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Zimbabwe will never be governed by ‘traitors’, warns Chiwenga

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Zimbabwe will never be governed by ‘traitors’, warns Chiwenga

Gen Chiwenga takes part in the ground-breaking ceremony at a site designated for the new hospital close to Makhanani Pri Sch

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Constantino Chiwenga has warned that the country will never be governed by ‘traitors’ for as long as the liberation war generation is still alive.
Gen Chiwenga was speaking in the Gezani communal area where he paid tribute to the late Headman Gezani, Amos Chauke who died on May 5 2017 and his father Dumela Dumezulu, who died in 1992.
He credited the two traditional leaders for their valiant exploits during the liberation struggle, a period when he himself reportedly operated in the area.
In honour of them, ZDF will construct a hospital, repair defunct boreholes and renovate Gezani Primary School which suffered extensive damage caused by Cyclone Dineo.
Addressing members of the community at Makhanani Primary School last week Gen Chiwenga narrated the bitter version of his wartime history and the subsequent bond that developed between him and the Gezani family.
He said many people lost their lives while liberating Zimbabwe from White colonialists during the First and Second Chimurenga.
“We have to remember where we came from and where we are going. Liberation of Zimbabwe came at a cost of many Black lives who fought bravely during the First and Second Chimurenga wars.
“Zimbabwe ndeyechipikirwa yatinofana kuramba takachengetedza tese. Many people perished during Chimurenga. There are many bereaved families who still don’t know where their relatives perished and that only gives us strength to jealously guard our nation from being taken over by traitors or White colonialists again,” said Gen Chiwenga.
He told the gathering that he had come to fulfil his war time pledge to the Gezani family and community by giving thanks for the protection they gave him during the struggle, starting in 1976.
“We will not forget the good works that you did and that is why we came back. We have to do something tangible for the community as part of our condolences for the losses of the Gezani family,” Gen Chiwenga said.
It was not clear who Gen Chiwenga was referring to by the word ‘traitors’ but in mainstream Zanu PF discourse, the term is used to disparage the opposition, especially the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai.local

‘Work against Zanu PF and face God’s wrath’

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‘Work against Zanu PF and face God’s wrath’

Mandiitawepi Chimene

….Chimene warns as she endorses Porusingazi for Chipinge South

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIPINGE – The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Mandiitawepi Chimene has warned people against working to remove Zanu PF and President Robert Mugabe, claiming doing that amounted to idolatry which will incite God’s wrath come Judgement Day.
In a public address replete with religious allusions during the official opening of Molusi Meats abattoir at Checheche growth point last week, Chimene said Zanu PF was a blessed party which enjoyed God’s recognition.
She said the ruling party was eternal and claimed that God will take consideration during final judgement if one dies a loyal Zanu PF supporter.
“Mukabata musangano weZanu PF zvakanaka munochemberaramo, mofiramo pakuzomuka paye ndofunga unomukiremo futi. Mwari vachazokubvunza kuti waizikanwa nezvei wozonzi waizikanwa nezvekupanduka.
“Many people think this will end here, Judgement Day is coming and no one of you knows exactly what will be considered. Muchatongwa nezvese, because what I know is God gave us a leader, saka iwe ukuisa wako uchibvisa waMwari ndokunamata zvidhori kuye kunotaurwa,” said Chimene
She said it was therefore wise to remain under President Robert Mugabe and his administration through thick and thin because changing the leadership would disrupt continuity.
“Kuchinja MP kana President kwakangofanana nekuchinja mukadzi, anouya achingochinja zvinhu zvese zvese. Saka ngatingoshinga nezvatinazvo tongoramba takabatirira pana VaMugabe. There are people who are promising bogus things. Where were they all along? Let’s finish our struggle while sticking to our current leader.
“As Minister of State, I have left you Enoch Porusingazi as your 2018 candidate,” she said.politics

Masvingo Farm Supplies new branch official launch Tuesday

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Masvingo Farm Supplies new branch official launch Tuesday

TellZim Reporter

Masvingo Farm Supplies (MFS), a one-stop shop for agricultural inputs, farm equipment, groceries and hardware, will officially launch its new branch in the Central Business District (CBD) on October 31.
The branch, conveniently situated in Hofmeyer Street opposite Glow Petroleum, opened its doors to the public recently to complement the other branch down in Greenfield Street.
MFS Masvingo Branch Manager Daniel Msiza said there will be lots of giveaways at the launch, to which everyone is invited.
“There will be lots of giveaways and hard to find stock feeds and groceries like cooking oil at the new branch. Everyone is invited.
“The new branch is mainly for the convenience of our customers who had challenges with accessing our Greenfield branch, and like all of our shops, it is a one-stop shop,” Msiza said.
Meanwhile, MFS, which has traditionally been known as Masvingo Farm Supplies, is rebranding to Major Family Savings, a name which encompasses its other branches nationwide.
“We are no longer in Masvingo only. We have branches in Masvingo, Mutare Rusape, Ngundu, Chipinge, Nyika, Jerera, Gutu and Birchenough Bridge,” Msiza said.business

Kombayi reinstated as Gweru mayor

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Kombayi reinstated as Gweru mayor
Hamutendi Kombayi

…High Court orders Kasukuwere to pay all allowances, benefits

Itai Muzondo

GWERU – In a dramatic turn of events, the High Court has reinstated sacked City of Gweru mayor, Hamutendi Kombayi and 11 other councillors to their posts after they successfully challenged Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s decision to fire them.
Of the eleven, 10 had already been given back their posts and it was from that group that Charles Chikozho had been elected as Kombayi’s replacement. Ward 4 councilor, Kenneth Sithole had been expelled.
Kombayi was fired in February this year on the recommendations of an independent tribunal tasked to probe allegations of gross incompetence, maladministration and abuse of office.
He had been on suspension since August 2015.
“…it is ordered that, the decision of the 1st Respondent (the independent tribunal) be and is hereby set aside…the convictions of the applicants be and are hereby set aside and quashed.
“The 1st and 2nd applicants (Kombayi andSithole) are hereby reinstated to their positions as councillors of the City of Gweru forthwith, without any loss of allowances and benefits,” reads part of the judgment accessed from the applicant’s lawyers; Dube and Gundu Legal Practitioners.
“The 5th responded (Kasukuwere) shall bear the costs of this application,” reads part of the judgement.
Speaking to TellZim News, Sithole said he was glad the judiciary was still showing some independence in upholding the rule of law.
 “It’s good that the rule of law is still applicable in the country. We were being told every day that we could not challenge the minister as he is one of the powerful people ruling the country.
“I am also happy because I now have a chance to finish my term in council and will definitely continue from where I left for the sake of service delivery,” Sithole said.
Kombayi could not be reached for comment.top news

Provincial Affairs minister’s office back to the top

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Provincial Affairs minister’s office back to the top

Dr Paul Chimedza

TellZim Reporter

MASVINGO – The office of the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs at Benjamin Burombo building, which had been moved from the second floor to the ground floor to accommodate the late Shuvai Mahofa who could not walk up the stairs, is being moved back up following the appointment of Dr Paul Chimedza as the new minister.
Upon being appointed minister in 2015 to take over from Kudakwashe Bhasikiti who had been fired the previous year during the ‘Gamatox’ purges, it was arranged that space be created at the ground floor for her.
This, however, squeezed the provincial medical department which had to share its little space with the new minister but now, it is back to the original office again where the new minister will enjoy a grander working space.
Sources close to the developments said it had been a hectic week at the office as employees restlessly prepared for the move back to the top.local

Mnangagwa going nowhere

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Mnangagwa going nowhere


. . . fire him and you will perish
. . . reign in cunning Grace, Mugabe told

Upenyu Chaota

President Robert Mugabe is in catch 22-situation ahead of the extra-ordinary congress in December as he is struggling to decisively deal with the ever increasing tension between his wife Grace and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the 2018 general elections.
Immense pressure from Zanu PF youth and women leagues who are pushing for constitutional amendments to elevate a woman into the presidium is mounting, a situation which analysts say is targeted at demoting Mnangagwa.
Political analyst Dr Takavafira Zhou said though Mnangagwa’s rivals from Generation 40 (G40) are pushing for his ouster at the extra-ordinary congress slated for December, it was unlikely that the VP will be fired as that would spell doom for Mugabe and his party come 2018.
“It is clear that Mugabe is desperate to please his cunning wife Grace but the truth is that Mnangagwa is not going anywhere. I think a sober analysis would be to say Mugabe needs Mnangagwa now more than ever,” said Dr Zhou.
“He cannot afford to break ranks with him with an election around the corner; dismissing Mnangagwa will be like shooting himself in the leg. Zanu PF will definitely perish without Mnangagwa,” he added.
Zanu PF deputy secretary for legal affairs, Paul Mangwana was also quoted in the media sharing the same sentiments that Mnangagwa will not be demoted at the extra-ordinary congress.
“Those who are pushing for the removal of Mnangagwa are small boys; we are a very mature party. The party has been there since 1963 and as a party, we deal with real matters not individuals,” Mangwana is quoted as saying.
As the stage has already been set for Zanu PF December congress, Mugabe – analysts say – is caught between a rock and a hard place as he seeks to please his belligerent wife Grace who is believed to be eying the Vice Presidency if the party’s constitution is amended.
All the ten provinces have already given a nod to host an extra-ordinary congress which many believe is aimed at kicking out Mnangagwa.
Masvingo, which Mnangagwa recently claimed was a sovereign province, also endorsed Mugabe to call for an extra-ordinary congress but refused to have the party’s constitution amended to create a women’s quota.
“If Mugabe fires Mnangagwa, the ruling party would definitely lose votes in Masvingo and Midlands. These two provinces constitute the majority of the voters in the country and Mugabe is well aware of that – I’m sure he will not take the risk of firing Mnangagwa at this moment in time,” said Dr Zhou.
“The biggest challenge he faces is his wife who thinks that power is sexually-transmitted. Even if they are to amend the constitution, Mugabe is likely to appoint a third deputy but not Grace because she is the least qualified person.
“There are other women in Zanu PF who are better qualified to be Vice Presidents among them Oppah Muchinguri and president of the Senate Edna Madzongwe. Grace is a liability to national politics but there are other politically-mad people in Zanu PF who think she will be Mugabe’s deputy,” he added.
Midlands-based analyst Timothy Mukahlera said love has already been lost between Mugabe and Mnangagwa but they will not part ways for strategic reasons.
“Mugabe has to tread carefully coming to the congress because he may sink the Zanu PF ship for good. They do not like him (Mnangagwa) but they need him to boost the election.
“They have rocked the boat so much that they fear firing Mnangagwa will create more problems than they are trying to solve right now. If they are to fire him, it will be well after the elections,” said Mukahlera.
However, other analysts like Dr Mabweazara Mugodzwa believe that Mnangagwa is in his last days as President Mugabe’s deputy.
“There is no doubt that Mnangagwa’s enemies will come at him with all they got and he will be fired. They have waited for Grace to mature as the Women’s League boss and now she is ready for her next step.
“G40 fears Mnangagwa so much that they cannot afford to leave him with any powerful post because he will turn against them. Masvingo and Midlands provinces will try to save him but they are a minority.
“They want to use the women’s quota as a pretext to execute a plan they have been hatching for a very long time. Mugabe is being advised by people who want to destroy him so at this point, he can do anything,” said Dr Mugodzwa.top news

ZISMIWU wins wage dispute arbitration case

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ZISMIWU wins wage dispute arbitration case
Rtd Major Faster Gono

…Gono urges workers to defend Tongaat Hullet

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Arbitration in the long-running wage dispute between the Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZISMIWU) and Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Employers Association (ZSMIA) has ended with the former being awarded a 15 percent increase.
The union had sought a 39 percent increase but Justice George Smith, who led the arbitration, in his findings released on October 18, recommended that with effect from April 1, 2017, wages be increased by 15 percent for Band A employees and 7.5 percent for those in Band B.
This means that if the outcome is effected, employees will have several months in backdated salary arrears that their employers will have to clear.
“Because of the poor rainfall in 2014/15 and 2015/16, those were not profitable periods for the respondent but the respondent did give the employees a wage increase in both years. 2016/17 was a very profitable year for the respondent but the employees did not receive a wage increase that year. I consider that a wage increase should be awarded for 2017/18,” reads part of the ruling.
Employees welcomed the outcome although there are lingering worries that the employers association, which is dominated by Tongaat Hullet, will appeal against the findings.
Addressing multitudes of workers from both Hippo Valley and Triangle, ZISMIWU secretary general Rtd Major Faster Gono struck a conciliatory tone; urging employees to protect their jobs by defending Tongaat Hullet from greedy politicians.
“Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe is company which brings food to our tables. We therefore have to jealously guard its property. If you see some of its plots being seized by politicians, you are encouraged to act accordingly in order to keep your jobs,” said Gono.
Justice Smith’s ruling states that the employer had made it clear that at the moment, it had the capacity to foot the 39 percent increase but feared some unforeseen eventualities that would eat into its profits margins and render the adjustments unsustainable.
 “Firstly, the respondent has, in various fora, pleaded that it has the capacity to pay 39% demanded by workers, but fears that because of unknown factors, such as drought, which may occur in the future, it feels that it would be imprudent to award a wage increase,” reads part of the report.
Tongaat Hullet also argued that it must be considered that the company remained the only one, in as many industries, that still paid its employees on time.
“..Irregular pay days due to inability to raise enough cash for wage payments when due. This is now a norm in Government, which has traditionally been able to pay wages and salaries on due dates. Several institutions such as quasi-Government entities, municipalities and private companies, are in arrears in terms of wage commitments. The Sugar Milling Industry has managed to pay all its employees on time,” reads part of the report.
Justice Smith was appointed arbitrator on June 19, 2017 between ZISMIWU, which pledged to accept whatever outcome of the arbitration, and the employers association which comprises Hippo Valley (Pvt) Ltd, Triangle Limited and the Zimbabwe Sugar Association.
The issue at hand was to determine whether or not there was need to increase sugarcane milling industry workers’ wages following a deadlock between the employer and the union on March 21.
The labour office had failed to settle the matter and had issued a certificate of ‘No Settlement’ before referring the matter for voluntary arbitration.
ZISMIWU wanted a 39 percent wage increase across the board, complaining that its members were the worst off in the Southern Africa sugar industry and were living way below the poverty datum line.
The union argued that the least paid workers for Tongaat Hullet employees in South Africa earned ZAR 6 000, those in Mozambique earned an equivalent of US$480, while those doing similar work in Swaziland earned an equivalent of US$400.
This contrasts starkly with employees here in Zimbabwe who earn as little as US$180.top news

GZU students donate to Alpha Cottages

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GZU students donate to Alpha Cottages


Clever Taperamoyo

MASVINGO – The Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Students Executive Council (SEC) last week visited Alpha Cottages children’s home to donate clothes and basic commodities.
SEC vice president Jennifer Chitanda, who coordinated the charity project, said the students’ body had seen it necessary to contribute to the well-being of children at the shelter.
“We aim to reach out to Masvingo as a whole because it is our community and, as students, we appreciate the city and the people who live in it. This is part of our efforts to show that we seek not only to improve ourselves academically but to reach out to the less fortunate as well,” said Chitanda.
The students took time to tour the facility as well as to interact and play with the children.
The donations were made under the theme ‘building a generational consensus through reaching out to the needy’.
Chitanda said this was one of the many activities that her team had planned to do in order to make a change in the community.
Some of the SEC leaders who took part in the programme were minister of sports Duncan Mpaso, minister of information Tawanda Mukwazhe and deputy minister of clubs and properties Fortunate Paradza.
Last semester the students conducted another clean-up campaign and pothole-filling exercise in conjunction with the city council.local

Refreshed Bikita FC holds Mutoko

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Refreshed Bikita FC holds Mutoko

Clayton Shereni

BIKITA – Zifa Eastern Region Division One new boys, Bikita Minerals FC last Saturday held eighth-placed Mutoko Traders FC to a nil all (0-0) draw at Lithium Stadium after a hard-fought game.
The transfer window allowed the team to beef up its cudgels with a few players who have proved to be instrumental in the team’s improved play relative to its performance over the past weeks.
The new signings were Leroy Chivangu who came in from Mutoko Traders FC, free agent John Chitiga and Terrence Mazivisa who came from Triangle FC.
The lithium miners came close to take the lead in the 25th minute after a nicely curled volley by Terrence Mazivisa but The Mutoko goalkeeper was on point to deny the hosts an early score.
Bikita FC were on the driving seat for the better part of the game with veteran defender Pardon Chinungwa creating vital chances and providing some deadly passes but only to be let down by poor finishing.
Mutoko also created a few chances for themselves but they did not manage to penetrate the solid defence commanded by the experienced team captain Peter Muzondo.
Chitiga also had a feel of the ball after coming in as a substitute in the 73rd minute by making some touches on the central forward position.
Bikita FC head coach John Phiri was not really happy by the result but was impressed by the overall performance.
“We had a good game but the boys were not as composed as one would have wanted them to be. We could have scored many goals. The new guys were in top form and they have been a force to reckon with in the team,” said Phiri.
In their next encounter, Bikita minerals will face Gutu FC at Paradise stadium in Mpandawana.sport

GZU students clean Masvingo streets

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GZU students clean Masvingo streets


Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Fourth-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) students from the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and their lecturers last weekend embarked on a clean-up campaign in the Central Business District (CBD) in what they said was an exercise to ensure cleaner surroundings.
The campaign, which was conducted in partnership with City of Masvingo, The Environmental Management Agency (Ema), Great Zimbabwe Realtors (GZR) and other partners, ran under the theme ‘Education for Sustainable Development’.
Professor Shumirai Nyota, a senior lecturer in the faculty who led the students, said it was the desire of the team to help move the country towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that include Sustainable Cities and Communities.
“Unesco believes sustainable development begins with teachers, so we have seen it fit to prepare our students by cleaning the streets. We want them to pass the knowledge to the classes that they too will teach in the future,” said Prof Nyota.
She said the focus was on Unesco’s three Rs; Reuse, Reduce and Recycle, plus Ema’s own addition ‘Rethink’.
“For the mean time, we are concentrating on reducing littering in the environment because we do not have resources to recycle or reuse,” she said.
City of Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze also took part in the cleaning and said he was pleased by the students’ strong desire for cleaner streets.
“Don’t clean only the CBD where people see you. Let’s do it everywhere in Masvingo including at our campuses and hostels. We need to make Masvingo the cleanliest town in Zimbabwe for it carries the name of this country,” said Fidze.
He went on to urge women to go for breast cancer screening and men to be aware of prostate cancer.
He also urged students to go and register to vote.local

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