MASVINGO – A visually-impaired qualified teacher from Mucheke has criticised government for what he said was the deliberate marginalisation of people with disabilities even if they are qualified for employment.
Felix Hungwe, who is a holder of a Diploma in Secondary Education from Mutare Teachers’ College lamented that since he graduated in 2015, has not been able to find employment in the civil service.
“It was a tough academic journey for me at Mutare Teachers’ College as a blind student but I managed to complete my studies. Since I graduated, I have not been employed anywhere in the ministry though I have applied and sent my Curriculum Vitae (CVs) to the public service and other organisations.
“The ministry only gives first preference to those without any disabilities and we have always been left behind,” said Hungwe.
Hungwe, who is also into book writing, has published a number of works like Mazano Pangwawo and Ndihwo Upenyu Hwacho.
He is also working on another book called The Pains and Pleasures of Motherhood.
He did Guidance and Counselling with Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and Say What in 2015 and was helped by his son, Calvin Hungwe, to type his books.
His brother Jeremiah Hungwe helps him to move about.
“There are limitations and restriction associated with this condition of blindness but by son Calvin has helped me to type my books while my brother Jeremiah has always been with me, assisting me to walk and do other things,” said Hungwe.local

CHIREDZI – There is growing optimism that the ramshackle Chilonga Bridge over Runde River in Chiredzi South will soon be upgraded with indications that government has designated the long-delayed project as one of its top priorities.
Chiredzi South Member of Parliament Kalisto Gwanetsa said government had prioritised the upgrading of the bridge.
He said drawings for Chilonga Bridge were already done with the Transport minister Jorum Gumbo eager to see the project materialising in as short a timeframe as possible.
“It is good that the new government under the new dispensation has prioritised the construction of Chilonga Bridge at an estimated cost of $14 million. The first stages involving write ups were conducted and people from Matibi were interviewed by IDBZ and they aired their concerns that the minister considered.
“I once visited the ministry and I had discussions with the minister, principal director and engineers and they indicated that the drawings for the bridge were ready and the project will commence soon,” said Gwanetsa.
The most convenient bridge linking Vahlengwe and Chiredzi urban was Chipinda before it was swept away by Cyclone Eline in 2000.
Many people have died trying to cross the narrow and low-lying Chilonga Bridge during rainy seasons over the years while others have also died in their dugout canoes that are commonly used to cross Runde when it is flooded.
Villagers who live across the vast river often fail to access such critical services as the District Administrators office, Registrar Generals office, Chiredzi General Hospital and banks whenever the river gets flooded.
Last year, Chilonga Bridge was submerged under water for almost six months and government had to use a helicopter to transport medical supplies for malarial fevers.local

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – There has been a sharp decrease in the enrolment of grade one pupils at Nhema Primary amid claims that the school head is asking for full fees before a child is accepted, TellZim News can reveal.
Close sources claimed the school had enrolled not more than 30 grade one pupils for two classes as of Tuesday this week, saying by this time last year when the new full fees rule had not been put in place, the school had enrolled 108 pupils.
No comment could be obtained from the head Georgina Mushauri since she kept on saying she was busy.
Zaka DSI Beaula Shambambeva played down the low enrollment rate, saying it was usually the case with rural grade one pupils at the start of first term.
“We normally see an increase in the number of children coming to school later on. The first week of the term presents many challenges because parents do not send their children to school as early as the term begins,” said Shambambeva.
However, parents who spoke to TellZim News said rural schools usually allow grade one pupils to enroll even with zero fees, meaning their parents would be expected to pay later.
“We all know that it is difficult to raise full fees at once in rural areas due to economic hardships and the month of January is worse,” said one parent.
Mushauri was last year reported to have clashed with the School Development Committee (SDC) over alleged abuse of school funds and resources but was reportedly being protected by Shambambeva.local

….as parties opt for out-of-court settlement

Clever Taperamoyo

MASVINGO – Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Chief Superintendent Philip Ncube’s legal battle to recover money that he lost in a botched residential stand scheme ended recently with both parties agreeing to an out-of-court settlement.
Chief Supt Ncube, represented by Collen Maboke of Ruvengo, Maboke and Company, was suing Edton Investment (Pvt) Ltd to recover over US$5 000 he contributed starting in 2012.
The case took several twists and turns in the Masvingo Civil Court until the feuding parties ultimately agreed to settle the matter amicably.
Through the deal, Edton Investments will pay Ncube US$5 850 in form of three instalments starting from February 15, 2018.
Ncube had however wanted to be paid US$6 267.50 being US$5 450 for money contributed towards purchase of a residential stand, US$545 as 10 percent collection commission, US272.50 as five percent interest per annum and legal costs.
According to the plaintiff’s particulars of claim, in 2011, Ncube joined the National Housing Development Trust Scheme and made monthly contributions.
He was then allocated stand number 492A Riverside Township measuring 1295 square metres and an agreement was entered in March 2012.
In July 2013, Ncube was told to stop his monthly contributions and asked to attend a meeting at Chevron Hotel where it was revealed that Edton Investments had taken over the scheme. It was promised that considerations were going to be made for those who had made contributions to the National Housing Development Trust.
At that time, Ncube had contributed US$2 650 but he later deposited another US$2 800 and was given a new stand, Number 955 of the remaining extent of Riverside measuring 500 square metres.
Sometime later, Ncube was informed that the layout plan had changed, thereby affecting the size of his stand which now measured 800 square metres and an official agreement of sale was drafted.
He later on discovered that the layout plan was not approved by the required offices, meaning that he was illegally allocated the stand.
Through his lawyers, Ncube wrote to Edton Investments on June 26, 2017 advising that he wished to cancel the agreement and be reimbursed of his money but the company refused to pay back the full amount, leading to the civil suit.local

Nyasha Marumbi

MASVINGO – A 16-year-old boy from Rujeko C committed suicide last week after a misunderstanding with his sister over perfume.
Tony Tanaka Zvandikona drank pesticide after his sister accused him of stealing his perfume.
Acting Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa urged parents to keep toxic pesticide out of reach of children.
“We are saddened by the death of Tony and we urge parents to keep toxic pesticides out of reach of children or in locked cabins to prevent incidents of that nature,” said Ass Insp Dhewa.
On Saturday, January 13, 2018 at around 12:00, Tony was home playing with his sister 23-year-old sister Romana who then accused him of stealing her perfume, leading to a fight.
After losing the fight, Tony got angry and took a pesticide, Quick Force, and rushed to the toilet where he ingested it.
When Romana asked Tony, who was now staggering and vomiting in the passage, what had happed, he told her that he had took the poison. The boy was then rushed to hospital where he died at around 22:00 hrs.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A man has won the right to receive monthly maintenance money from his ex-wife after successfully arguing his case in the Mwenezi Civil Court.
When the case first reached the courts late last year, Chamunorwa Zhiradzago, who resides at Rutenga growth point, was claiming a monthly maintenance of US$150 from his wife Sithokozile Chikunguri.
Magistrate Honest Musiiwa, however, awarded him a monthly allowance of US$35 from Chikunguri who is a teacher at Mashura Primary School in Mberengwa.
During the court hearing, a teary-eyed Zhiradzago said he was still legally married to Chikunguri and had helped her further her education but she had let him down in return.
 “When she was in her final year at college, she began going out of the bedroom to answer some of her phone calls. When I asked for explanations, she would scold me saying it was none of my business.
“She later left home, taking all entire household property with her and I was left with nothing except for the clothes I was wearing on that day. Right now, we have two children together but she does not allow me to see them and I was once severely assaulted when I visited the children,” the tearful Zhiradzago told the court during his initial appearance last year.
He accused his wife of cohabitating with a Mberengwa-based businessman whom he identified as Laison Ndlovu.
Through her defence lawyer, Chikunguri, however, argued that Zhiradzago did not deserve any maintenance benefit since both their children were in her custody.
During the hearing, magistrate Musiiwa made it clear that the issue of rights to receive maintenance was not confined to one gender.local

TellZim Reporter

Former National People’s Party (NPP) Masvingo provincial chairperson Shylet Uyoyo who passed away on January 12, 2017, in Zvishavane after a short illness has been buried.
Uyoyo was buried at Masvingo Provincial Heroes’ Acre after being declared a provincial hero.
Prior to her death, Uyoyo had resigned from NPP saying she was a taking a sabbatical from politics.
NPP national spokesperson Jeffreyson Chitando praised her contributions to the party. 
“Though she had resigned from our party, we remember the role she played in building this party.
“She sacrificed her time and resources to build the party. Uyoyo’s dedication to this country will be greatly remembered as she fought for the liberation of this country.
“NPP president Dr Joice Mujuru and the whole party would always remember your contribution to the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe,” said Chitando.
Uyoyo was expelled from Zanu PF in 2014 during the ‘Gamatox’ purges but she recently made indications of re-joining Zanu PF.local

ZAKA – Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) Zaka East youth chairperson Amos Kumire is lucky to be alive after he sustained severe injuries during an assault by five people alleged to be Zanu PF supporters.
The police could not be drawn into commenting on the matter which they said was due for the courts although the case was not heard in the Zaka Magistrates’ Court on Monday reportedly because the magistrate was away.
Kumire told TellZim News he was asked by prosecutors to wait for a medical report being done in Harare to be put together with the first one done at Musiso Hospital where he got admitted soon after the savage attack.
He said he was convinced the assault was political, adding that he knew the assailants very well.
“I was attacked by people that I know very well (names supplied). One of them invited me to his home to collect cotton fertilisers and chemicals that he had previously denied me saying it was not meant for MDC people.
“When I got there with my wife, he said he wanted to show me what Zanu PF was capable of doing. He hit me with a fist and when I tried to run away, I was ambushed by his other friends who were hiding near the homestead,” said Kumire.
MDC-T Ward 19 councillor, Peter Imbayarwo said he personally rushed Kumire to Musiso Hospital where he was admitted for several days.
“He was assaulted by five people whom he said he knows and I rushed him to the police to make a report before proceeding to hospital,” said Imbayarwo.local