TellZim Reporter
An accountant with Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) John Makese was last week arrested for allegedly receiving a $3 bribe from a vendor at an open market held at Jerera Growth Point recently.

 Makese was arrested by Zaka Central Investigations Department (CID) after a tip-off from disgruntled vendors who accused him of demanding bribes every month when they have the open market day at the growth point.
Zaka RDC chief executive officer David Majaura confirmed receiving reports about Makese’s arrest but declined to give further details saying the matter is still under investigations.
Eyewitnesses said Makese approached one of the vendors at the market under the watchful eye of the CIDs and demanded $5 operating fee. The vendor however, had no $5 and instead, produced $3 dollars which Makese allegedly collected and left without issuing a receipt.
 Police details then confronted him later and asked him why he had not issued a receipt to the vendor who gave him $3. Makese was immediately arrested.
Sources said Zaka RDC loses a lot of revenue during these open markets as many vendors evade paying the $5 tax by bribing the tax collectors.
Jerera open market is held every 17^th day of the month and vendors from as far as Harare, Bulawayo and Beitbridge troop to Jerera to sell their products, goods and services. Makese was expected to appear in court this week.

TellZim Reporter

Over 500 medium density residential stands are up for grabs at the Remainder of Junction Farm, Stellenbosch managing director Kudakwashe Musungwa Zvinavashe has said.

Kudakwashe Musungwa Zvinavashe

Junction Farm, which is located directly opposite Stop Over along the Masvingo-Great Zimbabwe road, recently got the nod from the relevant authorities to start developing the area.

Zvinavashe confirmed the development and said they expect to commence developing roads and servicing the stands as early as next month.

“We are now in the final stages and we expect to complete the paperwork by end of this month. We expect to start constructing the roads, laying sewer and water pipes in March and complete the work before year end. We also have stands for offices, churches, commercial operations, schools and clinics. Those who want to buy the stands should visit our offices and register their interest at Stellenbosch Investments who are the administrators of the Remainder of the Junction Farm,” said Zvinavashe.

The stand sizes range between 800 and 4 000 square metres. Stellenbosch Investments’ application to Masvingo City to develop Junction Farm into residential stands was approved by council late last year.

“Everything is above board; we got approval from council and now we are finalizing paperwork with the physical planning department. We expect developers to start work by March 1, 2016, and those who want to buy any of the stands should register their interest at our offices at number 9 Hellet Street, Masvingo,” Zvinavashe said.

Tanyaradzwa Tizora

Zaka Rural District Council (ZRDC) Engineer Abel Chivasa’s dream of attaining 5 O’ Levels has hit a snag as he failed to pass the examinations which he wrote in November last year.

Abel Chivasa

Well-placed sources said Eng. Chivasa sat six O’ Level subjects at Chimbwembwe Secondary School in Zaka but he only managed to pass Commerce and Geography with a C grade.

Among the subjects that he failed were those related to his field which include Mathematics and Integrated Science.

When this reporter contacted Chivasa, he could not be drawn into commenting as he immediately switched off his phone before saying any word.

Chivasa who has been Zaka’s engineer for a very long time had people’s eyebrows raised when he was seen taking  O’ Level examinations last year as people were wondering how he had qualified for the top technical job without five O’ Level passes.

Memory Rasa/Upenyu Chaota

Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T) has declared war over unfair food distribution in the drought-stricken districts of Masvingo province, saying they will fight to ensure that Zanu-PF stops partisan distribution of the food aid.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai

Addressing party supporters in marathon rallies at Dewure (Gutu) and Mashava, Tsvangirai said they will not allow partisan distribution of food amid reports that only Zanu-PF supporters were benefiting from the food aid programmes in all the seven districts of Masvingo.

“We are not going to allow that this time around. We say no to partisan distribution of food. All people should have equal access to the food aid. You should not allow Zanu-PF people to sideline you anymore – you should fight back and get the food as well. It’s now time for national action,” said Tsvangirai at Mashava.

National Youth Chairperson, Happymore ‘Bvondo’ Chidziva, has declared war against anyone who denies the MDC and other opposition supporters equal chances to benefit from donations and food distribution this year.

Speaking at a rally held at Dewure Township in Gutu last week Chidziva urged the youth to stir up violence and make sure that the distribution process fails if opposition supporters are denied equal chance to anything in the communities.

“We are declaring war once again against those who say MDC supporters should not be given government inputs simply because they do not support Zanu-PF. The youth should make sure that in such an event no one gets those inputs. You should act as soldiers and all youths should be risk-takers in the protection of their communities. You should be like David against Goliath, especially this year when there is drought.  No headman or village head should deny villagers access to government inputs. We should use force if there is need,” said Bvondo.

The National Chairlady of the Women Assembly and former Chimanimani West Member of Parliament, Linnet Kore Karenyi, supported Bvondo saying it is the youth’s responsibility to see that everything is distributed fairly and everyone is treated like a Zimbabwean citizen.

“We know of those village heads who cancel names and threaten people by not giving them government inputs saying that they support the MDC.  Food and politics are two different things, why linking them?  As the youth you should make sure that no one says those words and gets away with it.  Mothers should urge their children to register and to vote and to report any unfair practices that take place in your communities to chairpersons,” said Karenyi.

The National Youth Chairperson ended his speech by singing ‘Youth yose urimusoja’ a song urging and encouraging the youths to be risk takers and behave like solders in times of unfair practices.