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AgriSeeds adopting hybrid seed

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AgriSeeds adopting hybrid seed

As AgriSeeds, we will this year spread further by exhibiting at the Masvingo Agricultural Show exhibition where we will be showcasing hybrid maize seeds ahead of this year’s farming season.
During this year’s Masvingo Agricultural Show, we will be focusing on marketing the newly available hybrid seed as we are moving from the traditional open pollinated varieties we have usually been offering.
Though the old Open Pollinated Varieties that consist of ZM 521, ZM401 and ZM 309 are still available on the market, AgriSeeds will unveil the advantages of four hybrid seeds which are given below:
ZAP 61 is an early maturing (120 – 135 days) white, hard grained, flinty hybrid that tends to double – cob. It is tolerant to maize streak virus, rust and cob rot with very good grey leaf spot tolerance making ZAP 61 very suitable for irrigation. Having good drought tolerance, ZAP 61 is widely adapted to all maize growing areas of the country – even areas of low fertility. Yeild potential is +10mt/ha.
ZAP 55 is an early maturing (120 – 132 days) hybrid with very white semi-flint grain. ZAP 55 has excellent adaptability to drought and low nitrogen levels (low fertility levels), along with good tolerance to leaf diseases where ZAP 55 can even be grown in parts of natural region 5. ZAP 55 has good grey leaf spot and maize streak virus tolerances, where this hybrid can be grown in both high and low rainfall areas where it can reach 9mt/ha.
R 201 is an early maturing (120 – 125 days) white dent hybrid which has excellent drought tolerance and flowering synchronization, making it highly suitable for dyer maize growing areas. R 201 tolerates the heat and drought stress of natural regions 4 and 5 well. Harvest reaches 9mt/ha.
R 215 is an early maturing (125 – 135 days) white dent hybrid that is higher yielding than R 201 in similar environments and harvests up to 7mt/ha. This hybrid should not be grown in areas of high humidity and heat.news

Care, Oxfam rehabilitate dip tanks in Gutu

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Care, Oxfam rehabilitate dip tanks in Gutu

Peter Chawapiwa

GUTU – Two non-governmental organisations, Care International and Oxfam have embarked on a programme to rehabilitate dip tanks in Gutu district, some of which had degenerated into ramshackle structures.
A veterinary department official said work had already started on some dip tanks in the Chiwara and Nyamandi areas of the district.
“At least three dip tanks have been rehabilitated but more work is yet to be done on other dip tanks. The organisations are assisting with roofing sheets, cement and timber products for the maintenance of the drying pens and other related infrastructure.
“The dip tank at Sote in the Nyamandi area is coming up next and will be rehabilitated with the assistance of the local community like what has been happening elsewhere,” the official said.
Members of dip tank committees and the local communities expressed gratitude for the work being done by the two organisations.
They commended the organisations for coming to their assistance at a time when they cannot maintain their own infrastructure due to the economic hardships that are being experienced across the country.
“We have been experiencing problems ensuring the regular dipping of livestock in the area due to the economic hardships. Unlike in the past, villagers have to folk out their own resources to procure the cattle dip but at times they fail to do that.
“The generous gesture by the two organisations will assist villagers to direct their efforts towards the actual dipping of livestock instead of the maintenance of the infrastructure,” said, Fidelis Mandishaya, a dip tank committee member at Sote.
He added that the maintenance of the dip tanks will go a long way in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in the area.news

Zanu PF pardons suspended Masvingo MPs

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Zanu PF pardons suspended Masvingo MPs

 …Kasukuwere says Mugabe fed with lies

Upenyu Chaota/ Kudzai Matava

Zanu PF National Political Commissar (PC), Saviour Kasukuwere last week pardoned four Masvingo Members of Parliament (MPs) who were suspended in 2014 over alleged links to Gamatox, a then Zanu PF faction led by then Vice President Joice Mujuru, saying President Robert Mugabe was lied to by the legislators’ detractors.
The four, Tongai Muzenda, Paul Chimedza, Callisto Gwanetsa and Danford Chiwa were suspended while some of their counterparts in Gamatox were expelled from Zanu PF on allegations of trying to unseat President Mugabe.
“We have lifted the suspensions we had imposed on the four comrades. A lot has been said about them prior to their suspensions but they have managed to stick with the party, showing their passion for Zanu PF.
“We have come to the realisation that people fed a lot of lies to the President and we are here to correct the mistakes we made. We want to work together so that we can win resoundingly again in 2018.
“Let us bury the hatchet and work together to rally people behind our President. There is a lot of ground to cover so the sooner we get started the better,” said Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere implored the pardoned MPs to work hard for the benefit of Zanu PF and not to be swayed by adversaries.
A relieved Chimedza thanked Kasukuwere for coming to Gutu and vowed to keep the party moving.
“I feel happy that the party has finally seen the light. We were never an enemy. A lot of lies were peddled against us but we remained true to Zanu PF and today we have been cleared of wrong doing.
“The national PC articulated the party’s position clearly that I have to work unhindered in my constituency. There has been a deliberate onslaught and massive misinformation against the Gutu South MP by mischief makers.
“All these lies have now been exposed to the chagrin of those who had invested heavily in them and were hoping to reap some dividends in 2018. To their dismay, their sinister plans have now been shattered.
“As the MP, it is now my task to reunite the people for a resounding Zanu PF victory in 2018, to work on the projects that had been disrupted by senseless power mongers and to deliver on the promises I made in 2013. I   started strong, I’m staying strong and I’m finishing very strong. I’m back with full force,” said Chimedza.
Chimedza had been suspended allegedly at the instigation of his political arch-nemesis and now provincial affairs minister, Shuvai Mahofa, who reportedly went on to bar him from completing an electrification project and a clinic project in ward 28.

Presidential Guard officer stumbles on wife’s HIV medication, assaults in-laws

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Presidential Guard officer stumbles on wife’s HIV medication, assaults in-laws

Memory Rasa

MPANDAWANA – A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, who serves in the elite Presidential Guard in Harare, was last week taken to court for allegedly assaulting his wife, mother in-law and father in-law after discovering that they had been keeping his wife’s HIV positive status a secret.
Nyasha Nzara is being charged for assaulting his wife, his father in law Mudzurwa Matare and his wife, malicious damage to property worth more than US$300 as well as making death threats to the family.
Appearing before Gutu magistrate Edwin Marecha, Nzara pleaded guilty to malicious damage to property but denied the assault charge saying the complainants fought him back therefore he had acted in self-defence.
It is the State’s case that on August 25, 2016, Nzara got furious after he discovered ARV tablets in his matrimonial house.
He then broke windows and doors of Matare’s shop at Bhasera business centre and went on to destroy stock.
The court heard that Nzara chased his in-laws with a screw driver, threatening to kill them after severely assaulting his pregnant wife.
Nzara first appeared in court on August 26 and came back on September 14 and was acquitted of the threats charge.
“I am the victim here. I don’t see the reason why these people reported me for assault. They have destroyed my life and they should be ashamed of themselves. They accepted my lobola knowing very well that their daughter was a carrier. She was secretly collecting her medication in Bhasera and keeping them at her father’s house.
“I am really hurt that I wasted my life and my future with a liar. I had hopes and dreams of living my life with a family, but not this. She even fell pregnant by me knowing very well that she was HIV positive. They have really tortured me. I threw stones and fought because I was devastated. After all, I did not assault them but we fought,” Nzara told the court.
Nzara had visited his wife in Bhasera but was shocked after stumbling upon ARVs in the house after almost two years of marriage to his wife.
Magistrate Marecha granted him US$100 bail and put the matter on defence trial to October 11, 2016.
Agatha Gabriel prosecuted.news

Council starts budget consultative meetings

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Council starts budget consultative meetings

TellZim reporter

MASVINGO – City of Masvingo has begun its annual budget consultative meetings to gather the views of residents ahead of the 2017 budget.
Speaking to TellZim News after the first consultative meeting for Wards 8, 9 and 10 held at the Civic Centre, City Treasurer, Thandiwe Dube encouraged people to come in their numbers as the meetings will direct the way revenue is used.
“There is a lot of apathy when it comes to people taking part in budget consultative meetings. As council, we urge people to come in numbers so that we plan together. That is very important as it gives room for people-driven development in our city.
“We have put announcements at schools, churches and other public places giving dates and encouraging residents to participate in these meetings. Our local councillors are also helping us to mobilise the people,” Dube said.
An official council communiqué in possession of TellZim News reveals that the Consultative Budgetary Meetings, that started on September 19, 2016, will continue to wards 5 and 6 at Building Brigade.
On September 21, 2016, the meetings will move to ward 1 and 2 at Mucheke Hall.
Ward 3 will have its own meeting on September 23, 2016 at Francis Aphiri Primary School while ward 4 will have its meeting on the same day at Runyararo Primary School.

Minors report rape to teacher after 10 months

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Minors report rape to teacher after 10 months

Elizabeth Demo

MASHAVA -Two young girls gathered courage and reported a case of rape to their teacher almost one year after the alleged offence was committed, TellZim News has learnt.
The rape allegedly occurred sometime in December 2015 when the accused, 19-year-old Obey Mafadzavana of Matayaya village under Chief Madzivire in Chivi, took advantage of the absence of his victims’ parents and raped them.
The victims are aged 11 and 13.
This was heard in the Mashava circuit magistrate court where Mafadzavana was facing rape charges as defined in Section in 65 (i) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Mafadzavana was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Bishard Chineka.
The magistrate remanded Mafadzavana to September 30, 2016 and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court within ten days.
Appearing for the state, Angeline Mujakachi told the court sometime in December 2015, Mafadzavana, who was employed as a domestic worker at the complainants’ homestead, was left at home with the minors.
The court heard that around 22:00 hours the accused went into the complainants’ bedroom, hauled them into his room, laid them on his bed, removed clothes and raped them once.
The State alleges that the accused later instructed the complainants to go back to their room and ordered them not to tell anyone of what had happened.
The complainants reported the matter to their teacher earlier this month leading to the arrest of Mafadzavana.
Last month, a Grade 7 pupil from Mucheke in Masvingo reported her rape ordeal by a cousin brother through a school essay after her own mother refused to believe her.news

Mugabe surrounded by thieves – Mahofa

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Mugabe surrounded by thieves – Mahofa


Brighton Chiseva 

ZAKA – The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa last week told the people who gathered at the official opening of Murerezi Bridge that the government was full of corrupt people and the President was surrounded by thieves who were only concerned with self-enrichment.
Addressing people while seated as has become usual due to ill health, Mahofa said God should open Mugabe’s eyes so that he could see the rot that surrounds him and how it is affecting the economy.
She accused the government of squandering money at the expense of worthy causes like supporting the District Development Fund (DDF) which can create jobs for rural Zanu PF supporters.
“Mugabe akakombwa nembavha! Dai Mwari avavhura maziso vaona mbava idzi adzibvisa dzese, (Mugabe is surrounded by thieves and God should open his eyes so that he can see). All the money being stolen should be channelled to DDF where there are real supporters of Zanu PF,” she said.
She pleaded with the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and policy makers to fund important government organs like DDF so that roads can be maintained for the benefit of Zanu PF supporters.
Leaders should put money where it will be put to good use. ZINARA should give a percentage to DDF annually because it is implementing ZimAsset in the rural areas,” Mahofa said.
She praised DDF saying there has been no case of corruption in the fund unlike in some ‘fake’ ministries which she accused of being overridden by corruption and looting.
Speaking in Bulawayo recently, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no ‘big fish’ will be arrested if there is no evidence although it is clear that no evidence will be gathered against high level corruption due to the Zanu PF patronage system.
Mahofa, however, attacked ‘sleeping’ MPs and urged voters to remove them and replace them with competent ones.
“Kana MP asina zvaakamboita zvaakambotidanirawo munzvimbo make, bvisai, (If there is nothing the MP can show to his name, remove him). Imi maMP mofanira kushanda, MP idhongii revanhu. (MPs must work hard, they are the people’s servants), but if you do nothing you will be removed,” she said.

She nevertheless described DDF Permanent Secretary, James Jonga and the Provincial Coordinator, Marasa Gutukunuwa as practical men who put their words into practice.
“Jonga is a man of his word, if he promises anything we are sure it will be done. Gutukunuwa is our doctor, he is the one who led the building of toilets in Zaka, and he is as hard working as his boss,” she said.
Zaka East legislator, Samson Mukanduri urged ZINARA to direct more money towards infrastructural projects in rural areas.news

Election threatens to split People First

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Election threatens to split People First

Itai Muzondo

MASVINGO – The Joyce Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First (Zim PF), which is less than a year old, is facing another dilemma with its Masvingo provincial leadership torn apart by disagreements over whether the party should contest in the Bikita West parliamentary by-election to replace Munyaradzi Kereke.
A faction reportedly led by Retired Colonel Claudius Makova has since nominated Kudakwashe Gopo as a candidate to contest in the by-election on a ZimPF ticket.
Another faction, which is allegedly rallying behind Dzikamai Mavhaire’s leadership, is however criticising the move saying time is not yet ripe for the party to participate in electoral processes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Gopo said it made no sense that a party is formed yet fails to take part in elections as if there are no eligible candidates.
“I don’t know why some of our colleagues want to deny us a chance to take part in elections. In my opinion, we have a great chance of winning this seat judging by the performance of the MDC-T performance in this constituency in the 2013 elections.
“How can we say we have formed a political party and yet fail to contest in elections? Wouldn’t it be like forming a football team, going for training but only to sit in the terraces during match time?” Gopo said.
“Lack of electoral reforms does not stop us from contesting. Pressure for reforms must be exerted as we fight the system from within. We also have an added advantage because the party’s first grassroots structures in the province were formed in this constituency so we have a lot of support,” he added.
If Zim PF contests in the by-election, it will be the fledgling party’s first time to take part in an election.
Zim PF Provincial spokesperson, Retired Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi, however, professed ignorance over the issue and said the idea to contest was reached against the will of all party members.
“What by-election? I am not aware of it because as a province, we did not agree to take part in the by-election. We are against contesting any election for now as agreed by all opposition parties under the National Electorate Reforms Agenda (NERA). I think you can get comment from Makova and company who bulldozed their way and made those arrangements,” Mbudzi said.
No opposition political party has won any by-election in the country since 2013, compelling opposition parties to boycott elections until government implements electoral reforms.
When asked for comment, political analyst, Vince Musewe criticised Zim PF for contradicting what they purportedly stand for.
“It doesn’t make any sense. They are simply contradicting themselves. If they take part in the by-election and win, what would they do next? Is this the only constituency they need? Would they have done justice to win only one seat and sacrifice everything else?” Musewe said.news

Tsiga, Musarava schools electrification project on cards

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Tsiga, Musarava schools electrification project on cards

…Community makes contributions, appeals SOS

Tatenda Shunyai

ZAKA – Musarava and Zibwowa communities are making immense financial contributions to enable the electrification of Tsiga Secondary and Musarava schools, the project they are hoping to be complete by year end.
An association, Tsiga and Musarava Development Association (TAMUDA) has since been established to spearhead the project with individuals from the community across the world making financial contributions towards the electrification of the schools.
The schools are in Zaka district and are 14km east of Jerera growth point.
TAMUDA chairperson, Kainos Chakweva, said the community has so far raised close to $5 000 and is targeting to raise $10 000 which is needed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to kick start the project.
Chakweva appealed to the community, former students and business community to chip in and assist towards the electrification of the schools, which he said the development will go a long way in improving the quality of education at Tsiga and Musarava.
“We coordinated sons and daughters of Musarava and Zibwowa communities and beyond, after realising that the quality of education at our schools was affected by a lack of resources. About 130 people heeded our call and the spirit of optimism permeating the members is amazing, to say the least. We, therefore, agreed to make contributions to electrify Tsiga and Musarava schools before the development project cascades down to other schools in the area. We have so far raised close to $5 000 and our target is to raise $10 000 to enable the project to kick off as soon as possible.
“We appeal to sons and daughters from Zaka and beyond who are dotted across the world, former students, businesses and the donor community to chip in and assist so that we can improve the quality of education in Zaka district,” said Chakweva.q
To ensure accountability and transparency, the association has opened a bank account where well-wishers can directly deposit the money and the bank statement transaction and balance are sent on a regular basis to all the contributors, the majority of whom are part of a WhatsApp group formed specifically for this development project.
Chakweva, who is based in California in the United States of America, is optimistic that the Association, with the help of other contributors, will raise the money for the much-needed electricity at the schools.
The Association has a 9-paged constitution that it uses to guide its operations.
“We accept donations both in cash and kind. We have decided to establish a constitution and open a bank account for this project and every contributor has access to the account balance. Our banking is online-enabled and we always avail the account balance and an updated list of contributions to all our members on a regular and or request basis. Management of our Association is based on consensus and where required, online polling (web-vote) is done to establish the feeling of the majority of members on certain decisions. We have also roped in the school heads in the committee as well as other community leaders. We want to assure everyone that their contributions will be channeled towards this project and will certainly be put to good use,” said Chakweva.
The electricity will be drawn from Tsovani Primary School which is about eight kilometers away.
For pledges and contributions;
Account name:
Tsiga and Musarava Development Association
FBC bank Limited- Masvingo Branch
Account number: 1055117 820112
Routing Number: 026002561
Branch Code: 014
Swift Code: FBCPZWHA

Mvuma coach eyes Swaziland Premier title Lloyd Shunje

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Mvuma coach eyes Swaziland Premier title Lloyd Shunje

MVUMA – The newly appointed coach for Swazi Premier Soccer League outfit Manzini Wanderers, Julius Chakupewa, is confident of getting silverware for his new club ahead of the new season which starts next week.
Chakupewa, who hails from Mvuma, is a former player for Masvingo United and Gutu Leopards, and is a licence holder of the Pro Coaching Course from Germany.
He signed a three-year contract in July with Manzini Wanderers coupled with a mandate of finishing in the top four and winning at least one cup.
Chakupewa has since added to his squad the duo of Frank Makarati and Tafadzwa Jaravani from Boarder Strikers.
Speaking to TellZim News, Chakupewa said he was ready to face the challenge in the Swaziland Premier Soccer League race.
“I am ready for the challenge. Currently I have set up a decent team which features Makarati and Jaravani ahead of the season which is about to start.
“As part of the preparations, we played in the Swaziland Telkom Charity Cup but unfortunately, we lost in the finals to current league holders, Royal Leopards. We also took part in the Castle Challenge Cup which we lost to Mbabane Highlanders in the semi-finals but now we aim to achieve better,” said Chakupewa.
Chakupewa started his football career in Mvuma playing in division 2 for Athens Mine and moved to Harare where he joined Hackney FC in 1996 before leaving the club for Morgenster Teachers College to train as a teacher.
He briefly featured for Masvingo United in 1999 and was later lured by Saul Chaminuka to join Guni United where he played together with Lloyd Hlala, the late Malonga Sithole, Ernest Kwangari and former Warriors player Zvenyika Makonese.
They however failed to progress to the PSL after the chance was snatched by Shabanie Mine by a single point.
Chakupewa’s career could not last long as expected after he picked a serious knee injury while playing for Gutu Leopards which forced him to put an end to his career as a player, marking the beginning of his coaching journey.
He started the coaching job in 2012 in Mvuma and successfully led the Nqobizita Mlilo Academy in Central Region Division 1 and later left for Germany where he attained a pro coaching course licence.
Together with former Una Una player Joe Kwangwari, they embarked on a football development project which identified 23 players who include Harare City’s Jerry Chipangura, Derwin Phiri of Triangle FC, Tafadzwa Chidewu and Ajax Cape Town player Thomas Chidewu.
He won the Bob 92 Cup and the Zimbabwe Academics Championships this year while leading the technical bench of Cornway College in Harare.

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