MWENEZI – The decomposing body of a 41-year-old man, who had gone missing for some days under unclear circumstances, was last week found floating in Zvouturu Dam, barely two months after his relative was found dead under similar circumstances in another dam in the same area.
The body of Tanonoka Sitera of Zvirikure village under Chief Mawarire was discovered by passers-by and was laid to rest at his rural home.
Though no comment could be immediately obtained from the police, relatives of the deceased confirmed the incident and said they were not sure as to what exactly transpired to their relative.
“Although he usually had mentally challenges, he left home saying he was going to visit his sister who resides in Matibi area but after we had realised he didn’t get there, we began to search for him.
“His body was discovered later by passers-by. We are not sure as to what happened to him because he rarely visited the area where he was found floating in a dam,” said Richwell Sitera who is a relative to the deceased.
Chief Mawarire also confirmed the incident and told TellZim News that he had since advised the Sitera family to approach him if they want a letter to engage n’angas to investigate what might be the source of the problem.
Tanonoka was nephew to Clemency Sitera whose body was found by passers-by decomposing and floating in Pambe Dam in March after he had gone missing for almost two weeks.local
Body of missing Mwenezi man found in dam
Honde Valley man found dead, private parts removed
TellZim Reporter
MUTARE – An epileptic man from Honde Valley was recently found dead without private parts and flesh on the skull.
The man identified as Donemor Sanyoka (23) of Magadu village in Honde Valley went missing for some days and his body was found in a decomposing state.
Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident and said the matter is being treated as murder. Kakohwa added that investigations were in progress.
“We are investigating a case of a Honde Valley man who was found dead without his private parts and skin on the skull. We are treating it as a murder case.
“As police we are appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the culprits to report to any nearby police station.
“Sanyoka stayed alone and on the fateful day, it was reported that he left to take a bath at Nyamuchingura River at around 17: 00 hrs. He was last seen by a neighbour Vengesai Mutari,” Inspector Kakohwa said.
HE said Vengesai noticed that Sanyoka was missing after some days. He alerted the village Headman Themba Magadu and the whole village embarked on a search. They later found his body in a state of decomposing without private parts and skill on the skull. The case is being treated as murder and investigations are in progress.local
Mberengwa angry in-laws bury crops, burn house
A window of one of the burnt houses
Shumirai Zhou
MBERENGWA – Angry in-laws from Gaha in Mberengwa have allegedly destroyed crops and burnt down their ex father in-law’s house in a nasty divorce dispute.
Herbert Shumba of Madhume village in Mavorovondo area lost his house last week in an arson attack allegedly perpetrated by his son in-law who was angry with being dumped by his wife; Tarirai.
Midlands provincial police acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said she had not yet received the story but it is understood Tarirai had four children with her ex-husband but had had left him some years ago after he reportedly married another wife.
Sources also say her father accepted her back into his family even though her former husband’s family had not paid any lobola and helped her further her education to become a qualified school teacher.
The former in-laws, sources say, now want their wife and are doing all the things possible to be given her back.
“When Tarirai came back years ago, she had four children with the Nguluve family. His father took her back though the in-laws paid not even a penny. Her father upgraded her and sent her to school. Now she is a school teacher and they are doing all possible things to get her back,” said the source.
The Nguluve family, it is said, came for the first time and allegedly destroyed a maize field at night and threw the crops into a well.
On the second occasion, it is also said, they came and set fire on three buildings at the Shumba family homestead.
“On the first day, Shumba woke up early after hearing his granddaughter, Chiratidzo, shouting that one of the huts was on fire and he woke up. As they were busy putting out the fire, the garage which is a distance from the huts was also set on fire and a bedroom started burning,” another source said.
Shumba confirmed that his homestead was gutted by fire but could not deny or confirm that his ex in-laws were responsible.
“My house was set on fire twice it is very true. Honestly I never saw the people who did it; I just heard some of the people saying they saw people wearing masks. I don’t even suspect anyone or blame anyone as of now but people are just saying things,” he said.local
Zanu PF full of witches -Mahofa
…Jaboon slapped with 5-year suspension
…Shumba, other G40 minions under the radar
Jeppy Jaboon
Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO – Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo Shuvai Mahofa has sensionally claimed that Zanu PF is full of witches saying she only survived by grace of God after she was bewitched in the run up to the 2014 party’s national congress that was held in Victoria Falls.
Addressing the Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee on Sunday, Mahofa said the witches in Zanu PF tried, but in vain, to kill her.
“Muno (Zanu PF) makazara varoyi. Makandiroya muviri nemakumbo asi uruzvi hwangu hwuchikushanda. Munoziva zvamakandiita as nhasi ndiripano (There are a lot of witches here; you bewitched me but I thank God my brain remain functional; here I am and still going). I am even more powerful than ever,” said Mahofa.
She also addressed the contentious factional fights in Zanu PF saying now was the time for the party to unite.
“There are people who are saying the chairperson elections are null and void but my message to them is wake up and face reality. (Ezra)Chadzamira is now the chairperson and you better accept that or ship out.
“We do not want people with hidden agendas in our structures. They are bend on destroying the party from within and this has to stop because we will boot you out,” said Mahofa.
She did not mince her words in her attacks against perceived adversaries in the G40 camp, saying they will not have their way this time because she was now fit and will work side by side with Chadzamira to bring order and sanity to the province.
It was at the same meeting that the newly-elected Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair and alleged Team Lacoste frontman Chadzamira proved that he already had his foot right on the ground, sending cold shivers down the G40 spine with announcements of the swift suspension of provincial political commissar Jeppy Jaboon and the pursuit of investigations against Masvingo Urban legislator Daniel Shumba and his sympathisers who allegedly worked to derail the chairperson elections.
There was joy and jubilation at a Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held last Sunday at the showgrounds with Team Lacoste members bursting into song and dance, celebrating Chadzamira’s victory and sending a clear message of woe to G40.
Provincial vice chairperson for the ex-political detainees and restrictees identified as Cde Dika, however, killed the vibe after chanting the wrong slogan and was chased away from the PCC with angry youths who were manning the venue as security.
This was after chanted “Pasi negwara remusangano” at the meeting with many dignitaries including Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa.
Party provincial secretary Ailes Baloyi said Jaboon had been summoned for a hearing last Friday but had refused to come saying he did not recognise the disciplinary committee.
“We summoned Jaboon for a hearing on Friday last week and he said he was coming but never showed up. We then found him guilty as charged and we gave him a three year suspension and will not be allowed to hold any post during this period.
“He is a hard worker and when he is doing his job, you cannot help but just admire because he is just good. He has a weakness of going astray and claiming he knows it all which is why we have relieved him of his duties. We have not fired him from the party so he can still participate from the terraces,” said Baloyi.
“There are other members, among them Shumba, who are under investigation for trying to derail the chairmanship elections and a report will be compiled once the findings are available,” Baloyi said.
Adressing the same gathering, Chadzamira said he was now the substantive chairperson, calling for unity and harmony for the sake of development in the province.
“We want to work towards the development of our province and avoid fighting amongst ourselves. The problem is that people come from other provinces to create divisions here while they have peace where they come from,” said Chadzamira.politics
We are honouring fake heroes: Chiwenga
From right…Major General Trust Mugoba discussing with Brigadier General Grey Mashava (centre) who is brother to the deceased and Brigadier General Tshuma
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, General Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga last week sent messages of condolences to the family of the late Headman Gezani, born Amos Chauke, saying if it were up to ZDF, the headman would have been declared a national hero.
Gen Chiwenga was represented at the funeral by Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief of Staff, Major-General Trust Mugoba who spoke with reference to the role reportedly played by Headman Gezani during the liberation struggle when his father was brutalised by Rhodesian security forces.
“I have been sent here by the Defence Forces Commander General Chiwenga……he failed to attend this burial because he was committed at the burial of Godfrey Chidyausiku at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
“General Chiwenga is saddened by the headman’s death because that’s where he was kept during the Chimurenga time. We usually honour fake heroes, those who don’t even deserve the honour while leaving those who deserve.
“If we had power of declaration, we would have declared Headman Gezani a hero. I think the media will cascade this message,” Mjr Gen Mugoba said.
The observation confirms wide-spread views that the National Heroes Acre is a place of rest not only for genuine heroes but other dubious characters too.
It also dovetails with accusations that the national hero selection criteria, which is a prerogative of President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party, is biased and in need of democratisation as other deserving personalities were unjustly denied a chance to be interred there.
Recently, Rugare Gumbo and some war veterans were outraged by the denial of Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe of heroes status despite what they said was his sterling contribution during the liberation struggle and thereafter.
“I strongly believe that he (Mutambanengwe) deserves to be declared a hero. There are so many people who are there who do not deserve to be there and hopefully, future governemnts will exhume them and bury those who truly deserve that status,” Gumbo was this week quoted by a private daily as saying.
Chauke (79) died a natural death on the May 5, leaving three widows and 15 children. He was born in 1938 and was installed as substantive headman on October 26, 1998.
The burial was also attended by senior government officials including the District Administrator (DA) Ndeya Nyede who was the guest speaker.
Nyede encouraged the family to organise themselves and follow their lineage as they look ahead to appoint their next headman.
“I encourage the family to follow a clear and proper lineage as you have a mammoth task to choose your interim headman. It is not the DA’s duty to appoint the next leader, we only oversee the safety of our chiefs,” said Nyede.topnews
The Stallion Guest House now in Masvingo
Deputy Mayor James Chiwara cuts the ribbon to officially open The Stallion Guest House
TellZim News Reporter
Arbez Investments, known for their unrivalled quality accommodation services, have confidently announced their arrival in Masvingo by opening a state-of-the-art guest house to provide quality bed and breakfast services for executives.
Situated in Rhus Avenue in the leafy Rhodene suburb, The Stallion Guest House is set to up the game in overnight accommodation as well as function and conference services in the city.
The official launch of The Stallion Guest House on Saturday May 20, 2017 was graced by members of the business and tourism communities.
Speaking at the launch, Alex Mushonhiwa, who is the director of Arbez Investments, said their services were mainly targeted at executives, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) personnel coming to Masvingo as well as families who seek a comfortable night away from home.
“We started in 2014 in Chiredzi where we have now expanded to 13 rooms, and our guests suggested that we introduce a similar service in Masvingo,” Mushonhiwa said.
“Despite the tourism sector in the southern region being slow, our aim is to eventually grow into tour operations in order to serve our clients coming to the southern region,” Mushonhiwa said.
Speaking at the same event, City of Masvingo Deputy Mayor James Chiwara said The Stallion Guest House brings quality accommodation services which are needed by the city in its drive to attract visitors and investment.
“We appreciate this kind of development brought about by Arbez Investments. We initially had an argument as council over the location of the guest house but we were impressed that the company followed proper licensing channels.
“Let us encourage each other when it comes to business ideas like this one so that we improve our tourism sector,”Chiwara said.
The Stallion Guest House Masvingo branch manager Veronica Masaga said the organisation was open to ideas and suggestions which will help them improve their services.
The guest house offers bed and breakfast facilities, dinners and lunch on orders and it also boasts special facilities for parties, romantic dinners and conferences.business
Woman dies as Marange ‘prophet’ attempts cancer surgery
Moses Ziyambi
MASVINGO – A woman from Chivake Village B, Eastdale, in the resettlements of Serima along the Gutu – Chivhu road who was suffering from advance-stage cervical cancer reportedly died last week after a ‘prophet’ from her Johwani Marange Apostolic Church performed a grisly operation to remove her cancerous womb.
The incident happened last week and the woman is said to have succumbed to heavy bleeding after the botched operation and was buried on Wednesday
The woman, identified as Linah Mutonhori, is said to have visited the so-called healer identified as Gatore to get relief in accordance with church doctrine that forbids professional medical treatment.
Sources said Mutonhori had suffered from the ailment for many years but had never sought treatment at hospital.
Gatore is said to be a popular prophet in the area who has 10 wives whose large homestead is always through by terminally ill people seeking treatment and other people with various problems requiring spiritual deliverance.
Another source told TellZim News that after noticing that his patient was bleeding heavily and was surely going to die, Gatore ordered that Mutonhori be carried away back to her place.
“Many people were shocked that a man with no background whatsoever in medicine could perform a surgical procedure but nobody questioned it because the church does not believe in conventional medical practices. The matter was not even reported to the police as the family is said to have chosen to deal with it on their own,” the source said.local
Afr-I-CAN wants to demystify mental health problems
Ropa Muzari (centre) with colleagues
Samukelisiwe Ngwenyama
ZVISHAVANE – Society should accept that just as anybody can get medication and assistance for any health challenge without facing stigma, the same can also be done for people with mental illnesses, a newly-formed mental health lobby group has said.
Ropa Muzari, director of the Bindura-based Afr-I-CAN in me, says she wants to draw attention to the plight of people living with varying degrees of mental health challenges.
She says mental health issues have either received far less than enough attention in the past or have largely been neglected altogether.
Her organisation, which was formed in January, held a seminar in Bindura last weekend and offered counselling sessions and there are plans to take the work to other parts of the country.
“We want to see society being more tolerant to people with mental illnesses and we want our generation to have the best mental health conditions. We are out to stop the stigma and help people to learn to develop the same attitude for mental illnesses as they have for other kind of illnesses” said Muzari.
She said Afr-I-CAN in me was borne out of her own personal history of suffering with mental health issues from a time when she was still young.
As somebody who grew up with mental health problems, Muzari said she had noticed that it was difficult for sufferers to speak out due to the discrimination and stigma that society attaches to such cases.
She realised that some social problems like suicide and severe cases of mental illnesses were partly caused by unreported cases of mental health problems.
Afr-I-CAN in me, she says, comes with a determination to spread awareness through projects that conscientise communities through education.
The organisation has partnered SOS children’s village and its programme of action is receiving some help from Mayfair Lodges in Bindura as well as from Wonderlife Herb.health
GZU student shines at Zone 4 boxing games
Brandon Denes
Elvis Masvaure
MASVINGO – Brendon Denes, a 2:2 Political Administration student at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), recently raised the university’s flag high during zone 4 boxing games held in Angola, winning a gold medal after a 3:0 unanimous judges point decision against his opponent from South Africa.
Also known as Boyka in the boxing circles, Denes won his first match against a boxer from Namibia and met another one from Angola in the semis.
The boxer has a total of 11 gold medals from different tournaments held in such places as Bindura in 2010, Bulawayo in 2013 and in the 2014 Masvingo youth games.
He won another medal in February this year during his first international test match in Zambia and got another chance to represent Zimbabwe after beating Phillip Masarira of Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in Victoria Falls.
Denes told TellZim News that he started boxing at a very young age and was spotted by Charles Manyuchi doing open boxing at Chikwarakwara in Mucheke.
Manyuchi went on to mentor him before sending him for the 2010 Olympics in Bindura.
The gold medalist said he was facing challenges of funding and was asking well-wishers and GZU to help him get proper training equipment.
“I am facing funding challenges and I mostly rely on my mother who gives me some of the little she gets from her business. I thank GZU for all it has done for me and I am very confident that I can do my university more pride if I get all the necessary support,” said Denes.
He also thanked Manyuchi, Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF), Ministry of Sport, the Student Representative Council (SRC) and his career coaches; Alexander Kwangwari, Ali Phiri, and Anderson Sibanda for supporting him.sport
I have no problem with Amidu, says Mapeza
Brett Amidu
Exsto Makunzva
ZVISHAVANE – FC Platinum manager Norman Mapeza has said he does not have any issues with former Dynamos talisman Brett Amidu after questions were raised against the way he was treated during the team’s game against Black Rhinos a Morris Depot recently.
The former Dynamos player was substituted after playing for only two minutes, leading to widespread suspicions that Mapeza was out to prove a point.
Amidu was introduced from the bench only to be substituted in no time, but social media and the football world went nuts about the decision which was interpreted proof that Mapeza was a talent killer.
Speaking at a press conference at Mandava Stadium last Thursday, Mapeza, however, said he had no sour relations with Amidu, adding that the decision was taken for tactical reasons.
“To be honest, I don’t have any issues with Brett. The good thing is he (Amidu) understands that. I substituted him for tactical reasons to avoid high long crosses which were done by our opponents. All the messages which are circulating on social media are fake. I have a good relationship with Amidu,” he said.
Mapeza also rubbished the claim that he has reduced Amidu to a mere bench warmer after he played only two Castle Larger Premiership games since his move from Dynamos this season.
“When Amidu came here, he was not guaranteed first team jersey. No one has a guarantee for that at this club. Players work hard every day to get that.
“Amidu is a very good player and also new to the club. He will suit into our philosophy very soon. I played in Europe, it took time for me to command a first team jersey as I had to adapt to the system of the team first,” Mapeza said.sport