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‘I should have learnt from Mahofa’

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‘I should have learnt from Mahofa’
Former Gutu South MP, Dr Paul Chimedza worked as Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs for less than a month, with Operation Restore Legacy finding him in the ‘wrong basket’. He has now retreated to his medical business and has largely been absent from the public limelight ever since.
TellZim News editor Moses Ziyambi (MZ) caught up with Chimedza (PC) for a detailed interview with the man whose dramatic rise to the top briefly made him an enormously powerful political figure in the province.
MZ: It is said some people in Gutu South still want you to be their MP post 2018. Are you considering standing as an independent?
PC: I am most humbled by the love and huge support I continue to get from the people of Gutu South. It is amazing. I have had several delegations from Gutu South constituency asking me to stand as an independent candidate or NPF candidate or NPP candidate but I have respectively declined. I don’t believe there is much value in being a lone ranger in parliament.
I could be an MP yes but I would not be able to serve the people well as an independent MP. So I am taking a sabbatical in politics and for the next five years I will be watching from the terraces. I’m not abandoning the people of Gutu South who stood by me so resolutely under very difficult conditions.
I will continue to serve them but not in the office of Member of Parliament. For now I will take this opportunity to spend more time with my family and also serving my patients. I am enjoying my peace and tranquility.
MZ: How do you rate the President Munangagwa’s performance so far?
PC: I know the President personally and I know him to be a sincere and hardworking man. One thing you can’t take away from him is that he understands business and he is receptive to ideas from this sector. We have all seen the energy he is putting to bring foreign direct investment into the country and the work he is doing to turn around the economy. Yes some people want results and want results now, but results only follow as a result of effort and the President has put over 150 percent of that to get the nation back onto the rails. None of us is perfect but I strongly believe if we all give our President the support he requires and are patient with him, Zimbabwe will get the economic transformation it requires.
PC: Others who saw you giving solidarity remarks after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai took it as an indication you were going to join MDC-T. What are the chances?
PC: (Laughs) The chances of me joining MDC are zero. Though I have respect for them as a political party our DNA is different. My DNA is that of Zanu PF. Everyone went to pay their last respects to Morgan Tsvangirai; from the President, the two Vice Presidents, and the chairperson of Zanu PF. The chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri even went to Tsvangirai’s homestead in Buhera. Are you now saying Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri is now MDC-T because vakanobata maoko? It is the African thing to do to mourn with the bereaved. I did just that and so did everyone else. I have not joined the MDC-T.
MZ: Some have said all expelled ‘G40s’ now have a political home in Mutinhiri’s NPF. Do you see a future for yourself there?
PC: Everyone has a democratic right to form a political party and General Mutinhiri and company exercised that right and I respect them for that. However I am not a member of NPF or any other political outfit. I have a political home which is Zanu PF. Although I am not at home at the moment, I will be back kana chitarafu chapera.
MZ: Who then among your former colleagues expelled from Zanu PF has joined NPF or intends to do so?
PC: As to who is in NPF and who is not, that I cannot answer because I have no knowledge of what goes on inside that party. All I know is that am not part of NPF. 
MZ: Some sections of Zanu PF; commissariat and war veterans, have said they want certain ‘G40s’ to be forgiven and brought back into the party immediately. Would you take the opportunity?
PC: I’m not sure if I’m part of the ‘certain G40s’ to be forgiven and brought back into the party. It is always a joy when everyone one is working together and pulling in one direction with no suspensions or expulsions or bitter fights.
I presume that the comrades in the commissariat and our war veterans have a vision of such a united party and it’s totally understandable because this group has always been revolutionary. Other comrades are also still aggrieved because of the bitter factional fights that occurred and it’s also totally understandable. I joined Zanu PF voluntarily and genuinely believing in what the party stood for. So my heart is with Zanu PF. If the party wants me back, then that development will be more than welcome although I will still take a back seat for now.
MZ: What would your political plans be if, firstly, you will not stand as an independent, secondly, you will not join MDC-T, NPF or any other opposition political party and thirdly, if you fail to get back into Zanu PF.
PC: I have plans but they are just not political plans. Like I said I am taking a sabbatical from politics.  I will take this opportunity to spend more time with my family. I am currently enjoying practicing medicine very much. I am seeing patients I had not seen in a while because of my previously hectic political schedule and I am loving it. I am also enjoying my peace and tranquility. For now I am more than content watching the political game from the terraces. 
MZ: The projects you had initiated in Gutu are rotting. Are there chances they will be completed?
PC: I started working for the people of Gutu South constituency way before I became MP and I am not about to stop now. There are several initiatives that I had undertaken as MP; from constructing classroom blocks, administration blocks and clinics, to the electrification of many schools. All these will have to be completed.  I will be willing to assist whoever is elected MP to complete the projects. Fortunately, one doesn’t need a license or permission to do development work in your home area although it’s easier to coordinate if you are the MP.
MZ: It is said the people who engineered your expulsion from Zanu PF are Lovemore Matuke and Ezra Chadzamira. What is your relationship with these two?
PC: (Laughs) No, I don’t believe that is a true representation of facts. To take decisions made at a properly constituted central committee meeting and then attribute them to these two comrades will be grossly unfair.
That decision was a party decision and not an individual one. Yes there might have been political contestation here and there but there is certainly no bad blood at all between me and the chairman or the chief whip.
You have got to understand that this is politics there are no permanent friends or enemies but permanent interests. I have met Cde Matuke several times and we talk and laugh about everything that happened. They are both mature politicians who will never take these things personally.
MZ: It was often said you were enemies with the late Shuvai Mahofa whom you succeeded both in Gutu South and at Benjamin Burombo House. How far true is that and how do you relate with her brother Josaya Hungwe who is now Minister of State?
PC: (Laughs) My feud with the late Hon Senator Shuvai Mahofa, may her soul rest in peace, was in the public domain. I wouldn’t, however, say that we were enemies. There are times when we worked together very well on different party programmes. What you all got to see were just the fights. I learnt a lot politically from the Senator, she knew when to fight and when to cooperate or unite for a common purpose. She was fearless. I quickly matured in politics because I had a vicious sparring partner in her. Despite the seeming incessant arguments, I had a lot of respect for the late Senator. She knew how to correctly read where the political wind would be blowing, her political survival instincts were very sharp…something which I obviously should have learnt from her.
As for Hon Senator Hungwe I have no issues with him at all personally. I have total respect for him semukuru weprovince both in government (as the Minister of State) and also kuparty. He has a lot of wisdom acquired over years of political experience. He is a man who genuinely wants to unite the province. I feel greatly privileged to have sat in the same office (that of Minister of State for Provincial affairs) albeit for a short time with the province’s political heavyweights at a very young age. So there is no bad blood at all between us. If it was up to Cde Hungwe alone, I believe I probably would still be in Zanu PF today.politics

Mining and community development: The nexus

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Mining and community development: The nexus


Mavis Nyamayaro
An air of expectation greeted villagers from the Sese area of Chivi following reports that rich diamond deposits have been discovered in their locality, with investors scrambling for the right to exploit the gems that are expected to catapult Masvingo province into a mining hub.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Josaya Hungwe said the discovery of the gems came at a time when Masvingo was yearning for investment to kick-start economic development.
He said the development will help in efforts to undo years of economic stagnation that have seen the vast majority of people being unemployed.
In a bid to ensure that the locals benefited from the exploitation of local mineral resources, Hungwe said the government would make it clear to the investors who are interested in extracting the gems to come up with proposals on how they plan to exploit the diamonds in mutually beneficial way.
It has since emerged that Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE)-listed RioZim, the giant mining company which operates Renco gold mine as well as other mines across the country, will be one of the companies working in Chivi.
Over the decades, mining companies have been known for neglecting communities they operate from as was the case with the former diamond mining companies in Marange, Manicaland province, that dismally failed to plough back into surrounding communities.
For that sheer neglect, they were recently criticised up by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Monica Mutsvangwa.
In a speech read on her behalf at the launch of the Diamond Super Cup in Mutare recently, Mutsvangwa noted that Marange remained underdeveloped despite previously having several diamond mining companies operating in the province.
They were later booted out by government and replaced with the newly-formed Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
She said most schools in Marange were dilapidated, with some children walking long distances for basic education.
“It is very sad to note that in all these years, the communities in Marange and Mutare have not benefited from the mining of diamonds and this is not what we all expected.
“Let me warn the new company (ZCDC) not to repeat the same. Communities must benefit from their diamonds and may I take this opportunity to urge ZCDC to take stock of their predecessors and empower the communities,” Mutsvangwa said.
The previous mining companies have been accused of presenting a US$1.5 million dummy cheque to former president Robert Mugabe during the launch of the Zimunya/Marange Community Share Ownership Trust in 2012.
With that in mind, one villager from Sese area, Munyaradzi Mabira said although the diamonds were set to benefit all Zimbabweans, locals should be the first to benefit from such opportunities as employment created from the mining of the precious stones.
“As we all know, the future of a mining company depends on the relations between the company and the locals. If the locals don’t support a mining company, chances are there will be delays on future projects and problems in getting permits for an operation to push through.
“We expect them to help my community with jobs and I am very confident that they are going to help,” said Mabira.
Such communal expectations require companies to give back to host communities and show goodwill gestures through corporate social responsibility activities.
Corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, is a public relations tool used to win the hearts of the community in which a company operates. The process involves giving back to the community as appreciation and incentive for the privilege of doing business in that particular community.
The most common programmes involve development of different infrastructure, for instance, the building of roads for better transportation, hospitals and schools for better access to health and education respectively.
CSR programmes may also involve providing free education and providing families with critical information on such important topics as family planning, HIV and Aids, proper hygiene and many more.
Although the issue of CSR is fast becoming archaic due to the harsh economic environment which has seen rampant closure of businesses, mining companies have consistently been encouraged to do their best for the sake of cordial relations with host communities.  
A case in point is that of Mimosa, Unki and Zimplats who are currently playing a big role in the country’s health sector by adopting wards at hospitals and contributing to the upgrade of health facilities as well as fighting HIV and Aids.
Given that the country’s indigenisation laws still have been revised to leave only diamonds and platinum as the only extractibles whose exploitation must be in line with the 51/49 percent ownership ratio between local people and foreign investors, it is such people as Mabira’s dream that similar empowerment processes take place in their own area.
The government has also been on record warning that companies benefiting from the country’s natural resources risk losing their operating licences if they don’t plough back to local communities.
Chegutu West House of Assembly Member, Dexter Nduna was once quoted as saying it was important for investors to develop local communities. He urged potential investors to emulate Mimosa Mine and Hwange Colliery, mining companies he said were playing a pivotal role in road network development.
“There is no doubt that mining has the potential to contribute to a nation’s economic development through creation of jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, infrastructure development and many other social services.
“I urge those in the mining sector to emulate Hwange and Mimosa which developed a big part of their road networks and prioritised infrastructure development in their respective communities. Hwange Colliery managed to surface many kilometres in 100 years and Mimosa also surfaced all the roads leading to their operations and around the mine,” Nduna was quoted as saying.
Mining consultant and spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), an umbrella body for small scale miners, Dosman Mangisi also urged mining companies to  give back to host communities.
“Government, should take sterner action against companies that are harvesting the country’s natural resources yet they are failing to remit part of their proceeds to the community they are operating from. We have laws to deal with such companies such that their operating licences may be withdrawn if they do not want to cooperate,” Mangisi said.business

Wake up MDC-T

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Wake up MDC-T
Kkkkkk Zanu PF is something else. Mapombi do not like Zanu PF for the simple reason that the party stole my future. As beautiful as I am, I could have been married to a fairly stable man and would have a decent job but look at me; I stay at Chitima market feeding on rotten bananas and maputi asina nzungu zuva nezuva.
Some talk of a balanced diet but for me that is luxury; kudya sadza nemuto wenyama it’s pure luxury because that opportunity comes once after a while in my life time – the last time I remember was when Zanu PF held its conference at Masvingo Show grounds in December 2016 ndipo pandakatombodyawo nyama and Gushungo ice cream and yoghurt kusvika ndaita manyoka.
I am fairly educated but have no job; as bright as I am, I cannot afford to buy a brand new underwear and I rely on second hand clothes (mabhero). I cannot afford decent accommodation let alone a decent meal all thanks to Zanu PF. Those who have a fair memory would agree with me that one of my resolutions this year was to have, at least, decent accommodation but nanhasi ndiri kungogara pano paChitima Market.
I became hopeful in November last year when Chiwenga and his guys staged a soft coup but little did I know kwaiva kufarira n’anga inobata amai. These guys are worse than Mugabe.  I thought they would tell us what happened to our missing $15 billion. I thought people like Mpofu would rot in jail but wotoona kuti Chombo ndiye wotofira zvivi zvevanhu vese.
But were these guys serious when they said they were targeting criminals around Uncle Bob? Why then are the criminals not arrested up to now? We only saw Chipanga, Chombo and Machaya vachishungurudzwa for a while iyezvino zvakatonyararwa hazvo. Are these only three the criminals who were targeted? Maybe plus Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere – so just these five? Zvimwe muchiti munotamba varume all you wanted was to grab power and you hide nekuti criminals. We know there are more criminals in Zanu PF than just those few who were arrested.
Anyway, I will not talk much about that because zvinondiitisa BP. My biggest worry is that we do not have a strong opposition and Zanu PF is likely to extend its rule for the next five years because they are more likely to win the forthcoming election.
We want a vibrant opposition which is not so excited by the number of people attending its rallies but with the number of people in its structures and its grass root support base. There is one thing I like about Zanu PF – it deals with statistics while MDC-T deals with assumptions.
MDC-T assumes that Zanu PF will lose in Mashonaland because Mugabe was kicked out but Zanu PF has exact figures of people who are likely to vote for Mnangagwa. MDC-T and its alliance assume that all youths will vote for Nelson Chamisa yet Zanu PF knows the exact number of youths that are going to vote for Mnangagwa. Zanu PF makes use of its statistics – the number of people in structures against the number of registered voters per ward as was released by ZEC. MDC-T must wake up!
Zanu PF strategies are statistical based while MDC Alliance use rally attendances to fool itself. Comrades, if you do not change your approach Mapombi can tell you that you will be very disappointed after the election.
Be realistic. Work with figures released by ZEC of registered voters per constituency or ward, not to assume that ZimPF or NPP or NPF will divide Zanu PF vote. What if they do not divide the vote?
I am still young and beautiful but I’m not certain if I will vote for Chamisa. Of course I like the fact that he is still young – we are almost of the same age but I don’t like the idea of just assuming. All along, I thought there were a lot of learned people kuOpposition but I have since realised that hakuna zviriko. They cannot even analyse a single ward in Masvingo Urban kkkkkkkk kungwarira kundotuka maBoss angu kunewsroom kkkkkkk nhamo. In fact they do not even know how many registered voters are in Masvingo Urban so far asi kungongwarira kuti takahwina kare.
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time let me go ndindokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch. But before I go, Mapombi heard Mphoko naED zviri kunetsana heavy nenyaya yepension kkkkkkkk. I heard Mphoko ikuda pension yayo wena. Ofcourse, he deserves it because the guy was so hardworking that he crisscrossed the whole country donating chicks and incubators. Ndoinonzi development ka iyi. Wohodei? Mphoko, penga kusvika wapiwa pension yako mudhara. Mboko imboko.Mapombi

RCZ ordains new Mutare pastor

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RCZ deputy general secretary, Wilbert Runyowa, dresses Pastor Julius Mhakure with the priesthood gown while Blessing Mhakure, the pastor’s wife, looks on
Lloyd Shunje
MUTARE – The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) last week ordained Julius Mhakure as the new pastor for the Mutare congregation to replace Pastor Witness Hapazari who was moved to the Murambwi congregation in Masvingo over a year ago.
The event was witnessed by hundreds of people including Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Monica Mutsvangwa who pledged to work with churches for the development of communities in the province.
“I am very happy to be part of this historic event. On behalf of the government, our offices are open to churches so that we work together in the development of communities in our province and I applaud churches for maintaining peace and unity in societies,” said Mutsvangwa.
RCZ moderator, Dr Rangarirai Rutoro applauded the role played by government in the growth of the RCZ.
“We want to thank the continuous support from the government towards the growth of our church. Yesterday, Minister Josiah Hungwe graced our 3rd Reformed Church University (RCU) graduation ceremony in Masvingo and today we have Minister Mutsvangwa here in Manicaland.
“We hope this does not end with our church alone but also with others so that we spread the gospel of God,” said Rutoro.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mhakure said he was called by God to the Mutare congregation to teach and preach about the Kingdom of God.
“I thank the Lord for this day, for he has put upon our hearts the zeal to teach and preach the Kingdom of God. Our desire is to see the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in power, miracles, signs and wonders,” said Mhakure.
A former teacher at Copota Primary School, Mhakure joined the RCZ Theological College in 2013 after serving in the Ministry of Education for six years.local
    

Join Chamisa or we quit, Mujuru told

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Image result for Joice Mujuru

Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO – The ruling Zanu PF is so deeply entrenched that it would be next to impossible to dislodge it the next general elections if the opposition parties do not join forces, opposition parties are saying.
These sentiments are being shared in some quarters of the Joice Mujuru-led National People’s Party (NPP), with members threatening to quit if the party fails to join the MDC Alliance.
The NPP national and provincial executive members have expressed their disgruntlement over the path their party is taking of coalescing with little known political parties under the banner People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC).
Members who spoke to TellZim News said they are willing to rally behind Chamisa and the MDC Alliance as recent events have proven beyond doubt that Chamisa had the people.
“It is time we put out personal interests aside and focus on the bigger picture. As NPP we have faith in our leader Joice Mujuru but in this election, we have to pull our resources together and defeat our one common enemy.
“It has become clear that the people of Zimbabwe have chosen MDC Alliance leader Chamisa as the rightful candidate and we all have to rally behind him so that victory is guaranteed,” said one member.
Another member said they had already made efforts to have a meeting with Chamisa and other alliance partners when they come for their rallies in Bikita and Zaka so that they can offer their support.
“Chamisa stands a better chance and he needs all our support. We need to put national interests before our personal ones. We have agreed to have a meeting with Chamisa and the MDC Alliance when they come for their rallies so that we can offer our support.
“We would rather be business people in a conducive environment created by Chimisa than to fight from our small corners and let Zanu PF rule forever. Once we meet Chamisa we will make an official announcement,” another member said.
NPP national spokesperson Jefreyson Chitando said their leader, Mujuru, was the first person to talk about a coalition with the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai before anyone else.
“When we talk of a coalition, Mujuru and Tsvangirai were the first to meet. They have been in talks until the time Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa for medical help. We hoped Tsvangirai would get better and come back to seal the deal but unfortunately God took him leaving the whole discussions pending.
“I can tell you that there are ongoing discussions between our leaders but we do not do it in the press. We will go public once we have something tangible. We are willing to work with everyone including the MDC Alliance for us to stand a better chance against Zanu PF,” said Chitando
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is on record calling for all progressive opposition political forces to come work together to dislodge Zanu PF.top story

Councillors in near fist fight over liquor licence

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Councillors in near fist fight over liquor licence

TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – The atmosphere at Masvingo City Council chambers was so tense during a full council meeting on Monday, with councillors nearly exchanging blows during a heated argument over whether or not to grant a local businessman a liquor licence at a corner shop in Hillside suburbs.
It was indeed a moment of madness as the city fathers appeared to have suspended their reasoning, with each side pushing for its resolution to sail through raising suspicion that both groups of councillors might have been bribed either to block or to make sure that the licence is granted.
Councillors Garcia Mundondo, Babylon Beta and Richard Musekiwa – who are in the Housing and Social Amenities Committee, walked out in protest. They were seething with anger as they had attempted, but in vain, to withdraw the matter back to the committee for further scrutiny.
The other group consisting councillors Godfrey Kurauone, Lovemore Mufamba, Against Chiteme and Daniel Mberikunashe wanted the local businessman Taurai ‘Bucho’ Mudzviti to be granted the liquor licence.
Interestingly, both sides accused each other of being bribed and threatened to spill the beans to the media.
“We are not going to accept that; we know they were bribed that is why they want to grant the license but we cannot betray the residents who have objected,” Mundondo, Musekiwa and Beta claimed while outside the chambers.
Councillor Kurauone from the affirmative group also asked his fellow councillors to come clean and declare interests on the matter.
“You should declare your interests; how did residents get to know about the matter before an advert is published by the media? It is clear that someone from your committee leaked the issue because you have interests,” Kurauone charged.
Mundondo, Musekiwa and Beta’s argument was that the businessman cannot be granted the license because of two reasons; firstly, the premises were meant for a corner shop / shoprite in the high density suburb and secondly, because there were residents who had since objected to the application for change of use.
Councillor Kurauone then proposed that the person be granted the license but should advertise in the media first.
Mundondo immediately stood up, removed his reading spectacles exposing his seemingly angry face, and threatened the other councillors with unspecified action if they did not want the committee to withdraw the matter for further scrutiny.
Councillor Mufamba immediately joined in and demanded that the house decide by way of voting, which Musekiwa and Mundondo vehemently rejected. Mundondo went on to accuse Mufamba of once blocking a similar bid from former Masvingo Urban legislator, Daniel Shumba’s a few years ago.
“Iwe Mufamba wakambonyimisa futi Shumba gore rakapera hausvodi wakaita seiko. Hakuna munhu unopiwa licence tadzosa nyaya ku committee kuti timboiongorora futi (What kind of a person are you Mufamba? You once blocked Shumba last year. No one is going to be granted license because we withdrew the matter and the committee shall look into it again),” fumed Mundondo.
Mufamba responded and threatened to report Mundondo, probably to Zanu PF party senior officials for his utterances.
“The committee is not bigger than the council; you cannot withdraw the matter again for the second time. We have to decide by way of voting. I am going to report you,” Mufamba fought back.
The debate even went deeper and got too personal with Kurauone revealing how Musekiwa also got a liquor licence for his corner shop.
Asked by TellZim News why he now did not want another businessman to be given a liquor license when there was a precedence, Musekiwa said two wrongs do not make a right therefore, there was need to correct that other than continuing on the wrong path.
“We cannot continue with a bad precedent; we have to correct that,” said Musekiwa.
The trio of Musekiwa, Mundondo and Beta, however, lost the battle as the Acting Mayor James Chiwara ordered the chambers to decide by voting, a development which has never happened in the history of the council.
Knowing that they will be out-matched the trio of Mundondo, Musekiwa and Beta walked out in protest leaving the five other councillors to vote, granting Bucho the licence.top story

Mayor Fidze graduates from RCU

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Mayor Fidze graduates from RCU

Moses Ziyambi
City of Masvingo mayor, Cllr Hubert Fidze was among the thousands of people who graduated from the Reformed Church University (RCU) over the weekend, adding to the relatively large pool of degreed personnel at council.
Fidze graduated with an upper second class Bachelors of Commerce Honours in Public Administration, emerging as the best student in Research and Development.
He bagged a total of 22 distinctions out of the 36 modules that form the four-year-long degree programme.
Fidze becomes the first mayor and politician to graduate from the RCU which recently relocated to its new campus some seven kilometres along the Masvingo – Bulawayo highway.
He joins fellow councillors Garcia Mundondo (Ward 1), Lovemore Mufamba (Ward 10), deputy city engineer; Edward Mukaratirwa and deputy treasurer; Danster Jori who all graduated from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in October last year.
Mundondo attained an upper second class honours degree in Peace, Conflict and Governance while Mufamba, who did his work related learning (attachment) with Tell Zimbabwe in 2015, also obtained an upper second class Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media and Cultural Studies.

Mukaratirwa graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance while Jori graduated with a Master’s Degree in Applied Accounting.
Speaking to TellZim News this week, an ecstatic Fidze said he was happy to be able to complete his studies under difficult conditions.
“I thank the Lord for this feat. It wouldn’t have been possible without his amazing grace. I also thank my wife and the whole family for standing by me. I didn’t have enough money and I didn’t have enough time, but here I am. This qualification will help me to be a better public servant,” said Fidze.
He also revealed that he was looking at opportunities to further his studies towards a master’s degree in the near future.education

Chipinge man burns neighbour’s home over beer

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Chipinge man burns neighbour’s home over beer
What remains of the burnt hut

Knowledge Mhlanga

CHIPINGE – A man from Sone village, Ward 17 in under Chief Musikavanhu shocked residents when he allegedly burnt down a neighbour’s hut following a misunderstanding during an illicit beer drink.
The event happened on April 08, nearly killing an 18-months-old minor that was sleeping in the hut. Though no comment could be obtained from the police, the suspect in the arson attack is one Edmore Tarwa “Dyke” Maposa Mafondora whom many people described as a jail bird.
The burnt house belonged to Gift Kataza Manzungu who had been drinking an illicit brew known as nipper (sope) at a local shebeen when the suspect threatened to burn down his home.
Eye witnesses said Maposa had earlier been drinking beer at a memorial service when he then proceeded to Kumbula Complex where he found Manzungu at one of the shebeens.
Manzungu reportedly refused to share his beer with Maposa, leading to a heated exchange of harsh words.
Manzungu’s mother, who was present when the house was burnt down, said she was in the other hut with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren when she heard her husband, who is lame, shouting from outside that Manzungu’s hut was on fire.
She said she then saw the suspect escaping behind the burning house shouting provocative words against Mazungu.
“This is not the first house he burnt. We suspect he is the one who burnt another house over two years ago. I went to Chipinge Police Station and filed a report and a docket of the case was opened, but to my surprise it has been four days now and nothing has been done about it.”
Manzungu himself told TellZim News he never suspected Maposa would make good his threat to burn down his house.
“He came to me and asked for a sip of my beer but I refused so he started to provoke me. He asked what I would do if I found my brother sleeping with my wife and he also threatened to rape my younger daughter and burn my hut.
“This is not the first time he has provoked me, he hates me and wishes me dead. I thank God that my wife and children were in the other house having dinner with my mother when our hut was burnt,” said Manzungu.local

Mufamba, Manyanga spar for Ward 10

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Mufamba, Manyanga spar for Ward 10

Cllr Mufamba

Moses Ziyambi
There is no love lost between current Zanu PF Masvingo Urban Ward 10 councillor, Lovemore Mufamba and the party’s youth league member, Sengerai Manyanga who wants to take over the council seat.
Mufamba accuses Manyanga of playing dirty politics, saying he suspects the provincial youth league secretary for administration abused his position at the party’s provincial electoral directorate (PED) to tamper with his (Mufamba’s) CV so that he does not make it to the primaries.
Manyanga has, however, denied the claims saying Mufamba was simply afraid of losing a position ‘which he no longer deserves’.
“There is nothing like that. His CV was received as everybody else’s, and everything was recorded. Recommendations were sent to Harare and we are waiting for the directive on who is and who is not going to the primaries.
“I have openly expressed my interest for Ward 10. I am definitely going to council and I will work hard for the people because that is what I am good at. We need a school in Morningside so that children living there do not walk all the way to Shakashe Primary as is happening now. What has Mufamba done for Ward 10?
“When I get into council, I will provide servant leadership. Currently, councillors and managers are going to expensive places like Victoria Falls for simple meetings at the expense of the ratepayer. Why not utilise our own offices or even the DA’s boardroom for such meetings?” Manyanga said.

Sengerai Manyanga
TellZim News, however, saw a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by Manyanga in one WhatsApp group which reads, ‘Ndakuda mari ndikuda kuita Councillor kuWard 10 ndakatendegwa. Mufamba rejected.’
On his part, Mufamba said he believes he will retain his position if he is given a fair chance to contest.
“We are all committed Zanu PF members but then, for somebody to go around confidently saying he is now the party’s new candidate as I have already been disqualified when no such thing has officially been communicated to me, leaves a lot to be desired. He sits on the PED so there is good reason to believe my papers could have been tampered with based on what he is telling the people,” said Mufamba.
After being elected councillor in 2013 Mufamba initiated many projects including the installation of 2 x 5 000 litre tanks at 4.1 barracks to cushion residents against perennial water shortages. He installed a submersible pump and 32 metres of piping. He is also cleared a four-hectare piece of land and donated irrigation pipes to the community.
Elsewhere, he bought five other water tanks of the same capacity for the communities of Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade, 4.3 Reserve Force, Zimuto ZRP camp, Sewerage Works and the Ministry of Transport compound.
“I have managed to convince council to donate a piece of land on which I intend to build a clinic for the Clipsham and Morningside communities which I intend to donate to government upon completion,” said Mufamba.politics

Zimuto High athlete wins three medals

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Zimuto High athlete wins three medals
From left: Zimuto High deputy head Jonathan Makaudze, Rev Wilbert Runyowa,  Tadiwa Mwerecha and Zimuto High School head Harris Mashava
Clever Taperamoyo
A Zimuto High School athlete, Tadiwa Mwerecha recently scooped a gold medal and silver at the just-ended National Association of Secondary Schools Heads (NASH) athletics competitions held in Bulawayo.
Being the only contestant from Zimuto High School participating in his particular field, Mwerecha put up a splendid performance that saw him winning a gold medal in the 100 metres race and silver in the 4 x 400 metres relay.
Mwerecha has three other gold medals and one bronze that he won at provincial level.
His trainers; Maxwell Garira,  Apollonia Chihona,  Marvellous Chikerema and Kudakwashe Hungwe were happy that the pupil had given his all to do the school proud both at provincial and national levels.
Zimuto High School head, Harris Mashava said the school was celebrating Mwerecha’s remarkable performance which he said had helped to build the school’s own good brand.
“As a school, we feel proud of this great achievement. We appreciate the efforts invested and the dedication shown by the pupil as well as his trainers to make his experience at the competitions fruitful,” Mashava said.
The elated school head also thanked the athlete’s trainers and his teachers whom he all gave credit for continuously nurturing the teenager’s great potential.sport

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