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Non-combatant ‘war vets’ in fierce combat to join gravy train

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CHRISTOPHER MUTSVANGWA

Paida Mukono

CHIREDZI – Non-combatant ‘war veterans’ last week hailed President Robert Mugabe for making indications that he may soon take them aboard the patronage gravy train, as the frenzied jostling to put snouts in the feeding trough intensifies.
Addressing a meeting held last Saturday at Chitsanga Hall in Chiredzi, chairperson of the Non-Combatants Cadres Association (NCCA) Trycose Matirongo said his organisation was pleased that Mugabe had finally called to meet them.
He declared that the political game plan had changed in Zanu PF implying that unlike before, they were no longer substitutes in the Zanu PF patronage chess game as they were now next in line for their turn at the feeding trough.
“This is a match which used to be played with us as substitutes. We all are equal players of the team now so there is no way we cannot benefit. The President himself has said he will meet us,” Matirongo said.
“On behalf of the association, I would like to thank the President because he will meet us soon as non-combatants. We are going to benefit as all other war veterans have benefited.
“If the others did benefit from the land, we must also benefit because we are all the same. We fought for this country,” said Matirongo.
President Mugabe has recently moved to establish new alliances with former war collaborators as his fall-out with the Chris Mutsvangwa-led war veterans persists.
Hopes have since risen among the so-called collaborators that perks and privileges hitherto reserved for war veterans will soon be extended to them as well.
“We promise to stand with the party through good and bad times. We have never failed our president for he has done so many things and because he has promised to meet with us, we will keep on voting for him.
 “Even if we were to go to any other political party, we would never get what Zanu PF has promised us. It’s good we all stick as one just as we were it time of war because the party made us who we are today,” Matirongo said.news

Mapeza injured by violent Bosso fans

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Mapeza escorted by ZRP and FC Platinum bouncers (file pic)

Exsto Makunzva

ZVISHAVANE – Bulawayo football giants, Highlanders popularly known as Bosso’s fans will never learn if events of last week in Zvishavane are to go by.
FC Platinum’s coach, Norman Mapeza was hit by a missile thrown by a Bosso fan when he was celebrating his team’s second goal scored by Walter Musona.
Mapeza had to be stretchered from the pitch in order to get medical attention from FC Platinum’s medical team.
The match was stooped for about 27 minutes and resumed when Mapeza came back with his arm bandaged.
The violent Highlanders fans had come to the VIP stand to seek shelter after a heavy down pour and took advantage of getting closer to the FC Platinum technical team and threw missiles into the pitch after Musona dribbled past the Bosso defender and Arial Sibanda their goalie and tapped in the second goal into an empty net.
FC Platinum went on to win the match by 3 goals to nil, Charles Sibanda put the final nail on the Bosso coffin by firing a long range shot that gave the goalie no chance.
The first goal had come from the hard tucking defensive midfielder Jerald Takwara.
Speaking to TellZim News, FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo said Mapeza had fully recovered from the injuries, adding that such behaviour should not be condoned in football.news

Makamure back at MDC-T

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Mare

… Mare likely to follow suit

Tatenda Shunyai

MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) structures in Masvingo are reported to be in quandary with some of its bigwigs confirming that they have officially left the party and traced their steps back to their former political homes while others are distancing themselves from the Joice Mujuru led party to stand as independent candidates.
Former Gutu East legislator Ransome Makamure has already dumped ZimPF while former Chiredzi West legislator Moses Mare is said to be on the verge of re-joining the Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T).
Heya Shoko has also officially parted ways with the fledgling party and is now in the race to win back the Bikita West parliamentary as an independent candidate.
Shoko held the seat on an MDC-T ticket  between 2008 and 2013 before losing it to now incarcerated Munyaradzi Kereke.
Makamure confirmed his new move saying he is now officially back at MDC-T  as an ordinary party card carrying member.
“I have gone back to my actual home to finish what we started back in 1999. MDC-T is the only party that is ready to challenge the system and it has the genuine change agenda and it is change-oriented,” said Makamure.
Though not confirming his move to MDC-T, Mare, on the other hand, gave a strong hint that he may be missing life in his former party.
“I haven’t made that decision yet, but I will assess the situation closely and make a decision soon. Only time will tell if I will be leaving or not. There are a lot of problems and confusion in the People First and because of that, you cant rule out that I might re-trace my footsteps back to Tsvangirai.
“As for now I am still assessing the best move,” said Mare.
Mare who is believed to be an opinion leader in Chiredzi is said to be leading a group of seven others who might join him in going back to MDC-T.
ZimPF Masvingo Acting provincial spokesperson, Jeffreyson Chitando, criticised the ‘deserters’ as people who had never shown genuine commitment to the party.
“Makamure was never active in our party activities and he did not attend even our rallies. He only attended one rally and he was there to see Mai Mujuru. We wish him well with the MDC-T,” Chitando said.
On Shoko, he said he was not yet aware that the former MDC-T MP had abandoned ZimPF.
“I don’t even know that Shoko has left ZimPF, he never mentioned that to me,” said Chitando.
The development came four weeks after this newspaper published that almost all former MDC-T MPs were planning to dump ZimPF to rejoin Tsvangirai.
Information gathered by this publication indicate that there will be more problems after the Nomination Court announces candidates running for the Bikita by-election.
“You will see People First supporting an independent candidate in Bikita because Kudakwashe Gopo was imposed by Makova. There was no openness in choosing the candidate for Bikita by-election. We will never allow Makova to do whatever he wishes hence we will back the independent candidate … just wait and see how we are going to dump Gopo. There will be drama as we will join other opposition political parties in supporting an independent candidate,” said ZimPF official who preferred anonymity.news

ZYC shines at National Youth Service pass-out parade

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ZYC shines at National Youth Service pass-out parade

Isabel Ndlovu

Zvishavane – The Zvishavane Youth Council (ZYC) shone at the recently held National Youth Service Pass-out parade that was held at Dadaya Training Camp, surprising many people by their remarkable works of art.
The youths exhibited their art gallery products during the event and people began to marvel after noticing that there was enormous talent in the small town of Zvishavane.
The art gallery’s co-ordinator, Clifford Mugiya took the youth minister Patrick Zhuwao and his delegates through item by item explaining the pieces of art on exhibition.
The minister was impressed that he assigned his principal director to shoot photos and get details of the youth council. The delegates were also impressed by the work of ZYC and promised to assist the youth wherever possible.
ZYC facilitator, Bigboy Murenga expressed gratitude to the minister for seeing value in their work and also applauded the youth for their commitment to the programmes of the youth centre and the art gallery.
“It is such a blessing to work with the youths that are here. They are committed to ZYC programmes and they work under minimum supervision but produce good results. I am happy that the minister appreciated our art,” said Murenga.
The pass out parade was for 322 youth service cadres from all 10 provinces in the country.news

World Vision starts projects to boost food security in Mberengwa

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Davison Marenga

ZVISHAVANE – In a bid to mitigate the effects of the El Nino-induced drought in Mberengwa, World Vision Zimbabwe is embarking on various projects that will lead to improved food security in the districts.
World Vision is set to donate small grains that can survive with below average rainfall and very hot weather conditions as those found in Mberengwa.
The global aid and development organisation is also implementing a programme for she goat-rearing as well as improving the areas’ irrigation capacity.
World Vision Area Development Programmes Manager, Gilbert Mushanguri confirmed plans to donate small grain seed to various parts of Mberengwa.
“We are planning to give out four tons of sorghum and two tons of cowpeas to farmers under Chief Negove and Chief Ngungumbane in Mberengwa East and those under Chief Nyamondo in Mberengwa South,” said Mushanguri.
He said chiefs in those areas are also going to have their seeds for the zunde ramambo scheme.
World Vision has of late extended Tashinga Cooperative Garden in Negove and Vurasha Irrigation Scheme.
It has also donated 200 she goats to villagers in Ngungumbane to help villagers cope with the drought that is ravaging the country.news

Two Jerera ladies in shoplifting spree

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Shoplifters

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Two women were last week caught red handed trying to exit Chingwanga shop with two litres of cooking oil each in between their legs and a man was caught trying to exit the shop with 2 litres cooking oil, rice and sugar without paying for them.
The trio had come for the open market held in Jerera on the 17th day of every month but ended up being taken to the police for theft.
The two women were caught right at the shop’s exit point by Chingwanga shop staff who had been seen them stuffing the goodies between their legs and covering them with their big flared skirts.
The incident happened after they had earlier unsuccessfully tried to steal from the same shop and others in Jerera.
Earlier this year, the women allegedly tried to steal a pack of Dettol in the same shop, a situation which caused them to be closely monitored when they returned.
Shortly after the incident, an unidentified man tried to walk out of the shop with a 2 litre bottle of cooking oil, 5kgs rice and 2kgs of sugar.
His movements were also monitored and when he was confronted at the check-out point he confirmed his intention to shoplift the goods.
They were later whisked away to the police base in Jerera and were later taken to Zaka police station.
Jerera residents said the two women had earlier been caught in Bheura shop using the same tactics to steal baked beans.news

Mphame pledges borehole for Bilashava

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Cuthbert Mphame

Jubilee Mahlamvana

ZVISHAVANE – The chairperson and principal of Bert Properties, Cuthbert Mphame has promised to drill a borehole to the long suffering Bilashava primary school in Zvishavane before end of this year.
Bert Properties is a leading residential stand and property development company in Zvishavane.
Speaking at a price giving and early childhood development (ECD) graduation ceremony last week where he was the guest of honour, Mphame promised to end the perennial water woes at the school.
“I have heard your continuous cries for water at this school. I will therefore drill a borehole for you before the end of this year,” Mphame said.
Bilashava Primary School was founded in 1927 and has struggled with inadequate resources ever since.
Water problems have forced staff members at the school to travel to Zvishavane town, a distance of 13 kilometres, just to fetch water.
The pledge by Mphame was therefore met with joy by parents and all members of staff who expressed hope that the water problems could soon be a thing of the past.
District inspector for Public Works Commission, Aleck Mdhumo was also present at the prize giving ceremony and he witnessed the Mphame’s promise.
Mphame, however, refuted speculations that he aspires to be the Zvishavane-Ngezi constituency legislator in 2018.
He said his organisation’s works of charity were simply an exercise of corporate social responsibility to the Siboza community, and not in any way a strategy to gain political mileage.
“There is no vacancy yet and as such, I cannot aspire for that which does not exist,” Mphame said.news

Pair defrauds MFS Group of US$25 600 worth of asbestos

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Peter Chawapiwa

MASVINGO – Two Chitungwiza men last week appeared in court facing charges of fraud arising from the theft of 30 tonnes of asbestos roofing destined for Major Family Savings (MFS) Group  branches in Masvingo.
Arnold Mutandwa (32) and Fidelis Sibanda Mamunde (33) both of 14365 Unit O, Seke, Chitungwiza, who were represented by Collen Maboke of Ruvengo, Maboke and Company Legal Practitioners, appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Victor Mohammed.
Appearing for the State, James Murambiza told the court that the accused persons, in the company of their accomplices, Ferdinand Pikirai and Ngarunde Tapfumanei connived and diverted a 30-tonne truck loaded with asbestos sheets from Turnall Holdings in Bulawayo and took it to Harare.
The asbestos sheets were destined for MFS Group branches at Nyika and Jerera.
The accused persons allegedly took the truck to an open space near Coca Cola in Graniteside where they offloaded the asbestos sheets and proceeded to sell them.  The total value of the asbestos sheets was pegged at US$25 624. 75 and nothing was recovered.
It is said that Mutandwa later sold a Nokia 306 handset which he had allegedly used during the commission of the offence to Matanga Dambwa from whom it was recovered.
The accused persons later led police details to their accomplice, Tapfumanei, who is the proprietor of Kyle Hardware in Chitungwiza.
The pair was remanded to December 2, 2016 after being granted bail to the sum of US$100 each.
The State had originally opposed bail arguing that the accused persons were a flight risk as they had committed a similar offence before, and was also afraid that the pair may interfere with State witnesses.
The court heard that the accused persons have a previous case whereby they allegedly diverted a 30-tonne truck of timber from Wattle Company.
 A docket against them was opened at Penhalonga Police Station and the matter is still to be finalised.news

RCZ Masvingo to host revival

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Masvingo Congregation Reverend Emison Mukucha and wife

Tatenda Shunyai

MASVINGO – Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Masvingo is set to host a revival this week from November 24 – 27, 2016 at the church’s RCZ Hillside assembly.
The revival will run under the theme “Simuka udye kuti urege kukundwa nerwendo” a theme that was derived from 1st Kings 18.
The revival is inter-denominational and is meant to help Christians to firmly root their faith in God through teachings from the Bible.
The conference is also aimed at bringing new converts so as to add the new believers to the RCZ flock.
Masvingo Congregation pastor Reverend Emison Mukucha said all people are welcome to attend the revival which he said will help uplift people and restore their faith in the glory of God.
“This is a revival that is different from other revivals that we have held before because it is all about strengthening each other as believers in the word of God and getting to know each other in the word.
“We therefore invite all to attend this important revival so that we all get to know the right way of the Lord as Christians,” said Mukucha.
He said lives will be transformed and hope will be restored through ministering the word of God and worshipping Him.news

No to child abuse: Jnr MP Kapishe

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File pic


Paida Mukono

CHIREDZI – Junior Member of Parliament for Chiredzi West Constituency, Shamiso Kapishe has urged students and teachers to shun any form of child abuse.
Kapishe made the call while addressing a gathering at an inter-primary speech, drama, and poetry competition which she organised at Chishamiso Community Hall last week.
Kapishe’s call comes in the wake of an increase of child abuse cases in the Lowveld.
 She urged students to report any form of abuse to their teachers and to Childline.
“Abuse is on the increase especially here in the Lowveld. I encourage you to fight the scourge by reporting to Childline and at any police station…there are many cases of child abuse which are being reported at the police stations,” said Kapishe
“Recently Childline held its Destination Unknown campaign which was held at the Chiredzi Christian College so as to educate the youth about their future and to fight against abuse,” she said.
Kapishe said the idea was to educate young people on their rights while at school and at home.
“Let’s help the youth to know their rights; blowing out another person’s light does not make yours brighter. Teachers must stand up for the good of their children so as to make a change in the fight against child abuse,” she said.
Kapishe also spoke strongly against drug and alcohol abuse saying those are recipes for self-destruction.
“I urge young people not to abuse drugs for they will lose direction. The youth have to spend their time studying. I would be very happy if school clubs are formed to teach children on issues of drug abuse and children abuse,” she said.news