By Tavonga Munyanyi

Khayelihle Rural Library in Dorset , Ward 21 in Shurugwi South, is appealing for financial assistance from well-wishers to achieve its goal of providing a supportive learning environment for learners in the community.
The library, a registered initiative under Hodzeko Arts and Culture, Rural Library, and Knowledge Development Center, was established in 2024 in response to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on rural education but is struggling to remain functional due to lack of resources and structures for its operations.
Speaking to TellZim News, Khayelihle Rural Library Director Siphosami Ndlovu said there was need for urgent intervention to support the group in bridging gaps in education for rural learners.
“We invite all community members, both local and international, to join this progressive initiative. Together, we can bridge the educational gap in rural communities, foster a love for reading, and create opportunities for growth and development,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said sponsorship would enable the library to construct a permanent facility, as it currently operates from a rented space, an arrangement that is becoming unsustainable due to financial constraints.
“Many community members are struggling financially, and rental costs are a burden. Our plan is to build a state-of-the-art facility, which will include a library with physical and digital resources, an exhibition room, and a storage facility,” said Ndlovu.
The library’s collection consists mostly of novels, with about 500 books in stock. However, Ndlovu stressed the urgent need for more textbooks and other educational resources, particularly for struggling students.
“Sponsorship will allow us to expand our reading materials by acquiring up-to-date textbooks and other essential resources that cater to the needs of local learners and the broader community.
“By working together, we can make a meaningful impact and provide access to quality educational materials for those who need them most,” Ndlovu said.
The library is Ndlovu’s brain child with support, supported by a network of dedicated individuals, including Dumisani Ndlovu, Vimbai Moyo, Desmond Chaza, Shepherd Mhene, Nkosana Dube, Nkosilathi Mthunzi, Sifiso Sibanda, and Obert Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said plans were underway to establish a Trust Fund that will provide free access to library resources.

For assistance, interested individuals can contact call 0782456772,
email:
khayelihlerurallibrary@gmail.com,
or visit Hodzeko.com.

…local authority turns to illegal traders to raise funds

By Beverly Bizeki

Broke Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) has turned to illegal traders in the most remote parts of the district for penalties in order to assist the cash-strapped local authority to raise funds to pay workers who have gone for three months without salaries.

Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga did not deny the allegations of the local authority failing to pay its workers saying the situation was not unique to the local authority.

He said there was no need for workers to take their grievances to the media for they were aware of the ongoing situation at the council.

“There is really no need to be going to the media because the workers are aware of the situation at the council. There is no money and they know what should be done, they should work. The situation is not unique to Mwenezi RDC, this is just the state of the economy in the country,” said Chivanga.

The local authority was also accused of seizing people’s goods and working during the night targeting people in rural areas.

Chivanga confirmed the council’s efforts in the remote areas but said they were simply following council regulations.

“Those are just normal council procedures. Illegal traders are supposed to pay penalties and this even in government this is allowed. The allegations that council is seizing people’s properties are not true but why are these people running away from council and not doing the right thing? Tax evasion is a crime and businesses must do the legal thing.

“About people accusing council workers working during odd hours, this is a matter of distance so our workers end up not being able to return with vehicles on the same day,” said Chivanga.

Sources said council descended upon some of the most deserted places in Mufuli Ranch in Mwenezi East Constituency where most of the operators not even licensed.

“Council came to these areas to tax the business operators here, trying to raise funds for its operations. They would even go to the extent of taking things like solar panels that had been abandoned outside as people closed shops running away from the local authority.

“The situation is bad such that workers are spending nights working in order to raid these areas taking fines from unregistered businesses which are said to be having illegal structures,” said the source.

By Brighton Chiseva

A serious shortage of contraceptive tablets have hit Zaka clinics sparking suspicions that they were being smuggled to South Africa.

The revelation was made by the Zaka Rural District Council audit committee Chairperson Stella Shambira during a full council meeting held at the local authority council chambers on Tuesday April 1.

Presenting the audit report, Shambira said the audit committee noted the drug stock balances had some excesses and shortfalls and had resolved to task the internal auditor to investigate.

“The audit committee noted the drug stock balances had some excesses and shortfall beyond generally acceptable tolerance of 10 percent.

“Clinic drug stock issuing should be done by a particular member of staff for proper accountability,” said Shambira.

She went on to say they noted that the family planning pills were making highest shortfalls than other drugs at most clinics and suspect that the nurses and other members of staff were selling them because they are sought after in South Africa.

“We suspect that the nurses and other members of staff could be selling the tablets which are later being smuggled to South Africa where they are sought after,” she said.

The committee also noted challenges in fuel coupons which were recorded with serial numbers not in sequence as well and that fuel with different characteristics was being recorded on the same page.

It also noted an issue of large arrears by those leasing council properties and recommended that departments make monthly written follow ups on tenants in council leased properties.

However, a health practitioner who chose to remain anonymous said the issue of smuggling could not be the cause of shortages but rather it was an issue of supply chain.

The practitioner said smuggling had been there since time immemorial but it had not affected the supply.

“There could be an element of smuggling but it has always been there and has never affected the supply. So the issue has to with the cutting of funding by USAID which affected several organizations which were supplying the products,” said the practitioner.

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

People with Disabilities in Masvingo (PWDs) have raised concerns for being left out of a number of governmental projects particularly the allocation of sugarcane plots in Chiredzi recently.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting on the state of healthcare in Masvingo organised by TellZim in partnership with ZIMCODD at Chevron Hotel on March 27, one participant, Prazen Jakata said majority of PWDs were being left behind in various programmes.
“People with disabilities consistently advocate for inclusion in programmes like the Kilimanjaro project but sometimes we are left behind because many of us are not present when decisions on such important matters are made. I believe the media has a crucial role to play in this regard, we need information on such programmes.
“We are often misinformed or receive information that is difficult to digest. This is why the media should intervene,” said Jakata.
Addressing stakeholders at the same event, Masvingo Province Director for Economic Affairs in the Minister of State for Provincial and Devolution Clever Chingwara emphasized the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities of PWDs in sugarcane farming sector.
“People with Disabilities are complaining that we left them behind on the allocation of sugarcane farms and the likes but I think the government is looking into it.
“So PWDs representatives should approach our offices with their concerns and need for plots in Chiredzi. For sure if you do not voice out your concerns you might be left behind although the government is trying to include everyone,” said Chingwara.
Chingwara said government had availed 4000 of land for indigenous farmers.
“Throughout a public private sector partnership, I think you have seen us conducting business. The province has successfully allocated 4 000 ha of new sugarcane plots to indigenous farmers benefiting over 2000 farmers from all walks of life,” he said.
He added that they established a multipurpose innovation hub to promote economic development in the province.
“The establishment of a multi-purpose innovation hub in Mwenezi specifically for sesame and all cultural projects processing, represents a significance milestone and a testament to effectiveness of a viable public, private sector publicity funded by Southern Agricultural Deployment (SAD).
“This hub not only enhances local agriculture production but also adds value through processing thereby increasing income potential of farmers and fostering economic development in the province,” said Chingwara.

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Chivi District Hospital and five schools in Chivi Central are among the first institutions that are going to benefit from a US$50 000 Community Development Fund (CDF) disbursement from government.
The announcement was made on March 22 by Chivi Central Member of Parliament Exevia Maoneke at a field day at Sarah Muza’s homestead in Ward 12.
He said he had received half of its allocation with priority given to Chivi General Hospital solarization as well as other institutions.
“We have received US$50,000, and we decided to prioritize Chivi Hospital solarisation and five other schools.
He said the hospital played a critical role in serving Chivi Central residents, noting that a needs assessment had been conducted to determine priorities.
“We discovered that the hospital has no enough beds, sheets and power back up, despite catering for the entire Chivi Central area. The cost of the required equipment, including scales and a blood pressure machine, could reach US$20 000.
“We decided to allocate the first batch of the Community Development Fund (CDF) to these projects based on the research we conducted with community members and Chivi District Medical Officer (DMO).
“By the end of this year, the projects will be completed because we have already received the funds and we expect the project will begin in the next two weeks,” he said.