MASVINGO – War Veterans have gone into hibernation despite rising tension in the country and protests against their patron President Robert Mugabe saying they are yet to determine whether they should defend the nonagenarian or support protesters.
War Veterans played a significant role in squashing previous protests like the 2003 ‘Final Push’ but have now adopted a middle of the road approach as the nation revolts against ‘the revolution’.
The veterans’ spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya said ‘the revolution’ was under threat and they were consulting members as they do not want to intervene merely to help Mugabe.
“Right now our position is to just watch and let events unfold. If Mugabe needs us to help, he knows where to find us. The mere fact that he has not engaged us means he has not felt the heat yet,” he said.
“Our mandate is to defend the revolution when it comes under threat. We are the military wing of the revolution but with the events which happened of late, we cannot just catapult ourselves to Mugabe’s rescue. We are carrying out meetings with our structures at all levels so that we can all agree on the way forward,” said Mahiya.
He also said he could not pre-empt everything but more information will be availed after the meetings have been completed.
In Masvingo, war veterans are being unsettled by a faction which allegedly wants to create a splinter group within the war veterans’ structures.
Provincial war veterans’ chairperson, Tendeukai Chinooneka said there are meetings which are being held by some war veterans with a specific mandate to create a splinter group within the organisation.
“I was told that there was a meeting which was held on Sunday at Flamboyant Hotel by war veterans but I was not even notified. They want to create a splinter group within the organisation.
“I was told the people who chaired the meeting came from Harare,” said Chinooneka.news

Increase Gumbo

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi residents have applauded the town council for embarking on a budget consultation programme which will see the town’s budget being taken to residents, a first for a town which is known for opaque financial processes and allegations of corruption.
Poor service delivery and lack of accountability came to a hilt this year after revelations that some councillors owned dozens of residential stands in a town where thousands of people are on the waiting list.
Speaking during a consultative meeting held at the town council offices recently, Chiredzi Town Council Secretary, Charles Muchatukwa said they have chosen to take the budget to the people so as to gather as many views as possible on the concerns of the people.
“This year we are going to have as many budget consultation meetings as possible so that we can include everything in the 2017 budget. We have started early so that every resident can participate in the budget consultations,” said Muchatukwa.
United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHRRA) Secretary General, Bernard Dachi applauded council’s decision as a step forward but stressed the process must not merely be a formality but the views gathered be used to direct council policy.
“For years, we have been advising the council to follow laid down procedures from local government when crafting policy but they have been ignoring us. We thank God they have finally seen sense in what we have been saying all along,” Dachi said.
He however warned council against trying to use the exercise to lobby for support and hoodwink residents and impose its will, saying consultations must exactly be that: consultations.
One resident also told TellZim News that if properly implemented, the programme would be a good platform on which both council and residents will be able to make contributions that will improve service delivery and development.
“I am very grateful for what the council is doing. For a long time, they crafted their budgets on their own without consulting residents but they have now given us some power to identify issues which are affecting us,” the resident said.
The consultative meetings are already underway and residents are meeting with council officials at ward level.news

Increase Gumbo

CHIREDZI – Cross border charcoal merchants are destroying forests in the Lowveld as business opportunities are reportedly booming in neighbouring Mozambique, with the iconic Mopani tree now facing an unprecedented threat.
Livison Welani Phikelele, an operations and liaison officer at Masapasi Ranch in Save Valley, said people are making brisk business from charcoal which they produce by razing and burning down large numbers of the prized tree.
Phikelele told TellZim News that three trucks each with 150 bags of charcoal were recently caught on their way to Mozambique.
“We are worried because it seems people are making a brisk business of charcoal and destroying an important tree species in this region.  Even if you catch them, nothing much is done to punish them. They only made to pay a small fine and they are then allowed to take their charcoal and proceed with their journey,” said Phikelele.
He said at one time, his own team stopped a truck with 150 bags of charcoal but they were surprised to learn that the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) fined the owners of the truck a mere US$200 and the truck was released.
Though no comment could be obtained from EMA, it is understood the Forestry Commission is deeply worried and is set to visit Masapasi area where the charcoal production is done.
Members of the public have also raised alarm that if the level of deforestation in Chiredzi continues at the current pace, the district will become a desert in no time.
Selling firewood and charcoal is a source of livelihood for many families who ply their trade on roadsides in areas like Gwachara and around the whole district.
Pronouncements by some Chiredzi Rural District Council senior officials that they will take strong measures to stop the firewood business to fight rapid deforestation have for now remained empty talk.news

MASVINGO – A suspected armed robber, who was recently nabbed in connection with a hijacking incident in South Africa among other crimes, is demanding that he be tried in South Africa where he committed the offences.
Newton Hungwe (32) of Stand number 603 Nemanwa appeared at Masvingo Provincial Court where he pleaded guilty to car theft charges before Magistrate Langton Ndokera.
He however demanded that he be extradited to South Africa where the crimes were committed, saying Zimbabwe’s laws were unjust.
Magistrate Ndokera, however, placed Hungwe on routine remand with the next hearing scheduled for September 2, 2016.
It is the State’s case that on August 04, 2016, Hungwe robbed a man identified only as Mabaya of his Toyota D4D Legend, 2015 model (registration DKV 516 L) at gunpoint at an Engen garage in Makhado, South Africa.
The victim was left seriously injured and traumatised by the ordeal and was reportedly still admitted in hospital by time of writing.
The accused is alleged to have disposed of one tracker from the car but did not know that the car was equipped with two tracking devices.
After the robbery, Mabaya reported the matter to Makhado police who alerted the public through WhatsApp groups and encouraged users to forward the message to their other groups.
Masvingo CID then arrested Hungwe in Masvingo CBD with the help from a vehicle tracking company in South Africa.
The suspect had fraudulent vehicle documents; signed and certified affidavits from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The court heard that the accused was about to sell the car to one business woman for US$9000 but the woman become suspicious of the generous price.
The suspect then offered to sell her another 4×4 Nissan which was parked at his house in Nemamwa but she later gave a statement to the police after coming across the WhatsApp message notifying the public of the stolen car.
Nancy Makuvise represented the State.news

Proportional representation Member of Parliament (MP) representing the disabled, Nyamayavo Mashavakure has criticised self-styled prophets and pastors for exploiting the conditions of disabled people for their own fame.
Mashavakure was speaking at a Public Lecture hosted by the Reformed Church University (RCU) at Morgenster Teachers College last week.
The lecture was held under the theme ‘Disability and Christianity’ and was attended by RCU staff, students and members of the public.
Mashavakure said people living with disabilities experience psychological torture and harassment from Christians especially pastors and prophets who seek to make their names out of the disabled.
“In the Bible, all the unfortunate were disabled. The stigma and stereotype goes on in today’s Christian life. Whenever prophets or pastors preach or perform their miracles, they force the disabled to go forward and receive their healing. That becomes wrong when the ‘healing’ fails to materialise,” he said.
He urged all Christians and pastors to broadly read the bible correctly and understand it before lying and abusing people using God’s name.
“When God created the disabled, he had his own purpose. Who are you prophets to stand in God’s way and disturb that purpose? Moses was disabled and if God wanted, he could have healed him but instead he provided him with Aaron and later on Joshua for assistance. What you need to do is assisting the disabled and stop lying and abuse us for your own prestige,” added the senator.
“Blindness is permanent. No one can reverse that. Prophets who claim they healed blind people are lying. The people were partially blind. Now they lie to people that they can make blind people see. They are gaining followers by sinful ways.
“If those prophets were genuine, why do we have Jairos Jiri, Copota and Henry Murray? There are many people living with disabilities in those organisations. Why are they still disabled?
Mashavakure also questioned authorities’ concern for the welfare of the less privileged.
“Government’s commitment to disabled people is questionable; special classes – there are a variety of people; the mentally challenged, slow learners and disabled are all mixed in one class and they call it special class. Why is it so? There are only two MPs who are disabled in Parliament today but by law every local authority should have at least two representatives of the disabled who are also living with disabilities,” the senator said.
RCU Vice Chancellor, Wiseman Magwa also rebuked Christians who exploit the disability of others for their own selfish gain while disregarding the word of God and the feelings of the disabled.
“Disability is not inability; everyone should be given the right and chance to learn everything despite his/her appearance or disability. Whenever we see a disabled person, we always think they need material help. A lot of disabled people were made to fail interviews before they even sat for them. We see them as charity instead of human beings,” Prof Magwa said.news

CHIREDZI – The newly elected Zanu PF councilor for Chiredzi’s Ward Five, Blessing Mazinyani, was last week arrested for public drinking and was briefly detained at Chiredzi police station.
He was released after paying $10 fine.
Mazinyani was among several revellers who were rounded up by police after being found drinking at an unregistered beer outlet at Zava business centre.
Police raided the revellers last Thursday afternoon during their routine patrols and the youthful councillor was apprehended as he tried to escape from the scene when the police arrived.
Eyewitnesses said he tried to persuade the police to let him go citing his influence as ruling party councillor but the police would have none of it and was shoved into the back of a police vehicle and taken to the police station.news

MPANDAWANA – Residents of the new town of Mpandawana last week handed over a petition to council demanding that the new parking by-laws be shelved until proper consultations are made with members of the general public.
Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association (GURRA) chairman, Lloyd Mufudze, said they had collected in excess of 100 signatures which were handed over to Gutu Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Mtembwa.
“We now await the response from council but our query is that no consultations were done with members of the general public prior to the decision to copy Gokwe’s parking by-laws.
“We expect councillors, as representatives of the people, to consult with the electorate before voting on such important issues. In this regard, we have asked the council to shelve plans to adopt these by-laws until such consultation has been carried out,” said Mufudze.
Mufudze added that while the Gokwe parking by-laws were clear on applicable areas, the case was altogether different in Mpandawana.
“Gutu is a vast populous district and the council has jurisdiction over the whole district. It is not clear where these by-laws will be applied.
“If it had been the new Mpandawana Town Board, which to date remains a committee of council, which had made such recommendations then we would know that only the new town is affected. As it right now, there is ambiguity so the new by-laws could be seen to be targeted at all and sundry throughout the district,” he said.
Mufudze said that as a residents association they were not happy that the parent ministry which awarded Mpandawana town status has not yet gazetted the new status leaving the new Town Board at the mercy of the rural council.
“Some of the decisions which they make do not affect the general populace in Gutu but are specifically directed at Mpandawana residents. As such the Town Board should have the power to make decisions concerning the town without making reference to the council,” said Mufudze.
New Town Board Chairman, Councillor Gabriel Mapepa, said he still had to see the petition while Mtembwa could not be reached for comment on the issue.news

Tinomutenda Midzi

MASVINGO – Five people from Mashava last week appeared at the Masvingo Provincial Magistrates Court accused of thrice obstructing messengers of court who were executing their duties in December 2014.
Aron Tavonga Muvengwa (30), Edmond Chikukwa (35), Alex Mugova (35), Notwell Ruzengwe (58), Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira (41) and Tawanda Dube (40) were accused of obstructing Silvester Beji Ndebele and Joat Sibindi when they were doing their work.
Magistrate Mudzongachiso postponed the case to September 1, 2016
It is the State case that, on the December, 17 2014, Ndebele and Sibindi went to Mashava to execute an eviction order in respect of a civil court case number 1434/14 at house number 26 Westonlee, Mashava.
After noticing the developments, Muvengwa allegedly went to the scene and ordered the two messengers of court to stop the execution but they ignored him.
Muvengwa then became aggressive and started off-loading the already loaded truck and the eviction stopped.
On the December 19, 2014, the same team returned to Mashava to evict a Eunice Chitumba and as they were busy, Muvengwa, who was travelling in Chadzamira’s vehicle, demanded the evictions to stop and ordered the messengers of court to give him the keys they used to unlock the door.
Muvengwa allegedly went on to take the keys from one of the vehicles and handed them to Chitumba.
On December 23 of the same year, a different messenger of court was evicting one Ngwenyama in Mashava, when the accused allegedly parked a vehicle in such a way as to block the messenger of court’s truck in which some property had been loaded and demanded that the property be off-loaded.
The messenger of court sensed danger and left the mission before going to report to the matter to the police.
Murambiza James appeared for the State.news

Moses Ziyambi

MASVINGO – Pastor Patrick Mugadza of the Remnant Church has predicted drastic changes in the political and economic fortunes of the country, saying he foresees woe to some members of the government who are blamed for perpetuating the current crisis.
The outspoken Kariba-based clergyman, who shot to fame with his solo demonstration against President Robert Mugabe during the Zanu PF conference in December last year, has just completed his 40 days of prayer and fasting dubbed #Mugabe Must Fall.
“It was after the realisation that everything has to start in the Spirit and so we realised that the best way to see RG (Mugabe) standing down is by way of praying to God. We were so much assured in prayer that the prayer was answered and it was just a matter of time,” said the charismatic pastor.
He said he was foreseeing a major shake-up which will leave some senior officials in the country’s leadership in dire straits.
“I foresee a high profile resignation or dismissal with (Vice President Emmerson) Mnangagwa being one of the casualties. He will literally be a vendor by the roadside for survival,” Pastor Mugadza said.
He said during the 40 day campaign which began on July 1 and ended on August 9, God showed him a vision of women who were painstakingly driving cars over a seemingly insurmountable ascent.
“All of a sudden, I saw a horse-drawn carriage with a white man inside. I then saw the American flag and the horses were galloping but I wondered how horses could gallop and scale such steep terrain when cars were struggling. But suddenly I saw a sign written ‘Welcome to Zimbabwe’ and I then realised how close the end was,” said Pastor Mugadza.
On the numerous protests rocking the country, Pastor Mugadza said any form of political activism against the current government should be spontaneous and citizen-driven.
“The regime does not want to give in to pressure from rival political parties but they will be left with no choice if the whole thing is citizen-driven. Let all civic groups and hash tags come together. There is no problem with receiving external support as the regime would want us to believe.
“During the liberation struggle, they thrived on external support and just recently, Patrick Chinamasa was in London begging for support. We need all the support we can get because we want to dismantle the system because they do not have the capacity to deliver,” Pastor Mugadza said.
He criticised church leaders who hide behind the ‘all leaders are appointed by God and ‘we must pray for them’ bandwagon.
“The church is the voice for the voiceless, if she remains silent at this critical moment in time, she then makes herself a partner in crime,” he said.news