Home Blog Page 69

Chiredzi CPU closes low lying Chilonga Causeway

TellZim News
-
0
Chiredzi CPU closes low lying Chilonga Causeway

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-Chiredzi District’s Civil Protection Unit (CPU) recently warned motorists using the dangerously hanging Chilonga Causeway saying they should stop using it with immediate effect.

CPU said using the bridge, which connects Chiredzi South with the Central Business District (CBD) even if the water in Runde River subsides until they have deemed it safe to do so.

Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC) who chairs the CPU, Lovemore Chisema issued the warning to motorists from passing through the deadly low lying bridge this rainy season, citing that action will be taken on non-compliant motorists.

“Please be informed that Chilonga causeway has been seriously undermined due to recent flooding of Runde River.

“It is now impossible even if the water levels over the bridge subside to cross using heavy vehicles from one side of the river to the other. We have thus far made an effort to block the use of the cause now and in the future.

“By copy of this notice, all motorists of both heavy and light weight motor vehicles are instructed not to use the causeway until such a time it has been declared safe to do so. Action will be taken for anyone found breaching this instruction,” said Chisema.

Chisema also expressed worry over people who use homemade canoes to cross the flooded Runde River which is infested with Hippos and Crocodiles

 “Though we do not allow people to use canoes, they are adamant and unfortunately travelers approach the canoe owners for service. They say it’s less risky and less expensive than taking a longer routes,” added Chisema.

The low-lying Chilonga bridge came as a makeshift after the Chipinda Bridge in Gonarezhou was swept away by Cyclone Eline in 2000, marking exactly two decades without any action by the central government, and has been a death trap over the years in the rainy season.

The bridge is the links Chiredzi South constituency and Chiredzi Town where people get social services like acquiring birth certificates, banks, medical services and business.

A number of lives have been lost yearly during the rainy seasons including a three-year-old toddler who is still yet to be found, a professional diver from the Buchwa Police Sub Aqua Unit, a soldier and various other civilians.

 In 2024, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joshua Sacco promised that another standard bridge will be erected saying they had established four possible sites which was already budgeted for.

Gutu man stabs uncle over roasted meat

TellZim News
-
0
Gutu man stabs uncle over roasted meat

By Meditation Mposi

A man from Makuvaza Village, Chief Chitsa, Gutu has appeared before a Masvingo magistrate facing attempted murder charges for stabbing his uncle with a knife over roasted meat.

Energy Mushanyuri (28) pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Mgistrate Innocent Bepura for severely assaulting his uncle Absalom Madzikanga (53) on November 21, 2024 at Chitsa Business Centre in Gutu.

 The state case according to prosecutor Liberty Hove is that on the fateful day Mushanyuri was drinking beer with Madzikanga at the business centre.

Mushanyuri then had an altercation with a security guard he had earlier asked to roast meat for him, who had asked him why he had eaten the meat before the security guard tasted it (kubvisa huroyi) as per Shona culture since he was the one who had roasted it.

As the security guard continued pestering him, Mushanyuri became angry and asked the security former to leave after which he threw a beer bottle towards him which then hit the wall.

Madzikanga then intervened with the intention of resolving the conflict but Mushanyuri turned to him and stabbed him once on the left cheek with an Okapi knife, telling him that he was actually the one he had been targeting.

Mushanyuri then left and went to another bar to drink leaving his uncle Madzikanga injured and bleeding, until he was ferried to Gutu Mission Hospital by well-wishers.

In his defence, Mushanyuri said Madzikanga ate his food without his permission and was calling his other relatives to come and eat the food. He said after refusing to stop eating his meat, Madzikanga even boasted, took off his shirt and punched his nephew thrice on the face.

It was then, according to Mushanyuri that he lost it, produced an Okapi knife and stabbed Madzikanga once on the left cheek in self-defense.

Mushanyuri was remanded in custody to February 6, 2025.

Baby kidnapped, found following morning

TellZim News
-
0
Baby kidnapped, found following morning

By Tatiana Mhararira

A Gutu family is traumatized after their four-month-old baby was stolen from their house, only to be found the following morning in a nearby bush unharmed.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident to TellZim News and encouraged parents to look after children.

“I confirm the incident whereby Primrose Magagade’s baby was kidnapped. I encourage parents to look after their children and make sure that they are safe. People should not leave infants alone because they cannot think on their own or even take action when in danger,” said Dhewa.

Circumstances are that on January 31, 2025 around 1400 hours Magagade (18) went to the well to fetch water leaving her baby in her bedroom, locked the doors and hid the keys.

When she returned, the door was unlocked and keys were on the door. She found that the baby was missing together with baby blankets and 10 kilograms of mealie meal.

Magagade told her mother, and a search was conducted but the baby could not be found, leading them to report the matter to the police.

The following morning, at around 0400 hours, Magagade went to fetch water with her little brother aged 12 where they heard people making noise in a nearby bush.

They heard a baby crying in the bush close to the well, after which they ran home to tell their parents. They then returned with their parents and found the baby by the roadside next to a sack of mealie meal.

The baby was wrapped in a towel and its had mosquito bite marks. The baby was subsequently breastfed without any difficulties, after which they took it to Nerupiri Clinic for a health checkup.

Wetlands a natural treasure – EMA

TellZim News
-
0
Wetlands a natural treasure – EMA

By Tatiana Mhararira

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has implored people to be more vigilant about the conservation of wetlands, saying they are a natural treasure that would continuously benefit the environment long term.
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Day on February 2 every year, EMA said the ecological role played by wetlands was vital, and they should be protected at all cost.
Speaking to TellZim News, Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Masvingo Province Munyaradzi Mtisi said wetlands in Masvingo province that include Driefontein wetland which is enlisted as a Ramsar site and is located in Gutu, Njovo and Marongere wetlands in Masvingo district, Matungamire, Mukweture, Maturure and Chapedo wetlands in Bikita districts were a treasure.
“Wetlands act as a sponge, thus they have the capacity to absorb a lot of water during the rainy season and slowly release the water during the dry season resulting in ground water recharge.
“Their water absorption capacity also result in the control of flooding. Wetlands also act as a habitat for quite a number of species including birds, reptiles, aquatic live and other wildlife. This helps increase biodiversity of the local area.
“They are also important for the regulation of the microclimatic areas. Wetlands act as carbon sinks. They are important in the purification of both surface and underground water through filtration. Wetlands are also a source of water for humans and livestock,” said Mtisi.
Mtisi said EMA was working on wetland conservation around Masvingo provinc aimed at protecting wetlands.
“We have a number of big projects where we have worked with some development partners and other government departments like Njovo Community Wetland Project, Marongere Community Wetland Project, among others.
“We have fenced the wetlands, established community gardens, constructed weirs and established other community projects like aquaculture and apiculture,” said Mtisi.
He also said individuals were encouraged to take part in wetland and to abide by the wetland protection legislation in Zimbabwe. As they were very key and sensitive ecosystems.
The World Wetlands Day is a day commemorated to mark the signing of the Treaty on the Conservation of Wetlands, which was signed on the 2nd of February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
The Treaty became popularly known as the Ramsar Convention and its aim is to raise public awareness on conservation, proper utilisation and management of wetlands and their resources.
This year (2025) World Wetlands Day’s theme is, “Protecting wetlands for our common future.”

High-Flyers netball club appeals for sponsorship

TellZim News
-
0
High-Flyers netball club appeals for sponsorship

By Tatiana Mhararira

High-Flyers, a local netball team in Masvingo is appealing for sponsorship from local businesses and individuals to support the team to participate in the national netball league and other big tournaments.
The team, which has been competing in local tournaments, has set its sight on joining the top flight league but the dream is yet to become a reality because of financial challenges.
The club is a community-based team founded in 2017 by three passionate sisters Racy, Ranee and Rachel Tonono at Vurombo Primary School netball grounds with the aim to create a platform for local girls to develop their netball skills, promote positive values and empower them to become confident leaders as they grow.
Speaking to TellZim News, Rachel who is a team board member said the sponsorship they sought will assist the team in a number of ways.
“With improved funding and sponsorship we are planning to intensify training and coaching programmes, enhance our fitness and conditioning programs, increase community outreach and engagement initiatives as well as developing a strong support network of mentors, coaches and volunteers,” said Rachel.
She said despite facing challenges due to limited resources and sponsorship the team achieved some notable milestones.
“Three of our former players were picked from our training sessions and are now serving as Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers.
“Two of our talented players currently play for Tenax Queens while another player play for Correctional Queens showcasing our team’s ability to nurture and develop skilled netball players,” she said.
In an interview with TellZim News, Ranee who is the team manager said sponsors should choose to partner with High-Flyers Netball Club because of a number of reasons.
“Sponsors should choose to partner with High-Flyers netball club because we offer a unique opportunity to support a community-focused organization. Our team is passionate, dedicated and committed to making a positive impact.
“As a team we provide a platform for sponsors to increase their brand visibility through developing a newsletter to share news and sponsor recognition as well as displaying sponsor logos and branding on our team jerseys and our community outreach initiatives align with corporate social responsibility goals,” said Ranee.
She said by partnering with the team, it would mean empowering girls and developing future leaders.
“To our potential sponsors I say join us in empowering young girls and promoting positive values. By partnering with High-Flyers Netball Club, you will support a talented team and contribute to developing future leaders. Together we will make a lasting impact,” said Ranee.
High-Flyers Netball Club has previously demonstrated outstanding performance by winning the Vendors Netball Tournament in 2021 and recently they won the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day Netball Trophy in August 2024.
In the upcoming 2025 netball season, the club aims to compete at national level in the Rainbow Netball League and achieve better results as they increase their chances of having players nominated for the national team.
For sponsorship, interested persons can get in touch through the following numbers: 0719131711, 0782074227 and 0779623672

Gutu teenager drowns herding cattle

TellZim News
-
0
Gutu teenager drowns herding cattle

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

A 13-year-old boy from Mashingaidze Village Chief Gutu drowned on January 26, 2025 in Deure River while herding cattle with another boy aged nine.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of Celebrity Mabhuku (13) to TellZim News, who drowned on January 26 and urged members of the public not to cross flooded rivers or streams.
“I can confirm the incident of drowning in Gutu where a 13-year-old boy drowned when he was swimming in Deure River with a nine year old boy while herding cattle on January 26.
“I urge members of the public to never to attempt crossing flooded rivers and to look after their minors. Cases of drowning are on the rise, from last Friday to this Thursday we have recorded 11 cases of drowning. The other thing that is worrying is that minors are drowning,” said Dhewa.
Sources privy to the incident said on January 26 at around 1400 hours Mabhuku and the other minor were herding cattle in Mashingaidze village near Deure River. They started to swim in the river and Mabhuku failed to swim and drowned. His other boy reported the incident to the villagers and his body was retrieved from the river.
The police were notified and the body of the deceased was taken to Gutu Mission Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

Infant drowns in ditch

TellZim News
-
0

… as cases of drowning continue to rise

By Meditation Mposi

A dark cloud hung over Mkwasine, in Chiredzi after a two-year-old infant from Village 7, Fair Ranch drowned in a ditch on January 26.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of Blessing Mashavele to TellZim News and encouraged parents to monitor their children’s movements during the rainy season.
“I confirm the drowning of Mashavele and I urge parents to monitor their children’s movements during this rainy season. This week we have recorded eleven cases of people who have drowned,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on the fateful day, Mashavele was playing outside while his mother was inside the house. Mashavele’s 16 year old sister later saw him in a ditch, also noticing that he was already dead and carried him home.
Mashavele’s body was taken to Chiredzi General Hospital for postmortem.
On the same day Patrick Vangi (43) of Maturure Village, Headman Madyangove, Chivi drowned in Muchenami River. At around 1000hours Vangi went to the next village for personal errands but failed to come back on the same day.
The following day on January 27 at around 0545 hours two women from Maturiro Village saw him lying face down down on the river bank and they informed his relatives.
His body was taken to Chivi District Hospital waiting for postmortem.

Juvenile drowns in Shurugwi

TellZim News
-
0
Juvenile drowns in Shurugwi

By Tavonga Munyanyi

A seven-year-old boy recently drowned in Musavezi River in Shurugwi in the full sight of two girls who were taking a bath with him in the river.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which happened on January 26 and urged members of the public to desist from endangering their lives through taking baths or crossing flooded rivers.
“I can confirm an incident of drowning where a 7-year-old boy drowned while bathing at a river with other two female juveniles. As police, we reiterate the point that members of the public should desist from endangering their lives through taking baths or crossing flooded rivers,” said Mahoko.
The three juveniles, all from Makandire Village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi were taking a bath at Musavezi River when the youngest one aged seven, a boy, jumped into the river.
The two girls retrieved him and warned him not to jump into the river again. Moments later, the same boy indicated that he wanted to relieve himself and went away for a distance of about 6 metres and jumped into the river.
He failed to swim and drowned, while efforts to rescue him proved fruitless.
He was swept then away and could not be located. The matter was reported to the police where specialists from the Sub-Aqua Unit came to help in the search. Since the onset of the current rainy season, many lives have been lost through drowning.

Willard Katsande: Village boy turned football legend

TellZim News
-
0
Willard Katsande: Village boy turned football legend

… dreams of coaching Zimbabwe national team

By Perpetua Murungweni

Many years ago, he would bribe his way into the senior soccer team in primary school, or ask his mother, a vendor, then to give someone half a loaf of bread for him to be allowed to play, retired soccer star Willard Katsande always dreamt of seeing his picture on a magazine as a professional footballer.
He says he always wondered what it would take for him to be in one of the Parade magazine pages one day, but one thing he was sure of was that he had to do things differently, controlling what he could, that is working hard and training even harder.
Katsande, who recently sat down for an exclusive interview with TellZim News, where he opened up about his early life, career and football journey said football was the game that gave him more than he had ever dreamt of.
Nicknamed ‘Salt and Vinegar’, 39-year-old Katsande was born in Mutoko and grew up in Mutare where his love for the game was born, and has been growing until he retired from the pitch at South African Premier Soccer League side Kaizer Chiefs.
“I started playing football when I was in primary at Dangare Primary School and joined the school’s senior team in 1995 after which I went to Sakubva 2 High. I then joined division 2 with a club called Frontiers Steel.
“I joined this club because my mom had relocated to Mutoko and my sister got impregnated by someone who refused to take responsibility for the child, so I had to play some money to buy soap for the child’s nappies, because back then, there were no diapers.
“I played with older people in local clubs so that I could get money to help my sister raise her child. From there I went to division one where I joined Highway Club after which I decided to go to Harare to advance my career and joined Gunners FC,” Katsande said.
The former Zimbabwe National Team captain did not have it easy from the start, as his father had passed on when he was nine, but had planted a seed for his love for football when he named him after legendary striker Willard Khumalo.
“I was nine and my mother was only a vendor, and at some point she had to relocate to our rural home in Mutoko so life was hard. Even if I wanted to continue with education, I had no one to pay for the fees, but I knew I had talent for football, hence I pursued it,” Katsande said.
He said he took a bold step when he went to Harare to test new waters as he was becoming more of a benchwarmer at the local club.
“In 2009 I got a chance to play in the national team when Sunday Chidzambwa saw me playing for Highway and included me in the team. I then got a chance to travel to Asia for the first time—from a village boy who had been a bench warmer for quite some time I found myself in Asia,” said Katsande.
Katsande’s career took a turn when he joined Kaizer Chiefs on August 15, 2011 after the Kaizer Chiefs Manager, Bobby Motaung spotted his talent at a friendly match between Zimbabwe and Zambia, at a time he was about to be let go by SA side, Ajax FC.
“I was about to be offloaded by Ajax when Motaung scouted me on my way to the airport and told me he wanted me at Chiefs. That was a big turn for me, and fastforward, I started being a favorite at kaizer Chiefs until I retired.
He said his biggest achievement was playing for the national team and making a name for himself at Kaizer Chiefs.
“Playing for the national team is one of my biggest achievements. When I left Zimbabwe I was nobody but playing for a great team like Kaizer Chiefs was a great accomplishment. I went there as a nobody and left as a somebody. I have a record of playing 349 games for Kaizer Chiefs and I am proud of the blueprint that I have made in football.
Even after retirement Katsande continues to inspire young people who are following his footsteps through sharing his struggles and successes.
“I want to continue inspiring and encouraging those who are pursuing their football career through sharing my story and interacting with them. I’m here in Masvingo for a local football match between my academy, Kitoko and the Brighter Days Academy, a local football club in Mashava where I will have a chance to interact and encourage the upcoming footballers in Mashava,” said Katsande.
Despite the fact that Katsande spend most of his career playing outside Zimbabwe he said he wants to give back to the Zimbabwean football through sharing his football knowledge to the upcoming footballers by becoming national team coach.
“I’m working towards becoming the national coach, I want to coach the Zimbabwean football team because I feel like owe my country my knowledge of football and I feel like I have to give back what I have in terms of skills to those upcoming footballers in my country,” said Katsande.
During his eight years with Kaizer Chiefs, he established himself as a dominant force in the midfield, earning numerous accolades, including PSL’s Midfielder of the Season award.

Land of plenty yet land of shortage: Masuka berates Masvingo

TellZim News
-
0
Land of plenty yet land of shortage: Masuka berates Masvingo

By Beverly Bizeki

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka recently said Masvingo Province is home to 54 percent of the country’s water resources but is one of the most drought stricken in provinces in the country.
Masuka was speaking at a Pfumvudza Field Day in Zaka recently in an interview with journalists at the event where he said water in the province was under utilised as the province was getting food from other provinces in the country.
“Masvingo is in a unique position in terms of water and in terms of future of the country in terms of providing food security. Of the 8 000 billion cubic metres of water in our dams Masvingo has 54 percent of that water.
“Ideally Masvingo should be providing 54 percent of the country’s food requirement and yet Masvingo is a drought stricken province in need of food from other provinces. In this current season the president is feeding 6.54 million rural people out of the 9.2 million each one receiving 7.5kgs per person per month,” Masuka said.
Masuka said the province was getting its wheat from Mashonaland West, where government was moving it by rail or by trucks in order to feed Masvingo, despite having water bodies like Tugwi-Mukosi that, if fully utilized could lead to the province exporting food to other provinces.
He however said there was hope that pfumvudza, if done correctly could revive the agriculture sector that has been disturbed by erratic rains as climate change effects continue to hit.
“From what we have witnessed here it is clear that if every household adopts this sustainable intensive conservation farming method called pfumvudza/intwasa the country will be well on its way to assuring each household of food security. This farmer last year had a yield of one tonne per hectare and this year certainly more than that.
“Pfumvudza has shown us that the focus on the precision agriculture and following all the tenets of agriculture ensuring holing is done on time, organic matter is put in there, mulch is put and everything is followed to the book we can see the results of the programme,” said Masuka.
He commended the province for exceeding its pfumvudza target by 11 percent and said the crop recovery following rain shortages during the beginning of the farming season.
Masuka added that government was in the process of replacing motorbikes for extension workers and providing tablets for them to be better business advisors as they assist farmers in their ventures.
Masvingo province is home to two of the largest water bodies in the country, Lake Mutirikwi and Tugwi-Mukosi, with Mutirikwi already spilling.
Government has been talking about establishing irrigation schemes to utilise the water in Tugwi Mukosi but not much has been done, with Chivi District where the dam is situated not benefitting much from the dam as the water irrigates sugarcane estates in the Lowveld.

1...686970...956Page 69 of 956