Nashe Mahachi

MUTARE – A member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) who wants to contest for the Makoni South seat in the 2018 elections appeared in court for threatening to kill his Zanu PF counterpart.
Chamunorwa Muzvidzwa (37) of Nyazura Township appeared before Rusape Provincial Magistrate Shane Kubonera facing charges of violating Section 186 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 which makes it a criminal for one to make threats to commit murder.
Muzvidzwa pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court, saying he never threatened to kill Kenneth Chaparapata, who works in Nyazura.
The court heard that on May 28 at around 23:00 hrs at Rukweza business bentre, Muzvidzwa told one Mazvita Mutizwa that if he wins in the oncoming elections he was going to kill Charaparata and his entire family.
Mutizwa went and informed Charaparata who then made a police leading to Muzvidzwa arrest.
The case was postponed to a later day for continuation of trial.local

CHIREDZI – Relations between church elders and traditional leaders in Sengwe communal lands have taken a turn for the worse after the recent assault of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members by boys from Chengule circumcision school in Malipati.
On August 16, a Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Sunday service was abandoned prematurely after a mob of youths from Headman Ngwenyeni left their camp to assault congregants with sjamboks accusing them of violating traditional practices through their singing during the circumcision season.
The youths claimed that the playing of music and the beating of drums was forbidden when boys go into camp for circumcision rites.
Chairperson of the Chiredzi District Civil Protection Committee and Acting Chiredzi District Administrator (DA) Ndeya Nyede said the continued increase in cases of villagers being assaulted by the youths in camp was worrisome as the constitution clearly states that no person in the practice of their rights should infringe on the others’ rights.
“The constitution is supreme. People are free to practice their own rights as long as they do not affect others in the process. No one is above the law and people should be able to practice their own religion as well as their culture, not this situation where religion and culture are clashing Anyone who breaks the law of the country in the name of culture should be brought to book,” said Nyede.
Chairman of the Sengwe Pastors Fraternity, Reverend Steven Chauke said cases of assault are rising every day and accused traditional leaders of sanctioning the violence and protecting culprits.
“No arrests have been made yet because some known traditional leaders is interfering. We are having a dialogue meeting on 1 September with the Sengwe traditional leadership to map the way forward,” said Chauke.
Acting spokesperson for Masvingo province Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the case and said it was still under investigation.
“The report was received and we are investigating the case. People were beaten indiscriminately after one member danced at the church, a situation which seems to have provoked this other group from Chengule Circumcision School,” said Assistant Inspector Dhewa.
Chief Sengwe could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not reachable.local

MBERENGWA – Many villagers in Chief Mtevaidzi are afraid their children will soon not be able to go to school at the onset of the rainy season as there is little hope that the collapsed Jeka Bridge across Mwenezi River will be repaired in time.
The bridge was swept away by Cyclone Dineo several months ago but government is yet to respond to the damage.
Villagers who spoke to TellZim News said they were afraid their children who go to Chegato High School across the river will miss school for several days in the rainy season as the bridge was likely to remain in a state of disrepair for a long time.
“It is now months since the bridge got swept away but the government has shown no interest in repairing it and we are approaching another rainy season. How will our children cross the river to school?” said one villager.
Other villagers from Zibanga and Mutsime said they too will not be able to travel across the river which usually gets flooded during the rainy season.
“We have to cross the river to reach most of the facilities we need for example Jeka Clinic, schools and business areas. It is already difficult to cross the river and it will be totally impossible to do so when the rains come,” said another villager.
Mberengwa District Administrator (DA) White Nkoma said government was planning to construct a relief, temporary footbridge across the river.
“Government is working to raise funds to repair the bridge and a lot of money is needed for the reconstruction but soon, a temporary footbridge is going to be built,” Nkoma said.
The footbridge, he said, would offer temporary relief as funds for the reconstruction of the proper bridge are mobilised.local

Samukelisiwe Ngwenyama

ZVISHAVANE – Mental health advocacy group Afr-I-CAN in Me has embarked on a project called The Mental Illness Rainbow Awareness Project as part of its wider efforts to bring awareness on mental health challenges.
Afr-I-CAN in Me director Ropa Mzari said although the project started in July, interest among stakeholders was rapidly growing as people were now keener than before to explore the subject which for long had been shrouded in superstitions.
“For each month, there is a selected theme and colour to help spread awareness. Awareness ribbons, hats, beanies, T-shirts and ties can all be used in this awareness project. We are currently running with the theme, ‘Self-Injury Awareness’ which is regarded as another form of a mental illness,” Mzari told TellZim News.
She said self-injury referred to self-inflicted harm that people may do on their own bodies but without any suicidal intentions.
“Some people injure themselves by severe scratching, burning themselves, hair-pulling, self-poisoning and bruising. Most of these are done on areas of the body that can be easily hidden, but some people do it on parts that are visible to everyone.
“It is important to be on the look-out for people who get involved in this behavior as they could do more damage to their bodies. Treatment can be sought from psychologists.
“Alongside the theme for each month, we continue with the “Stigma Must Fall” theme because there is still a lot that society needs to learn and know concerning mental illnesses although of late there has been more open talk about mental illnesses,” Mzari said.
She encouraged churches, schools, non-profit organisations and the general public to help people living with mental health challenges and support the awareness campaign.local