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‘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

Graduate Chipinge youth defies unemployment through farming

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Graduate Chipinge youth defies unemployment through farming
Majazo in his soya bean field

Knowledge Mhlanga

CHIPINGE – Having graduated from the Midlands State University (MSU) in 2017 with an honours degree in Politics and Public Management and after a long fruitless search for a formal job, a youth who had never thought of farming as an option has now invested all his hope in the land.
Respect Mlambo Majazo (25) from Mukoteni village in Ward 17 under Chief Musikavanhu, has started a farming project that is employing many other young people of Chikore communal lands.
Majazo is making some good use of his father, Pearson Mlambo Majazo’s seven-hectare piece of land near Nyaudongo River by planting such crops as maize, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, soya beans, sugar beans and other vegetables.
He has built a small dam from which he draws irrigation water through canals he has dug and pipes he has laid down with his own hands.
The project has recorded some considerable levels of success, employing some local youths who previously had no means to productively spend their time.
Majazo told TellZim News that the farming project had given him hope that he could turn around his life without necessarily looking for employment elsewhere.
“I have realised that I can make a living through farming instead of complaining over unemployment in the country. So many organisations and companies have closed down and people are not being hired on merit alone but mainly on the basis of who you know.
“I have found hope in agriculture and I encourage others to do the same. Besides, there are so many other ways of employing ourselves in such sectors as fisheries, carpentry, mining and construction.
“We should adopt a new way of thinking as the youth. There is no room for laziness when you know that the economic environment is tough. After all, there is so much more in working for yourself than finding employment at other people’s places,” said Majazo.
His venture has enabled him to build a modesty six-bedroomed house within a short period of time and he is able to take good care of his family, pay employees and buy inputs.
Majazo’s father, Pearson, said the project had improved living conditions in the family, with more food now available to the family.
“My son is doing well. His project has brought food security to our home and he is also earning money through selling some of his produce to households, schools and shop owners and his future in farming seems bright as he has started very well,” the elder Majazo said.
One of the youths working at the project, Johanne Gwabuya said he was grateful that the project had given him a chance to earn a better living.
“Our lives have been greatly transformed ever since we started working here. We used to go for days without a single cent in our pockets but now the situation is totally different. All thanks to our boss,” said Gwabuya.
The project in mainly labour intensive since it has not yet raised enough capital to buy machinery and expand operations.
Majazo said his vision is to grow the venture so that he can employ more people and be able to supply the whole of Chipinge district and beyond.business

ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings

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ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings
ZCDC CEO, Dr Morris Mpofu
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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Chiyadzwa diamonds: ZCDC no better than the Chinese
Dr Morris Mpofu

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.top news

Musiso High wins car in national quiz competitions

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Musiso High wins car in national quiz competitions

Musiso High School quiz team


Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – The Roman Catholic-run Msiso High School quiz team won a Nissan March vehicle at the Book of African Records quiz competitions held in Harare last week.

The school came third in the competition which was sponsored by Old Mutual, with all team members also winning phones for themselves.

The team consisted of Ruvarashe Nyandoro, Amon Kwasara who are both in form 5, Stansilus Musekiwa and Tanatswa Jengwa who are form 4 and their patron, Mr Tinago.

The first position went to John Tallach High School (Matebeleland province) while the second position went to Zengeza 1 High School of Chitungwiza in Harare.

Zaka District Schools Inspector (DSI) Beaula Shambambeva praised Musiso for the outstanding performance.

 “We are happy that the school has put us on the map. We are, however, waiting for the handover ceremony which will be done at the school soon,” said Shambambeva

Musiso High School head, Joram Mawana also hailed the team for raising their flag high.

“I’m happy with the pupils’ performance. We will continue to work hard so that our name can grow,” said Mawana.education

Gweru City Council in push for better service delivery

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Gweru City Council in push for better service delivery

Gweru City Council staff and the SLB team on a tour of the dumpsite in Mkoba

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU –   City of Gweru has revealed that plans are being made to purchase new water pumps and refuse collection trucks as a way of reducing years of service delivery backlogs.
Speaking at a service level benchmarking (SLB) preview meeting at council offices, Town Clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza said work was underway to secure new pumps and refuse equipment in order to increase water supply and improve waste management in the city.
“Currently we are working on acquiring a new pump to improve our water supply in the city as we are currently not pumping water to some suburbs. We draw most of our water from Gwenoro Dam but due to pumping challenges, we are not producing what is enough.
“So work is underway to acquire pumps to increase our water supply. The pumps cost a lot; we need a big budget because one pump goes for approximately $850 000. We urge residents to effectively contribute by paying their monthly bills so that our services can become better,” said Gwatipedza.
She also touched on the problems being faced with waste disposal, saying the city’s 15 hectare dumpsite was no longer capable of sufficiently handling the growing needs.
“As for the dumpsite, there is need for maintenance because of the amount of waste disposed there. For us to get a new dumpsite, we need $1.5 million. We purchased a bulldozer to help in maintenance work and we have since got involved in recycling work. We have up to seven companies such as Delta that are helping us to recycle plastics and bottles. This has helped to reduce the load at the dumpsite,” she said.
The SLB review team toured the water treatment facility at Gwenoro, the dumpsite as well as the Cambrishire sewer plant, with recommendations that areas that needed urgent attention include road signage, drainage and the high costs of waste management.local
                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Mazarire brings 15 free doctors to city clinics

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Image result for Benjaman Mazarire pic
Upenyu Chaota
Zanu PF Masvingo Urban parliamentary candidate, Taguma Mazarire has hired the services of a medical team of over 15 doctors drawn from different parts of the country to offer free services the city’s three clinics.
The medical team will be offering their services at Rujeko, Mazorodze and Runyararo clinics from June 9 and 10.
The doctors will be led by Dr Masimba Mhangami and will be offering free consultation, free treatment and free cancer screening.
There will also be free antenatal check-ups and ultrasound scan.
Dr Mhangami told TellZim News that his team will be comprised of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and radiographers.
“The community of Masvingo is blessed to have this. People should take advantage of this opportunity to consult doctors free of charge.
“We will be offering our services for two days at the city clinics and we hope we will reach out to as many people as possible during the two days,” said Dr Mhangami.
City of Masvingo mayor, Hubert Fidze said the initiative was most welcome as the country’s health services sector was deplorable.
“Accessing a doctor has now become a privilege for a few people. This initiative will go a long way in making sure that the people of Masvingo gain access to medical care.
“The government should make sure such initiatives are done regularly. We thank Mazarire for his big heart and we hope more people like him come forward,” said Fidze.
Mazarire, whose campaign is hinged on the #MasvingoUrbanWeWant mantra, said he will make sure that everyone will be accorded a chance to access medical care.
“I have always said it is part of our collective responsibility to build the Masvingo urban we want. No man from planet Mars will come and do it for us. We have to pull our resources together to take care of our people.
“Masvingo urban and the province at large need representatives who will go and push for policies that will improve the livelihoods of our people in all spheres of life. I have called for this team of doctors to come and offer free services to our people because I know it is the right for our people to gain access to proper medical care,” said Mazarire.health  

Nyokanhete springs a surprise in Masvingo Urban

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Nyokanhete springs a surprise in Masvingo Urban
Benjaman Mazarire

Jacob Nyokanhete


Upenyu Chaota
After long bruising battles coupled with heartaches, protest vote threats and apathy in both Zanu PF and MDC-T primary elections Taguma Benjaman Mazarire and Jacob Nyokanhete have finally emerged as the two parties’ respective parliamentary candidates for Masvingo Urban.
Mazarire romped to victory after beating Edison Zvobgo Jnr, Godhati Dunira Hungwe and little-known Gordon Gomba.
MDC-T’s Takanayi Mureyi had been given the candidacy on a silver platter after going uncontested but made a sudden volte face, saying he had been reassigned to a national post.
This created a chance for the likes of City of Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze, Boniface Mazarire, lawyer Derick Charamba, MDC-T Masvingo district chairperson Muranganwa Chanyau, Admire Wakurawarebwa and David Charirwe to contest.
It was, however, little-known chattered accountant Nyokanhete who came out victorious in primaries held on June 03.
Nyokanhete has, however, been facing resistance from his party structures that regard him as a novice.
Some have even gone on to endorse Mazarire, who is the son to the Zanu PF candidate, as the winner despite the fact that he lost to Nyokanhete by five votes.
The argument being peddled by the pro MDC-T’s Mazarire supporters is that the election has been rigged chiefly in Ward 8 where 47 people voted.
Masvingo provincial chairperson, James Gumbi has, however, declared Nyokanhete as the winner and called all genuine party cadres to rally behind he winning candidate and move forward.
“Nyokanhete is our candidate for Masvingo urban and I plead with party cadres to stop fermenting divisions and support the winner,” said Gumbi.
There has been a verbal warfare in the MDC-T’s WhatsApp groups with supporters and losing candidates refusing to endorse Nyokanhete.
Fidze conceded defeat as did Chanyau but Mazarire refused, claiming he was the actual winner.
Chanyau, who stands accused of running away with ballot boxes in Ward 8, however, said the election was rigged, claiming the figures did not tally.
“Genuine results are Nyokanhete polled 333 votes in nine wards excluding Ward 8. Now they are saying Ward 8 voted 147 people when in actual fact 47 people voted. If you add 333 form nine wards plus the alleged 147 you do not get 399 which is the figure being announced.
“Personally I respect this institution MDC-T but if this remain like this some leaders are going to lose our respect. There is no reason to keep on usurping the will of the people,” said Chanyau in a leaked WhatsApp group chat.
MDC-T’s Mazarire also posted that he was the true winner, claiming he was in possession of the ‘real’ results.
“I thank God. Masvingo Urban has spoken. We have the real results and I thank you for choosing me as your candidate. The Ward 8 ballot box had only 47 votes and if you give all of those votes to Nyokanhete he will not even come close to my votes,” said Mazarire.politics
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