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Mwonzora to challenge Chamisa come 2019

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Upenyu Chaota
MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora is said to be mobilising party structures to drum up support for the 2019 national elective congress where reports say he wants to challenge the current president Nelson Chamisa.
Information obtained by TellZim News suggests that Mwonzora is sponsoring divisions within provincial structures which belong to the Chamisa faction among them Masvingo.
Masvingo has been put under the microscope over their candidate selection process which has been marred with controversy with some aspiring candidates complaining that their Curriculum Vitae (CVs) had been removed without reaching the electoral directorate.
The information made rounds on social media mudslinging the James Gumbi led Masvingo provincial executive leading to the issuing of a statement to clear the air.
“I would want to impress on members to post information they have verified to be true and authentic. I would want to assure all concerned that nothing like this has occurred. Be assured that all and I mean all CVs have been handled in compliance with the laid down party guidelines all CV have been submitted to the national election directorate.
“So I wonder what agenda is being pursued by people propagating such falsehoods, but definitely it doesn’t appear to resonate with the real change agenda of our party. If such energy being shown in spreading such falsehoods was being channeled to rebuilding and mobilizing people to rally behind our only known candidate, president Nelson Chamisa, then we definitely would deliver the people of Zimbabwe to their promised land.
“I hope every one of us will remain guided and wait for party processes to proceed. I refer people to our party constitution and election template so that you know who has the power to choose candidates and you will see that no individual has those powers as purported by the person who originated this misleading message.  Our party follows and is servant to its constitution, and we abide by it religiously,” said Gumbi in a statement.
Gumbi had a torrid task to defend the province over the candidate selection processes after members from the MDC Veterans Activists Association (VAA) on social media took him to task over the allegations of removing some aspiring candidates’ CVs.
Gumbi said there are other people who are focusing on 2019 instead of focusing on the elections in July this year.
“That information is false and is being peddled by those who think they can discredit the current province for 2019. The scheme is as clear as day and the good part is President Chamisa knows the whole plot,” said Gumbi without mentioning any name.
One member was quick to say it is Mwonzora who is looking to discredit the Gumbi led administration and said he (Mwonzora) is holding secretive meeting with other provincial bigwigs at the Flamboyant hotel to prepare for the congress.
Mwonzora told TellZim News that as a member of the party he is allowed to contest any position he wants to.
“I am allowed to contest any post I want and I am going to contest if I want to. The people who say I am having secret meetings in Masvingo are factionalists and a bunch of losers.
“I haven’t been to Masvingo for over a year now. I know the people who are saying that but I will shame them,” said Mwonzora.top story

Chief Zimuto laments witchcraft, broken families, diaspora

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Chief Zimuto laments witchcraft, broken families, diaspora
Clever Taperamoyo
ZIMUTO – Chief Zimuto, born Tione Gono, has said there was a worrying increase in cases involving witchcraft being reported at the traditional courts in his area.
The traditional leader said contrary to the old narrative that Zaka was the hotbed of witchcraft, Zimuto too was becoming notorious for the evil art.
He told TellZim News that the traditional leadership was worried by such issues because they negatively impact on the wellbeing of communities.
“We are noticing a rise in witchcraft cases but what surprises us is that we don`t have provisions that deal directly with cases of witchcraft in our constitution. We are therefore appealing to our government to put provisions that will assist us to curb these problems.
“We are also seeing a sad increase in the number of young couples divorcing. Young people should respect the marriage institution and husbands must support their wives emotionally and economically,” Chief Zimuto said.
He said the amendment of the Witchcraft Suppression Act would be a culmination of years of intense engagement for the acknowledgement of the existence of witchcraft which successive colonial governments refused to recognise.
The chief argued that since most Zimbabweans believed witchcraft existed and viewed it as a serious crime, courts of law should therefore be empowered to impose stiff sentences on identified witches and wizards.
He lamented the demands for hard evidence that modern legislation require for one to be convicted of witchcraft.
He said it was difficult, if not impossible, to provide evidence of the tools that are used to perform witchcraft since the practice belonged more to the spiritual than physical realm.
He also bemoaned the damage that the diaspora movement had done on families, with many families now broken.
“We receive many reports of men who take other people’s wives because their own husbands have been outside the country for a long time. It is very worrisome,” said Chief Zimuto.local

Conflict-ridden Bota royal family wants court reopened

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Ndeya Nyede

Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – The royal Bota family is calling for the reopening of the chief’s court so that matters that arise can be openly heard once again.
The traditional court stopped functioning over a year ago after serious intra-family disputes between the sons of the late Chief Bota Chiyo Mugabe who died in 2016.
The late chief’s sons; Naboth and Peter Mugabe stand accused of corrupting the chieftaincy in their fight for control.
Speaking to TellZim News this week, a family member; George Charuka said it had now been resolved that Zezai Charuka, who is younger brother to the late chief, be made acting chief.
He said the acting chief would be expected to reconvene the court system to ensure that the normal traditional judicial processes can resume.
“The Charuka family has nominated Zezai Charuka to be the acting chief to ensure continuity since he is the oldest family member and younger brother to the late chief whose own sons have both failed,” said Charuka.
Another source who preferred anonymity said the clansmen recently visited the provincial administrator (PA), Fungai Mbetsa and the Minister of State for Masvingo provincial Affairs, Josaya Hungwe over the issue.
“We recently visited the PA and Minister Hungwe who said the DA should handle the matter. They said the court could be opened but the installation of the chief will be done after elections,” said the source.
Zaka District Administrator (DA) Ndeya Nyede had earlier told TellZim News that authorities were waiting for the families to resolve their differences so that an acting chief could be appointed.
“There is no chief at the moment and we are currently waiting for the family to decide and put forward a new name to act as chief. We do not want the vacuum which exists so we are doing everything in our capacity to make sure they make the decision quickly.
“There are squabbles within the family and if they fail to solve them, we will intervene. At the moment, headmen in the area are sitting and solving disputes that arise,” said Nyede.
Before his death, Chiyo Mugabe relied on his elder son Naboth to be his assessor since he was too old to do his duties but the old chief later relieved him of the duties after he reportedly abused that role.
Naboth was accused of not consulting the chief when making decisions and taking the chief’s personal car for his own personal use.
Mugabe then appointed his second son Peter who became the assessor until the death of his father in 2016, sparking a dispute on who deserved the throne.
Parallel courts were sat, with the two sons dividing the headmen between themselves until the DA’s office intervened by closing the court system altogether.local

Zanu PF’s primaries headache

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Zanu PF’s primaries headache

Chivi South MP Mafios Vutete
...top Lacoste officials shoves out contestants
…eight MPs shown exit door
TellZim Reporter
It is going to be a dog-eat-dog in Zanu PF primary elections slated for May 05, 2018 amid allegations that the Masvingo provincial executive made some shocking decisions to disqualify at least eight sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) to pave way for top Team Lacoste members.
Most of the Team Lacoste members are now expected to run either uncontested or will face little challenge from weaker candidates.
Following a meeting held at Victoria Primary School until late yesterday, the selection committee, which was vetting Curriculum Vitaes submitted by members, decided to disqualify about eight parliamentarians. Those disqualified include, all Chiredzi sitting MPs, Joosbi Omar from Mwenezi East, Tichachafa Madondo of Gutu North, Tongai Muzenda of Gutu West and Ephraim Gwanongodza of Chivi Central constituency.
Although the reasons for disqualifying the sitting MPs were not clear by the time of going to press, the development maybe going against party position articulated by the National Commissar Rtd Lt General Engelbert Rugeje which stated that  the sitting MPs and councillors were supposed to be allowed to contest.
Top Lacoste members who were active in fighting former president Robert Mugabe late last year such as Lovemore Matuke of Gutu Central, provincial  chairman Ezra Chadzamira and Masvingo Central MP Edmund Mhere sailed through uncontested as their potential rivals were disqualified for one reason or another.
In Masvingo West, Rodrick Mumbire was booted out to pave way for Chadzamira, while a Mr Murinye in Masvingo Central was also kicked out to allow Mhere to enter the race unchallenged. Three people were disqualified in Gutu Central to leave Matuke without a rival.
Masvingo South, which was represented by former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, will see Rtd Colonel Phillip Toperesu going uncontested if no one else submits a CV by day end today (Thursday).
In Bikita South, two candidates Edmore Veterai and C. Machako will go to the primaries after three other aspiring candidates were disqualified. Bikita West has four candidates, namely Beauty Chabaya, T. Mandebvu, Elias Musakwa and E Machaya. Four candidates in the same constituency were disqualified.  There will be no primary election in Bikita East as the sitting candidate Kennedy Matimba will not be contested following the disqualification of four other contestants.
In Chiredzi East, the sitting MP Denford Masiya was disqualified paving way for four candidates namely Morgan Chauke, former MP Abraham Sithole, Jevas Masosota and Paul Makumi to battle it out in the primaries. Thirteen candidates from Chiredzi North submitted CVs but eight of them including sitting Robert Mukwena, the current MP, were disqualified leaving Roy Billa, one Mabika, White Wawenya and former MP Ronald Ndava to go for primaries. Two candidates; current Chiredzi Town chairperson Cllr Francis Moyo and Farai Musikavanhu will be contesting in Chiredzi West following the disqualification of three candidates including sitting MP Darlington Chiwa. In Chiredzi South, a top Lacoste Ailess Baloyi, who is former MP for that constituenc, will not be contested following the disqualification of the sitting MP Rtd Brig General Kallisto Gwanetsa.
Twelve candidates submitted CVs in Chivi South but seven were disqualified leaving sitting MP Mafios Vutete, Killer Zivhu, Mrs Hungoidza and a Mr Mutamba in the ring. Chivi Central is likely going to miss Gwanongodza if the provincial executive decision is not challenged as Paul Mangwana will be contested only by one Nyengerai after the disqualification of three other prospective candidates. Four candidates that include sitting MP Tongofa, a Ndove, a Madzingira and Clifford Mumbengegwi will contest in the election in Chivi North.
In Gutu Central, Lovemore Matuke will not be contested while in Gutu East Berita Chikwama and M. Mlambo will fight for the seat. Gutu North is likely to see Yekai Simbanegavi going uncontested as the sitting MP Madondo and two others were disqualified.  Three candidates who include youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi , a Dr Guni and one Masarira will be contesting for the seat. Two candidates were disqualified in the constituency. In Gutu West Noel Mandebvu will go uncontested after the sitting MP Tongai Muzenda was blocked.
Masvingo West constituency will see Chadzamira going it alone. In Masvingo Urban, three candidates Goddart Dunira, Taguma Benjamin Mazarire and Edison Zvobgo jnr will fight for the seat. Edmund Mere will not be contested in Masvingo Central. In Masvingo North, four candidates including sitting MP Davis Marapira, a Mrs Veredzai, Ziki and Govo will challenge each other after five other candidates were blocked. The people of Masvingo North who were hoping to see businessman Pascal Mudzikisi, Blackman Mutema and cattle farmer Robert Makadho on the ballot paper will be disappointed as all those prospective candidates were disqualified.
Joosibi Omar was disqualified in Mwenezi East leaving two candidates a Muzara and a Mubaiwa contesting in the constituency. Four other candidates were disqualified in the same constituency. Five candidates will be contesting in Mwenezi West – the five include sitting MP Lamson Matavire, Tafadzwa Shumba, a Zimudari, a Hungwe and one Sibanda. A certain Mbiza was disqualified.
The executive was still deliberating on Zaka district candidates by the time of going to press. TellZim News will consistently do follow ups on the story.top story

Chamisa takes MDC Alliance into unchartered Bikita, Zaka

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Chamisa takes MDC Alliance into unchartered Bikita, Zaka
Upenyu Chaota
The reign of terror launched against opposition members in Bikita and Zaka districts by the ruling Zanu PF in the build-up to the 2008 presidential run-off has left the districts so traumatised that participation in opposition politics has almost become taboo.
Several villagers in Zaka and Bikita were brutalised and some were killed as the violence engulfed most parts of the country, with the ruling party desperate to consolidate its then waning grip on power.
Palpable fear still exists in the villagers of the two districts such that the opposition has been finding it difficult to penetrate and convince the electorate into voting for them yet again.
The MDC Alliance led by their presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa, will tomorrow and Saturday descend on Zaka and Bikita to mobilise the deciding rural vote ahead of the general election expected in July or August.
Tomorrow (Friday, April 13) Chamisa will lead the MDC Alliance team to Bikita where alliance principals will address a rally at Nyika growth point.
The following day, the alliance team takes the campaign to Zaka where a rally is scheduled for Jerera growth point.
MDC Alliance Masvingo provincial chairperson, James Gumbi told TellZim News that huge crowds are expected at the rallies despite the deep trauma that many people there still suffer.
“Zaka and Bikita have been victims of political violence and fear still grips many people hence the reason our president Nelson Chamisa and the MDC Alliance have decided to come and address the people.
“People no longer have to fear anyone because gone are the days when violence was used as a tool for political coercion,” said Gumbi.
He said the team on the ground had been working full time to try and mobilise the people to attend the rallies and be blessed by the ‘people’s president’.
“President Chamisa will address a rally at Nyika growth point on Friday and on Saturday will address a rally in Zaka at Jerera growth points.
“Our team has been on the ground mobilising masses to come and demystify the fears that the people have. The rallies are going to be massive. We know the importance of the rural vote and that is what we are targeting,” said Gumbi.top story

Lectures suspended at GZU as students run riot over poor management, lack of key resources

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Lectures suspended at GZU as students run riot over poor management, lack of key resources
TellZim Reporter
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) students at Mashava campus today forced lectures to be suspended after they ran riot, demonstrating against ‘poor’ management and lack of key resources at the institution.
The students complained against erratic electricity supply, unsafe drinking water, no fixed bus time table, poor quality food, shortage of books in libraries and a sudden increase of fees among many other grievances.

Police fire teargases to disperse students 
They also accused Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Jonas Zvobgo and his management team of lacking interest in addressing the shortage of key resources at the higher learning institution.
“We heard that Prof Zvobgo has given someone a tender to construct a durawall right round the whole Mashava campus but we do not have Wi-Fi here. How are we going to research? We are cannot continue tolerating this kind of poor management and misplaced priorities,” said one student.
Students blocked, with stones and logs, all roads to Mashava campus, looted food and burnt GZU flags as they demanded better learning facilities and conditions.
Police armed with teargases and button sticks had to intervene to disperse the highly-charged students.
Students said they were prepared to go back home until these issues were addressed by none other than the Vice Chancellor himself.
Others blamed the police of sparking the violence that saw a shop that sells GZU regalia and insignia being looted bare. The dining hall was also broken into, and students made out with braai packs, bread and other foodstuff.
“It was all peaceful until overzealous police officers arrived and started firing teargas senselessly. They are responsible for the damage at the dining hall,” said one student.
Other students said the university was taking them for granted and they were prepared to fight to the very end, claiming Mashava campus has never been a good place for students as university authorities have always wanted it to appear.
“I am in my fourth year and honestly speaking, things have never been well here. They paint a picture of a well-organised campus but it’s all false. The Wi-Fi connectivity is fake, the water is very bad and we always have to fight for the few furniture pieces at the learning centre,” said one female student.
“We are prepared to fight for our rights because we are paying a lot of money here.  They are hiking fees willy-nilly but they are not addressing key issues like the extremely poor Wi-Fi network, stinky water, insufficient books in the library and bad food in the dining hall,” said another.
“It is now more than two months into the new semester yet we still don’t have Wi-Fi, as forth year students, we are doing our dissertations and the time is almost up yet the university is doing nothing,” another student.
Prof Zvobgo could not be reached for comment as his mobile was not reachable by the time of publication.

United Lions FC out to restore legacy

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Clayton Shereni
Having finished at the bottom of the Eastern Region Division 1 League, the Masvingo based army outfit, United Lions FC, will this season set out to restore the lost legacy as they hope to conquer and bring premiership action to Masvingo urban.
The army based side did not live up to the expectations of their fans despite having vast experience in the division 1 football.
In an interview with TellZim News, United Lions FC head coach Masimba Madziwana said his team failed its fans but change is definitely coming this season as the team is fully prepared and ready to reclaim their dominance.
“Physical fitness was a big challenge last season and this affected the performance of the team. We had multiple injuries but I can assure our supporters good results and we will definitely restore the lost hope.
“We have already started training and the whole team is good to go. We have had friendly matches in preparation of the coming season and we have high hopes of delivering. It is our hope to finish top of the log so that we can play in the top flight league with other big teams,” said Madziwana.
Madziwana also took time to heap praises on his goalkeeper Steven Mapedzamombe whom he said will this season have more game time considering his superb performance in his few caps last season.
“The young man has now matured and I am sure with him on the goal post we will concede less goals. Our team is now a well-oiled and we have given our boys enough time to prepare so as to avoid injuries,” said Madziwana.
United Lions is one of the region’s successful clubs in Division 1 giving some of the best teams in the province a run for their money despite a poor finish last season.
Madziwana is assisted by Mahala and Mugore with Masvingo’s nomadic coach Ezekiel Mutoda as his technical advisor.sport

TellZim News news editor Ziyambi scoops award

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TellZim News news editor Ziyambi scoops award

Ziyambi (left) receives his award  
TellZim Reporter
HARARE – TellZim News, the leading publication for the southern region, has scooped the Gender Champion Award at the Gender Media Connect (GMC) awards held recently at the Rainbow Towers in the capital.
TellZim News news editor, Moses Ziyambi walked away with a shield and US$500 cash prize in recognition of his sterling efforts in mainstreaming gender within his journalistic work.
The awards were sponsored by GMC in partnership with Hivos and the Fojo Media Institute, an independent institution at the non-profit public Linnaeus University, Sweden.
There was stiff competition in the category, which saw the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radios (ZACRAS) being the runners-up.
A total of 71 entries was made, with 50 of them being from male journalists, while 21 were submitted by female journalists.
In a press release, GMC board member John Masuku said it is pleasing to see that male journalists and writers in the country have embraced the the concept of gender mainstreaming and a more gender-balanced work environment.
“We assessed stories on their originality, investigation, research effort and persistence. Depth of knowledge and the subject was also key in as far as it added clarity and influenced change in the community,” Masuku said.
Other winners include Alois Vinga of Financial Gazette (News Reporting), Moses Mugugunyeki of The Standard (Specialised Reporting), Jeffrey Moyo a freelance journalist (Feature Story Writing) and Monalisa Dube of ZiFM (Radio).
Tafadzwa Ufumeli of NewsDay won the Photojournalism award, and in the Institutional category, Zimpapers scooped the top award.
Last year, TellZim News won two Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) journalistic awards and also scooped a Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) award.top story

Seven die in post-Easter horror crush along Beitbridge Road

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Seven die in post-Easter horror crush along Beitbridge Road

File picture

Nyasha Marumbi
MASVINGO – Seven people are reported to have died on the spot on Tuesday night when a Mazda MPV was hit by a runaway Tombs bus trailer at the 126 km peg along the Beitbridge – Masvingo highway.
Though no comment could immediately be obtained from the police, sources said Never Moyo (46) from Kwekwe was driving the Tombs bus towards Masvingo with 36 passengers on board.
As the bus approached Avhunga Secondary School in Rutenga, the trailer of the bus got dislodged and it crushed into the Mazda MPV vehicle which was travelling towards the opposite direction with eight passengers on board.
The driver of the Mazda is reported to be among those who died while the other two sustained injuries and were rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
The deceased people were rushed to Neshuro mortuary and their names were yet to be disclosed by the time of going to print.

A case for universal health coverage

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A case for universal health coverage

Taona Tivafire / Tatenda Chamisa (ZiMSA)
Universal Health Coverage #HealthForAll.
Taona Tivafire / Tatenda Chamisa (ZiMSA)
Gogo Sibanda is a resident of Zvikomo village in the deepest part of Zaka. She has problematic hypertension and asthma. The closest health centre is about 12 km away yet she has to go to the health centre every month to collect her medical supplies and her only mode of transport is a bartered scotch-cart and two donkeys. Approximately it takes her three hours to reach the clinic, and her grandson, Tamuka has to lose a day of school every month.
Somewhere across the province, there is Jaden, a 21 year old man living in Flamboyant Street, Rhodene, in Masvingo. He sprained his ankle while playing soccer with his friends. The nearest health centre is some five minutes away from his house. He tells his friends that he wanted to go to Dr Phiri`s surgery, but they insist that he goes to Makurira Memorial Clinic and get his x-rays from one of the diagnostic labs in town.
Health is a basic need for every human being. It is one of the undisputed rights and should be readily available at everyone`s disposal. Primary health care is essentially the provision of healthcare services that are affordable, accessible, applicable, relevant and acceptable to everyone in the community. The 7th of April of each year has been set aside as the World Health Day following the birth of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the same date in 1948. This year`s theme is Universal Health Coverage. #Health for All.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is about ensuring that all people can get quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. As seen above, Gogo Sibanda clearly is at a disadvantage when it comes to accessibility of healthcare facilities. This is something which is common in Zimbabwe’s remote and rural areas. Access to health facilities is so difficult that in some instances, the patients decide to stay with their illness and only visit the clinic when the pain becomes unbearable, and at times it will be too late.
UHC entails access to health workers. Every citizen should be able to use the services of a health worker when they are in need of them. In trying to curb the problem of shortage of health practitioners, the Ministry of Health and other Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) have implemented the training of village health workers. These are people from the community that live within the community and have been trained to provide information, mobilise people for health campaigns and offer some help to the locals so that they can reach the health facility. This initiative, adapted from countries like Cuba and China, has made primary health accessible to people even in the most remote areas.
The quality of services offered also determines the extent of UHC. Jaden has access to a variety of doctors and other health services like X-rays and scans. On the contrary, Gogo Sibanda only has access to the village clinic, where the doctor visits twice in a month. The quality of services offered is thus way different. Most village clinics are manned by nurses only, and at times they are not enough to carry the load. This affects the way they interact with patients because of burnout and hence the quality of services offered becomes compromised. In big hospitals as well, there is shortage of some required equipment for the provision of the desired health services. Many patients have been told to go back home or to other countries because our hospitals lack some of the equipment. We call out to the Government that they consider improving the quality of health services by ensuring that the hospitals have enough equipment and enough human resources with expertise. Health provision also extends to the medication offered, whether it is relevant, and also whether it is affordable and acceptable to everyone.
But how can we as Zimbabwe achieve UHC. We are already on the right track with the recent introduction of removal of hospital fees for patients under the age of 5, over the age of 65 and for pregnant women. So much more can be done with the aid of a strong will. We should advocate for a health care delivery system which is
·         Of quality
·         Available,
·         Accessible,
·         Equitable  to everyone
UHC is only achieved with a strong political will. It is the policies that are enforced that determine whether #HealthForAll is achieved. The government should come up with policies that are inclusive, from an infant in the deepest parts of the country to a 94-year old in the lavish comfort of the city suburb. UHC ensures that everyone gets the services without any financial hardship. In trying to address this, the government scrapped off payment of health services for patients under the age of 5, the elderly and the pregnant mothers. Though UHC tries to remove the financial burden, it does not mean that every health service procedure should be free, but rather the basic services.
The Bible talks of a perishing people because they lacked knowledge. Another function of UHC is that information is adequately disseminated and it reaches every ear. Every citizen should have the knowledge about the health service system in the country, information on how to access and use the services and also information on health related topics. Information empowers people. Some diseases can be avoided because the people know what to do to avoid them.
So in conclusion, the head of the World Health Orgnisation once said “Universal Health Coverage is the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer”. With this concept being implemented in our nation, we can have people like Gogo Sibanda enjoying the accessibility and affordability of health services.
Please note that the names used in this article are fictious. .  
Tatenda and Taona are Third Year Medical Students at MSU and are members of the Zimbambwe Medical Students`Association (ZiMSA).education
     
       

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