ZAKA – Fidelis Gwanya, a village head under Chief Bota, has been caught in a corruption scheme of ‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’ proportions after he allegedly smuggled four of his children’s names on the beneficiary list of a food aid programme sponsored by CARE International.
Surpisingly, Gwanya was recently in the press attacking the programme, claiming that it was promoting laziness among the people by providing food handouts.
Gwanya is said to have ordered his subordinates to make sure that they put his sons Leonard, Ignatious, and Fidelis jnr, daughter Clara and sister Epfania on the beneficiary list.
Under normal circumstances, Leonard, Ignatius and Fidelis would not qualify to be on the list because they are employed as a teacher, police officer and agritex officer respectively.
The programme is targeted at destitute and vulnerable people with no sources of income including orphans and the elderly.
Sources said CARE officials were suspicious at first but could not act since villagers had nominated their names as deserving beneficiaries following the order by their village head.
A tip off from one Severino Chivasa resulted in CARE officials calling a meeting to discuss the issue in the presence of the District Administrator (DA) and the ward 19 councillor, Peter Imbayarwo.
After the meeting, CARE officials removed all the names of Gwanya’s relatives and set out to do a door to door audit of beneficiaries in the village.
Imbayarwo confirmed being called by CARE officials to settle the matter.
TellZim News is informed that Chivasa is now being victimised for exposing Gwanya and a village meeting has already been to convened punish him with his mother reportedly being threatened with banishment from the village.
Imbayarwo was later tasked to settle an alleged simmering grudge between Gwanya and Chivasa which was one of the reasons why Chivasa exposed Gwanya.
When asked why he had corruptly sneaked the names of his relatives onto the beneficiaries’ name list, Gwanya reportedly denied any wrongdoing, saying it was his children who put themselves on the list.news

Patricia Makubaro

ZVISHAVANE – Packs of marauding hyenas and jackals are causing sleepless nights to villagers in Mabasa under Chief Masunda in ward 8 with the vermin now roaming the area in broad daylight, posing a constant threat to people and livestock, it has been learnt.
Villagers who spoke to this publication expressed outrage that the parks and wildlife authorities had failed to act in the interests of villagers despite being notified of the problem on several occasions.
“We have lost livestock and the situation is now getting worse as those wild animals are becoming more daring. They roam our areas even during the day and they devour anything they come across.
“We are now being forced to cage our goats and chickens and constantly monitoring our cattle; our most valuable source of livelihood here,” said Ester Chikara, a villager in the area.
Other people also said they feared for their children as they are an easy target for hyenas which are known for being efficient at identifying easy prey.
In the cover of darkness, hyenas can also attack even adult people while jackals are known for preying on smaller domestic animals like goats and sheep.
“I am not happy with wildlife and parks department because they are not doing anything to solve our problems here. I lost two of my goats but we are told the law forbids the killing these hyenas.
“I wonder what is special about them. A goat means a lot for poor villagers who do not have any other source of income. Now the new school term has just begun and we are worried about the safety of our children,” said Beula Gavara.
The National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority could not be reached for comment but is notorious for poor responses and inept management of human/wildlife conflict.news

ZVISHAVANE – Tenants of mine houses in the Hospital Section of Maglas suburb have complained that they are being arbitrarily evicted from their homes in a short-notice relocation exercise being carried out by Shabani Mine to make way for the Midlands State University (MSU).
The residents say they were never notified of the relocation exercise in a reasonable period of time in accordance with the occupation contracts they signed with the mine.
After the closure of the mine, the houses were rented to ordinary residents after an agreement that they will be given a three months’ notice in case the mine wants them out.
The tenants are now angry and claiming that they are coming back home to find their household property thrown on to the streets and their doors locked. They say the mine is taking advantage of people with arrears in rentals to force everybody out.

“This is a clear violation of human rights and an abuse of authority. We are likely to see the growth of shanties around the town since many people have nowhere to go,” said one victim of the operation.
Community Service Office (CSO) clerk in Maglas suburb, Shamiso Gwenzi confirmed the relocation exercise but refuted allegations that the mine was conducting an arbitrary eviction exercise.
“We are carrying out a relocation exercise in the Hospital Section but we are not simply throwing out our tenants. Instead, we are relocating them to other areas to pave way for Midlands State University structures to be constructed there.
Those who still have rental arrears will however have to find accommodation for themselves because we won’t allocate them alternative accommodation,” said Gwenzi.
Councillor Itai Pasira of ward 9said she had been putting efforts in trying to negotiate with the mine on behalf of the residents so that they could get their three months notices prior to being moved out.
She also said she was trying to negotiate for tenants with outstanding rentals so that they can be given a chance to make a payment plan.
The spread of MSU to Zvishavane has been met with mixed feelings among residents with some saying the move was good for the economy of the town while others claim the university is muscling residents and small businesses out of buildings.news

Isabel Ndlovu

ZVISHAVANE – A village head under Chief Shiku last week approached the Zvishavane magistrate court seeking a peace order against his brothers whom he claimed were in the habit of accusing him of witchcraft.
Ruka Mudzingwa, who is the Mudzingwa village head, made an application for Lazarus Gavhu, Owen Gavhu and Learnmore Gavhu to be barred from giving him a hard time.
Magistrate Peter Madiba granted the peace order barring the respondents from visiting and communicating with the applicant in whatever way.
Mudzingwa had applied to have the respondents forbidden from abusing him in any way and he wanted the court to ban the respondents from communicating with him by whatever means.
The respondents, however, claimed that they had so far consulted nine prophets who all pointed to Mudzingwa being the one behind acts of witchcraft in the family. They claimed that Mudzingwa had a clay pot half-filled with blood and had the names of family members written in it.
They also alleged the complaint had a ‘missile’ which he used to kill people.
Mudzingwa said although prophets were consulted concerning the witchcraft allegations, he had chosen never to talk about that issue again or consult prophets over the same issue.
‘It is true that we consulted nine prophets but one of the prophets told us that he had removed everything related to witchcraft in my homestead. I therefore see no reason of consulting other prophets on something that was removed a long time ago,” said Mudzingwa.news

MASVINGO – Chicken Inn employees at Exor have approached the National Employment Council (NEC) seeking action against gross labour malpractices at the company including alleged acts of sexual misconduct by a senior manager at the eatery.
In a letter to the Complex Manager, Chicken Inn Exor Branch dated August 22, 2016, Fambai Mandeya, who is the Designated Agent for Catering at NEC Masvingo Regional Office, says on his visit to the food court on August 18, employees raised many grievances including sexual abuse, illegal deductions of salaries and understaffing.
The letter was also copied to Jemitiasi Chirevo, the Workers Committee chairperson and to Elliot Madzore, the Organising Secretary for the Zimbabwe Catering and Hotel Workers Union.
At the centre of the sexual misconduct allegation is Justice Rusike, a senior manager at the food outlet who is being accused of sending explicit sexual messages to Adolene Chipumuro, a junior employee who has since been fired after she allegedly spurned Rusike’s sexual advances.
Mandeya is now investigating some of the allegations with powers vested in him in terms of Section 63 and 93 of the Labour Act, Chapter 28.01 and Section 93(5) of the Labour Amendment Act No 5 of 2015.
“The above cited are allegations being raised against you. It is your right to proffer defence in line with the audi alteram partem rule. May we have a meeting to discuss the above listed as soon as possible.
“You are free to propose the date failure of which this office will have no choice but to fix the date on behalf of the parties,” the letter reads.
The letter also contains a long list of other grievances which include staff being forced to pay for losses incurred by the company including gross profit drops.
The employees also complain about being forced to sign leave forms when in actual fact, they will be reporting for duty and overtime not being paid.
Chicken Inn Human Resources manager, Misheck Muleya professed ignorance to sexual harassment allegations and promised to investigate the issue.
“We do not know of a sexual harassment case that has been reported to NEC, instead we have a case of alleged unfair dismissal for which the employee was dismissed for a clear case of theft after having been caught on CCTV stealing. Dismissed employee maybe making those allegations to tarnish the image of the manager as mere sour grapes,” Muleya wrote in an email to TellZim News.
When asked how far the investigations into the alleged abuses had gone, Mandeya said they had already had a meeting with Rusike and some issues were resolved.
“We did not discuss any sexual harassment issue because Adoline was dismissed from work and she was not called to the meeting. I suggest she report her case to police because NEC cannot deal with employees who are already fired,” Mandeya said.
Chipumuro vowed to take her matter to the police saying she is disappointed by the manner NEC and Chicken Inn had handled her case.
She alleged Muleya had failed to protect her and was working in cahoots with Rusike whom he allegedly tipped off when she forwarded the messages to him.
“I forwarded Rusike’s inappropriate messages to Muleya to get his support but to my surprise, he quickly went behind my back and tipped off Rusike. I was puzzled the following day when I received a written warning saying I was not doing my job well and I was stealing from the company. A few weeks later, I got dismissed from work after being falsely accused of eating food from the stock. I am the only one who was dismissed for the alleged offence although others were also involved,” said Chipumuro.
She expressed shock that NEC had already entered into a meeting with Rusike yet they failed to call the complainants to the meeting.
“I was not even called to the meeting with NEC thus denied a chance to list my grievances and present evidence. It’s so sad how these managers take advantage of poor and young women using money and office. I suspect the NEC person was bribed and they are even calling me a thief. Many women are being abused at Chicken Inn but they are scared to speak out and some are sleeping with Rusike to keep their jobs,” she added.news

Zaka – Villagers from Chivasa village under Chief Nhema’s area were stunned last week when a promiscuous 57-year-old woman was caught having sex with a 16-year-old boy who is her neighbour.
The matter is now being handled by the police.
The two (names supplied) were busted in broad daylight by the boy’s grandmother who had been suspecting the two of having an inappropriate relationship.

Upon realizing that they had been caught red handed, the boy tried to run away but was told to calm down by his old lover who told him not to worry about his grandmother.
TellZim News is reliably informed that the boy’s grandmother left the two alone but later spread the news to other villagers.
A close family member of the immoral granny said she was had begun moving around with a machete fearing being confronted by the boy’s grandmother.
“The boy’s grandmother reported the matter to village elders who then called the two women for a hearing,” said the villager.
Family members also believe that the affair started last year because the woman was usually seen around the boy’s place.
The boy was said to be deeply in love with the old woman and had reportedly fought with the sugar mummy’s other boyfriend in the past.
“We used to see —– (the woman’s name) entering the boy’s place but since the boy stays alone, we assumed she was simply checking on her neighbour,” said another villager.news

Zvishavane – A Mberengwa man appeared before Zvishavane magistrate for allegedly raping and impregnating his wife’s 15-year-old daughter.
Appearing before magistrate Shepherd Munjanja, the man (name supplied) pleaded guilty to allegations that he bedded his daughter twice her resulting in the girl’s pregnancy.
He was remanded to October 12, 2016 for continuation of trial.
It is the State’s case that on September 5, 2015, the accused took the victim into a nearby forest to fetch some thatching poles.
On their way back home, the respondent insisted that the poles were not enough and suggested that they add some more.
They then left the poles they had gathered, and went back into the forest.
The accused then reportedly dragged the complainant to a more secluded area, some few metres away from where they had left their poles and raped her once before threatening her with death if she revealed the matter to anyone.
On October 21, the same year the accused took the advantage of the absence of his wife who had gone for a church meeting and sneaked into the minor’s sleeping bedroom and raped her three times.
The matter came to light after the complaint fell pregnant and a report was made to the police leading to the accused’s arrest. Stanley Ncube appeared for the state.news

Itai Muzondo

Masvingo – Squabbles that are rocking political parties in Zimbabwe have not spared the Joyce Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First (Zim PF) party which is vying to demote political firebrand Dzikamai Mavhaire from his post as National Organiser.
The development comes amid internal fights emerging as party cadres jostle for influential positions. 
The internal fights saw the Masvingo leadership striping off Retired Colonel Claudious Makova of his chairmanship position allegedly at the instigation of Mavhaire but the move was reversed by the party leadership at national level.
Mavhaire and Makova have reportedly been feuding since the party’s Maungwa rally in May where Makova urged aging party members to only act as party advisers and leave posts for the young and energetic.
It was at this rally Mavhaire spilled the ‘Marujata’ rant against First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Makova argued that if Zim PF installs aging leaders, it will make no sense in fighting Mugabe (92) since they would be a replica of what they are fighting against.
This was interpreted as a dig at the 73-years-old Mavhaire who is eyeing the vice presidency position in the party.
Zim PF insiders told TellZim News that the ZimPF leadership is not happy with Mavhaire’s alleged attempts to propel his loyal supporters to all strategic position so that they would support his ambitions to be in the national executive.
“People are not happy with the fights. It is Mavhaire against Makova and vice versa over differences on how the party should be nurtured at provincial level. The fights are also part of the jostling for influence ahead of the anticipated national congress.
“Mavhaire seems to have made himself too many enemies after he tried to boot out Makova so that he could elevate Dr William Zivenge as provincial chairperson. The issue became tenser when he wrote a letter to President Mujuru asking the party to sustain the change they had been unprocedurally made. Plans are now there to dethrone him from his current post since leadership is of the belief that he is the root to all misunderstandings in the Masvingo structures,” said the source.
ZimPF national spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire dismissed any plots to demote Mavhaire but said Makova was still chairperson contrary to earlier pronouncements by Retired Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi that indeed Makova had been demoted.
“I do not know where you guys get these developments from. ZimPF is not making any changes now until the national congress. Only the people have a voice in the party and only if they speak on who should fill what post is when we can talk of changes. Even that Makova demotion, we never resolved on anything like that, he is still the Masvingo chairperson,” Mawarire said.
Mavhaire also distanced himself from the squabbles that have engulfed ZimPF and said he is too senior to be involved in petty issues.
“I know nothing about that. Those who try to drag me in those issues do so simply because they want a credible name for their lame issues to be heard. I am the national organiser and Makova is a provincial chair. Would it make any sense for me to be involved in squabbles with my juniors? I am after no one and I am simply doing the party’s business as any other devoted party member is doing.
“I think it would be better to ask people down there, the likes of Chirume, Mudavanhu, Makausi or Uyoyo of such issues. They might have a better picture of what is going on. I am amazed that some people are accusing me of trying to demote Makova because when that happened I was in Chinhoyi on party business. Ndezvekwavo kuzasi ikoko and I am not in any way involved,” Mavhaire said.news

Upenyu Chaota

MASVINGO – The Zanu PF Bikita West primaries which were conducted a fortnight ago have come under scrutiny from embittered Team Lacoste who are accusing the rival G40 faction of rigging the election in favour of their alleged proxy; Beauty Chabaya.
Chabaya, who entered the election as an underdog, stunned her opponents when she polled 1 423 votes ahead of her closest rival; Elias Musakwa who entered the race as a favourite.
Musakwa polled a paltry 540 votes leading to earlier speculation that he was planning to challenge the result though he seems to have eventually given up.
Chabaya’s win proved to be a bitter pill to swallow for members of Team Lacoste who are now fighting Chabaya and her suspected political benefactor, Jappy Joboon, with the aim of scuttling the endorsement of her victory by the party.
Jaboon, who is also the party’s political commissar at provincial level, is suspected to be a kingpin in the G40 faction.
Alleged Team Lacoste frontman and psychomotor minister, Josaya Hungwe is said to be fighting for the matter to be tabled at Friday’s Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting.
Some losing candidates, including Retired Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, have also petitioned Zanu PF over the outcome of the election, alleging gross irregularities in the contact of the polls.
Hungwe, however, kept hanging up the call when TellZim News reached out to him but well-placed sources said the fight to have the result nullified will be escalated in the PCC this Friday.
“We know the election was rigged, no doubt about it. Saying Chabaya won defies logic. She is a virtual unknown in the party. We fear losing the seat to the MDC in 2018 because Zanu PF supporters are disgruntled with the manner the election was held.
“We know that those guys are expert at rigging elections but letting a weak candidate carry the seat now means the seat will be donated to the opposition in 2018,” said the source, who is believed to harbour sympathies for Team Lacoste.
Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Amasa Nhenjana, who is believed to be fighting in the G40 corner with a deep dislike for Musakwa, rubbished allegations of wrongdoing in the primaries.
“I wonder why people always cry foul when results are presented to them. When you enter into any race, one of two things will happen – either you win or you lose. Losers should learn to face reality and support the winner for the benefit of the party.
“We cannot waste time fighting each other when we have an election to prepare for. The elections in Bikita West were held freely and fairly. Those who say they were rigged should accept reality and not let jealous or factional politics cloud their judgements,” said Nhenjana.
“We are aware of the plot to discredit the results by some members who could not stomach seeing their candidate lose. We will not lose sleep over that neither are we going to allow them to smuggle the matter into the PCC,” Nhenjana added.
TellZim News is also informed that the nascent Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party is fighting its own factional battles, with one faction said to be pushing for Kudakwashe Gopo to be fielded as a candidate, despite Heya Shoko being seen as a better option.news

Lloyd Shunje

Masvingo-born Highlanders star, Gabriel Nyoni has backed his Ductch gaffer Erol Akbay following a series of disappointments which saw the Bulawayo giants registering nine points in 10 Premier Soccer League (PSL) games.
Speaking to TellZim News, Nyoni, a proud product of Pamushana Academy and former Masvingo United player, said the whole club is behind the coach.
“It is just a passing period which we will soon get over, what is very important is that the morale in the club is very high and everyone is close and strongly behind the coach which makes our job easier”, said Nyoni.
In their last 10 games Highlanders were held to a goalless draw by Mutare City then suffered a one nil defeat against Caps United in both the first and the return match before settling for another draw against Triangle.
In the return matches Bosso lost six crucial points to Mutare City and Triangle before sharing spoils with city rivals Chicken Inn. They however lost to Kariba with a one nil margin.
Bosso recently picked form in their last two matches where they collected six points against Howmine and struggling boarder strikers.
Nyoni, who recently finished his Marketing honours degree at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), said he has no plans to leave the club when his contract expires in December this year and will strike a balance between football and career.
“I have no plans to leave my club. I have settled here playing for Bosso, but if any big opportunities comes my way; I will gladly open the door.
“I am pursuing my master’s degree next year and also continuing with football,” said Nyoni.sport