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It’s illegal to force parents to buy uniforms at schools – Minister Mavhima

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Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Paul Mavhima


Shingirai Vambe


HARARE – The current trend adopted by many schools across the country of forcing parents to buy uniforms at schools or recommended shops is illegal,  Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Paul Mavhima told parliamentarians.
Most parents with pupils starting Form 1 especially at boarding schools are served with a long list of uniform requirements which can only be procured strictly at the school or recommended shops.
The schools will make it clear that uniforms procured from other avenues will not be accepted.
“It is illegal to force parents to buy uniforms either at your school or any shop chosen by the school.
“This does not end on uniforms only, there are other requirements which are being demanded from parents outside the fees in line with the new curriculum. These things should be put on the school fees upon agreement after a consultative meeting,” said Mavhima.
Many schools demand a payment of over $400 towards the procurement of a full set of uniforms and some have been found wanting after they fail to deliver the uniforms.
There has been a lot of reported corrupt activities surrounding the selection of shops to supply uniforms with many parents raising the unfair flag.
Mavhima said he understands the burden being faced by parents in terms of paying school fees and will make sure that no child is disadvantaged from learning because they do  not have money.

RCZ Rev Manhongo laid to rest

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Staff Reporter


MASVINGO – The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) has lost one of its devout and prominent Pastor Reverend Solomon Kwasarira Manhongo.
Rev Manhongo was 42 years by the time of his passing on and is survived by his wife Gladys and three children.
He is reported to have been admitted at Murambinda hospital last week before he was transferred to Parirenyatwa where he later died.
He was buried at his rural home in Tongodzi Village in Gutu last Sunday.
Speaking to TellZim News, RCZ Moderator Reverend Isaac Pandasvika said the church was saddened by the loss saying the void left was difficult to fill.
He said the church had lost an asset for his contribution to the church could not be measured.
“The church has lost an asset. Rev Manhongo was carpenter, a preacher, a unifier among other qualities he had. We are mostly saddened by the fact that he left a family, but because it is God’s time, we have to accept it,” said Rev Pandasvika.
Manhongo was Reverend in Charge at Mombeyarara in Buhera.  He was born and educated in Gutu before he went to Morgenster Mission where he did his pastoral studies.
 From Morgenster he went to Binga and did a lot of evangelical work there before he was later transferred to Buhera where he was until his time of death.

$90 000 Rujeko foot bridge project remains stuck

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Masvingo Mayor, Collen Maboke told TellZim News on Tuesday that Rujeko foot brigde (above) under construction is already complete and waiting for official opening by the Minister of State for Masvingo Ezra Chadzamira. Maboke said he was reliably informed by the City Engineer that the construction was completed, however, soon after the interview with the mayor, TellZim News crew went to Mucheke River and took the above picture. The bridge was suppossed to be completed before rainy season and the ground breaking ceremony was officiated by the then Minister of State for Masvingo Josaya Hungwe. US 50 000 from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Us $40 000 from the council were poured for the construction of the foot bridge.

Clayton Shereni

The Rujeko foot bridge project which was supposed to have been completed by November last year remains stuck with no sign of any recent developments pointing to its completion despite having been financed to the tune of over $90 000.
Masvingo Urban constituency received $50 000 from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and it was all channeled towards the construction of the foot bridge.
The city council also channeled $40 000 towards the project but to date the only development to show are concrete slabs reinforced with iron bars.
The ground breaking ceremony for the project was officiated by then Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Jasiah Hungwe in June last year together with other Zanu PF dignitaries and council officials.

Senator Maina Mandava hands over a pick to the then Minister of State for Masvingo during the ground breaking ceremony

Mayor Collen Maboke said the city engineer had given an update saying the bridge was almost complete and awaiting for commissioning by the Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira.
“The Engineer gave us an update on the project and he told us the bridge was almost complete and waiting for commissioning by the Minister of State for the province,” said Maboke
Town clerk Adolf Gusha admitted to having faced problems in securing the material needed to start the project.
“We incurred problems in trying to acquire some of the material needed for the project. I will have to check with the office on the details when we expect to finish the project you can call me later,” said Gusha.

Chadzamira challenges Chiredzi MPs over amendment of Sugar Production Act

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Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira

Beatific Gumbwanda


CHIREDZI – Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira last week challenged all four Zanu PF Chiredzi legislators to push for the amendment of the Sugar Control Production Control Act of 1964 which many farmers believe is giving too much power to processors and millers.
Addressing hundreds of sugarcane farmers drawn from various associations, Chadzamira said Chiredzi’s members of parliament should take advantage of Zanu PF’s third parliamentary majority to amend the 1964 Sugar Control Act which is robbing sugarcane farmers.
“There are some issues which our legislators can take care of through raising a motion in parliament. Zanu PF commands two thirds majority in parliament and we can even change any law that might be troubling our fellow countrymen.
“Therefore, our legislators should take advantage of that to amend or change the 1964 Sugar Control Act in favour of farmers. Nothing is difficult on that because we are the ones in power,” said Chadzamira.
The Competition and Tariff Commission in 2005 submitted an investigative report to then president Robert Mugabe complaining that the sugar industry playing field was not level and was only benefitting a handful of firms.
The Sugar Control Act, which governs the sugar production in Zimbabwe, was said to be benefitting the Zimbabwe Sugar Refinery Corporation Ltd, Hippo Valley Estates Ltd, Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (Pvt) Ltd and Triangle Ltd.
These companies are said to be benefitting directly or indirectly at all levels of production, from cane growing and milling to sugar refinement and distribution.
The Sugar Control Act also determines how farmers are paid by the Miller in form of Division of Proceeds (DoP).

Wake up and sponsor our local football teams

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Clayton Shereni

Following the recent story published by TellZim News on corporate world turning a blind eye on sponsoring Masvingo football teams in their quest to quench premier soccer league (PSL) action thirst, local fans suggested potential sponsors whom they think should wake up and support the local football teams.
The city has Mucheke based teams Masvingo United football club (Fc), Masvingo Pirates and the army based outfit United Lions and all the teams have struggled to make ends meet in the previous season.
Masvingo United have appointed a new executive led by former Mayor Hubert Fidze who is expected to bring a change in the way the club operates but the club has no money in their coffers so far and recently released a budget of $248 000.
Masvingo Pirates finished last season getting some financial support from lawyer Phillip Shumba who has shown his unwavering support for football, as he has sponsored a couple of clubs in the city.
United Lions has had few problems in their campaign considering they are in the books of the army and have no expenses on home games, security and ground bookings since they use their Magamba stadium free of charge and also use the army bus for away matches.
Suggestions for potential sponsors include businessman and politician Taguma Benjamin Mazarire, businessman Enerst Mukumba, Titus Gangata of Binum Tyres, entrepreneur Stanley Kondongwe, Noah Marima of Junior Driving School, politician and businessman Edmund Mhere, lawyer Collen Maboke, businessman Setfree Mapuvire, lawyer Rodney Makausi and Masvingo City Council among others.
TellZim News, later on linked up with some of the listed people to hear their views and considerations on the suggestions by the local fans.
Masvingo City Mayor Councillor Collen Maboke said he had already raised a motion in the recent full council meeting held on Monday, January 28, 2019 where he proposed the need to sponsor a football team which was seconded by his deputy.
“I raised the motion in our Monday full council meeting which the deputy mayor Councillor Wellington Mahwende seconded and we are making consultations on whether to fully bankroll a new club or one of the existing teams because we are lagging behind since other cities like Harare have their own teams,” said Maboke.
The Megafest businessman of the year Mazarire who once bankrolled Masvingo Pirates before pulling out citing political interference said he has to meet his other business partners before committing to football again but called upon the people of Masvingo to be united first and make one strong team which they all rally behind.
“I need to meet my other directors who are currently out of the country, of course this issue is on our agenda but firstly we have to meet and discuss it so that we make an informed decision.
“As the people of Masvingo we have to put aside our differences, be united and form one strong club. Having done that, sponsors will come because for one to come and sponsor another team while the other is struggling financially they will see you as an enemy and that is not the mentality we need in football,” said Mazarire.
Another potential sponsor who was involved with Masvingo City, Marima, said he can’t commit himself to football because the players themselves are not serious.
“For now I cannot help them because some of them considered personal benefits and I was disappointed. I tried for a long time but eventually I was disappointed. If players have no view of being promoted into the premier league why should I bother myself,” said Marima.
Masvingo fuel businessman and owner of Doczine service station Phillip Mapfumo better known as Phidza said he was making efforts to try and assist local teams which are currently in the Eastern region division one league.
“I will talk to some of my partners and see what we can do for both teams. We will probably come up with something before the season starts,” said Mapfumo.
Rodney Makausi a renowned lawyer in the city played down the idea of sponsoring football this year but hinted on the probability of him chipping in after this upcoming season.
“This year my plate is full, I have other commitments but I might commit myself to football maybe later on at the end of 2019,” said Makausi.
Mapuvire, the owner of Nyaningwe Supermarkets has been involved with football but at a small scale sponsoring the annually held Nyaningwe Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Bhora Varume tournament which is usually played by members of the RCZ church.
The tournament was launched in 2011 when the City had no representation in the PSL and at one time Mapuvire unveiled $15 000 towards the tourney.
Mhere, a politician and businessman who owns Tsungai and

also runs one of the most decorated private schools in the City, Eddrovale College, is one of the people who have great potential in sponsoring a local football team.
Kondongwe, with his vast business empire, is also amongst the elite league of Masvingo’s successful business minds who can spare some funds for the local football teams and bring joy to the long starved football lovers.
N. Richards Group has a lot of potential to fund Masvingo teams and have them play in the top flight league because the biggest setback remains funding
Recently the Masvingo born speedy winger Gabriel Nyoni completed a move to Caps United after being offered a lucrative deal including a residential stand worth US$20 250 in one of Harare’s residential areas.
However local football fans continued their call on the corporate world to open their eyes and start to chip in wherever
Takudzwa Shumbanhete, a local fan said its high time corporates and individuals who have the potential to finance our local teams come on board and make sure we promote the brand Masvingo in sports just like as we are popular in politics.
“It’s high time that our local companies and individuals who have the potential to bankroll local teams come on board. Other cities do have teams in premier league because they get sponsorship.
“Our Masvingo born footballers are the ones who are making headlines at other clubs because our teams failed to meet their financial demands,” said Shumbanhete.
Thomas Dhobha another football lover said businessman in Masvingo should come together and support local clubs.
“We have potential business people in the City that should intervene and support local teams financially to help them on their quest to bring back premiership action back. We cannot have a situation whereby teams from Manicaland always be promoted to play in the league, if they are able to support their own teams, why can`t we have the same situation in Masvingo through the support from business community,” Dhobha said.
The calls come when preparations for division one league and the have already started the city as United Lions Fc expected playing the recently PSL promoted Manicaland based side Manica Diamonds Fc.
Una Una have reportedly started conducting training sessions while Masvingo Pirates players are set to return to the training camp.

Una Una rebrands, targets PSL return

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Hubert Fidze

…Fidze appointed club chairperson

Clayton Shereni

Having come so close to bringing premiership action to Masvingo in 2015, Una Una as Masvingo United is affectionately known, started their 2019 Eastern Region Division 1 campaign on a high note as they unveiled their vision of playing in the top flight Premier Soccer League (PSL).
With former Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze as the club chairperson, the club believes the sky is the limit for them and will go an extra mile to make sure that the long awaited PSL return is possible.
Fidze has been appointed interim chairman up until the February 28, 2019 elections where a substantive executive will be elected.
Addressing a press conference, Fidze said the club was targeting to attain premiership status by the year 2021 and pledged to be transparent so as to avoid the chaos which rocked the previous executive.
“We need to attain Premier Soccer League (PSL) status by 2021 and we want to be transparent and professional,” said Fidze
Before the commencement of last season Una Una had a lot of potential sponsors but they all vanished a few weeks before the 2018 campaign started leaving the club struggling to fulfill fixtures.
Fidze also took time to announce the club’s 2019 budget which is pegged at $247 090.90 and appealed to the corporate world for sponsorship.
“We will knock at any door in the city. We have put the budget out there so that we become transparent and we will appoint auditors.
“I won an award for the best local governance of the year with Masvingo City Council and I will try to do the same and help Una Una to return to PSL,” said Fidze.
Appointing Fidze as the club’s chairperson could be the best foot forward for Masvingo United as the man had a good reputation that follows him and will easily appeal to sponsors.
The press conference was also attended by Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Administrator Tedious Machawira and other Una Una board members and team coach Wilson Chinosengwa.
Last season, Masvingo United finished the season trapped in the bottom half of the log standings fighting relegation.

How powerful is speech?

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Every person has seven openings in their head, the number which – in the Scriptures – denotes completeness. There are three pairs of openings: two eyes, two ears and two nostrils but the Creator restricted the seventh opening to one mouth.
This one opening causes more trouble as compared to the other six. In the Bible, there are a number of words used to refer to the mouth such as tongue, speech, words, lips, etc. James 3:5.
Even though the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest, a tiny spark can set it ablaze! One can use the tongue to programme himself/herself for a successful life or life full of grief and regrets.
The tongue, small as it is, stands capable of causing irreparable harm if left unchecked. The tongue’s use determines the course of the person’s life. Men determine their own destinies by the way they use their tongues.
Caleb settled his destiny for the positivity confession. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. The men that spoke negatively settled for death and the ones that spoke positivity settled for life. Your destiny lies in your tongue.
Why does a person have only one mouth?
Imagine the amount of damage one would cause with bad words if he/she had two mouths. As a child of God, you always see the good side. As a believer your talk is your future. Your future is not determined by the environmental, social, economic situation, it is in your own mouth. So go ahead chat your course and determine your future by saying and doing the right things. The Bible says let no one despise you but be an example in speech and contact conduct.
River Kishon has indeed swept away many, but you can stand it
“The river Kishon took them violently away, stopping their flight, the river Kishon. Give praise, O my soul, to the strength of the Lord!”
This is Deborah singing saying that Kishon River has  took many away but Lord give me strength to stand.  This is my encouragement mainly to the youth of today the river represent the things that are affecting many youth of today like  drugs, bad habits, disobedience and many more.
When we closely look at these things, we see that they have caused great damage to the youth of today, some of whom are now dead, some are pregnant and some are trapped in a cycle of poverty because of these things. My encouragement to you is do not allow such things to sweep you away.
Only one thing stays the same
One singer once said “fashion comes and go but God remains the same.” So do not allow things like fashion to affect you.  Like Deborah, pray and say Lord strengthen me. I don’t want to be a victim of vanity.  I tell you if you pray wholeheartedly he will strengthen you because God is not a man that he should lie.
As youth, be an example but a good one by doing great things for example, let people know you because of your good deeds. When people see you what comes to their mind? What type of stories do they discuss with you, and do your friends have anything to gain from you? God bless you.
Why do we put trust where it should not be put?
Proverbs 3 vs 5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Vs 6, in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight. The Bible is saying trust in the Lord with all your heart, meaning we need to trust God to the fullest with no single doubt even for something that you may think is impossible.
When your health is failing, trust and believe that God will heal you. People tend to doubt when faced with the severest of problems but problems are only for us humans, not for God. Everything melts to nothingness in front of Him.
The Bible says with God, all things – not some things or few things but all things – are possible. You need to trust God with all your heart and do not doubt for a second. Many Christians are afraid to pray for the sick and deliver the oppressed because they think only pastors can do that and they also have a negative mind.
They ask themselves what if I fail to heal him the person and that is the root of doubting. It is the Lord who heals and not you. Trust the Lord, not the doctor, not the hospital and not your money. All those things fail, but the word of the Lord shall surely live.

The government needs 1000 Ma-Gate

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It is very painful to be poor comrades. I would have wanted to go to Madziva last Sunday to see my hero Oliver Mtukudzi being laid to rest. You know what, according Tuku hero status is the only thing that ED has done since the 2017 coup. For me, I mean kwandiri hangu, thus the only thing that I can clap hands for the humble leader. Lolest, regai ndizvisekere hangu, talking about humbleness, unobva wafunga that interview where the President said the most challenging thing for him so far is to be humble. For a moment, I could not believe myself when I watched the clip. I think you guys need to watch that video clip, the whole President going offside hake, hanzi I am not a no nonsense man but now that I am a President, I can now tolerate nonsense kkk. I thought it was supposed to be vis-versa, you must not tolerate nonsense now mukuru.
 Anyway, I think he was very honest on that one – if you look at the trio running the Ministry of Information uko kuna Mutodi uko, you can agree with ED that now he can tolerate nonsense, had it not that the President tolerates nonsense, the likes of Mutodi could have been fired. Vana Mutodi vangadai vakutopfudza mbudzi vachitamba zvazvo ndombolo dance kumafuro kkk ndiani achada kuona zvakadaro at this age, we are now watching Ma-Gate 50, 60, 70. Talking about Ma-Gate, I actually think this regime needs 1000 Ma-Gate, zvikaramba 2000 or even 5000 zvikaramba kuu. I am serious guys, we have people there who just concentrate on very minor things that continue to tarnish our image as a nation. How can we have government security agents blocking Chamisa from attending Tuku funeral both in Harare and Madziva? Chiya ndicho chidofo chaicho. Even some of us who are considered mipengo would not allow that nonsense to take place; anyway the President openly said he can now tolerate nonsense. How can you do that, traditionally, ndiko kunonzi kupumha uroyika kuya kkk, of course you may talk about protocols, but what protocols paya ndidzo nhema dzisina basa idzodzo munoda mathaza eMa-Gate vanhu imi. As if that was not enough, I see that boy Mutodi is very energetic, just this week aitoti the government can shut down internet again. I think Mutodi haadi Ma-Gate uyu mufana anoda mbama chaiyo, zvikaramba shamhu, zvikaramba mboma. I am not advocating for violence but sometimes I get angry when I look at our government especially the people who can lie without shame and taking the people for granted.
Some of us have never enjoyed town life since the time I came here ku Chitima flea market all the way from Chirimudombo handina kumbobvira ndafara. I survive on rotten bananas everyday just because there is someone who is refusing to make sound policies at government level. I hear they have since started another operation Murambatsvina in Harare, destroying temporary structures. I do not support illegal structures and tsvina but honestly this government hainyare shuwa, where were you when someone was building those structures? Some people were there for years and you left them because you needed their votes but the day they go in the street to demonstrate against you then your response is to destroy their structures. I think we are behaving in a very primitive and barbaric way. Aaah, I say what I want, Mapombi haavanzi, haatyi and haapotsi kkk telling you as it is.  We need professional leaders for this country to prosper.
On professionalism, I am reminded of what some people here at Chitima are saying… it all about this activist turned ward 10 councillor. I am talking about that young man wekumbowatsura kuti council yakutengesa ma stand nyika yose ikafuma yatenga ma lodgers’ card kkk ummm pana Manyanga hanzi dzungu rake rinoda ma gate iwayo atinongohwa. I normally don’t talk about small fish, tuma kapenda matemba utwu haiwawo, I hope his colleagues will give him directions vomuudzawo kuti kuchi border gezi ne mucouncil zvasiyana. I won’t say much today but akaramba achiita zvandinohwa ndichangomutsiurawo next week bhora pasi dzungu haribhadhari. But council must finish projects ayakatanga awandisa, just my prayer request, don’t force me to name them one by one. I don’t want to talk about $ 40 000 paid to CMED for nothing, Mucheke Trunk Sewer line, Foot Bridge, Chimusana, Mucheke D housing scheme, Dump site aaah zvandakutotaura nhai.
Its almost lunch time ndisati ndakanga maputi angu.
Mboko imboko!

Zaka dealers demonstrate over beer shortages

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Clever Taperamoyo

There was drama at the Delta Beverages Masvingo Breweries yesterday as visibly angry dealers from Zaka stormed the facility in protest over the shortage and corrupt distribution of beer.
The demonstrators cited various issues which have contributed to acute beer shortages in Zaka among them corruption from delivery drivers, poor communication from sales representatives and selling beer to unlicensed dealers.
Demonstrators said the Delta delivery trucks no longer come to Zaka as per their usual schedule and when they, much of the consignment is sold to unlicensed dealers and the licensed dealers are given a mere fraction of what they used to get.
“On Wednesdays we used to be told that our delivery is on its way but surprisingly it will not come. If we call, we only get excuses that it’s still on queue on number 4 while other unlicensed dealers continue to be given beer here and sell at higher prices at open spaces in Jerera,” one demonstrator said.
Another demonstrator fingered the management accusing them of corruption saying they are the ones who authorise the delivery of beer on the black market.
“The challenge is that the unlicensed operators do not run out of stock but they sell at higher prices than the stipulated ones but we the licensed ones fail to get the stock after incurring
travelling costs from Zaka,” he said.
The protesters said that they endure long hours queueing for beer only to be told that they have run out of stock or be given a fraction of your order.
Delta Masvingo sales representative Bigbrain Mahofa said that the Zaka dealers raised concerns over unfair distribution of the beverages to retailers but declined to comment more on the matter saying he could not comment on behalf of the company.
“They have brought their grievances which we addressed but I’m not in the capacity to give you details on the matter because I’m too junior to comment on behalf of delta,” Mahofa said.

We can beat you – Zanu PF Cllr tells Town Clerk, Management

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Staff Reporter


MASVINGO – The recent full council meeting was almost reduced to a quarreling show contest due to heated debates that saw a Zanu PF councilor for Ward 10 Sengerai Manyanga moving a notch higher by threatening a fist fight with management over a dispute in policy implementation.
Having tried several times to explain how the management works to the councillors, Masvingo City Town Clerk ended up suggesting that there maybe need for a re-orientation workshop for the councillors.
However, Manyanga continued to accuse the whole council management for being incompetent.
During deliberations soon after the full council turned into committee business, Manyanga surprised his colleagues when he suddenly told the management that in case of bare knuckle fight, the councillors were going to thoroughly beat the management.
Manyanga went further to come up with possible pairs in case they broke into a fist fight in chambers saying he was ready to lock horns with the Housing Director Levison Nzvura who was seated next to him. He went on to pair Ward One Councillor Selina Maridza with the Acting Chamber Secretary Vitalis Shonhai.
Sources said the meeting was highly charged to the extent that some felt Manyanga behaved in an unprofessional manner.
“Councillors are city fathers and when we do business, we are supposed to be professional. Shouting on top of our voices threatening to beat everyone is barbaric and unprofessional…it was my first time to see that happening and I hope the young man will grow,” said a councillor who refused to be named.
However, speaking to TellZim News Manyanga was excited that he showed the management that councillors can even beat them.
“I was very emotional and I openly told them that if we were to engage in fist fight, we were going to beat them hands down in order for them to understand that we were their bosses,” Manyanga told TellZim News in an interview.