…as patronage networks close

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Zanu PF provincial secretary of information and former Chiredzi North Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Ndava seems to be facing serious financial problems with the Sheriff of the High Court recently confiscating his property for failing to pay US$20 000 to Farmec.
Ndava’s company, R&G Tractor has since gone broke while title deeds to his US$100 000 house are being held by credit services provider, Microcred Zimbabwe, which he owes US$40 000.
The former MP has had a rough patch in his life especially ever since he lost to current MP Robert Mukwena in the 2013 Chiredzi North Zanu PF primaries.
Ndava’s spirited attempts to stage a comeback in the recent party primaries of the constituency failed after the race was won by Roy Bhila.
Adding to his woes, Ndava has since been fired from his offices in Msasa Drive, Chiredzi, for failing to pay U$6 000 rentals and has sold his tractors in order to recover the other property he had lost after failing to pay the US$20 000 debt owed to Farmec.
This publication saw summons indicating that in 2017, Ndava entered into a written agreement with Microcred by which he was lent US$40 000 which was supposed to be repaid within a period of one year in monthly instalments of US$4 676.86.
“On the 31st of March 2017 at Masvingo, Plaintiff and defendant entered into a written loan agreement, a copy is attached hereto as “A” the material terms of the agreement were as follows,..The plaintiff lent and advanced a loan of $40 000 to the defendant.
“The defendant would repay the loan in monthly instalments in the sum of $4 676.26 commencing on the 15th of May 2017. The loan would be repaid over 12 months. That interest would accrue at the rate of 5.2% per month (inclusive of insurance 0.2 %) on the daily balance outstanding from time to time,” read part of the summons.
In March this year, Ndava was summoned to answer the claim of Microcred that he still owed them US$22 863.56 plus interest, collection commission and costs at attorney to client scale.
“You are hereby summoned that you do within fourteen days after service of this summons upon you enter or cause to be entered with me, and also the plaintiff’s legal practitioner at the address specified herein an appearance to answer to the claim of Microcred Zimbabwe…The plaintiff herein for the sum of USD22 863.56 plus interest, collection costs at attorneys scale,” the summons further read.
Mocrocred is currently holding the title to House Number 304 Inyathi Road belonging to Ndava whose company was forced to vacate its Msasa Drive offices for failing to pay US$6 000 rentals.
The company is barely surviving after it sold asserts to repay part of the debt.
Most successful business people in the Lowveld are members of the ruling party and they have to remain in good standing with the system if they are to stay afloat.local

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – Midlands State University’s (MSU) marketing department recently donated an assortment of goods worth over $2 000 to Gweru General Hospital’s pediatric and maternity wards.
The donations included groceries, toys, clothes, sheets and other essential materials.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the department’s chairperson Miriam Mugwati said the donation was the first of its kind and they will keep on assisting the hospital whenever they can.
“This donation is targeting nursing mothers and the disabled children who are amongst the vulnerable groups in the society especially in these trying economic conditions,” said Mugwati.
The hospital’s acting superintendent, Dr Tendai Chandaengerwa said they were humbled by the gesture and appealed to other institutions in the province to emulate what has been done by MSU.
“We feel honoured by what MSU has done for us. As you all know Gweru Hospital is the biggest referral center in the province so our resources are sometimes strained and it affects our work.
“But we are grateful, we welcome and greatly appreciate this helping hand as it will go a long way in improving the living conditions of our patients,” said Chandaengerwa.local

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – Cure Chem Zimbabwe has urged small-scale miners to uphold safety measures when dealing with mining chemicals, saying failure to handle such substances with care often results in long term damage to personal health.
Speaking at an awareness campaign held at Bata Club for miners last week, Cure Chem group manager, Obert Chikwature said most miners were ignorant on how to properly handle chemicals they use.
“Chemicals are dangerous no matter how long the effects take to show. As miners and suppliers of mining chemicals, we are responsible for the safe handling of chemicals because sometimes, we take it for granted. Workshops such as these help us to know how to protect ourselves because such chemicals as sodium cyanide, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and others have long term effects on human health.
“Cure Chem Group, Medent Private Limited and the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) will deliberate on various indications on how best we can use chemicals and how best we can put on protective wear for our own safety in times of emergency. There is need for us to even know the environment and the people in surrounding communities for they are the immediate victims of any chemical and hazardous substance disaster whenever it occurs,” said Chikwature.
Medent Private Limited group sales manager, Nyasha Chakanetsa said mine owners must carry the mandate of keeping their workers safe, adding that an uninformed worker is a vulnerable worker.
“It is mandatory for mine owners to know the welfare and safety of workers in the mine. You must always control hazardous substances and provide the necessary steps because most diseases that affect miners are due to inhalation of poisonous gases and air.
He said the company offered affordable PPE equipment that can play a critical role in the prevention of such accidents.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A 64-year-old man tried to escape home while stark naked in broad daylight after a mob from a nearby circumcision camp that had found him bathing in the river cornered and chased him before assaulting and forcing him to join them.
This was heard at the Mwenezi Magistrate Court during the trial of Chenjerai Chivarange (38) of Chiwarure village under Chief Maranda.
Chivarange faces charges of malicious damage to property belonging to Lysias Hlaisi who resides in the same village.
Appearing before magistrate Honest Musiiwa, Chivarange pleaded not guilty.
However, the complainant’s son identified as Chakwesha said Chivarange was the ring leader of the circumcision mob.
“Chivarange and a group of about 40 people arrived home chasing my father who was completely naked. When my father locked himself inside his hut, they went on a rampage, destroying the locked door and some property. They forcefully entered the hut, manhandled and bashed my father before taking him to their mountain camp,” said Chakwesha.
Arguing for the State, prosecutor Willard Chasi told the court that sometime in September 2010, Chivarange arrived at Hlaisi’s homestead with about 20 men. They wanted to take Hlaisi to a male circumcision camp at Tungunyu Mountain but Hlaisi locked himself into his bedroom hut.
When Hlaisi refused to open the door, Chivarange picked an axe which he used to break in and the mob started destroying property including a bed, a solar panel, radios sets and a set of cups all valued at US$1 872.
Upon committing the offence and after hearing that police were looking for him, Chivarange fled to South Africa where he spent some years.
The case was postponed to a later date for continuation of trial.local