Nyasha Marumbi

MASVINGO – Hilda Kandemire, who is wife to a police sergeant at Zimuto Camp, was on Monday brought before magistrate Peter Madiba facing fraud charges of duping Tichaona Zimunya of US$450 and Miriam Mhlanga of 80 chickens and vegetables worth US$486 on the same day.
Kandemire was asked to restitute both parties by January 31, 2018 or face 90 days imprisonment.
It was the State’s case that on January 27, 2017, Kandemire approached Zimunya, who resides at 20466 Bandwe Street, Rujeko and told him that she was selling tomatoes.
She was given US$300 and 50 empty creates of tomatoes.
On the same day, the accused demanded a top up of US$450 so that she could buy the tomatoes that Zimunya had requested and ran away.
The complainant checked on the accused person several times and he only received US$120 through EcoCash.
Kandemire allegedly gave US$180 to Mike Muduma to give to Zimunya before going away to an unknown destination.
Zimunya later recovered his empty crates at Zimuto camp.
On the very same day, Kandemire approached Mhlanga and advised her that she had found a buyer for her 80 chickens and six vegetables at Continental Restaurant.
They both went to Continental Restaurant to deliver the chickens and vegetables to the said buyer Celine Debock.
They however failed to locate Debock and the accused persuaded Mhlanga to leave the chickens in her custody waiting for the buyer.
She later diverted from the original plan and sold the chickens and vegetables to an unknown buyer.
The matter came to light when the Mhlanga approached Debock for payment only to be told that Kandemire did not sell the chickens to her.
Investigations were made leading to the arrest of Kandemire who had recently returned home.
Polite Chikiwa represented the State.local

NYIKA – “People need to be appreciated for the hard work and commitment they give to the organisation.”
These were the words of Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer (CEO) Peter Chibi during a long serving awards ceremony held at council offices last week in honour of staff members who served between 15 and 30 years.
Councillors who served two consecutive terms were also given a token of appreciation. Councillor Makuvaza of Ward 5 was named the longest serving councillor, having consistently held onto his position since 1980.
“Today we are honouring people who have been with us for more than 15 years and we are happy with the work and dedication given. Some have given about 30 years to the council and this needs to be appreciated,” said Chibi.
Chibi said due to financial constraints, they have not been able to go out of their way to get fancy gifts for the long-serving staff but only managed to buy suits for them.
“A suit is a symbol of respect and we say thank you to those who have dedicated their lives to make Bikita the place to be in as far as service delivery and ease of doing business is concerned,” said Chibi.
Councillors who served two consecutive terms also got suits while every member of staff will be treated to a special Christmas present of about 5 kg of game meat.local

MWENEZI – Some A1 farmers in Mufula area under Chief Chitanga in Ward 13 are reportedly selling inputs they received under the Command Agriculture programme, TellZim News has learnt.
Sources said buyers from all over the district and elsewhere were flocking to the area to grab the fertiliser that is reportedly going for a song.
“Farmers were given fertilisers and cotton seeds to plant under the Command Agriculture scheme. Due to desperation, farmers are only planting the cotton seeds and selling the fertilisers that must be used to nurture the crop. Some are even selling a 50 kg bag of fertiliser for US$6. This has attracted a lot of prospective buyers,” said a source.
TellZim News has also learnt that some buyers were recently intercepted by Mwenezi police detectives and the culprits were due to appear in court by the time of going to print.
It is illegal to use inputs obtained through the programme for any other purposes other than what they are meant for.
Ward 13 councillor Takura Mudavose confirmed having received reports that people were abusing the inputs and said he will continue to tell people not to sell the inputs.
“I have heard reports that some farmers are selling the fertiliser to third parties and that is totally unacceptable. I will have to do my own investigation to establish if that is true.
“I will also embark on a sensitisation programme to warn farmers that they will face the full wrath of the law if they engage in such actions,” said Mudavose.
Many people have already been prosecuted across the country for offenses involving the theft and/or abuse of Command Agriculture inputs.local

CHIVHU – Two young Zimbabweans in South Africa, Admire Makarichi (22) and Andrew Tsuro (21), are set to launch a television show in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
The show, which will be called The Entrepreneurship Hub, will have a 24 hour online service and is a brainchild of the two young men who are all motivational speakers.
Makarich is also an author and entrepreneur who is eager to spread whatever knowledge he has and he shares with Tsuro the goal of connecting aspiring entrepreneurs around the globe.
“The core vision of this initiative is to lead a reliable and value-adding entrepreneurship forum where we connect aspiring business people while expanding start-ups horizons with expert guidance and mentorship from industry leaders,” said Makarichi.
The television show is set to start programming its first episode on January 27 and it will host an online 24 hour service where people outside South Africa can follow or access it through liking their Facebook page @ehubco.
“Our first episode will be on January 27, 2018 and will be streamed online. We urge people around the globe to tune in and have a taste of this well-informed television business programme from where entrepreneurs will gain valuable information,” said Makarichi.
Makarichi has published a motivational book called Success by Association by which he highlights vision and persistence as the key ingredients of success.local

MWENEZI – Austin Mukwazukwazu, of Ramubhudha village under Chief Maranda, who allegedly murdered his wife Gladys Shoko after suspecting she was having an extramarital affair, was last week remanded in custody pending trial.
Mukwazukwazu (24) was not formally charged for contravening section 47 of the Criminal Law Act Chapter 9:23, ‘murder’ when he appeared before magistrate Langton Ndokera last week but was remanded in custody.
The court heard that sometime in October this year, Mukwazukwazu and Shoko, who lived together in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, had a misunderstanding after Shoko could not explain the source of money she had in her possession.
Mukwazukwazu then accused her of having extramarital affairs. He allegedly took a log and struck Shoko all over her head resulting in her falling unconscious.
Shoko was rushed to Mapongwane Hospital where she died upon being admitted. After committing the offence, Mukwazukwazu fled to Zimbabwe but was arrested recently after a manhunt by Mwenezi police.
According to State papers, the accused paid compensation in the form of cattle to the deceased’s family.
Willard Chasi appeared for the State.local

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – A 30-year-old man from Dartmore Farm in Beatrice appeared before magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni on allegations that he robbed and raped a form one pupil who attends Constellation Christian College in Harare.
Richard Madanhire denied the charges.
The State’s case, as presented by Nicholas Mabvongodze, is that on September 24 at around 09:00 hrs, Madanhire met the complainant and her little sister who were selling vegetables.
He told them that he was passing through their homestead where he will buy vegetables but he later returned, produced a silver knife and ordered the complainant to give him all the money before seizing a dollar from her.
He grabbed the complainant’s hands, lifted her dress up and lowered her undergarments to the knees, forced her to bend down and raped her while threatening her younger sister to stay away lest he kills them both.
After the act, the accused went away with the complainant’s maize cobs, a maroon Zambia, grey jacket and her bag. The two sisters went home and reported the mater to their mother who accompanied them to file a report at Beatrice police station.
The complainant was later referred to Beatrice and Chitungwiza hospitals for medical attention.
The matter was due to continue in court in the time of going to the press.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A man from Village Beperi 1 under Chief Maranda collapsed and fell unconscious in court on two separate occasions soiling his trousers with urine when the magistrate was about to give a verdict on his rape case.
Tawanda Mukwasha (29) was in court facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
On December 5, Mukwasha collapsed and fell unconscious, soiling his trousers with urine while he was still in the dock during the mitigating stage. He was carried outside and the court adjourned and postponed his trial to December 12.
On December 12, when magistrate Langton Ndokera was about to pass judgement, Mukwasha again collapsed and fell unconscious while in the dock and was carried out of the court.
Ndokera expressed dissatisfaction over Mukwasha’s conduct, saying though he might have health problems, his conduct seemed premeditated.
He said when one knows that they are on medication, they should follow the prescription and not to wilfully default so as to get a way out.
State facts as argued by prosecutor Angelinah Makonya were that sometime in May this year, Mukwasha proposed love to a 14-year-old pupil who was doing form one at Maranda High School.
Mukwasha persisted with his proposal until the minor accepted before agreeing to have sex with him.
The court heard that the matter came to light after two organisations, the Justice for Children and the Department of Social Welfare were carrying out an awareness campaign at Maranda Clinic.
A police report was made at Maranda police base leading to Mukwasha’s arrest. Mukwasha’s verdict was postponed to a later date.local

TellZim Reporter

The local Cold Storage Company (CSC) Masvingo depot is set to resume operations in 2018 following a deal which will see National Social Security Authority (NSSA) injecting US$20 million into the revival of the plant.
CSC Masvingo has the potential to become the single biggest employer in town if operations are resumed.
Breaking the news in an exclusive interview with TellZim News this week, the deputy minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Davis Marapira said he was pleased to announce that CSC will be revived by end of 2018.
“We are certainly going to see the revival of CSC within the next 12 months. As we speak right now, NSSA has since offered to put $20 million so that CSC can begin to operate again. This is almost a done deal, we are going to see full operations at CSC in 2018,” said Marapira.
Apart from NSSA, Marapira said there were other private players who are going to inject more capital so that the beef producing giant will be able to run at full capacity.
“We have other private individuals and organisations who are going to inject capital at CSC. I can assure you that we will have CSC resuming normal operations very soon,” added Marapira.
Before it crumbled, CSC was one of the biggest employers in Masvingo.
If it is fully revived, CSC has the capacity to employ over 1000 people thereby creating the much needed jobs.
NSSA marketing and communications executive Tendai Mutseyekwa could not be reached for a comment by the time of going to print.local

Upenyu Chaota

Retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje has assumed the most senior Zanu PF post in Masvingo province after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent politburo appointments that saw him dislodging the long-time godfather Josaya Hungwe who now ranks a lowly fifth on the hierarchy of power in the revolutionary party.
Rtd Lt Gen Rugeje, who hails from Bikita, was appointed national secretary for the commissariat; a position which automatically making him the most senior and high ranking Zanu PF politburo member from Masvingo.
Other heavyweights in the politburo from the province include Lovemore Matuke—national secretary for security, Paul Mangwana— national secretary for legal affairs and Pupurai Togarepi—national secretary for youth affairs.
After the military’s Operation Restore Legacy which saw the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe, the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has begun appointing high ranking military officials to all strategic positions, with Masvingo – his perceived political bedrock – now under the former military man.
Although Rtd Lt Gen Rugeje’s mobile went unanswered by the time of going to print, Masvingo provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira said he was confident with the appointment of Rtd Lt Gen Rugeje as the national commissar.
“In as far as who is the most senior in the province is concerned, I cannot comment on that but you have to go and check the Zanu PF politburo hierarchy. As a province, however, we welcome the appointment of Lt Gen Rugeje.
“He is a man we know very well and he is a dedicated cadre. In 2013, Gen Rugeje worked very hard together with Lovemore Matuke to deliver all the 26 constituencies to Zanu PF,” said Chadzamira.
He praised Rtd Lt Gen Rugeje as a man who follows protocol and does not tolerate short cuts, saying the province will be better with him.
“Lt Gen Rugeje is a no nonsense man who follows protocol not what used to be done by others who ran the commissariat like their own personal tuckshop,” said Chadzamira.
Political analyst Dr Takavafira Zhou said the appointment of Rtd Lt Gen Rugeje to the national commissariat is an indication that Zanu PF is strategically positioning itself for the 2018 elections.
“Gen Rugeje has a history of violence and intimidation since 2008 and this goes to show that any dream for a free and fair election next year will remain a dream.
“We know how Gen Rugeje operates and opposition forces have to brace up for a bitter election campaign next year,” said Dr Zhou.local