we represent to see and judge our performances in the council. My people need to see my contributions in the local authority so that when development comes through council they will know that this was our councilor’s input. Our people need to see what we do so that when we meet them they will be able to give us more contributions.

Ward 9 councilor Babylon Beta – I support the idea, people have to see what we do in the council and judge us correctly. It is also their right to know the operations of the council and improves participation in the meetings.

Uproar as Zesa tells residents to buy transformers

TellZimNews
-
0
Uproar as Zesa tells residents to buy transformers

…R54 000 needed …MP Nyokanhete promises one transformer from CDF

Perseverance Muhoma/
Courage Dutiro

Residents in Rujeko have come up in arms against the power utility Zesa’s proposal to have them make contributions towards the purchase of two transformers, each valued at R27 000, which burst due to an electrical fault causing some areas to be in the dark for over three months now.
Zesa says the problem is beyond their control as they do not have the foreign currency to buy the transformers and called on residents to either wait until the power utility has the money or buy themselves.
Speaking during a Ward 7 feedback dialogue meeting organised by TellZim News at Rujeko Hall last week, Masvingo Service Delivery Residents and Ratepayers Association MASDRRA spokesperson Pianos Chadya said they will keep pressuring Zesa to act and acquire the required transformers which has disadvantaged many residents.
“It is over three months now and some areas in Rujeko have no electricity. We have asked Zesa but they are not giving us a clear answer.
“They are talking about a burst transformer and are unable to acquire a new one because they do not have the foreign currency but that is not our problem. Residents deserve electricity and three months shows that the power utility is not serious,” said Chadya.
Chadya said they will make enough noise which will compel Zesa to buy the transformer as a matter of urgency and urged residents to reject the proposal to make contributions to help Zesa buy the transformer.
A Zesa committee chairperson for Rujeko, Sherry Nyashanu, said three conditions were presented if they wanted a transformer, which were to write an application letter to Zesa Enterprise (ZENT), purchase the transformer themselves or to wait for Zesa to get funding.
“When we approached Zesa to inquire about our transformer for Rujeko A, we were given three conditions which were to purchase the transformer with our own money, to hand in an application to Zent as residents, or to patiently wait,” said Nyashanu.
Councillor for Ward 7 Richard Musekiwa promised residents to continue engaging the Zesa Eastern Region boss Jacqueline Hlatywayo to find a solution to the problem.
Hlatywawo could not be reached for a comment as her mobile was unreachable.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Masvingo Urban Jacob Nyokanhete said they were given a quotation of transformers valued at R27 000 each by Zent which he promised to pay as soon as he is given a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from the government.
“I recently visited Zent with your complain and they presented me with a quotation to the tune of R54 000 which is needed to purchase transformers for both Rujeko A and C.
“So I have applied for a CDF from the government which comes at a value of $50 000 RTGs. I have proposed that we buy the required transformer with that money and use the excess 23 000 on other infrastructural needs,” said Nyokanhete.
He also urged residents to approach Zesa in a peaceful manner and inquire answers since Zesa is reportedly refusing to meet with the affected people.
Residents of Rujeko applauded the MP for returning to the people after elections unlike others who never come back until the next election.

Gumbi ‘blocks’ Chamisa rally

TellZimNews
-
0
Gumbi ‘blocks’ Chamisa rally

James Gumbi

…says it’s not time for rallies but congress

Upenyu Chaota


MASVINGO – Trouble is brewing in paradise as MDC Alliance provincial chairperson James Gumbi is alleged to have sensationally claimed that he would bar party president Nelson Chamisa from holding a ‘Thank You Rally’ in the province until after congress.
Gumbi is said to have told a provincial assembly meeting at the party’s provincial headquarters on Wednesday that he was given the date for the rally but he will weigh the merits of holding the rally before the party’s congress.
“Why should the party give me a date for a thank you rally when the congress is upon us? I will personally weigh the advantages and disadvantages of having the rally.
“It’s only me who has the right to decide if we will have that rally or not. We want to campaign for congress not waste resources on a thank you rally,” Gumbi is alleged to have said.
TellZim News tried to get clarification from Gumbi over his statements but his mobile went unanswered but national executive member, Takanayi Mureyi, who is said to have calmed the storm as other party members contested Gumbi said it was just a proposal by the chairman.
“The chairman did not say he does not want the congress but he was just suggesting on the merits and demerits of having the rally before the congress.
“There was really nothing sinister about it but you know the chairman talks firm so many people could have misquoted him. You know holding a rally is expensive and the party does not have the money so chairman was saying let us put the little money we have towards congress.
“It was just a suggestion because right now people will be campaigning and no one will have time for the rally,” said Mureyi.
Gumbi’s utterances drew fire from the likes of Henry Damba from Chivi, James Mushonga from Zaka and Sure Makuni from Chiredzi among others.
Damba told TellZim News that Gumbi has somehow lost it because he cannot prioritise the congress over a thank you rally by the president.
“People want to see the president and for Gumbi to say that he will not approve the congress date will be unfortunate. The decision does not solely rest with Gumbi. It’s for the province to decide and Gumbi is not the province,” said Damba.
Makuni also weighed in saying they challenged Gumbi because he dictated to them instead of consulting.
“I told Gumbi that we are at a meeting and not a rally so we should not be dictated to. We want to follow procedure and not run the province like a personal thing. Many people were against Gumbi’s utterances,” said Makuni.
Chamisa has always faced rebellion from Gumbi who often speaks with his foot in the mouth.
The Gumbi led executive defied Chamisa in the last harmonized elections when they refused to compromise for other alliance partners costing the party dearly winning only 1 parliamentary seat in the province.
Gumbi stands accused of masterminding the chaos at the city council when the councilors defied the party position on the mayoral candidate.
Chamisa had opted for Godfrey Kurauone as the mayor but the move was turned down as Gumbi’s favorite Collen Maboke exercised a palace coup.
Chamisa has ordered the Masvingo mayor to step down but Gumbi refuses saying Maboke was voted for fair and square.
MDC Alliance national spokesperson Jacob Mafume said provinces are consulted before any rally is conducted but could not believe Gumbi would block the rally.
“Maybe it can be congress politics at play but I doubt Gumbi would say that,” said Mafume.

Mwonzora keeps Chamisa guessing

TellZimNews
-
0
Mwonzora keeps Chamisa guessing


Secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and president Nelson Chamisa


…says he will issue a statement when time comes


Upenyu Chaota

The proclamation of the congress date by the MDC Alliance has drawn interest from various corners across the globe with speculations pitting president Nelson Chamisa and secretary general Douglas Mwonzora to race for the top job.
Mwonzora’s name has been thrown into the race with social media being awash with photoshoped pictures of campaign materials for the reserved secretary general.
WhatsApp groups have been dominated by the two camps fighting to boost morale for the watershed election which will be a make or break for Mwonzora whose chances of dislodging Chamisa are narrow.
If Mwonzora chooses to contest Chamisa and end up losing the race, he will be reduced to a mere card carrying member.
TellZim News contacted Mwonzora to find out where he stands regarding the congress and he said he would rather keep his next steps to himself and will make an announcement at the opportune time.
“I have seen a lot of photoshops purporting to support my candidature for the presidency. I have not said I am running for the presidency so people should not listen to what is being said on social media.
“It is within my constitutional rights to run for any post but right now I would rather reserve my next steps to myself. I will be making a statement when the time comes so people should calm their horses,” said Mwonzora.
The MDC Alliance national congress will be held from 24 to 26 May 2019.  The branch, ward, district and provincial congresses will be held between March and April.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the congress date has been set but people should calm down and not create divisions in the party.
“It is only the congress date which has been set but we will not tolerate anyone who will go about fomenting divisions in the party. We want everyone to be united and approach the congress as a united force.
“Congress starts at ward, district and provincial levels before we do national. As for the presidency, candidates will be nominated by provinces so no one has to start jostling for positions,” said Mafume.
National organising secretary Amos Chibaya is on record saying his boss will go uncontested at congress and banned aspiring candidates from campaigning ahead of congress.

RCZ hosts bigger, better Inter-Dutch games

TellZimNews
-
0
RCZ hosts bigger, better Inter-Dutch games



RCZ Education Secretary Samson Shava

Clayton Shereni

The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) on Saturday February 9, held the annual athletics Inter-Dutch high schools games at Zimuto High where pupils from eleven schools vied for honours in various athletics activities.
The Mabhuku RCZ Bookshop and Cantwater Enterprises-sponsored tournament saw both male and female pupils taking part in age group categories namely under 15, 17 and 20 years.
Overall, Gutu High came out tops with 22 gold medals, 18 silver, 11 bronze while Pamushana came second with 11 gold, 21 silver, 12 bronze. Chibi took up the third slot with 14 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals.
Alheit, Jichidza, Nyashanu, Makumbe, Zimuto, Margaret Hugo, Morgenster and Henry Murray occupied positions four to eleven respectively.
The overall winners Gutu High showed class in the boys’ categories to win in the Under 17 and 20 age groups while Alheit won in the under 15 years’ category.
In the girls’ category, second-placed Pamushana won with their Under 17 and 20 girls while Chibi took charge in the Under 15 years’ age group.
The games, that were launched around 1964, saw four pupils breaking the previous set records in the 100m, 200m and 1 500m races.
In the Under 20 boys’ category, Lesley Chihwayi of Makumbe High and Martin Magumeni of Pamushana finished 100m and 200m races in 10.10 seconds and 19.4 seconds respectively to break the previous year’s records.
Long distance runner Selmor Gwembo from Alheit set a new 1500m record of five minutes in the Under 17 girls while in the boys’ category of the same age group, Silas Chinyama set a record of four minutes four seconds.
Henry Murray School for the Deaf and Margaret Hugo School for the Blind also performed impressively and won five and four medals respectively.
Speaking to TellZim News after the games RCZ education secretary Samson Shava said the Inter Dutch games were a stage for interactions and getting to make connections.
He said the games were a platform on which schools could showcase their worth in various sporting activities.
“Our schools get to strengthen their bonds through sport and they help to prepare pupils for better opportunities later in life.
“We rotate these games among the schools to give everybody a chance to improve their facilities and host the games,” said Shava.
The games have three clusters namely athletics for the first term, ball games for the second term and the quiz, public speaking or debate for the third term.
The games have produced the likes of United States of America (USA)-based athlete Kudzai Maguranyanga, Caps United forward Gabriel Nyoni and former Supersport United striker Simba Nhivi.

Hungry Zero farmers plead for help

TellZimNews
-
0

… allege discrimination in food aid

Monalisa Matongo

The people of Zero Farm have alleged being left out from government’s social welfare food aid programmes and from the presidential and command agriculture input schemes.
The villagers, most of whom say they have lived on the farm for close to 20 years, are under pressure from government which wants them to leave as they are irregularly settled. They have already been served with eviction notices which they have, however, defied.
The settlers now have their own village heads to whom they report their issues, and one of them is Henry Makusha of Chikutuva village who said people at the farm were in dire straits.
“Our people are starving and also need assistance from the government like most of the people in rural areas. Others are getting food and inputs but we are not given anything. We are being treated like second class citizens but we voted for them,” said Makusha.
Provincial Administrator (PA) Fungai Mbetsa said giving the community food aid was not possible because theirs were not recognised villages.
He urged them to go back to their original villages and receive aid from there.
“The government is willing to help those people and they should also benefit. But if they are to be given aid while they are at an illegal settlement, it would seem government is recognising their stay as legal.
“They should go back to their former villages and get their aid from there. This is one of the soft measures taken by the government to make sure they leave the farm. If they continue resisting, more effective measures will be taken. The long arm of the law will catch up with them,” warned Mbetsa.
Some residents also said the threat of eviction had made them more vulnerable, with their own village heads demanding bribes on the promise that they will make sure that those who pay are not evicted.
They accused self-proclaimed headman Ratson Haruzivishe and his aide only identified as Gango of forcing people to pay for otherwise free services on the pretext that he would protect them from eviction.
“We were given trees to plants during the national tree planting day but they are now saying we should pay US$1 per tree so that we will not be evicted. They said they have already paid the MP and the chief with cattle so avoid eviction,” said one villager.

Junior ventures into security industry

TellZimNews
-
0
Junior ventures into security industry



 …company set to open in March











TellZim Reporter


MASVINGO – Renowned businessman and director of Junior Driving School, Noah Marima is working to further expand his business empire; this time by venturing into the security industry through a company which will be launched early this March.
Junior Security will be the Junior brand’s latest addition onto its budding stable after the launch of Junior Micro Finance.
Marima told TellZim News the new security company had already recruited highly-skilled and well-equipped security guards who will be available to offer such services as undercover operations, tracking systems, alarm rapid response for houses and business properties, general guarding services and private entities security.
He said the new investment was an expression of faith in the local economy and a commitment to create local jobs for local people.
“We decided to venture into the security sector as a diversification strategy. For now, we are targeting the regional market but we are certain we will be able to expand in the near future.
“The idea came up when we opened up our new driving school branch in Gweru where we encountered some hassles getting the kind of security we wanted. We therefore saw it fit to form our own company to guard our own property and assist others. Ours will be a business practice underpinned by high-quality customer services,” said Marima.
He assured potential clients that they will get value for their money, with security services being provided mainly by highly trained people including retired police officers.
The company is housed at 78 Hughes Street in Masvingo, and will be open to do business with all clients even those that are far away in the districts.

Econet rewards outstanding Manicaland brand ambassador

TellZimNews
-
0
Econet rewards outstanding Manicaland brand ambassador




Parshon Muranganwa (in blue) hands over a     prize to a brand ambassador


Nashe Mahachi


MUTARE – Econet Wireless Zimbabwe last Saturday hosted an event to reward its top-performing brand ambassadors in Manicaland province.
The colourful function took place at Hillside Golf Club.
The country’s largest telecommunications and technology company honoured its brand ambassadors from the province’s seven districts; Makoni, Mutare, Mutasa, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Nyanga and Buhera.
Over 300 brand ambassadors were rewarded for their hard work. Before the award ceremony, the brand ambassadors had a brief training with area managers in various products and services. They were also trained in grooming and etiquette.
Addressing the gathering, Econet Manicaland general manager, Parshon Muranganwa praised the brand ambassadors for their hard work and for representing the company well to customesr in their districts and the communities they serve.
“Today we want to take time to celebrate and recognize the great work that you, our brand ambassadors, have done in the urban and peri-urban centres, in the growth points, the farms and villages in this province.
“We want our brand ambassadors to be synchronised when they go to the market selling various products. We recognised outstanding performances as Econet.
“As Econet, we intentionally want to create employment by encouraging entrepreneurs who can go out there and employ others. Some of our products include Iflax, Maisha,KwesePlay, Yomix, sim cards, EcoCash and Vaya,” said  Muranganwa.
Econet recruits and trains its brand ambassadors and deploys them back into the market to promote and sell the company’s brands and products in their communities and localities.
Some of the brand ambassadors thanked Econet and said the awards would motivate them to work harder and do even better in the future.
All the ambassadors walked away with food hampers.

Masvingo RDC approves secondary school project at Masarasara

TellZimNews
-
0
Masvingo RDC approves secondary school project at Masarasara










Brighton Chiseva


RENCO MINE – Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) has approved a community-initiated plan to build a new secondary school at Masarasara.
Masvingo RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Mubviro confirmed the development and said the council was fully supportive and will contribute funds for the project.
He said parents were free to continue mobilising resources as they were doing, with the local authority chipping in when resources permit.
“We support the parents’ initiative and we have already approved it. The ground is there and the parents can continue mobilising resources. When we get money we will chip in and contribute towards the building of the school,” said Mubviro.
Masvingo Central Member of Parliament (MP) Edmund Mhere also threw his weight behind the initiative, saying there is no way he could ignore a project that benefits people in his constituency.
“Any development that takes place in my constituency is in a way mine no matter who started it. So I will definitely help the project to succeed. I will work with the community and see the kind of help they need and see what I can also afford,” said Mhere.
The community has already started making voluntary contributions towards the materials need for work to begin. Village heads are fully behind the project and are holding regular meetings to encourage more people to participate.
Some volunteers have pledged to bring both pit and river sand, while others have pledged their scotch carts.
Villagers with carpentry and welding skills have promised to give their labour free of charge.

Man beats wife over sister-in-law love triangle

TellZimNews
-
0
Man beats wife over sister-in-law love triangle

Perseverance Muhoma

A man has been sentenced to 315 hours of community service for assaulting his wife after she had an altercation with his sister-in-law whom she suspected of being in an illicit affair with her him.
Nyasha Chandaona (29) appeared before Masvingo magistrate Candice Kaseke facing charges of domestic violence as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 (1) of Domestic Violence Act Chapter 05:16.
Chandaona pleaded guilty to the charges but said he was trying to refrain his wife from fighting his brother’s wife, Anymore Matongo.
“I was not expecting it, it just happened as I was trying to refrain her,” said Chandaona.
It was the State’s case that on February 11 in village Mutenda, under Chief Shumba at around 17:00 hrs, the accused visited his brother’s house where Anymore served him a meal.
The accused’s wife Shamiso Munyuki (25) suspected the two were seeing each other so she confronted Anyomre at Mutendi business centre and a fight started.
The accused arrived at the scene and started assaulting his wife with clenched fists several times.
A neighbor identified as Pamela Mazenyana restrained him and the complainant reported the matter to the police.
Malvern Mapako represented the state.

1...568569570...958Page 569 of 958