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Four ready to challenge Mugabe’s darling in Masvingo South

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Four ready to challenge Mugabe’s darling in Masvingo South
Walter Mzembi

Brighton Chiseva

Walter Mzembi might be one of the best ministers in the country but back to his constituency, four candidates are already pushing for his ouster, accusing him of neglecting Masvingo South in as far as development is concerned.
The Tourism minister is believed to be President Robert Mugabe’s blue-eyed boy in Masvingo therefore, untouchable but three candidates seem to have defied him and are readying themselves for Zanu PF primary elections.
Victor Gugwe from Muchibwa area who also hails from the same ward 23 with Mzembi is said to be ready to take the incumbent legislator head on, while Tokwane Ngundu Primary School teacher Gladys Chari too is reported to be making inroads ahead of the primaries.
Not to be outdone is Claudious Maronge who is the deputy school head at Makumbe Primary School as he is also reported to be eyeing Masvingo South on a Zanu PF ticket.
The trio is said to be so determined to remove Mzembi whom they accuse of neglecting the constituency soon after he was elected into office on July 31, 2013. Among the promised projects is the construction of doctor’s house at Jena district hospital and the repairing of Tetenu Bridge which links Ward 23 and 25. These proposed projects have never seen the light of the day despite being prominent projects to talk about.
But does the trio have the stamina to push Mzembi out? Mzembi, being one of Mugabe’s best ministers, gives him a big advantage, not mentioning his international exposure especially now that he campaigned and lost the race to be secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Mzembi’s dilemma, however, is that Masvingo South is a rural constituency and his international exposure would help more if he was contesting an urban constituency. Probably that is the reason there are suggestions that he might contest for the Harare Central constituency in the 2018 general elections.
Mzembi is still young and the international exposure would make him want to use new technologies for campaigning; for instance use of social media and streets advertising using big screens, which is not appropriate for a rural constituency.
He has enough resources to also cater for Masvingo South electorate in the event that he decides to contest there; maybe few maize seeds and fertilisers from the presidential inputs scheme would be enough for him to win the hearts of some disgruntled villagers ahead of the primaries.
Mzembi, however, is likely to face Gurwe who is believed to be a Central Intelligence (CIO) operative. The suspected CIO agent might take advantage of the youths especially considering his age. He is younger than Mzembi and seems to be in a better position to understand the plight of the youths better than the tourism minister who will be seeking re-election for a third term.
After losing dismally at 2013 primary elections for Ward 30 to Sungano Matakanure, who is the wife of Mzembi’s constituency coordinator Joshua Matakanure, Gladys Chari has never stopped being ambitious and she is now challenging Mzembi for the National Assembly seat.
The only advantage Chari would have is that Team Lacoste faction might support her to take the constituency in the event that Mzembi decides to contest for the Harare Central seat.
Maronge is hardly known in the constituency; even in his own ward and that means he has a daunting task ahead if he is really serious about contesting for the national assembly seat. Running a primary school and being a constituency representative in parliament are obviously two different tasks with the later proving to be more difficult.
The winner from Zanu PF primaries will then face candidates from opposition parties like the National Constitution Assembly (NCA), which has developed a habit of fielding candidates everywhere including where the party is completely not known.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) is likely to be represented by Lovemore Matongo. Though he is not much popular, Matongo is obviously riding on the popularity of Isaac Matongo who was the first MDC national chairman.
Matongo’s biggest challenge is that he is visible only towards elections and after that, he vanishes and this might affect his ambitions to represent Masvingo South in parliament.
Political experience and education
In terms of political experience Mzembi is more experienced of them all having been a minister for a decade. Mzembi is an engineer by profession. Though many people have doubted his doctorate (PhD) with some publicly calling upon him to make his thesis available, the Masvingo South legislator remains Dr Mzembi’s territory and no one can take that away from him.
Mzembi took the constituency from his uncle Edison Zvobgo.
Gurwe is a holder of a degree in Political Administration from the University of Zimbawe (UZ) but has little traceable political history in Zanu PF.
Chari as a teacher by profession with at least a diploma in education. She has a bit of political experience though she has a record of losing elections. She is a provincial executive member thanks to Zanu PF’s factional fights.politics

Never again will we donate to politicians: ZISMIWU

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Never again will we donate to politicians: ZISMIWU

Rtd Captain Faster Gono

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – The Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZISMIWU) says it will never again work to advance the interest of political parties but will rather dedicate all its energies to the improvement of the welfare of its members, TellZim News can reveal.
In an interview, ZISMIWU spokesperson and secretary general Rtd Captain Faster Gono said the union had learnt the folly of making huge donations to political parties while the living conditions of the workers it is supposed to represent remain bad.
“Approximately $3.7 million was taken from the organisation and donated to political activities by the previous executive. Government ministers and security personnel also benefitted from the largesse but we are saying that will never happen again,” said Gono.
ZISMIWU is allied to the pro-Zanu PF Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) and was previously led by Addmore Hwarare who was forced to resign in 2015 after factional upheavals in the party led to the fall of the Joice Mujuru faction with which Hwarare was said to be aligned.
“Workers should not be enticed to certain political parties. They should have the freedom to select the leaders whom they deem necessary without being intimidated by anyone,” said Gono.
He also said the union only wanted the best for sugarcane workers and was awaiting the outcome of the Justice George Smith-led arbitration on its dispute with employer Tongaat Hullet over wages as well as living and working conditions.
“We do not have the influence to quicken the process of arbitration but we will all accept the outcome of the arbitration, the employer too. Our employer seems reluctant to improve the welfare of workers, especially the lowly paid but likes to make donations elsewhere,” he said.agriculture

Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miners’ Association works to advance mining agenda

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Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miners’ Association works to advance mining agenda

Prince Danda

The Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miner’s Association is making progress in the mining sector by working closely with all stakeholders in the interest of the mining industry.
After receiving compressors from Mimosa Mining Company last year, the association engaged its members and made arrangements by which the members would hire the equipment at affordable fees.
This arrangement has enabled miners to raise enough money to purchase three more compressors which are making the operations of the association more viable.
Due to increased productivity brought about by the equipment, three members of the association have also bought their own compressors.
In turn, the association acquired an explosives purchasing licence which allows members to work as a group in line with mining regulations.
The association regularly hosts seminars to train blasters who have ensured an accident-free mining environment from 2016 to date.
The year 2017 started on a bad note for the association due to heavy rains, forcing the closure of roads and shafts, a development which made mines inaccessible.
However, the association has since recovered and has announced that as of last July, it had produced 17 980 tons of chrome and 15 126 kg of gold.
The association says it credits government effort, through its US$40 million scheme to support small scale gold miners, for the progress that members of the association have made in the recent past.
At the moment, the association looks forward to perform better than last year in terms of output as it is expecting 100 kg of gold.local

‘It’s the people who make MSU great’

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‘It’s the people who make MSU great’
Vice Chancellor MSU Victor Muzvidziwa

Itai Muzondo in Gweru

GWERU – Midlands State University (MSU) Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa says the university has made enormous strides in the recent past, thanks to the many stakeholders who have the interests of the institution at heart.
Addressing a Students Reception Ceremony last week, Prof Muzvidziwa said the university would not be what it is at the moment without the unwavering support from different quarters.
At the 9th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition held in Geneva, Switzerland recently, MSU came out best in Law School Mooting, beating some of the finest law schools in the world.
The MSU Boost Enactus Team is also set to represent Zimbabwe at the 2017 Enactus World Cup to be held in London in September.
“The support we are getting from all stakeholders; support in terms of funding for students and ideas, that kind of support which comes from our chief donor; the government but also includes industry and commerce is the reason for us being what we are today.
“MSU currently has 22 000 students housed under our multi-campus system and the university has managed to increase access to university education for people of all races and backgrounds through conventional and lifelong learning,” said Prof Muzvidziwa.
“We could not have made this progress without the steadfast support from our valued stakeholders. Being the current captain of the MSU ship, I am challenged to work tirelessly to position the university onto the global academic landscape,” Prof Muzvidziwa said.
The MSU main campus is located in Gweru while its second campus is situated in the mining town of Zvishavane.education

Vendor licence fees raise eyebrows in Chivhu

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Vendor licence fees raise eyebrows in Chivhu

Chivhu vendors
…money being receipted as ‘bus levy’

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – After failed efforts by Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) to clear vendors off undesignated vending places in Chivhu, a controversial system has been made by which vendors are required to pay US$5 per month in exchange for being allowed to do their business anywhere.
Members of the public have described the new arrangement as ‘controversial’ because upon paying the amount, vendors are given receipts that are written ‘bus levy’, a situation that has raised the spectre of corruption in a local authority best known for the vice.
When contacted for comment, Chikomba (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Luckson Mutara acknowledged the irregularity but promised to correct it now that he was back at work from his sick leave.
“I have been away from office for some time but I have met with our treasurer here and truly, the fees were being collected under the busy levy fee but now that I am back in office, we agreed to normalise the irregularity as it may cause confusion,” said Mutara.
The Chivhu Ratepayers and Residence Association (CHRRA) however said it suspected that the error was deliberate and was meant to aid fraudulent activities by council officials.
“How can vendor licence fees be receipted as bus levy? When the system is too corrupt to its core, it is difficult to believe that there is no dodgy intent in what is happening. The question is how they are going to account for that money?” said CHRRA chairperson Collen Zvarevashe.
He went on to propose that vendors be allowed to trade freely without being harassed and without being required to pay anything.
“If council has failed to provide a proper vending area, let vendors sell freely from wherever they want without being harassed and without being required to pay anything. We know that the money being collected now will neither be used to improve service delivery nor to advance the goal of getting official town status,” said Zvarevashe.local

Ndava defies Kasukuwere

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Ndava defies Kasukuwere

Ndava (in cap) inspects the Farikanyai Garden Project

… says Chiredzi will not accept Jaboon

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Former Chiredzi North Member of Parliament and current Zanu PF Masvingo provincial secretary for information and publicity Ronald Ndava last week made it clear that the provincial and district party structures were united against national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s attempts to bring back Jeppy Jaboon.
Before his suspension on allegations of insubordination and abuse of office in May this year, Jaboon had been the provincial commissar and had acted in ways that annoyed his opponents in the Team Lacoste faction.
Though he dismissed his suspension as null and void, Jaboon found himself increasingly on the back foot and had seemed to have given up until recently when Kasukuwere, who had been under fire from within the party himself, made a dramatic comeback and asserted that Jaboon was still provincial commissar.
Addressing hundreds of farmers at a field day in Matedzi, Ndava however, said party structures will not accept Jaboon and they will continue to work with Jevas Masosota who was given the commissariat job in an acting capacity.
“In Chiredzi North, we have four provincial members and I am their leader. We also have Jevas Masosota whom we assigned to temporarily take over from Jaboon as PC because he has his issues which are still under investigation,” Ndava said.
The former legislator also tried to position himself to contest the 2018 elections by apologising for what he said was his failure to effectively represent his constituency when he was still in the legislature.
“I once walked in this road before and I was a failure. I never thought we would part ways, but as a Christian, I know I was on punishment but I think we can agree now that the punishment is over. It will not happen again,” said Ndava.
He also promised to partner with the 950 famers under the Farikanyai Garden Project in drilling a borehole.
“You should contribute a little towards the drilling of a borehole which will last for years. I know the little you will contribute will not be sufficient so I will then take care of the balance,” Ndava said.
In 2013, Ndava lost the Zanu PF primaries to Robert Mukwena who went on to become the new MP for Chiredzi North.local

Zanu PF is ticket to cheap loans, says Zivhu

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Zanu PF is ticket to cheap loans, says Zivhu
Dr Killer Zivhu

…lambasts Midlands bad debtors

Siyabonga Sayi

GWERU – The Zimbabwe Cross Boarder Association (ZCBA) chairman Dr Killer Zivhu says cross boarder traders in the Midlands province were leading the pack of the most unreliable debtors dealing with the organisation.
Addressing members of the association at Gweru Theatre last week, Dr Zivhu also said it was because of the benevolence of the ruling Zanu PF party and through the leadership of President Robert Mugabe that ZCBA was able to offer loans at only one percent interest.
“I am who I am because of my party and my father Robert Mugabe and this is his (Mugabe’s) time to help you out of poverty just like Moses was used by God to take Israelites to the Promised Land.
“So whether you like it or not, it’s only President Mugabe who is giving loans at one percent interest. Even your relatives do not do that. Some of you have become broke because of the burden of loans that accrue high interest rates,” Dr Zivhu said.
He also warned ZCBA members and all beneficiaries of the loan facility against speaking ill of Zanu PF.
“I don’t expect to hear members of this association or those wishing to benefit saying anything negative about my party. Actually all of you should be ready to chant Zanu PF slogans. We should not be afraid to support it because that’s where all these funds are coming from,” Dr Zivhu said.
He threatened legal action against the bad debtors whom he said were not being fair on other potential beneficiaries.
“I was expecting to meet a large number of people here since we sent word in time about this meeting, but still I am not surprised about it because most of the people have not paid back the loans that we gave them.
“Actually 95 percent of the people we gave loans here in Gweru have not paid back, no other province has had such a problem.
“Most of the people who have not paid the money back had no business ideas; they took the money and went to buy maize in Gokwe and sold it to GMB but they have not been paid. All this is what we want to avoid. When you get the money, you should order goods that you know you have a market for, not making orders based on hearsay.
“Government is still giving these people time to find the money and pay but the next stage will be to take them to court and attach their property,” Dr Zivhu said.politics

Bishop Mutendi’s Hebron High shines again in June exams

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Bishop Mutendi’s Hebron High shines again in June exams

Mukora Mazvazva

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi’s Hebron High School has done it again!
This time around, the school has scored a clear 100 percent pass rate in the June 2017 Advanced Level examinations.
Most notable was the history class which put the school on the map by getting its 100 percent pass rate through a chain of 10 As.
Hebron High School head, Mukora Mazvazva (pictured) praised ‘A’ Level history teacher, Noel Chirongo for a job well done.
He said the class had set a remarkable precedent which will help Hebron High School to set targets for future history classes.
“Ten students who could have written their history exams in November this year sat for those exams in June instead. Under the tutelage of Mr. Noel Chirongo, all of them scored As in History so we thank the teacher for raising the school’s flag higher.
“He is one of our school’s most hardworking staff members and is very punctual and professional. We are looking forward to more of such excellent results and with the current dedicated staff, the school will continue on its path of being a shining example,” said Mazvazva.
Many students currently doing their ‘A’ Level at Hebron High School opted to sit for their examinations June.  The students sat for examinations in such subjects as History, Accounts and Business Studies and the overall pass rate is 100 percent.
This is not, however, the first time that the school has set an example of academic excellence, with the November 2016 examinations also producing a 100 percent pass rate.education

Tsvangirai a spent force, says Minister Ncube

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Tsvangirai a spent force, says Minister Ncube

Morgan Tsvangirai

Upenyu Chaota

MASINGO – Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage minister Abednico Ncube last week lashed out against Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, labelling him a ‘spent force’ with no thoughtful political followers.
Ncube made the remarks while was commissioning the Summerton Piped Water Scheme, a project undertaken by Masvingo Rural District Council in partnership with United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (Unicef).
The minister said unlike the opposition, the ruling Zanu PF party had the capacity to initiate rural development projects that help the people of Zimbabwe.
“In Zimbabwe, you should only look to Zanu PF to solve your problems. There are others who are being led astray by Tsvangirai who is nothing but a spent force.
“His people no longer trust him and they are up in arms against each other. The British tried to use Tsvangirai to peddle the regime change agenda but Zanu PF has remained in charge,” said Ncube.
Tsvangirai is on a collision course with his long time deputy Thokozani Khupe, national organiser Abednico Bhebhe and national chairperson Lovemore Moyo over the ‘ill-negotiated’ MDC Alliance.
Ncube went on to launch a scathing attack on former US President George Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair saying they were mistaken to think the Republic of Zimbabwe cannot survive on its own.
“I am going to read my speech in English so that Blair and Bush can understand that the Republic of Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and they cannot dictate or impose anything on us,” said Ncube.
The Summerton area in Masvingo North constituency experienced acute water shortages over the years and people survived from water from Mucheke River.
 “Tsvangirai haazvingoni izvi. Right now people are drinking tap water in rural communities courtesy of the Zanu PF-run administration. Tsvangirai should stay in opposition because that is what he is good at. We should all remain vigilant and rally behind President Mugabe in 2018,” said Ncube.topnews

Grace begs Midlands, Masvingo for respect

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Grace begs Midlands, Masvingo for respect

A scene at the youth interface rally in Gweru

…support from two provinces does not guarantee Mnangwagwa presidency

Siyabonga Sayi

GWERU – First Lady Grace Mugabe last week lashed out at scores of Midlands Zanu PF supporters who attended the Presidential Youth Interface Rally held in Mkoba, Gweru, saying there was a lot of indiscipline among people from Midlands and Masvingo provinces.
Grace also said the two provinces, which are believed to be strong ‘Team Lacoste’ (a faction reportedly led by Vice-President Emerson Mnangagwa in the succession race) backyards, have no respect for her, her children and President Robert Mugabe.
As if to confirm that she is the power behind the rival G40 faction, Grace said Masvingo and Midlands provinces were not in support of her.
“We hear that coming from Midlands and Masvingo, muchitukirira mukuru wenyika, kutukirira mukadzi wake, kutukirira vana vake! I don’t think that today I will be convinced that there is unity of purpose unless you are telling me that from today, you have changed and realised that factionalism does not work.
“You were even honoured that one of the Vice Presidents comes from Midlands. Do you want the president to regret why he took one of your own to work with him? I am telling all of you peddling factionalism that you stop it,” Grace said.
This did not however stop the hordes of suspected Team Lacoste fanatics at the rally from displaying their support for Mnangagwa.
They first gave him thunderous cheers to welcome him on arrival and later gave him lively responses when he chanted the Zanu PF slogan.
  “You have mentioned that in Midlands you are united and you have no factionalism. I hope you are telling the truth. If there is no factionalism, ahh that’s now something new because the words we hear are not pleasing,” Grace said.
She also made a veiled threat against Mnangagwa saying nobody should think they can be president simply because they have the approval of one or two provinces.
 “You can apply for any other job not this one of being president. Having approval of one or two provinces does not make you eligible to be president. You have to be approved by all the 10 provinces.
“If you go around telling people that you will be president and talking bad about President Mugabe, bad things will happen to you then you will be saying President Mugabe and his wife have bewitched you when we are actually God fearing. So I say stop it forthwith!” she thundered.
Meanwhile, dislike for the G40 faction in the Midlands province has become more apparent, with Zanu PF members openly chanting ‘Pasi nepoison’ slogans while party youths continue to sing perceived pro-Team Lacoste jingles at party meetings.top news 

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