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Pirates beg Mazarire to come back

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Benjaman Taguma Mazarire

…as club struggles to pay players

Clayton Shereni

Masvingo Pirates FC are seeking to reconcile with their former main benefactor, Zanu PF politician and businessman Benjaman Taguma Mazarire, with the club currently struggling to pay players their salaries.
Sources claim that the players had expected to get money from Mazarire who had committed himself to paying their winning bonuses and salaries for the whole of the 2018 season.
Some players who spoke to TellZim News on condition of anonymity said they were failing to make ends meet and would not be able pay their children’s school fees this coming term unless there are drastic changes.
"We were told at the beginning of the season that Mazarire was going to pay our salaries but now he has deserted the club. We are struggling to pay rentals and school fees since we are fulltime footballers," said a player.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo Pirates team manager, Isaac Chapura said he could not comment on the issue and referred all questions to club Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Phillip Shumba.
"The way we operate at our club is different from other clubs, I think Mr Shumba can answer that one because I am not fully aware of the contractual obligations of the players," said Chapura.
When contacted for comment, Shumba said the players had not been paid their salaries since Mazarire pulled out some few weeks ago.
"As we all know that the economic environment is not very conducive, we have been having problems paying salaries. The executive has, however, tried to give them their weekly bonuses and we are working tirelessly to make sure our players get their salaries in full," said Shumba.
Contacted for comment, Pirates spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba confirmed the matter saying the club was failing to meet some contractual obligations since the departure of key stakeholders especially Mazarire.
"I can confirm that we are having some challenges with regards to meeting our contractual obligations with players; issues like salaries and allowances for their upkeep. We have experienced some challenges since the departure of some of our executive members and the patron who were playing a critical role in ensuring that the club was financed," said Mtimba
He also expressed optimism concerning the club's re engagement with their ex-patron who also hinted last week that he might come back to bankroll a football team which he however refused to disclose.
"We are optimistic that the patron will make a comeback soon, as he has a strong passion for the beautiful game of football and we applaud him for that," said Mtimba.
Mazarire pulled out of Masvingo Pirates after a controversial political incident when some fans used an MDC Alliance-branded vehicle to travel to Mpandawana for one of the team’s matches.
The car belonged to the team’s lawyer, Collen Maboke who was the opposition alliance’s council candidate for Masvingo Urban Ward 2.
Mazarire was then contesting for the Masvingo Urban parliamentary seat on a Zanu PF ticket; a race he has since lost to the MDC Alliance’s candidate, Jacob Nyokanhete.sport

UK-based Zim DJ organises pool tourney for charity

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UK-based Zim DJ organises pool tourney for charity
Phillip Sibanda

Tiyani Hahlani

MASVINGO – Phillip Sibanda, a Zimbabwean radio presenter at Wythenshawe FM in the United Kingdom (UK), last Saturday arranged a pool tournament aimed at raising funds to help a physically-challenged child in Harare.
Proceeds from the tournament will be channelled towards the purchase of a wheelchair for six-year-old disabled child; Kunashe Gava.
The tournament saw Railton Masvingo hosting Bulawayo-based side, Zimra who won the games and walked away with US$250 and a floating trophy.
The tournament raised US$80 which will be used to buy the much-needed wheel chair in Harare.
In an interview with TellZim News, Sibanda aka Air Marshall Commander, expressed great joy in making a difference in the lives of the less privileged.
"I am happy with the support which we have received from all our donors who participated. They managed to squeeze from the little they have to put smiles on the face of the children who live in this community,” said Sibanda.
The tournament also included the speed category in which the contestants competed to finish and pocket all the balls first.
Sibanda urged the diaspora and other people around the country to help children living on the streets as well as people with disabilities.
“I am appealing to anyone who lives in the diaspora, whether you come from Masvingo or Tsholotsho, to look back where you come from and help your community. If you get one child whose school fees you can pay, the better for humanity. These children need it and they definitely need your help,” he said.sport

A case against the funding of fossil fuels

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A case against the funding of fossil fuels

Sophia Mavusa
Zimbabwe has not been spared the harm of climate change which has been aggravated by its geographical position in the semi arid belt of Southern Africa and its reliance on rain-fed agriculture and other climate sensitive live hoods options. The live hoods of the people of Zimbabwe depend on vulnerable natural resources and their depletion as a result of climate change will lead to further poverty and set back the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development. The impacts of climate change are likely to stall the country’s development, pose a serious risk to food security and adaptive capacity. Access to energy has been shown to be a necessary requirement for socio-economic development however, financing any new fossil fuel project anywhere is unacceptable due to the dangers fossil fuel pose to society and our planet. Zimbabwe has shown great commitment to addressing climate change by ratifying the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Despite its support for climate change matters the country continues to greatly rely on coal powered thermal stations that emit large amounts of green house gases. Zimbabwe is one of the many countries grappling energy poverty but the country has an opportunity to develop its energy sector using clean renewable energy since it is well endowed with renewable energy resources especially in solar radiation. The country also has vast renewable sources and the hydro potential is mostly on the Zambezi river and on some inland rivers and dams. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Zimbabwe has set its Nationally Determined Contribution emission reduction at 33% by the year 2030. The country’s Nationally Determined Contribution focuses on most sensitive sectors of the economy that is agriculture and energy the main source of emissions. Its mitigation component mostly focuses on the energy sector because of the extensive energy contribution to the reduction of green house gases in comparison to others sectors. Additionally, it also seeks to build resilience to climate change while ensuring sustainable development in recognition of its climate change vulnerability and national circumstances as well as contributing to the ambitions global goal of limiting temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees. The country’s Nationally Determined Contribution stressed renewable energy development as a goal in tackling emissions and developing the national energy grid. Despite its efforts to support climate change issues the  country continues to fund fossil fuels projects for example in June 2018 secured $1.4 billion funding for the expansion of a 600MW Hwange thermal power station drawing on financing from China and other partnership although this is in contradiction with its National Climate Policy whose objective is to create pathways towards a climate resilient and low carbon economy in which the people have sufficient adaptive capacity and continue to develop in harmony with the environment. In order to achieve its emission pledge the government, banks and other financial institutions should stop funding fossil fuels projects because this will exacerbate the impacts of climate change. The country’s National Climate Change Response Strategy, National Climate Policy and the Nationally Determined Contribution give the country a clear target to work towards in terms of both adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. Additionally, the Zimbabwe’s National Economic Blue Print (ZimAsset) also aims to achieve sustainable development and social equity. Furthermore, the policy acknowledges that the country faces multiple environmental challenges including susceptibility to floods and droughts due to climate change. To divest from fossil fuels Zimbabwe also needs to strengthen its legal frameworks thus the country needs to develop specific climate change legislation. Anchoring the Nationally Determined Contribution in climate change legislation could create a legally binding obligation on government which would improve its accountability visa-vis its citizens and other civil society stakeholders and potentially facilitate compliance and enforcement of its Nationally Determined Contribution. Lessons here can be drawn from countries like Kenya which enacted a Climate Change Act in 2016. Learning from how Kenya’s climate change activities including their Nationally Determined Contribution which are now enshrined in a specific climate change legislation Zimbabwe can also do the same. The country needs to be mindful of her development at a time when some financial institutions such as the World Bank have indicated intentions to stop funding fossil fuels by 2019 in a bid to bolster a global shift to clean energy and to help countries meet their emissions reduction pledges made at the 2015 Paris Climate talks, Zimbabwe also needs to divest from funding fossil fuels and use funds from various investors on renewable energy sources in order to put the Paris climate goals which the country pledged in its Nationally Determined Contribution within reach. Funding fossil fuels need to be stopped around the world if the Paris Climate Agreement is to be achieved. With only two years left before the full flagged implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions it is imperative that the country stop funding thermal power stations which have become a major financial drain, emitting a lot of green house gases and invest more in renewable energy sources.business
The author is an Environment and Climate Change Specialist.

Masvingo runs dry, goes for one week without water

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Masvingo runs dry, goes for one week without water

Godhati Dunira

Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO—It’s almost a week now with dry taps in the city, raising serious health concerns as the majority of residents are relying heavily on borehole water which does not conform to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards according to the Service Level Benchmarking (SLB) peer review report released in June.
The Town Clerk has since issued a statement on the crisis saying they are working flat out to rectify the problem but no timeline has been given on when normal supply will be restored.
“The City of Masvingo wishes to advise that due to multiple faults on the pumping equipment, the pumping capacity is constrained to half the normal supplies since Thursday night. As a result, water supplies to the city have been low resulting in water shortages in most parts of the city.
“The city is seized with carrying out repairs to the equipment that has been taken to Harare for repairs. While every effort is being made to expedite the repairs, we are unable to give a date when supplies will resume at full capacity,” said Gusha in a statement.
City council commission chairperson Godhati Dunira said the pumps are too old and ultimately would need to be replaced so that the problem can be dealt with once and for all.
“There are three pumps at the main water works and at any given time two pumps will be running while the other one will be on standby. Right now two pumps are down and we are pumping with one at 50 percent capacity.
“This means most areas will not receive the water and we urge people to conserve the little water they have while we work on the problem. The pumps are too old and we want to make sure that the council purchases new pumps so that we remedy the problem at once,” said Dunira. 
The city council has put in place some relief including sending out water bowsers to the worst affected areas and closing off supplies to low lying areas to allow the available water to reach more areas.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said the council has to put their house in order before people start to get sick.
“We have always said the pumps were overwhelmed and new ones should be purchased but our plea fell on deaf ears. Now we are suffering because of their arrogance.
“Four days without running tape water is a serious threat to our health and we are going to take the council head on if they do not rectify the problem. The water from the few available boreholes was deemed unfit for drinking so where do they expect us, in the middle of this poverty, to get safe water for drinking,” said Mtimba.local

Of the Pfeerorists and Nerorists

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Of the Pfeerorists and Nerorists

The fulcrum of this week’s Mapombi Adonha edition… kkkkkk I mean the pith of it! Umm Mapombi didn’t know that even judges vanogona kutovharwawo nechirungu ini.  Justice Malaba had a difficult time understanding Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s fulcrum and pith diction.
Now I understand even if the MDC Alliance loses this case; probably it would be because the judges failed to understand the terminology used by its lawyers. Even Mapombi had a difficult time here at Chitima Market trying to simplify and interpret for my inferior educated friends.
I had to spend the whole day without eating rotten bananas and maputi as I did the interpreting work, ko ndogodiiko madzisahwira angu asina kudzidza. They don’t even understand the fulcrum of the whole story. I mean the pith of it hahahahahahaha ndokukuvadzai nevheti mukaita zvekutamba.
Apologies to my avid readers, I’m usually not like this when I write but today ndakatobatwa nemweya waAdvocate Mpofu chaiwo. I don’t mean to confuse you as Mpofu did to Chief Justice but kungotiwo that is the jargon I sometimes use. My apologies, please.
Mapombi is not a lawyer by the way, but of course I’m learned, and I can tell you that this case iri pachena iyi. I don’t want to preempt but it’s the simplest of all. I know the Nerorists want a favourable result, and so do the Pfeerorists. But there is no way the judges can make you all happy comrades; let us all be prepared to accept the judgment.
But did you see ziso ranga richibudiswa naMangwana of Zanu? I was tempted to think that Cde vakarohwa newhisky ini. Apa mazino akasungwa newaya kkkkkkkk zvandombooneswa ini Mapombi ka zvakaoma. Chete chakaona hama hachisekwe hacho.
Mapombi is a gentleman handivanze hangu; I know many of Nelson Chamisa supporters (Nerorists) will accuse me kuti ndatengwa but I’m simply stating facts. Advocate Mpofu was on point but ndangoonawo sekuti evidence ishoma zvangu. Hey, I’m not saying MDC Alliance will lose the case but ndiri kungoti ndaona sekuti evidence ishoma compared to facts.
But Zanu yacho yakatotsvawo futi, at least the judge was helping by asking leading questions. Zanu needs to win this at all costs. By the way did I tell you that Sekuru Hungwe said I’m not going anywhere? Kkkkkk he said Mapombi Adonha anopenga he wants me to retire kuti ndadii tell her I’m not going anywhere. Handiende zvekumhanya!
But the guy is now too old but he insists I’m still fit. Hanzi I was joking zvangu and Mapombi took it serious that I will retire soon after elections.  But I once said this; if Hungwe retires I will go back kwedu kumusha kwaChirimudombo uko and I will stay there for good. Now that he said he is not going anywhere, then I will also remain here eating rotten bananas and maputi angu asina nzungu.
From the look of things tichatomboramba zvedu tichidya maputi and rotten bananas isu vana Mapombi because things might be tight for the next five years. Maiwe zvangu with these Nerorists zvondoita sendicharohwa; I’m just saying from the way things are proceeding at our ConCourt chete.
But I’m beginning to think lawyers enjoy confusing people with these terms; Nero said if the judgment is not in our favour we will unleash the forces of peace and make this country ungovernable. Mapombi is still wondering what kind of these peaceful forces the opposition will unleash – I would want to believe these will be peaceful protests and demonstrations. Because we say no to violence. Mhirizhonga hatidi.
But if they are going to unleash forces of peace then no problem. That will be only after the judgement.
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time let me go ndinokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch izvi zvana fulcrum and pith handingazvikwanisa. If Malaba just said okay for the sake of moving forward what more iniwo zvangu Mapombi wakadzidza kuMasvingo Mashava uko ndingazvinzwisisa.
Before I go, is it difficult to have an inclusive government? Is it painful to have a government of national unity? Kana zvisingarwadze ko kuzviita zvingadii? People are suffering ladies and gentlemen and this winner take all mentality must stop.
We want leaders who at least have people near their hearts; because I know there is no way a politician can have people at heart, never kuti zvadii.
Mapombi can’t wait to hear from uncle Bob; im sure mukoma Jealousy Mawarire will organise a presser soon. Of late I liked uncle Bob zvangu because vava kuzvitaura zvandaingotaurawo when he was still ruining this country.
Now that he is talking the same language with the majority of Zimbabweans, we pardoned him and he is now one of us. Ko inga Bhaibheri rinoti regereranai pakutadza kwenyu.
But nhai mukoma Jealousy isn’t it possible to also have Mphoko at Mugabe press conferences? I miss that tall old man – he was an inspiration to many women. Donating chicks and incubators to women across the country is one thing Mphoko will be surely remembered for. Mboko imboko!mapombi

Gutu’s Magama Express wins Chibuku Road to Fame

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Gutu’s Magama Express wins Chibuku Road to Fame

Magama Express band


Bothwell Chabarika

New Gutu-based sungura band, Magama Express, on Saturday gave a polished act which saw them winning first position in the Chibuku Road to Fame provincials held at Farai Beerhall in Masvingo.
The festivals are hosted annually by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in partnership with Delta Beverages as the sponsor.
Magama Express is made up of five members who did not disappoint during their appearance in front of the big audience, earning themselves a US$500 cash prize.
An Afro Jazz group from Mashava, Destiny, took second position after putting up a remarkable performance of its own and walked away with US$300.
Another sungura outfit, Orchestra Kururama took third position and walked away with US$200.
NACZ provincial arts manager, Helen Mudefi told TellZim News that she was confident that the winning group will make it in the national competitions that will be held in Harare come September.
She said she was happy with the many bands and members of the public who showed interest in the musical competitions.
“I am glad we managed to secure a good number of participants for this competition and I am also confident that the winners are going to make it at the nationals. The groups that participated came from Mashava, Bikita, Gutu and Masvingo districts.
“I am pleased by the level of talent that was shown here and I am confident that local groups have a bright future in the industry. In the past, we have had such groups as Zano Rangu Sounds, Chuka Trinity, Woodpeckers and Tears of Africa making us proud and we hope the trend will continue” said Mudefi.
Last year’s winners, Black Omolo attended the event as guests, and they gave a scintillating performance in between the intervals.

Zanu PF Gutu youths march for ED

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Zanu PF Gutu youths march for ED
Zanu PF youths last week marched through Mpandawana to celebrate the party and its presidential election candidate’s disputed victory in the July 30 elections


Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – Hundreds of Zanu PF youths together with their provincial leaders this week held a solidarity march around the growth point celebrating President Emmerson Mngangagwa’s disputed presidential election victory.
It was the first celebration to be done in Mpandawana, with the youths saying many other celebratory marches will be done across the province soon after the inauguration of the President-elect.
They said they were not bothered by MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa’s Constitutional Court application challenging Mnangagwa’s victory, adding that they were confident they will win the case.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial youth chairperson, Brian Munyoro said they decided to have the marches in celebration of the party and its presidential election candidate’s victory.
“We have decided to have similar celebrations in all the districts around Masvingo province so that we can send a signal to the whole country that Zanu PF has won and the issue of going to the courts is null and void. We want to prove that we are the actual people who voted and we made our choices clear.
“We want to show those who are challenging our president’s victory that here are the people who voted for him and we are going to do that as we march peacefully in our numbers,” Munyoro said.
He said the youth were looking forward to the country moving forward smoothly and peacefully under the leadership of Mnangagwa.local

Parliament employees receive long service awards

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Parliament employees receive long service awards

Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda hands over a certificate to one of the awards recipients

Shingirai Vambe

HARARE – Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Francis Mudenda recently handed over certificates, laptops and cash to 98 employees who have worked for parliament for the past 10 to 25 years.
Mudenda told those who attended the event, which was held on August 09, that the dedication of the long serving employees was immeasurable.
“As I stressed during last year’s event, no service barometer can decipher the depth and degree of the selfless services these officers have rendered to parliament. The question that may be asked is how these officers managed to serve this long? The answer lies in some distinctive character traits, such traits that include loyalty to one’s institution, self-motivation, discipline, tenacity and dedication to duty,” Mudenda said,
Main sponsors of the awards were the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) and fibre optic services provider, Liquid Telecom.
Those who served for 25 years received certificates and laptops donated by Liquid Telecom, with six more laptops being donated to parliament.
Potraz director general, Dr Gift Machengeta told the award recipients that his organisation was happy to be involved in the rewarding of remarkable service.
“As a regulatory authority, we are happy to partner with Parliament of Zimbabwe in honouring its long serving employees,” said Dr Machengeta.
Liquid Telecom managing director, Wellington Makamure said his company was proud to partner parliament in honouring its long serving members of staff.
“As Liquid Telecom, we rise in terms of our mandate given by Potraz by also lifting you. The donation is a challenge to you, that you can do more in your research. We need to continue working together through team work,” said Makamure.
Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda was among the long servers and he also received his award.
David Zimunhu, who works for the human resources department, received the worker of the year 2017 award.
The occasion was graced by many dignitaries including President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe.

Gutu ex-teacher fined for indecently assaulting workmate’s son

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Gutu ex-teacher fined for indecently assaulting workmate’s son

Precila Takabvirakare

Barbra Njondaya (42), a former teacher at Muchekayaora Primary School under Chief Munyikwa, was recently asked to pay a fine of $300 or face six months imprisonment for indecently assaulting her then workmate’s 12-year-old son.
Njondaya appeared before magistrate Victor Mahamadi being charged for contravening Section 67 (1) (b) (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23.
It was the State’s case that on June 18, 2017 Njondaya called the boy from where he was and when he came, she grabbed his hand, dragged him into the house and locked the door while holding a knife.
She further dragged the boy into her bedroom and forcibly put him on the bed and started to cares his upper body and kissed him several times on his mouth.
Njondaya threatened to kill the boy with a knife if he told anyone about the incident before opening the door to let him go.
The child then reported the matter to her mother who accompanied him to the police to make a report, leading to Njondaya’s arrest.
She has since lost her job as a teacher.local

Checheche High pupils release Zim Dancehall album

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Hazvinei Musaandaka with Shepherd Dhliwayo and Pentrodhe Gwenzi in the studio.

Stephen Ephraem

Two enterprising Checheche High School pupils have released a four-track ZimDancehall album named ‘Simbi yebasa’ which contains songs like Ngavatendwe, Ahuwe and Vanobatsira.
The teenage sensation of Pentrodhe Gwenzi (13) and Shepherd Dhliwayo (14) is under the management of Hazvinei Musaandaka, who is an English teacher at their school and also a talented mbira player.
The album was produced by Marlon T and was funded by legislator the recently re-elected Chipinge South Member of Parliament (MP) Enock Porusingazi.
According to Musaandaka, the reason for taking the two teenagers into the studio was to help them get exposed to the recording studios.
"The two boys have been signed by sungura ace Alick Macheso at his Alema Studios. They shall be recorded any time from now so we saw it fit to expose them to recording studios before their major project is undertaken by Macheso," said Musaandaka.
The teacher revealed that Macheso shall feature in the album.
"Macheso shall feature in one song called Genesis. It is an honour for these teenagers to collaborate with a refined musician in the mold of Macheso. I hope the duo shall reap the benefits of their workmanship and ambition.
“When raw talent is discovered, I urge all people involved to promote it and shape youngsters so that they can cultivate their potential and reap the rewards. So far we are synchronising education and arts for the two pupils. I would like to thank the school administration for the support they are giving the artist duo," said Musaandaka.

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