By Tatiana Mhararira

A man from Midzi Village in Chief Mapanzure area died after being whipped for being suspected to have stolen a pot of sadza and chicken.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of Maxwell Manjonjo (42) on January 11, 2025 and urged members of the public to report all the suspected criminals.
“I confirm the death of Manjonjo of the above village and I urge citizens not to take law into their hands and punish suspected criminals but rather report to the Police,” said Inspector Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on January 11, 2025 around 0500hrs Makneme Chikutuva (41) and Takunda Gwitiva woke up and found that someone had unlawfully entered their kitchen the previous night.
They found that a three legged pot with sadza and chicken was stolen but there was a pair of male shoes in the hut.
While they were still wondering, Manjonjo arrived looking for his shoes and they assumed that he was the one who had stolen the sadza and chicken.
When Chikutuva and Gwitiva asked him about the sadza, Manjonjo became violent. The two accused became angry by Manjonjo’s actions and they took yoke ox straps and whipped the deceased, pushed him several times until he was bruised.
They later left him when he was weak and had difficulties in breathing. The two accused carried Manjonjo to Musingarabwi Business Centre where they dumped him.
After dumping him they called the police to report that they had arrested a thief and they directed the police to where they were.
At around 1130hrs Panganayi Manjonjo (37) who is brother to the deceased saw his brother lying unconscious and reported to the police.
The ZRP took Manjonjo who was vomiting and unable to walk to Mapanzure clinic where he was referred to Morgenster Hospital and he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Manjonjo’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for postmortem.
Chikutuva was arrested and Gwitiva is still on the run.

By Tatiana Mhararira

The Sciences department at Makumbe High in Buhera had the best results, as many learners from that department scooped better results, leading the way for other departments’ (Commercials and Arts) results in the recently released Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Advanced level results.
Science learners passed more than other departments, with 30 students recording eight or more points in the department.
Makumbe High school head Taurai Rusekeni said the sciences had better results than other departments.
“The majority of our learners did well in Sciences. Sciences and Commercials performed better than Arts, where they did not score quality results. If they had scored better results, we were going to have close to 29 or 30 points,” said Rusekeni.
The best performer was Tanaka Muzamayi, who scooped 19 points in Sciences, followed by Rachel Ndarukwa, who had 15 points in Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry. Some of the best performers were Vongai Mandichona, Ashton Vambe, and Modecai Jori. Rusekeni said the outstanding student was the head boy, who had three straight As and a B.
“Our best learner was Muzamayi, who scored 19 points with As in Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and a B in Physics.
“Muzamayi was our head boy who was well disciplined, hardworking, and led by example,” said Rusekeni.
Of the 58 learners, 35 girls passed with 10 points and above, compared to 23 boys of the same range.
Rusekeni said overall, girls performed better than boys.
“The girls performed far much better than boys, as one could see during the course of the year that the girls were going to score more points as they embarked on extended study, unlike boys who were pushed to extend their studies,” said Rusekeni.
The school recorded 58 learners with more than 10 points, and girls dominated the results as they passed more than boys. Ten learners scooped 15 points, and only one student had 15+ points.
The school recorded 100 percent in the following subjects: Literature in English, Shona, Geography, History, Family and Religious Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies, Economics, Crop Science, Physical Education, and Computer Science.
The best performing subject was Business Studies, with 20 As, followed by Mathematics with 17 As, and lastly Economics with 13 As.
Candidates sitting for two or more subjects had 100 percent, and those passing two or more subjects also recorded 100 percent.

By Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Despite recent rains, teachers at Mukwirimba Primary School in Zaka North are still struggling to get clean water, prompting them to contemplate a mass transfer as they drink rusty water, a situation that has persisted since TellZim News exposed the situation three months ago.
Teachers who spoke to TellZim News said they were drinking rusty water from the school borehole or, alternatively, using unprotected wells from the community despite promises from the local MP, council, and other stakeholders to address the situation.
Ward five councilor Livison Makwanye confirmed the situation and urged teachers to be a bit patient as plans were underway to address the situation.
“We are aware of the situation, and plans are underway to address their plight. We have a rig that is rotating in the district drilling boreholes and will soon be in our area. When it comes, we will prioritize the school, so I can assure them that soon they will have a solarized borehole,” said Makwanye.
Local MP Ophias Murambiwa echoed the same sentiments, saying the problem would be addressed soon, though he did not give timelines.
Teachers, however, said they were tired of the promises and were opting to transfer to other schools with better conditions.
“If transferring was instant, we would have all transferred because the water situation here is unbearable. The water is rusty, and if it stays in a white bucket overnight, the interior of the container changes to a yellowish color even if empty. So we imagine what is happening in our bowels,” said one teacher.
Another teacher said the situation was not only bad for the teachers but the learners as well, since they spend most of their time at the school.
“The learners are also at risk, especially the innocent infant level pupils. They don’t see any danger from the water, but I guess it has long-term effects. Imagine if the water can change the color of a plastic water bucket, what about kids?” said the teacher.
Several schools, not only in Zaka, are facing water challenges where teachers and learners are forced to drink unsafe water, and in some instances, they travel long distances to get clean water, thereby affecting learning time.

… As 23 learners attain 15 points and above

By Staff Reporter

Reformed Church in Zimbabwe-run Zimuto High School in Masvingo is maintaining its winning streak after posting impressive Advanced Level results in the ZIMSEC 2024 exams, with 23 learners attaining at least 15 points out of the 105 who sat for the exams.
The school deputy head, Brighton Makota, said he was impressed with the quality of results posted by the learners and thanked the entire staff as well as the responsible authority for providing support towards the attainment of such great results.
“I am excited with the level of hard work, dedication, and determination shown by our teachers and candidates to achieve these results. Not to be left out is the entire Zimuto High administration for maintaining discipline among pupils in order to realize this. The results improved a bit from last year’s.
“They now prioritize quality results going forward, and may they continue to do so in the future. My gratitude goes to the Responsible Authority (RCZ) for creating a conducive environment for us to achieve this milestone,” said Makota.
The school’s top performers notched 20 points each, and these are Eustina Muvoti, who had straight As in Mechanical Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Pure Mathematics; Tinevimbo Mungana, who had four As in Biology, Geography, Crop Science, and Sports Science and Technology; and Tafadzwa Makoni, who had four As in Mechanical Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Pure Mathematics.
Two learners scored 19 points, while two others had 16 points, and 16 learners got 15 points.
The school also had nine learners with 14 points, six with 13 points, 12 with 12 points, eight with 11, and 12 with 10 points.
The school recorded 100 percent pass rates in Literature in English, History, Literature in Shona, FRS, Mechanical Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Software Engineering, Sports Science, TTD, Crop Science, and Computer Science.
Last year, the school had eight learners with 15 points and above and 41 learners getting 12 points and above, and a 100 percent pass rate.
Not only is Zimuto High an academic powerhouse, but the school has also excelled in other co-curricular activities, with its debate team shining on international stages, raising the country’s flag high for the past few years.

By Virginia Njovo

In a remarkable display of academic excellence, Chibi High School has recorded yet another 100 percent pass rate in the Advanced Level 2024 Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) A Level results.
Chibi is one of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) schools which is doing exceptionally well in almost all educational facets, posting impressive results each year.
Twelve out of 18 subjects that were sat for scored a 100 percent pass rate, while the remainder ranged between 71 and 97 percent.
The school recorded a 100 percent pass rate mainly in sciences, namely Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Crop Science, which reflects its strengths in sciences.
Other subjects with a 100 percent pass rate are FRS, Economics, TTD, Literature in English, FTD, and Business Studies.
Chibi High School head Raymond Ndega expressed his happiness towards the staff who worked hard in keeping the pride of the school and the church.
“Leading the winning team makes me proud. I want to thank staff and students for all their efforts to maintain the shining of our school and the church,” said Ndega.
Chibi High usually ranks the best at both Ordinary and Advanced level in Chivi District and also dominates in sport.
The school has seen massive improvements in terms of infrastructural development and has since solarized the whole school, as well as investing in water harvesting equipment and infrastructure.

By Virginia Njovo

Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)’s Nyashanu High School in Buhera district recorded a 100 percent pass rate in the November 2024 ZIMSEC Examinations, with 17 learners scoring fifteen points, with two best pupils scoring 20 points, followed by two others with 19.
The top performers are Clide Mawire, who was studying Commercials, and Brian Mufowo, who was studying Sciences.
Of the 17 learners with 15 points, seven were studying Sciences, while Arts and Commercials had five 15 pointers each.
Heritage Studies, FRS, History, Geography, Shona, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Crop Science, Accounting, Economics, and Business recorded a 100 percent pass rate.
Speaking with TellZim News, Nyashanu school head Jackson Dunatuna expressed his gratitude for the results, which he said made them smile.
“I am pleased with the results, which reflect hard work from learners and the staff members. The results set us among the best, raising our flag and the responsible authority’s higher.
“I want to thank the responsible authority and the parents for the support they give us, and the results are a reflection of combined efforts from all the stakeholders,” said Dunatuna.
RCZ Education Secretary Dr. Witmos Mutumburanzou said he was thrilled with the performance of Nyashanu as it continues to maintain the relevance of the church in the education system.
The 2023 class also recorded a 100 percent pass rate with two 20 pointers as the best performers, while the majority scored 19 points and 13 points.
Nyashanu is also excelling in terms of infrastructural development and agriculture and is one of the best RCZ schools when it comes to agriculture, boasting a 3ha piece of land under irrigation.
The school recently solarized the entire school learning areas and student accommodation, as well as some of the staff quarters, making them to not rely on ZESA.

By Tatiana Mhararira

Gutu-based Alheit Chingombe II High School, run by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ), recorded a 93 percent pass rate in the recently released 2024 November session Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) results.
Sixty-five learners out of the 70 who registered for two or more subjects passed, making the overall pass rate 93 percent.
The school had 36 learners who scored 10 points and above, with Science learners topping the results, as 18 learners topped the range of 10 points and above. Commercials and Arts had six learners and 12, respectively.
The school recorded 100 percent in Economics, Shona Language, History, Family and Religious Studies, Animal Science, Computer Science, Biology, Business Entrepreneurship, Literature in English, Music, and Building and Communication Skills.
Alheit recently led the way in digitalization by launching the first smart classroom and recently purchased a bus, which will be delivered at the school before the end of February.
The school is also in the process of modernizing the whole institution and has completed the refurbishment of ablution facilities by tiling and connecting new water connections, as well as geysers for hot water.