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EGPAF escalates fight against HIV

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EGPAF escalates fight against HIV


Moses Ziyambi

10 April 2017, MASVINGO – The Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric Aids Foundation (EGPAF)’s war on Aids in children was extended to Masvingo after the foundation partnered the Ministry of Health and Child Care to train nurses on new HIV testing guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Last week, EGPAF provided financial and technical support for a series of training workshops at Masvingo General Hospital where machinery capable of one-stop-shop CD4 count and viral load tests has been installed.
Nurses from the districts were trained on new Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) measures as well as on ways to fight opportunistic infections with the emphasis being retesting of pregnant mothers who would have tested positive for HIV.
“The idea is to verify the veracity of HIV test results so that when we say somebody is HIV positive, we are really sure that they are indeed positive before we put them on treatment,” said EGPAF’s Dr Tichaona Nyamundaya.
The improved algorithms for producing correct results require that there be two consecutive similar results for one to be classified as HIV positive.
“The emphasis lies on verifying results and putting people on treatment early regardless of one’s CD4 count. In the past, one would have to wait for visible symptoms to manifest before they could be put on anti-retroviral treatment but we have now moved from immune restoration to immune preservation because restoration can be very difficult,” said Dr Nyamundaya.
Provincial FCH TB/Aids Medical Officer, Dr Kudzai Masinire praised EGPAF for its commitment to the fight against paediatric Aids saying the efforts were in line with the country’s health aspirations.
“We recognise that the body of knowledge on HIV has continued to grow so we have to capacitate our health workers and acquaint them with the new guidelines through the help of our partners like Elizabeth Glaser. This complements government efforts to improve access to treatment,” said Dr Masinire.
The point of care viral load machinery is critical for monitoring patients and making sure that their viral load is durably suppressed. All tests can now be done locally and there is no longer need to send specimens to labs in Harare.health

Chivhu residents fight council over seized land

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Chivhu residents fight council over seized land

Elliot Jinjika

09 April 2017, CHIVHU – Six Chivhu residents have threatened to sue Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) after their land was allegedly appropriated for the purposes of expanding the town.
The residents said they have title deeds for the Ferreraton Commonage land that has been theirs since 1983.
The residents have since approached the Chivhu Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (CHRRA) to help them explore legal avenues against the RDC.
“We were shocked to notice that our land had been confiscated and given to other people without our knowledge, let alone our consent. That is our land but we were never consulted,” said Tucky Francis one of the residents.
Another resident said they wrote to council on the issue but the RDC made it clear it was unhappy that the land was given to A1 farmers, a process which it claims jeopardises its own land development plan.
“Be further advised that as council, we are equally frustrated by the settling of A1 farmers in the farm. This defeats the intentions of the LDP which was approved in June 2016,” reads part of council’s letter of reply to the aggrieved parties.
Chikomba RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Luckson Mutara referred the matter to the acting CEO who in turn referred the matter to the acting District Administrator (DA) Birriat Tasarira who confirmed the fracas but refused to comment further.
“We are aware of the matter but I cannot give full details because I am out of office and will be available on Thursday,” said Tasarira.
CHRRA chairperson Collen Zvarevashe said his organisation will see to it that council backs off private land.
“We condemn this gross infringement on people’s property rights. We are looking for the best legal support to make sure that what belongs to the people is restored to them,” said Zvarevashe.local

Man fined four chickens for adultery, hangs self

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Man fined four chickens for adultery, hangs self


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – There was shock at Headman Tavengwa court recently after a man who had been fined four chickens and US$10 for sleeping with a neighbour’s wife hanged himself in apparent protest against both conviction and sentence.
The body of Zvidzai Chuma of Tavengwa village under Chief Murove was found hanging on a tree close to the court in the early hours of last Sunday morning, a day after the court had found him guilty of the offense.
Though no police comment could be obtained, Chief Murove confirmed that Chuma was found hanging on a tree in a suspected suicide case not unrelated to the court verdict.
“Chuma died by hanging himself and we buried him last Monday. His adultery case had been handled by Headman Tavengwa,” said Chief Murove.
A source privy to the matter said when the case was being tried, a woman admitted that she was in an adulterous affair with Chuma and another man from the same village.
“Chuma was convicted for having an adulterous relationship with Philip Sithole’s wife who is also his neighbour. Chuma was co-accused and charged with another man from the same village,” said the source.local,topnews

Two master key thieves convicted

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Two master key thieves convicted


Elliot Jinjika

09 April 2017, CHIVHU – Two suspected thieves from Masvingo, Taurai Munatsi (19) and Brian Runesu (18) were last week arrested for using a master key to unlock a Mazda twin cab to steal a laptop and two cell phones while the owner of the car was shopping at Pick n Pay.
The two men, who are believed to have used the master key for a long time, went to Pick n Pay parking lot and burgled the vehicle before disappearing.
Upon returning, the owner discovered that his gadgets had been stolen and was informed by vendors that two men had been seen loitering around the car.
Some even confirmed that they opened the car leading to a police report being made with the Chivhu police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
After investigations, the two men were caught trying to board an Inter Africa bus that was heading to Masvingo.
Constable Mushangwe Bara of the Chivhu Neighbourhood watch and Detective Kurevazvavamwe identified the men and arrested them.
The gadgets were recovered and the two alleged thieves were waiting trial at Chivhu Magistrates Court by the time of writing.local

MDC-T members threaten ‘Bhora musango’ over primaries template

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MDC-T members threaten ‘Bhora musango’ over primaries template

Morgan Tsvangirai


Upenyu Chaota

09 April 2017, MASVINGO – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) could suffer the same fate that Zanu PF suffered in 2008 when some party members and supporters mounted a protest vote in response to the imposition of party candidates, TellZim News has learnt.
The MDC-T has released a ‘primaries template’ which gives senior party officials a smooth sail by barring juniors from contesting them in primary elections but the idea has been vehemently opposed by the grassroots which alleges a ‘Zanufication’ of the opposition party.
“We are a democratic party and we must act accordingly. How can they say senior officials will go unchallenged? What is the difference then between us and Zanu PF which is known for imposing candidates?” said one supporter.
Other active members and supporters also threatened to vote for Zanu PF or not vote at all should the template be adopted.
“Let the voice of the masses be heard. People have to prove themselves in the primaries regardless of the post they hold in the party or else we will all go along with Zanu PF.
“The decision by the National Council will destroy the party. Panoita voter apathy. We have suffered severely at the hands of Zanu PF so it’s surprising that we have our own leaders trying to undermine the very democracy we are fighting for by using a pen and paper to write whatever nonsense they want and hand it to their secretaries. What a nerve. Shame on their greed!” one irate member said.
Another party member said senior officials, if they are really worthy their salt, have nothing to fear from being competed by juniors.
 “Democracy should start internally and not when we are in government. The candidate selection process should be open for everyone to participate. If they are really senior, why are they afraid of competition? I thought they had learnt something from the 2013 Tsunga – Mutsekwa debacle in Mutare but they have not. We don’t want that template,” said the party member.
In Masvingo the template would benefit the likes of Takanayi Mureri who faces a strong challenge from Bonface Mazarire in his bid to represent the party in Masvingo Urban.
When contacted for comment MDC-T national spokesperson Obert Gutu tried to rubbish the existence of the maligned template saying it was just speculative talk.
“I will not dignify speculative talk because that is what it is. I will not discuss the issue because it will cause unnecessary commotion. There is no template yet and the responsible authorities are still debating the provisions. All our structures will be notified accordingly once a template is out,” said Gutu.politics
 

Masvingo Diocese holds Thanksgiving Mass for SBM missionaries

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Masvingo Diocese holds Thanksgiving Mass for SBM missionaries

Fr Greber


Theresa Takafuma

09 April 2017, MASVINGO – The Roman Catholic Masvingo Diocese on Saturday, April 1 held a Thanksgiving Mass for the Swiss Bethlehemic Missionaries (SBM) at Gokomere Mission.
The Mass, which was attended by parishioners from as far as Beitbridge, was to thank the at least 17 surviving SBM priests who have all retired and are now committed to Driefontein Mission.
Masvingo Diocese Spokesperson Vicar General Reverend Walter Nyatsanza expressed gratitude to the missionaries, saying the work they started back in 1938 under Father Alois Haene will continue to benefit the church and the nation at large.
“Father Alois Haene, who was the Prefect of Fort Victoria, started all this work back in 1938; preaching and converting locals to Christianity. With the help of these missionaries, he later realised that preaching alone was not enough and initiated the building of schools, then hospitals and later trade schools,” Fr Nyatsanza said.
“They then began enculturation, whereby vernacular songs (Nziyo DzeChivanhu) were introduced to the then Gwelo Diocese. Father Joseph Lenhelr composed the songs with the help of Steven Ponde at Serima Mission,” said Father Nyatsanza.
The enculturation faced resistance within the church with some leaders arguing that African Traditional Religion was being introduced into the church but the priest (Father Lenhelr) continued the work and saw the first ever Shona national choirs gathering being held at Gokomere in August 1962.
Father Nyatsanza said it is also these missionaries who introduced Diocesan priests and sisters, among other ministries in the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.
“It has been an honour working with these missionaries, especially with most of them having so much experience working in the communities,” Fr Nyatsanza said.
“We want to thank Bishop (Michael) Bhasera, the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and all our institutions for making this happen,” Fr Nyatsanza said.
Only three of missionaries, Father Julius Greber (78), Father Joseph Lenhelr (90) and Father Hugo Diesche (83) managed to attend the event, and were showered with gifts by all of Masvingo Diocese schools and institutions who graced the event.
Fr Greber, the leader of the surviving missionaries who was the last to retire in 2016 after serving at Nemamwa, said he was retiring a happy man after working with communities for a long time.
“I’m very happy to have worked with such nice and responsive people from various communities I have served in, which include Beitbridge, Silveira and Berejena Missions among others,” Fr Greber said.
“To the young priests, I just want to urge them to work among the people, with the people and for the people,” said Greber.
The Beitbridge Catholic Choir performed at the event, also presenting Father Greber with his life-size sculpture and several sheep.religion

Leonard Cheshire, Copota donate wheelchairs

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Leonard Cheshire, Copota donate wheelchairs

Little Tawananyasha gets a feel of his new wheelchair

Tatenda Shunyai

09 April 2017, BIKITA – Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) through Margareta Hugo (Copota) School for the blind and Jairos Jiri Association last week donated three wheelchairs to the disabled in Bikita under their initiative called Child Empowerment.
Those who benefited from the donation are Chido Munaye (16) from Pfumai village under Chief Budzi, Tawananyasha Chifamba (5) from Ticharwa Village under Chief Nerumedzo who suffers from Hydrocephalus and Princess Foroma (5) from Mapanga Village under Chief Mukanganwi.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Copota School head Simbarashe Manjere applauded the beneficiaries’ families for taking good care of the children.
“I am happy to see that these children are healthy and you are doing everything you can to take care of them. Now that we have brought the wheelchairs, we hope that it will somehow make their lives easier in terms of mobility,” he said.
Jairos Jiri Association representative in Bikita, Victor Chibaya also thanked LCDZ and Copota for their compassion for the disabled.
“I want to thank our partners LCDZ and Copota for remembering the disabled in the area of Bikita, we pray that they keep on supporting not only in this area but other areas in the country,” said Chibaya.
He encouraged people who live those with disabilities to be aware of their rights so that they do not become victims of such vices as sexual abuse.
The ceremony was also attended by other Copota staff and Jairos Jiri Association representatives.local

Soldier convicted for assaulting MDC-T supporter

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Soldier convicted for assaulting MDC-T supporter

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Resident Magistrate Constance Mtandwa recently slapped a soldier with the 5 Brigade in Kwekwe with a 30 day prison sentence or a US$100 fine for assaulting an opposition MDC-T activist on political grounds.
Hardlife Makuyana was convicted on his own plea of guilty after admitting that he had bashed Brighton Dzvova for wearing an MDC-T t-shirt.
Dzvova told the court that the act was in defence of his Commander-in-Chief President Robert Mugabe whom Dzvova had apparently insulted by wearing opposition party regalia.
It was also herd that the soldier had called the complaint a sell-out and promised to completely deal with him come 2018.
Magistrate Mtandwa, however, made it clear that nobody was allowed to put the law into their own hands as any perceived criminal acts must be reported to the police.
State papers indicated that on February 9, 2017 at Vhurumuku business centre, Tshovani Township, Makuyana assaulted Dzvova for wearing his MDC-T t-shirt. He also accused him of being a sell-out while pushing him by his neck and threatening to personally deal with him during the anticipated 2018 general elections.
Galdmore Gwara prosecuted.politics

Careful planning for BVR needed – ZESN

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Careful planning for BVR needed – ZESN

TellZim Reporter

The Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) has cautiously embraced the Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) saying although the arrangement has great potential to transform the electoral system; it requires careful planning, preparation, implementation as well as adequate financial and technical resources.
The electoral watchdog has compiled a BVR fact sheet which urges the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to provide adequate information regarding the implementation of the system to ensure that all stakeholders understand how the system will be implemented.
“ZEC would be required to continuously engage other stakeholders on the process to enhance confidence and trust in the process. The BVR should be backed up by regulations supported by a sound legal framework.
“There is need for an inclusive and comprehensive Voter Education to demystify some of the questions around the introduction of the new technology,” the fact sheet reads.
While noting that BVR improves the quality of the voter register by accurately capturing voters’ data, ZESN warns that dangers still remain if the system is not implemented in accordance with internationally accepted principles and standards.
“BVR is not a panacea to Zimbabwe’s Electoral problems. It must be complemented with other reforms to the administrative, legislative and political environment in which electoral processes are implemented,” it reads.
Government was roundly condemned recently after it attempted to take over administration of the system from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a move described as a plan to manipulate the system in the next elections.local

SMEs awards inspire Zvishavane entrepreneurs

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SMEs awards inspire Zvishavane entrepreneurs
Joseph Verenga with his award

Shumirai Zhou

09 April 2017, ZVISHAVANE – The provincial Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) awards, an accolade introduced in 2008 to recognise best performing small businesses, has motivated owners of SMEs to work harder and contribute to economic growth.
Joseph Verenga, a local entrepreneur named Rural Business Person of the Year at the provincial SMEs award gala dinner held in Gweru recently, said he had been inspired to be more innovative.
“I take the award as a recognition of my efforts to contribute to economic growth and job creation. I have made a significant my contribution to the economy and I am working to do more for the benefit of our people.
“The awards help not only to raise our business profiles but are critical for the realisation of cumulative economic benefits for the people of Zvishavane and all surrounding areas,” said Verenga.
Secretary General for SMEs in Zvishavane, Bigboy Murenga said the awards were meant to stimulate private business initiatives as a way of creating more economic opportunities in the Midlands.
“The awards act as a token of recognition for the efforts of our entrepreneurs under the current difficult economic situation. They also help to publicise market brands and stimulate business zeal,” said Murenga.
He said winners of the provincial awards will again compete at national level in Harare this September.local

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