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ZTA markets South East’s tourism opportunities

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ZTA markets South East’s tourism opportunities

Stephen Ephraem

CHIPINGE – Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has intensified its marketing of south east Zimbabwe by covering tourist attractions in the region.
ZTA descended onto Manicaland for a massive marketing campaign between February 15 and 18, with heavy rains failing to dampen the spirit.
The organisation documented Chimanimani district landscapes like the Bridal Falls as well as cultural heritage in Chief Chikukwa’s area.
In Chipinge, the ZTA team had a feel of the uniqueness of Ndau culture and also visited an unheralded but admirable natural hot spring named Rupise which is on the outskirts of Chipinge Safari Area in Middle Save.
Team leader, Hazel Zisanhi who is ZTA corporate communications and industrial relations manager, said the aim of the marketing drive was to expose to the world all tourist attractions in the region.
“Many investors are keen to venture in tourism business but they cannot choose Zimbabwe if we do not showcase to the world what Zimbabwe really offers. I am impressed with what Chipinge offers as far as tourist attractions are concerned.
“The Ndau culture that we have witnessed at Paiyepo Cultural and Heritage Development Centre in Bangira Village in Chikore testifies to Chipinge as having a marketable cultural package. The Ndau dances, especially Muchongoyo, are unique and are an international attraction,” said Zisanhi.
ZTA Chipinge and Chiredzi area manager, Rachel Danda, while addressing a Ndau community that showcased its culture at Paiyepo Cultural and Heritage Development Centre, expressed satisfaction on what the region offers.
“The Government of Zimbabwe is supporting the concept of community-based tourism and our organisation is intensifying marketing of such. Chipinge has proved beyond doubt that it will succeed in initiatives like this one,” said Danda.

Mapombi’s Chiwenga Prayer

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Mapombi’s Chiwenga Prayer

A lot of people believe that poor people like me were cursed by God. It very unfortunate that people think that we are not loved by God and yet I have strong belief that it is the country which has the problem. At this moment ladies and gentlemen, Zimbabwe needs God more than any other time before. I strongly think that our prayer, I mean my prayer will change one or two things. Look at what is happening in Zimbabwe, zvakuda Jeso… after all it maybe my prayer that will heal the Vice President.

Tsunzunyai ndinamate!

Ndapfugama mabvi nemagokora. Dear Lord, hear our cry, hear my prayer. Before I say a lot of things, I just want to tell you that our Vice President vari pa tight. Although I do not know where he is right now, I believe you can just help him. He got challenges since the 2017 coup pavakaita nhuta but he has visited many countries, vafamba mitunhu mirefu nemasango anoera trying to be healed. He has been to SA, India, Kazakikista… aah some names I can’t even pronounce.

I pray that you just help him now before he visited that false prophet Lukau in South Africa. I don’t want to hear that my leader is doing all sorts of rituals where ever he is. Mubatsirei wo mukuru uyu. But on the other hand ndomboti ngavamboshwirira varume ava my Lord, they also need to feel the pain, people in this country are suffering mhani.

For how long shall we remain cursed?

At first they said it was Tsvangirai causing suffering. Havagumi kureva nhema mazivana enyu iwayo please. After Tsvangirai they acciused Mugabe and they dethroned him. I remember Mnangagwa saying lets us not blame sanctions and work hard. After failing to help the nation they started to accuse kedu Chamisa and the sanctions again. They are now talking about kudira jecha and yet we know it’s these guys who are pouring jecha on us since 1980. I pray kuti kubva nhasi ngakunaye jecha kwavanogara. When they go outside Zimbabwe for holidays and health checks, some of us are stuck in problems. Chiwenga mocked our doctors because he knew that his doctors are outside the country. Deal with these guys accordingly.

You know very well that I do not own a car but at this moment I pray for the government to be considerate and come up with lasting solutions to our problems. Aiwa allow me to ask this question baba, mukati vakuru vedu vose vane five chaidzo? When I look at them I see three zvadzo but it’s you who know kuti makapa Mohadi ngani handingataurisi zvangu. I will not talk about Mutodi and Joram Gumbo, those ones must be taken to Ngomahuru before they cause disaster.

There are a lot things that I would want to tell you. Ndakatotsamwa chaiko hangu. If I continue with my prayer lunch ingatokwana ikadarika.

Svunurai zvenyu ndapedza. Amen

Aaah regai ndikange zvangu maputi for lunch. Mboko imboko.

PSL absence in Masvingo:

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PSL absence in Masvingo:

Looking at the challenges

Clayton Shereni /
Clever Taperamoyo

While some may attribute the fact of inadequate funding as the main cause of the lack of premiership action in Masvingo, the fact of professionalism cannot be ruled out as the major factor.
In as much as local teams are filled with talented young, seasoned players and coaches, the local football fraternity still lags behind in terms of player and club conduct.
Use of unregistered players by clubs has caused docking of points by the football mother body Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) derailing local club’s race to premiership glory.
Last season, Una Una as Masvingo United FC is affectionately known, were docked three points after they fielded five unregistered players in their derby match against Masvingo Pirates.
Thedious Machawira, the Eastern Region’s football administrator, confirmed the issue saying the club had only six registered players so the points were awarded to Pirates.
“We only allowed the match to be played because people had got in to watch the game but it was a friendly match and Pirates had already bagged the three points because Masvingo United only had six registered players in their squad,” said Machawira.
Suspected match fixing, playing under the influence of drugs and alcohol and failure to attend training sessions by players has all left hopes for topflight action a shattered dream for local fans.
In 2015, three Masvingo City players were suspended from training with the club after they allegedly received cash bribes from Hartley Academy through its goalkeeper’s coach and former Una Una goalie Claudius Gunduza at Mucheke stadium.
City went on to lose the match 2-1 after one of the suspects missed a penalty to deny his team the privilege of restoring parity to the game, thus denying his team a chance in the topflight league.
During the Una Una and FC Victoria era, Masvingo United fans would rally behind the visiting teams and vice versa, a move which would derail the momentum of the home team considering the effect of the 12th man.
Professionalism also comes from the side of the technical team led by the head coach who chooses the squad of the day.
Professionalism can be defined in simple language as the mastering of skills in the chosen field by offering a higher degree of excellence that brings in that targeted or expected results.
In local football clubs, particularly in Division One, lack of professionalism is visible, and the teams with the most potential often employ shoddy tactics.
Basically, the performance of a club must necessarily be impressive, and players must show talent if games are to be won.
Local teams, however, are far from playing quality football in terms of the display of technique, skills and tactics. Even in the fundamentals, such as speed, strength and stamina with the ball, they have a long way to go since they seem to depend on ageing players instead of grooming young talent.
Zifa and the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation should introduce sensible technical development programmes through the schools spread in the country. Groom the young talents with basic skills, especially those between the ages of 10 to 14 years. It is in these age groups that future professional stars are born and incorporated into local clubs.
The mere arrangement of school tournaments is certainly not the answer to improve the quality football professional, but training in technique, skills and basic tactics that will enhance the professionalism of young talent in school seems to be vital and beneficial to local clubs.
The entire effort should be laid on the development of young and talented footballers, equipping them with professional knowledge before they can join local clubs. Professional techniques would then come into their path at the peak of their football careers.
Few young talented players have been taken by local teams and the recycling of old players has failed to achieve the desired results.
Last season, Masvingo United coach, Wilson Chinosengwa included former Zimbabwe senior soccer team right back Godfrey Dondo as well as Tichaona Zvandasara, both in their 30s, in some of the team’s games including the Masvingo derby.
They however failed to impress because of the obvious age factor which makes those in their mid-30s and above fail to cope with game pace.
Player welfare and poor contracts also play a major role in the absence of the much-desired premier football action since teams cannot afford to lure quality players due to poor contracts.
It is, however, not too late for the local clubs to emphasise professionalism if they are ever to make a difference and lift the spirits of their fans.

Pirates, Una Una join forces

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Pirates, Una Una join forces


Adv Phillip Shumba                                                Hubert Fidze


… as quest to bring back topflight football continues


Clayton Shereni

Two Masvingo based Eastern Region Division One teams Masvingo United Football Club (fc) and Masvingo Pirates have amicably resolved to put an end to the Masvingo derby and merge into one team as they target to bring back the long lost glory of premiership action to Mucheke Stadium.
The country’s oldest city has been without topflight league action for over seven years with its last representative being Masvingo United in 2011.
On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the club held a press conference at Charles Austin where Advocate Phillip Shumba was named the team’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Masvingo City  Mayor Collen Maboke is the club’s Patron while former Mayor Hubert Fidze was named Chairman.
Addressing journalists at the press conference, Fidze said the team will use the name Masvingo United and called upon football fans to embrace the bold move with excitement.
“The new club will use the name Masvingo United Football Club (FC). This is breaking news indeed and which should be received with all the acceptance and excitement it deserves,” said Fidze.
The two teams resolved to name the club Masvingo United after considering the club as the most successful football club to emerge from Masvingo.
Lawyer Owen Mafa is the club’s secretary, Godfrey Mtimba was also unveiled as club spokesperson and City of Masvingo deputy housing director, Simbarashe Mandishona was named vice secretary.
The team’s technical team is expected to be unveiled by March 4 while player registration is still in progress and will end a week later on March 13, 2019.
Renowned football commentator and pundit Charles Mabika applauded both teams for merging into one team a move which he said will definitely bring back premiership football to Masvingo.
“The merging of the teams is good for the province and definitely it can bring back premiership action to Masvingo'” said Mabika.
Una Una is likely to receive what could be a major financial boost ahead of the 2019 season with Masvingo City Council already on record saying they are making consultations to whether fully or partially bankroll a local football club.
Inclusion of N. Richards Group Director, Andrew Chekani as the club’s committee member is another major boost to the club as there are growing calls for the corporate world to fund a local football team.
Blending of the two teams is expected to produce good results in the upcoming season since both Dzinochekwa Baba as Pirates is affectionately known and United have vast young and experienced players in their books.

Masvingo residents celebrate TellZim News full council meeting live streaming innitiative

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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… 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.

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