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Team Lacoste targets all Chiredzi district MPs

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Team Lacoste targets all Chiredzi district MPs

TellZim Reporter

Having assumed total control of Masvingo province, through the endorsement of Zanu PF provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira by President Robert Mugabe at a youth interface rally at Mucheke Stadium recently, Team Lacoste is now reported to be targeting to topple all incumbent legislators that are linked to the rival faction, Generation 40 (G40) at the party primaries.
At least 17 legislators from the 26 constituencies in Masvingo province are said to be sympathetic to G40 faction and the quartet of Darlington Chiwa (Chiredzi West), Denford Masiya (Chiredzi East), Calisto Gwanetsa (Chiredzi South) and Robert Mukwena (Chiredzi North) from Chiredzi district, has become the first target.
A series of meetings will be held in Chiredzi district with the Team Lacoste-dominated Masvingo provincial executive descending on the district to campaign for their preferred candidates ahead of the primaries.
The four incumbent legislators are reported to be sympathetic to Generation 40 (G40) faction which rabidly opposes Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendency to replace the 93 year-old President Robert Mugabe.
Chiwa is targeted to be replaced by Farai Musikavanhu, Gwanetsa by former Chiredzi South legislator Ailles Baloyi and former Chiredzi North MP Ronald Ndava is tipped to replace Mukwena at the party primaries, while Lacoste is still looking for a perfect match for Masiya in Chiredzi East.
Reliable sources from the Team Lacoste camp revealed to TellZim News that the faction has since started holding meetings in the district. The political meetings are however disguised as developmental meetings where they are mobilising support for their preferred candidates while de-campaigning the incumbents.
It is said that the quartet is also being sacrificed for their role in blocking the invasion of Tongaat Hulett sugarcane farms for which the majority of Lacoste faction got offer letters few years ago.
Chiwa has been on record defending Tongaat Hullet, which employs close to 20 000 workers in the Lowveld, saying those interested in sugarcane farming should be given virgin land, not Triangle and Hippo Valley estates.
Mukwena might be the first to lose in this battle amid reports that he did very little for people in Chiredzi North. In fact, Mukwena is only popular for travelling to Harare for parliamentary sessions using chicken buses. His predecessor Ndava is said to have done far much better than him and the electorate has already shown dislike for Mukwena.
The case is however different in Chiredzi East where Masiya is dearly loved by the electorate. Masiya, through Mangwa Quip where he is one of the directors, constructed more than two schools and a clinic. He is also credited with rehabilitating roads in the constituency.
Mangwa Quip also resuscitated Arda-Nandi estates through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and employed dozens in the process. It is because of these and many other projects that endeared Masiya to the electorate. Team Lacoste, therefore, has to find a perfect match for him or they would simply rig the election in their favour since they control the province.
Lacoste might also struggle to remove Chiwa in West especially with Musikavanhu, a candidate who has been part of the top Tongaat Hullet management, because the majority of workers at the sugar company bemoaned low salaries during his time. On the other hand, Chiwa was lobbying for salary increases for these workers.
Baloyi is eyeing a comeback in Chiredzi South but the electorate seems to be still angry with him over alleged misuse of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) between 2009 and 2013. He therefore, has a mammoth task to convince the electorate on the matter; even Lacoste might fail to do that.
Gwanetsa has done fairly well even without the CDF.
If Lacoste succeed in removing the quartet by rigging primaries, then Zanu PF might lose one or two of the constituencies through ‘Bhora musango'.politics

Government will support private community newspapers: Mahoso

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Government will support private community newspapers: Mahoso

From left…ZMC CEO Dr Tafataona Mahoso, Academy Chinamhora and CNAZ chairperson Tawanda Munikwa

TellZim News Reporter

Kwekwe – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Dr Tafataona Mahoso has assured the Community Newspapers Association of Zimbabwe (CNAZ) that the government was ready to support privately-run community newspapers.
Speaking to publishers of community newspapers in Kwekwe last week, Dr Mahoso, who for long had been perceived to be an enemy of the private media and free speech, said the role of community newspapers in the development of the country can never be downplayed.
He said community newspapers had more influence than other newspapers in helping the people to make critical decisions.
According to Dr Mahoso, ZMC has since approached Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and other government institutions, urging them to work with community newspapers.
“ZEC must work with you community newspapers because you are the people who are on the ground. National papers do not have the kind of influence that you have in your communities. It’s high time that government institutions are urged to focus on community newspapers.
“We need to strengthen community newspapers in Zimbabwe because they have the capacity to end political violence and electoral disputes,” said Dr Mahoso.
However, Dr Mahoso said the government was determined to see at least two Black vernacular newspapers being launched before the end of this year.
The two newspapers, however, must not be in Shona and Ndebele but any other indigenous languages spoken in many areas across the country
“We want to see you coming up with at least two community newspapers in our own vernaculars before the end of this year,” he said.
Publishers who attended the workshop praised TellZim News for taking the initiative to write stories in Shangani language to cater for the people of Mwenezi during the Mwenezi East by-election campaign in April this year.
Midlands State University (MSU) Media and Society lecturer Dr Zvenyika Mugari urged publishers to think outside the box.
“You need to be innovative and think outside the box. At the moment you need to see how best you can promote your sales in this cashless society,” said Dr Mugari.
A staffer with ZMC, Academy Chinamhora reminded publishers of the obligations of the mass media services in Zimbabwe.local

Nyashanu High whiz kid scoops POTRAZ essay writing award

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Nyashanu High whiz kid scoops POTRAZ essay writing award
Cheril Chinomona

TellZim Reporter

BUHERA – Cheril Chinomona, a Form One pupil at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)-run Nyashanu High School has scooped this year’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulation Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) essay writing competition held for Manicaland province.
The pupil, whose essay was judged to be the best among thousands of other essays written by other high school pupils across the province, was presented with the award at a colourful ceremony held at the school in the presence of many dignitaries.
The number two and three in the essay writing competition came from Makumbe and Hill Crest High schools but the writers had to travel to Nyashanu High which won the right to host the event on account of producing the pupil who wrote the best essay.
The essay topic was ‘Imagine you are an advisor to the new UN Secretary-General, which world issue would you help him tackle first and how would you advise him to solve it?’
Nyashanu High School head Daniel Jeche praised Chinimona for her creativity and said the achievement had served to make the right portrayal of Nyashanu High as a school where brains are sharpened and whiz kids are produced.
He thanked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as well as the POTRAZ management for coming up with the initiative of incentivising excellence and promoting critical thinking among pupils through essay writing.
“As a school, we are grateful for this recognition. Special thanks goes to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which allows us to take part in this kind of initiatives and we also extend our gratitude to the POTRAZ management for committing resources to this cause,” said Jeche.
The school head also thanked RCZ for supporting the school and all the educational initiatives in which it is involved.
 “I would like to thank the RCZ for always giving us the green light to take part in events related to our core business of creating great minds through quality education,” Jeche said.education

‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’ launches new drama

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‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’ launches new drama
David Mubayiwa (4th from right) and Voice cast at the launch of the new drama in Masvingo

…says Vharazipi 4 not coming soon

TellZim Reporter

MASVINGO – The Ziya Arts Cultural Group, producers of the famous drama series, ‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’, were at the Chevron Hotel yesterday (Friday) where they launched a new drama called Voice.
The group also revealed that the popular Sabhuku Vharazipi series would not be continued any time soon because it was highly likely that the work would be heavily pirated if released without the necessary security measures in place.
Speaking at a press conference of the launch of Voice, Wellington Chindara, popularly known as Chairman, in the series, said Sabhuku Vharazipi 4 will not be on the market in the short run.
“We are not launching Vharazipi 4 soon. We have launched Voice and this is a way of trying to curb piracy. Some people have already began selling fake DVDs which they stitched up together and are now misrepresenting as Vharazipi four,” said Chindara
In Voice, the theme and setting is different as the new drama has an urban setting and a theme which revolves around areas of raising awareness on the plight of people living with disabilities.
In the drama, Voice, a disabled man, is in a relationship with a prominent businessman’s daughter but the girl’s family is not amused by the affair.
Murambatsvina the businessman, has learnt of the affair from his spoilt son Able, and he catches the two lovers on a picnic and goes on to harass them.
A fight ensues and Murambatsvina is rescued by the police but the tide turns against the lovers.
In the play, David Mubaiwa (Vharazipi) double casts as a police officer and as a stammering disabled liberation war survivor who mentors Voice on how best he can recite his poem.
Mbuya Mai John casts as Voice’s mother who stays in a squatter camp and is arrested during a police raid in the illegal settlement.
The production of the film was done in China and the team said they have original CDs with distinctive features that they say cannot be copied.local,entertainment

Parents stage two-week demo as head impregnates pupil

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Parents stage two-week demo as head impregnates pupil

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – A two weeks-long demonstration by parents has been held against Revuli Secondary School head Nyunguma Mandava whom they are accusing of impregnating a pupil at the school school.
Mandava, according to close sources, impregnated the pupil after an illicit love affair dating back many months.
Parents began staging demonstrations two weeks ago and some pupils are said to being joining the fray to express their outrage against the alleged misdeeds of the school head.
Parents from Manyama, Bhani and other surrounding villages are said to have gone to the school calling for Mandava’s dismissal from the school.
When contacted for comment, Mandava admitted that demonstrations had happened at the school but flatly refused to provide any comment, referring all questions to the District Education Office.
“Yes, but I cannot comment on the matter unless I am given permission by my superiors and I refer all questions to the district office,” said Mandava.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga yielded nothing by the time of going to press.local

Bikita man cheats death as he fights hyenas with bare hands

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Bikita man cheats death as he fights hyenas with bare hands

Felix Zunde

BIKITA – A brave man recently involved himself in a drama of Biblical Samson-style proportions and became a local model of a Thai warrior when he used his bare hands to fight a pack of vicious and hungry hyenas that swarmed his homestead in the night to attack his cattle.
Fellow villagers told TellZim News that George Mukonza responded to the call of duty after hearing the hyenas laughing all over his homestead.
The incident happened in Mukonza village under headman Chirorwe, whose mountainous area has seen many villagers suffering heavy losses to the rampaging nocturnal predators.
Though Mukonza has been discharged from Silveira Mission Hospital where he was rushed for treatment, TellZim News could not get in touch with him as he is said to be still recuperating and not ready to relate the incidence to the media just as yet.
Sources, however, said the hyenas attacked Mukonza after he disrupted their ravenous plans to feast on his livestock, the very wealthy on which livelihood depends.
“Mukonza found himself mobbed by a hungry pack of smiling canines. Neighbours and his two children Tatenda and Trymore rushed to the scene and found him on the ground bleeding but fighting fiercely. Had it not been for their timely intervention, the man could be history by now,” said a source.
The source said Mukonza escaped with a mauled hand and a bruised body after the hyenas scurried away as more people began to attack them.
Many people including the young are experiencing sleepless nights guarding their livestock against the marauding predators which are said to be escaping from Devuli Ranch.
The disgusting predators hibernate during day and start roaming during the night, attacking goats and cattle in the villages.
“In Magahane Mountain, they start laughing and roaming around Mupatausingazibwi as early as six o’clock in the evening. People have already put in place a curfew. In Gangare alone, Antony Jangano, an Agritex officer and Winnie Chauke, a farmer have lost nearly twenty cattle,” said another source.
No comment could immediately be obtained from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) by the time of going to press.top news

Press Release

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Press Release

William Shin, Ann Baek
press_gw@hwpl.kr

Reporters Advocate Freedom of Expression for Democracy

 “Consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.” – Quoted from Declaration of Windhoek

May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek drafted by African journalists in 1991 to develop the principle of the freedom of press. In this year the annual commemoration seeks “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” by UNESCO in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Freedom of Press and Social Development

Press freedom and the Social Progress Index
 ‘Press Freedom and Development’ by the Center for Peace and Human Security points out that freedom of the press and a good government are interrelated to each other and “promote the economy and development of the state.”

Suppression of the Press and Violation of
Journalists’ Rights

Amnesty International states that “Journalists in many African countries who cover the articles on corruption and violation against human rights are being threatened. This is the very reason why press freedom is rising to the surface.” The organisation further emphasised that the government should create an environment where a journalist can perform their duty without feeling threatened, pressurized or fear.

“Journalism is one of the professions that are most exposed to threats, and this is especially true for female journalists. This constitutes a threat not only to women and quality journalism but also to freedom of expression, equality and democracy,” says Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, greeting the World Press Freedom Day. She further added to her statement: “We need to work continuously on different levels to ensure that these issues are never forgotten or ignored.”

In Zimbabwe, journalists of Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe discussed “the approach towards information and basic freedom” on the World Press Freedom Day last year. Regarding the arrest of journalists from the Sunday Mail and NewsDay due to government restriction of information and a libel suit, a freelancer journalist participant Pindai Dube stated, “we even have government officials criticizing some of the media laws but nothing practical has been done.” Thabani Moyo, advocacy officer of the MISA-Zimbabwe also added, “A law exists, which restricts the joy of free media and information access.”

The international organisation to defend freedom of the press, RSF, and international human rights organisation Freedom House, uncovered through a yearly report that the freedom of the press has declined globally.  Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

In contrast, Sweden, a country of the world’s first press freedom law in 1766, abolished censorship of publications so that citizens are free to read public documents and participate in political discussions. According to Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea, the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act played an important role in shaping the present welfare state that is Sweden, enabling free communication in an open society and national development through the critical inspection of the people.

Activities to Regain Freedom of Press

African countries and journalists have acknowledged the positive effects of freedom of the press, and are engaged in activities to secure it. The Right2Know Campaign which began in South Africa in 2010, has its roots in “release of information” and “freedom of expression,” and is raising its voice to strengthen and unite the rights of citizens to know.  MISA, the West African Journalists Association (with chapters in 16 countries) and the East African Journalists Association have been active as professional watchdog organizations for the freedom of the press as well as expression since the Windhoek Declaration.

International efforts for freedom of press in relation to democracy and peace in the globe have been underway. The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by international law experts and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)  under the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), advocates international cooperation for peacebuilding at local, national and international levels.  With its peace initiatives in international law for peace and advocacy campaigns in international organizations, the DPCW addresses the need to establish a global order based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, ethnic/religious freedom, and spreading a culture of peace. To achieve this, HWPL’s annual peace summit discusses plans of actions with 1,000 global leaders and experts from politics, academia, law, media, religion, women and youth. In the summit this year, journalists and reporters around the world will discuss at the “Forum for Global Peace Media Network – Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative”.

The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem, who participated in the Media Forum held last year, said, “It’s the first time for Syria to work with this kind of peace organization. I really hope to deliver true peace to the people of Syria.” According to RSF statistics, Syria is a country whose press freedom index ranks 177th out of 180 countries; resolution of press suppression and the guarantee of freedom of expression of the press is urgently needed.


 The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem ‘s Interview at the Media Forum
of the 2nd Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit

ZLHR fights Chikomba RDC for land theft

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ZLHR fights Chikomba RDC for land theft


Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has intervened in a case involving the unlawful seizure of private land by Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) from five Chivhu residents.
Five Ferreraton Commonage residents, with help from Chivhu Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (CHRRA) took up their case with ZLHR after the RDC seized their agricultural land and earmarked it for Chivhu local development plan.
In April, the RDC tried to justify the seizure saying it could not allow the land to be used for A1 farming activities when it could be incorporated into the small town’s expansion programme.
The residents said they have title deeds for the land in Ferreraton Commonage, Swaartfontein Farm, which they claim has been theirs since 1983.
ZLHR has now written to the RDC requesting explanation on council exercise of reallocating the land at the farm.
“The change of use and reallocation of our clients’ land has induced a sense of shock in our clients as they were never informed of these developments, in violation of Section 68 of the constitution of Zimbabwe which gives every citizen the right to administrative justice,” reads part of the letter.
The rights lobby group also demands that Section 71 of the Constitution, which deals with citizens’ right to hold property, should be respected.
When contacted for comment, Chikomba RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Luckson Mutara said he was on sick leave and could not comment on issues that have to do with his office.
CHRRA chairperson Collen Zvarevashe said the association represents the people and was determined to stand for justice.
He also said CHRRA will always stand for the rights of the five residents whom it said should be allowed to take back possession of their land as they have title deeds for it.local

Carjacker caged for 10 years

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Carjacker caged for 10 years

Lawrence Mandava

MASVINGO – Tapiwa Manyuchi (23) was recently slapped with a 10 year jail sentence by Masvingo magistrate Dambudzo Malunga for stealing Nelson Chaurura’s car and cell phone.
This was after he was found guilty of contravening the law as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for stealing the car, a Toyota Noah Liteace (reg number ADH 0109 and the smartphone, a Nokia Android S8 Mini Kagoo.
Appearing for the State, Shamiso Masokovere told the court that on July 06, 2017 around 19: 00 hrs, Chaurura left his car parked behind his shop at Stand Number 8 Mushagashe business centre and forgot the keys on the shelf of the shop counter.
The complainant’s brother-in-law then took the car keys from the shop and went to the vehicle where he connected his phone on car charger and left the car unlocked and the key on the ignition.
Manyuchi, who was close by, noticed that the car was unsecured and gained entry using the passenger’s door and drove off towards Masvingo town.
Chaurura, with the company of his brother-in-law, got into another car and followed Manyuchi whom they found at Gokomere Mission where he was picking up passengers.
Manyuchi, however, managed to escape and drove off at a fast speed towards Masvingo town and they failed to catch up with him.
The theft victim reported the matter to Masvingo police and a docket was opened but the stolen car was later found parked at Sisk business centre its third registration number, certificate of insurance and licencing disk removed.
Police detectives later arrested the suspect at a house in Josiah Gondo Street in Mucheke A and the missing car documents were recovered in the suspect’s trousers.local

Leopards terrorise Mushawasha

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Leopards terrorise Mushawasha

Peter Chawapiwa

MASVINGO – Runaway leopards whose origins are still to be confirmed, are terrorising the Mushawasha east farming community where they are attacking both people and their livestock.
Nyasha Mushonga of Farm No 332 told TellZim News in an interview that it is believed the runaway leopard population exceeded 50 in number.
He said the most affected areas were Makoho, Nyadzamba, Masarasara and the neighbouring communal lands of Maziofa.
“So far, a number of farmers have lost their livestock to the marauding leopards. These include cattle, goats, and sheep. Affected farmers include Tadiwa Madhume, Partson Dhuve and Charles Mandebvu of Farm No’s 261, 300 and 301 respectively, he said.
Mushonga added that Seni Chidzingo, another farmer in the community, was recovering from wounds sustained after he was attacked by a leopard.
“Chidzingo set a trap after one of his cattle was killed by leopards. When he went to check on the trap he was attacked and had to be rescued by other farmers who were at a beer drink nearby.
“He nearly lost his hand and his palm was severely mauled. He is now recovering from the wounds at home,” Mushonga said.
Another community member John Mudzanire said the menace of the leopards had been reported to parks officials who were still to attend to the scene.
No comment was immediately available from Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks).local

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