04 Feb 2017 – CHIPINGE – Zanu PF Ward 26 councillor, Misheck Busa, who is also the Chipinge Rural District Council (RDC) vice chairperson, recently paid 12 herd of cattle, two goats and seven large containers of traditional beer to appease the avenging spirit (ngozi) of an opposition party member Philemon Nyamunda he allegedly murdered in the run-up to the 2005 parliamentary elections.
When contacted for comment, by this publication, Busa admitted that he had paid the fine as it was the right thing to do.
“Ndakabhadhara ndoga pasina andimanikidza. Ndezvechivanhu izvi. Ndakaona kuti ndikasadaro zvingozondinetsa mangwana (I paid out of my own free will. This is a matter of tradition. I realised that I would have more problems in the future if I had not paid),” said Busa.
The late Philemon Nyamunda’s relatives said Busa’s family had been tormented by the avenging spirit for many years.
Isaiah Nyamunda, who is brother to the deceased, said the vengeful spirit also ordered Busa to demonstrate on a got how he carried out the murder.
He told TellZim News that in 2004, Busa together with his sons, Jairos (ex-soldier), Brighton and a group of more than 12 other Zanu PF youths assaulted Nyamunda and a certain Rambire, accusing them of supporting MDC.
The group was allegedly seen hanging the victims upside down while assaulting them.
The attack was allegedly carried out during the night at Busa’s shop in Matikwa village with Nyamunda and Rambire dying of their injuries the following morning.
A villager who is privy to the developments said Busa and his son later avoided arrest with the help of a powerful politician from the area but suspicions of ngozi began to rise when Busa’s brother died reportedly under mysterious circumstances.
The villager also said in 2013, 2014 and 2015 Busa’s other brothers died mysteriously together with his other sons who were in South Africa.
Busa is said to have approached village head, Lameck Matikwa, to help him settle the issue with the Nyamunda family, leading to the payment.news

04 Feb 2017 – Makurira Memorial Clinic has distanced itself from the renal section that is operating at its premises, saying the service has a different owner and is run separately from the private clinic.
In the wake of reports that a team of investigators from Masvingo General Hospital had discreetly visited the place to probe whether renal unit parts stolen from the general hospital had not found their way to the clinic, it emerged that the renal unit at Makurira clinic’s premises is in fact being run separately as Agape Renal Care.
In a letter to TellZim News this week, Makurira Clinic’s attorneys, Chakabuda Foroma Law Chambers said their client had nothing to do with the renal dialysis unit operating at their premises.
“In particular, our client advises that, it does not own a renal unit and has never built one in all its years of existence spanning over 20 years. We unreservedly advise that the, the Renal Dialysis Unit which is on our client’s premises is a separate and distinct legal entity operating as Agape Renal Care. It a tenant running a separate business from Makurira Memorial Clinic,” reads part of the letter.
TellZim News is however reliably informed that a four-men investigating team from Masvingo General Hospital comprising Michael Chirenje, Tafadzwa Chikombingo, Humphrey Chimedza and another man identified only as Makuze did visit the clinic for investigations.
Masvingo Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed that investigations on the missing parts were underway.
Mazula said more details concerning the issue were already emerging with suspects being called for questioning.
“Investigations are underway and suspects are being called for questioning, once everything is finalised, evidence will be presented in court,” said Assistant Inspector Mazula said.
She pleaded with members of the public to help the police do their work by making use of suggestion boxes.
Last week, this publication broke the story about the missing parts from a donated renal unit at Masvingo General Hospital. The story sparked anger among members of the public who felt that corrupt officials in the health sector were costing people’s lives.
The Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu said the matter was under investigation.news

03 Feb 2017 – CHIREDZI – Barely three months after being commissioned, the newly-tarred Lion Drive has been condemned and transport operators are pressuring council over shoddy work carried out by the contractor whose merit in civil engineering could not immediately be verified.
The road was tarred by a company identified as Clime Construction and was completed way behind schedule in late 2016 after months of unexplained delays.
Chiredzi Town Council chairperson, Francis Moyo said the road had been condemned because huge potholes had suddenly emerged mainly at the bridge that connects old and new rank bus terminuses.
Road transport operators in Chiredzi have vocally complained about the poor workmanship that was done with residents saying they suspect corruption was at play during the construction process.
It was the last road constructed in 2016 but it has quickly degenerated and it looks worse than those that have always been there.
Moyo said he had since informed Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), which administered the project, of the situation on the ground.
He said the council still owed Clime Construction some money but was no longer prepared to pay it.
“I have condemned Lion Drive because it was not done well as potholes have developed. I have since informed Zinara of the present situation and we are no longer going to pay Clime Construction of their balance because they are supposed to reconstruct it,” said Moyo.
However, Council Engineer, Wesley Kauma, who said he was out of town, seemed to contradict Moyo, saying a road cannot just be condemned because it had developed ‘two or three potholes’.
“I am not aware that the newly constructed road has developed potholes. I will pay a visit but we can’t just condemn it because it has developed two or three portholes,” said Kauma.news

03 Feb 2017 – CHIREDZI – For many years, government has turned a blind eye on the pathetic state of Chilonga Bridge despite its potentially vast economic significance as well as its critical importance to people of the area.
The low-lying bridge, which straddles the mighty Runde River at about 100 metres in length, has been left in a state of disrepair since independence and is easily flooded during the rainy season.
The derelict bridge provides a very short link between the town of Chiredzi with villagers in Chilonga, Malipati and Chikombedzi right up to Sango border post.
People living in these areas endure untold suffering every rainy season with relatives being washed away at the flooded bridge or in homemade boats as they try to cross the wide river.
Children who attend Chilonga School are also using the makeshift boats to cross the river
The coast of travelling shoots up when the river is flooded because transport operators will have to use longer winding routes like the Daramakanaka, Mupapa to Triangle road which is at least 80 km long.
During the just ended holidays, more than five people were reportedly swept away in the river and they have not been accounted for.
An Isuzu Truck was also swept away and the driver has not been found.
Chiredzi West Legislator, Callisto Gwanetsa, said he had a problem with the transport ministry which is dilly-dallying on the issue despite its urgency.
 “I and Isaac Matsilele (Chiredzi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer) visited the ministry and talked to one Munodawafa, and they came to tour the area but nothing has been done,” said Gwanetsa.
He also said he had trying to engage Tongaat Hullet and Malilangwe Trust to see if they can help.
If the bridge is upgraded and the 100 km stretch of road between Chiredzi and Sango border post is tarred, it would provide a shorter route to the sea thereby saving the country hundreds of millions of dollars that are spend yearly travelling to the ports Durban, Windhoek and Dar es Salaam that are hundreds of kilometres away.news

JERERA – Rumbidzai Chikwenhere, a devout Salvation Army (SA) member and wife to former ward 19 councillor, Milton Chikwenhere, has died.
The 53-year-old Salvation Army soldier died on January 25, 2017 at her homestead in Jerera and her death came as a shock as she did not have any record of poor health.
Mbuya Chikwenhere, popularly known as Mai Regi, collapsed as she carried out her daily domestic chores and was rushed to Msiso Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
She was buried at Chikwenhere homestead in Jerera on Saturday, January 28, 2017.
The Salvation Army leaders from as far as the Territorial headquarters, Divisional leaders and Officers from different places as well as Salvation Army soldiers gathered to pay last respects to one of their own who got promoted to glory.
One of her sons Tinos and his wife are Officers in The Salvation Army.
Her husband, Milton thanked all people who assisted in his grief and asked for prayers to comfort him and keep him strong.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me during these hard times and I also request prayers so that I will stay clear of the devil’s path.  I was shocked by the death of my wife because she had no history of illness,” said Chikwenhere.
Mbuya Chikwenhere was popular in the community and beyond because of her kindness and through her husband who held a number of leadership positions in the society including being a Ward 19 councillor for 20 years.
Milton was also a committee member of Jerera Business Executive, district chairperson for Red Cross, Heifer International and a district party chairperson for Zanu PF Chidzurira Area Ward 19.
Mbuya Chikwenhere is survived by her husband and four sons; Regis, Tinos, Morgan and Jairos and two grandchildren.news