Clever Taperamoyo

ZIMUTO – The Nemarundwi headmanship wrangle pitting two families took a nasty turn last week when Smart Chidavarume was elevated to the position in the presence of armed soldiers and policemen.
There has been a feud between Chidavarume and his rival, Magiya Kwenda who also stacked his claim to the headmanship.
Sources told TellZim News that the traditional rules of succession had favoured Kwenda but Chidavarume cunningly worked his way to the throne, bypassing all the customary values.
“He was installed headman in the presence six armed police officers, two soldiers and members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). That was a gross violation of our customs guiding the ascendance to the Nemarundwi headmanship. The position should have been taken by the eldest son from the Nduru house,” said one source.
Another source said the new headman, who is from the Nhunzvi family, was installed in the presence of representatives from the Masvingo District Administrator (DA) and Provincial Administrator (PA)’s offices.
“He seems to have won the favours of political leaders through misrepresentations and back-stabbing others. That explains the presence of security services at his sham installation ceremony but he should understand that it doesn’t give him any shred of legitimacy in the strictest of senses.
“The headmanship must rotate between the Nduru and Nhunzvi families but it has now consecutively gone back to the same family,” complained a member of the Nhunzvi family who preferred anonymity.
When contacted for comment, Masvingo DA Ray Hove defended the whole process, saying a candidate selection meeting held in October 2016 produced Chidavarume and Mugiya, with the former finally being chosen on the basis of his age advantage.
“I can confirm that Headman Nemarundwi was appointed by the former minister Abedinico Ncube on 6 July 2017 so the event was just an official handover ceremony which was attended by assistant DA Nyaradzo Tongofa on my behalf,” Hove said.
On his part, Chief Zimuto also made it clear he preferred Chidavarume since he is older than Kwenda.
“We all agreed at the meeting that since Chidavarume, who was born in 1931, is a year older than Magiya, he should be made headman. We are surprised now that there is this other factor of families being brought forward. It presents yet another challenge to us,” said Chief Zimuto.local

Itai Muzondo

GWERU – It never rains but pours for Zanu PF candidates identified as having been in the vanquished G40 faction, with the party’s leadership in the Midlands province making it clear that such members will not be allowed to contest in primaries.
Addressing party members ahead of First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa’s visit to Gweru last week, provincial youth commissar Simbarashe Mutukwa said those who sympathised with the defeated faction will be marginalised.
“Elections are around the corner and fortunately, ZEC has extended the registration period so as to give us all a chance to register. We know many of you had been busy with acute festive business but now the holiday is over, let’s register to vote.
“Registration also means election is drawing closer. Since it’s now obvious that election is coming, I want to warn those who know they haven’t been travelling in the same road with us not to waste money because you aren’t eligible to represent us.
“Being denied a chance to make it to the electorate doesn’t mean you can’t be a Zanu PF member. No!
“You can simply follow the party but at the same time, walking in good paths so that when the party regains confidence in you, your road will be clean. So I am simply bringing across the point that the exercise isn’t meant to chase you from the party, but to make sure that one has amended his or her unclean ways,” Mutukwa said.
Elsewhere, Zanu PF Masvingo provincial vice chairperson, Ailes Baloyi Told TellZim News earlier this month that the party ought to effectively rid itself of the remnants of the G40 cabal.
“We should never associate with these people who pushed for our expulsion from the party.  If it wasn’t for the ZDF, we could be talking something else now. Their actions should never go unchallenged,” said Baloyi.local

Brilliant Mukaro

BIKITA – Two robbers, husband and wife, that had gained notoriety for repeatedly preying on stranded travellers at Nyika growth point were last week arrested after one of them was spotted wearing stolen clothes.
Tamai Magume (32) and his wife Progress Muchemwa (30), both of whom stay in Muchenga village under chief Marozva, appeared before magistrate Florence Nago to face theft charges.
The couple pleaded guilty, saying they were desperate for survival with two minor children going to school. They were identified as repeat offenders who had been faced similar charges in the past and were remanded to January 25 for continuation of trial.
It is the State’s case that on Dec 23, 2017 at Mutema Supermarket, Nyika, Magume and Muchemwa stole a bag belonging to Learnmore Makotore.
The bag contained various clothing items, a Samsung Galaxy phone and $500 in cash.
All the stolen property was valued at $950.
On the second count, the two waylaid Timothy Chinake near the Econet Shop at Nyika and stole his bag containing US$400 worth of valuables.
Japhet Mapakame prosecuted.local

RENCO MINE – There are serious complaints from parents with children at Renco Primary who are accusing the school of failing to deliver the uniforms that have been paid for.
Parents who spoke to TellZim News said they were asked to pay for school uniforms but they are disappointed nothing has been delivered.
 “We are not allowed to buy uniforms elsewhere except from the school. After paying for the uniforms, we are told that there are no uniforms yet. Their supplier is failing to deliver on time, forcing our children to attend classes in old uniforms,” said one concerned parent.
School head Tirivamwe Kennedy Mashiba blamed some parents who are in the school uniforms business for spreading lies.
“The uniforms are supplied in time and we don’t have a shortage. There are some people in the compound who are selling uniforms with our logo but those are a bit different from our original uniforms. These are the people who are spreading those lies so that people will buy from them. We are engaging the police to flush them out,” said Mashiba.
Masvingo District Schools Inspector (DSI) Ishmael Chigaba said he will only provide a full comment after talking to the school authorities.
“I will have to talk to the school leadership first before I can give you my full comment,” said Chigaba.
Renco Primary School recently changed its green jumpers for green and white pinafore.local

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