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Manicaland rural, urban councils win service award

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Manicaland rural, urban councils win service award

Buhera RDC staff hold their prizes at the award ceremony

Shingirai Vambe

MUTARE – Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), held its Manicaland Business Awards and dinner on June 01, with a number local authorities being nominated for doing well in the year 2017.
The awards, which are held annually, saw new names and faces making it onto the list which included the usual winners; Tongaat Hulett and Mega Market.
Buhera, Mutasa and Makoni rural district councils (RDCs) were named best local authorities for the year 2017.
Buhera RDC was recognised for notable improvement of service delivery since 2014, a development which has seen Murambinda growth point reviving hopes of moving towards town status.
The RDC was also praised for improving the ease of doing business, with a notable increase of investment at the growth point.
Buhera RDC CEO, Emily Chibvongodze, said the local authority was planning to build a new town near Murambinda B Primary School and to upgrade the road to Birchnough.
“We are looking forward to work on the road which links us to Birchenough. The road is very bad and it has for all this long separated us from important markets. Even our offices were supposed to be at Birchnough,” said Chibvongodze.
Isaiah Musabayana of Eat n Lick scooped the ZNCC Businessman of the Year 2017 Award while Rachel Mgwagwa (Wimpy Mutare) was named Business Woman of the Year 2017.
Other winners were Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) CEO Morris Mpofu, Nyaradzo Group, OK Zimbabwe, Diamond FM, Holiday Inn and TelOne.local

ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings

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ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings

ZCDC CEO, Morris Mpofu speaks at the security indaba in Mutare

Upenyu Chaota

As the world celebrates 70 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Zimbabwe still lags behind in terms of respect of human rights, it has been said.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum’s State of human rights report for 2017 implicates the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) in the cold-blooded murder of five people in the Chiyadzwa diamond fields of Marange.
The report says the killings were the worst human rights violations of the year 2017.
“In terms of severity, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company tops the list as it is implicated in the death of five people in Chiyadzwa.
“Since the discovery of diamonds in the Marange diamond fields in Manicaland province, artisanal miners trying to earn a living in Chiyadzwa have fallen victim to the brutality of security companies contracted by businesses in Chiyadzwa.
“Villagers and artisanal miners are subjected to various forms of violations including dogs being set to maul them, unlawful arrests and detention. The arrested persons are often subjected to torture and inhumane treatment,” reads the report.
The report says in August 2017, Didymus Ngorima, a former ZCDC employee was shot dead and buried at his home in Ward 23 in Marange after being mistaken for an illegal miner.
Kudzai Zambuko, Wonder Kaiza and Kudzai Baiguru were also shot and they later died of their injuries in hospital.
ZCDC is, however accused of covering up the killings by ferrying the victims in an ambulance in order to create an impression that they were injured and not dead.local

Chiyadzwa diamonds: ZCDC no better than the Chinese

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Chief Chikukwa of Marange follows proceedings at a ZCDC security indaba held at Holiday Inn in Mutare this week. His people are among the poorest in the country despite being hosts to lucrative diamond fields that have been exploited for the past 10 years

Shingirai Vambe

MUTARE – Villagers of Marange as well as those resettled at Arda Transau Farm have blasted the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) for failing to differentiate itself from the Chinese companies that were kicked out of the diamond field in 2016.
Government formed ZCDC after forcing out five companies, including the Chinese-owned Anjin and Jinan, that were accused of failing to honour their developmental obligations to the host community and cheating the government of critical revenue.
Local people, however, maintain nothing has changed ever since, with the new government-owned miner continuing to exploit the precious stones without doing anything good for the community.
Last week, iTell News visited Arda Transau Farm and witnessed first-hand the acute poverty that the people are living under.
Young girls were collecting firewood for sell at the nearby Odzi business centre.
Houses were cracked, displaying the poor workmanship of the Chinese companies that built them in their rush to get the villagers off the lucrative diamond field.
Out of seven boreholes that ZCDC claims to have drilled, iTell News saw only two, one of which does not work, while the other was reportedly drilled using funds raised by the community itself.
One of the community members, who identified herself only as Mrs Bendezi, said apart from payment of electricity bills, all diamonds companies had never helped them in any way.
“These people lie. The only notable thing they have done was the payment of electricity bills which helped to ensure the reconnection of water to the area,” she said.
Another resident, Amos Chikosi said ZCDC once came and promised to establish an irrigation scheme but nothing has happened.
“They came and addressed us, captured some pictures and left, and that was that. Schools, clinics and other social amenities haven’t improved,” said Chikosi.
Other people living in communities close to the diamond mines told iTell News that when their livestock stray into mining area, they cannot freely go and drive them back as there is always the danger of being shot or arrested.
ZCDC last week held a security indaba at the Holiday Inn in Mutare where the company’s CEO, Morris Mpofu tried to paint a different picture of what is actually happening on the ground.
His presentation was, however, dismissed by representatives of the people of Marange, who accused him of using empty words to cover up the company’s shoddy record in the area.crime

Mwenezi man attacked by machete over debt

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Mwenezi man attacked by machete over debt

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Being a Good Samaritan proved costly for 39-year old Muponesi Manyengeni who loaned his friend some money only for the friend to later turn against him, slicing his left hand with a machete after Manyengeni demanded repayment.
Appearing before Mwenezi magistrate Honest Musiiwa was Thulani Bhanda (43), of Mbuya Nehanda Village One under Chief Mazetese who pleaded guilty to a charge of assault.
Bhanda was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, six of which were conditionally suspended. The remaining 12 months were set aside on condition that he performed 420 hours of community service at Chovelele Primary School.
Asked by magistrate Musiiwa why he committed the offence, Bhanda said he was upset that the complainant kept on pestering him to repay the debt when he had told him he did not have any money.
It was the State’s case that on April 18 at around 17:00 hrs, Manyengeni visited Bhanda at his homestead and demanded the money he was owed.
This did not go down well with Bhanda who took a machete and struck Manyengeni once on his left hand, saying he will never pay back the money.
Manyengeni fled the scene after sustaining some injuries. He was taken to hospital where he was treated. A medical report was produced as exhibit in court. Manyengeni later on filed a police report leading to Bhanda’s arrest.
Willard Chasi prosecuted.crime

Mwenezi man convicted for stealing neighbours’ wife

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Mwenezi man convicted for stealing neighbours’ wife


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A man who on countless occasions engaged in a series of sexual escapades with his neighbour’s wife, was last week arraigned before Chief Neshuro’s court where he was convicted of the offence.
Tafara Magadzire, who resides in Neshuro village under Chief Neshuro, pleaded guilty to the offence for sleeping with Ustinah Moyo, who is Brighton Gumbo’s wife.
After full trial, Chief Neshuro, born Rodwell Gudo, ordered Magadzire to pay four beasts and some money to Gumbo.
Giving her side of the story before the court, Moyo said when his husband left for South Africa, she started visiting Magadzire at his homestead where they had sex on several occasions.
Magadzire, a married man, left his own wife in South Africa, and returned home where he engaged in an adulterous affair with Gumbo’s wife.crime

Shurugwi men jailed 25 years each for gruesome murder

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Rutendo Chitore

GWERU – Two men from Shurugwi; Tonderai Ngulube and Nyasha Midzi were slapped with 25 years in jail each for murdering Gift Mukundi over a girlfriend.
The two pleaded guilty before High Court judge Nicholas Matonsi on May 03 in the Gweru High Court which was sitting on circuit.
It was the State’s case that on December 13, 2017, Mukundi was in Can Night Club at Donga business centre when he had a misunderstanding with Henry Sibangeni who is still at large.
The argument, which was over a girlfriend, led to a fight between the two people.
Realising that their colleague Sibangeni was in a fight, Ngulube and Midzi ganged up against the deceased and armed themselves with bar stools which they used to strike Mukundi randomly all over the body.
Ngulube used the leg of a bar stool to stab Mukundi at the back of his head, and the victim fell down unconscious, and the trio fled.
The deceased was then carried to United Bulawayo Hospitals where the stool was removed but he was already dead.
Ngulube and Midzi were arrested a few days after the accident.
Mirirai Shumba stood for the State.crime

Elderly Chikombedzi poacher leaves ZBE security fighting for life

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Elderly Chikombedzi poacher leaves ZBE security fighting for life


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A 60-year-old poacher recently left a Zimbabwe Bio Energy (ZBE) game scout fighting for his life in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Triangle Hospital after the elderly man stabbed the ranger on the head, the Mwenezi Court heard last week.
Hlengani Kalaluma, of Guma village under Chief Sengwe in Chikombedzi, was not formally charged of attempted murder when he appeared before Mwenezi magistrate, Honest Musiiwa who remanded him in custody pending trial.
The State’s case is that on May 29, 2018 while Kalaluma was poaching at ZBE game ranch, he was approached by Simon Mutero (34) who is employed by the ranch as a game scout.
This did not go well with Kalaluma who immediately produced a knife and stabbed Mutero several times all over his head. Kalaluma later fled leaving Mutero unconscious.
The court further heard that the seriously injured Mutero was rushed to Triangle Hospital where he was admitted and by the time the accused appeared in court, Mutero was said to be still critically ill.
A manhunt was later launched and Kalaluma was positively identified by some eyewitnesses and this led to his arrest.
Angelinah Makonya prosecuted.crime

‘Rautenbach looting, destroying Nuanetsi Ranch’

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‘Rautenbach looting, destroying Nuanetsi Ranch’

Billy Rautenbach

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Controversial businessman, Billy Rautenbach, owner of Zimbabwe Bio Energy (ZBE) who had been in a joint venture with Nuanetsi Ranch Limited but is now embroiled in a legal battle after he allegedly terminated the contract arbitrarily, is said to be wantonly seizing the ranch’s assets.
Stakeholders are accusing the mogul of sabotage, looting and making unilateral decisions without the consent Nuanetsi Ranch Board.
Last Friday Rautenbach’s men are said to have violently seized a car belonging to Nuanetsi Ranch Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Madonko.
Speaking to TellZim News while making a police report at Mwenezi Police Station, Madonko said Rautenbach was the problem preventing meaningful development at the ranch.
“Billy sent his men while I was away and forcefully took a vehicle belonging to Nuanetsi Ranch. He has continued to take the law into his own hands. Last month, he also violently seized another car that was being used by Chairman Mhlanga,” said Madonko.
TellZim News saw a letter written by Nuanetsi Ranch chairperson, Dr Liberty Mhlanga to Zanu PF spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo, complaining about the cancellation of the joint venture as well as Rautenbach’s conduct.
“We have taken Billy to High Court to seek his urgent eviction because he is looting Nuanetsi Ranch’s cattle and wildlife without consulting my managing Director whom he should be working with on the Ranch …. he has continued to loot and destroy the Ranch. I am not sure where his power is from,” reads part of the letter, which is dated April 04, 2018.
Through ZBE, Rautenbach, who has always been known to enjoy the protection of senior Zanu PF officials, has vast game ranching interest in Mwenezi but the company is dogged by many allegations of abuse of workers, arbitrary dismissals and non-payment of salaries.
Nuanetsi Ranch Limited is a trust property formed by the late Vice President, Dr Joshua Nkomo circa 1987.
The more than 308 000 hectare ranch is centred on cattle and wildlife management, and it stretches from Bubi River to Triangle.local

Zanu PF Mwenezi Cllr divides MDC-T as he begs for alliance ticket

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Zanu PF Mwenezi Cllr divides MDC-T as he begs for alliance ticket

Munyaradzi Sigogo


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Zanu PF Ward 2 councillor, Munyaradzi Sigogo, who has been disowned by his party over his flirtations with Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF), has divided opinion within the local leadership of the MDC-T.
Sigogo is said to have managed to convince party of the MDC-T leadership to endorse him as the alliance’s new candidate at the expense of the party’s district youth secretary, Lovemore Mapuranga.
He reportedly also enjoys the support of MDC-T district chairperson, Timitia Dziva and former ZimPF member, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti (pictured) who himself has also divided the MDC-T in the district.
Although no immediate comment could be obtained from Sigogo, Mapuranga confirmed that Sigogo was indeed lobbying for the alliance’s ticket.
“It’s true that there are serious divisive politics being played in the ward. Sigogo is moving around begging for the alliance ticket. He wants to squeeze in as if the MDC-T did not have its own candidate from the start. My name has already been approved to stand as the candidate for Ward 2 and I am ready to serve,” said Mapuranga.
Other sources told TellZim News that tempers flared at a meeting held at Rata recently after Bhasikiti tried to solicit for Sigogo’s candidature.
“When we gathered at Rata, Bhasikiti insisted that they were working to lobby provincial MDC-T chairperson, James Gumbi to accept Sigogo to stand as the party’s Ward 2 candidate but Mapuranga opposed him,” said a source.
In Mwenezi district, Wards that are causing sleepless nights to the ruling party as they are likely to be won by the opposition include 2, 5 and 18.politics

Jaboon joins MDC Alliance

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Jaboon joins MDC Alliance

Jeppy Jaboon


…as Bhasikiti fights Zanu PF in Mwenezi

Upenyu Chaota

Having been thrown into the political dustbins for some time, former Zanu PF Masvingo provincial political commissar, Jeppy Jaboon and senior party member Kudakwashe Bhasikiti have bounced back as MDC Alliance parliamentary candidates.
Jaboon, who met his waterloo in Zanu PF after the November 2017 military coup which decimated his G40 faction, is now the National Patriotic Fronte (NPF) national political commissar.
He will contest under the MDC Alliance banner in Bikita South and will battle it out with Johnson Madhuku of Zanu PF.
Bhasikiti has thrown his whole weight behind Chamisa and has used his oratory gift to endorse the MDC Alliance presidential candidate. He has been rewarded by being made the alliance’s Mwenezi East parliamentary candidate and will tussle it out against Zanu PF’s Joosbi Omar.
Speaking on the side lines of a press conference organised by MDC-T at the party’s provincial headquarters on Wednesday, national executive member Takanayi Mureyi said they were roping in everyone who had support from the people.
“The ultimate goal is to remove Zanu PF and we are sharing constituencies with other parties who have strong people on the ground.
“Mwenezi East and Bikita South will go to Bhasikiti and Jaboon respectively. These people have support on the ground and negotiations are still taking place. They have been kicked out of Zanu PF and it means we are all now fighting for the same cause.
“As the Alliance, we are distributing seats depending on popularity and the most popular in any constituency will field a candidate. Some constituencies in Masvingo are still being negotiated with our Alliance partners,” said Mureyi.
During the NPF’s provincial inter-district meeting in Masvingo recently, Jaboon made it clear that the party was fighting for nothing but to spoil the meal for Zanu PF, saying they were looking at how they could work together with the MDC Alliance.politics

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