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Villagers applaud Minister Mugadza’s responsiveness

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Villagers applaud Minister Mugadza’s responsiveness

By Own Correspondent

Scores of villagers from Mutasa South’s ward 18 have applauded their Member of Parliament (MP) and also Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza for his swift response in addressing challenges being faced by the community.
Speaking at a TellZim News organized dialogue meeting at Chidazemba Primary School recently, members of the public said Minister Mugadza had demonstrated dedicated leadership by quickly coming to their rescue whenever they had challenges.
“We have several problems that we are facing here but we are lucky to have an MP who is very swift in addressing the challenges that we have. Each time we approach Minister Mugadza, he is quick to bring solutions on the table and we are very happy about that,” said Village head Chauruka.
Ward 18 Councillor Johanne Mandiringana also thanked the MP saying he was satisfied with responses he receive each time he goes to him with requests from the ward.
“I am happy to let you know that we have done a number of projects in this ward such as borehole drilling for communities and schools, established community gardens, supported projects such as apiculture as well as cooperatives manufacturing detergents.
“We also managed to clear a football pitch here at Chidazemba Primary courtesy of the MP. The projects and programmes that we are doing are so many, I however, encourage you to also take your part in helping the MP and the government. We expect you to also participate in development by either donating your labour or skills whenever necessary,” said Mandiringana.
Councillor Mandiringana assured villagers that a clinic which was being constructed near Chidazembe Primary was going to be completed without fail.
“I know that people are worried about the progress at our clinic. Let me assure you that this clinic is going to be completed. Delays were caused by circumstances beyond our control, however, the projects remains very critical and on top of our to-do list,” said Mandiringana.
Regarding a secondary school for the area, Councillor Mandiringana said he was spending sleepless nights trying to find the quickest way to establish a secondary school.
“I would have liked a situation where learners would start going to a new secondary school here before the end of the year. It is no longer possible to open a secondary school this year but I am hoping we will be successful next year. I will sit down with our MP and explain the need for a secondary school here. I know he will be able to help us,” added Mandiringana.

Another accolade for Mukaratirwa, Masvingo City

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Another accolade for Mukaratirwa, Masvingo City

By Staff Reporter

Masvingo City Council Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa was recently crowned Best Manager for the year 2024 by the Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC).
Masvingo City Council was also recognized as the Best Customer Centered Organization at the same event and it was all smiles for the city managers led by Mukaratirwa as well as the councilors as they received the awards.
Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe said they were honored as council to receive such awards and that showed that the council’s efforts were being recognized despite working under difficult conditions owing to economic conditions.
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award. It marks a milestone terms of how the city is performing in trying to improve service delivery to residents. These efforts are the reason why we are receiving these accolades.
“We try our best to provide basic services like water, for at least eight hours a day and timeous collect refuse. It’s very hard because we are operating in a very difficult environment, we are in a hyperinflation with the currency losing value every day, we however try to offer affordable service to our residents,” said Tabe.
He went on to thank council management and the residents whom he said were supportive which results in the city being recognized for their efforts.
“I want to thank council management, all council employees, and fellow policymakers for the maximum effort they are putting to make sure that the city continue to be recognized. I want to thank all residents and our stakeholders for the support,” said Tabe.
In 2023, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa won President Emmerson Mnangangwa’s Award for the Best Town Clerk in Zimbabwe, a government recognition for excellent performance in service delivery.
At the 64th edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) held in Bulawayo in April, Masvingo City Council won the Most Innovative Creative Local Authority Award which shows that the city is performing well in terms of providing services to residents.
Masvingo has also seen an improvement in terms of water provision though of late, persistent power cuts have seen reduced flow of water to residential areas and even the Central Business District (CBD).
In 2022, Masvingo City Council hogged the limelight after scooping four accolades at Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Awards held on February 25, 2022 in Harare.
Then Mayor Cllr Collen Maboke was the Outstanding Mayor winner, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa won the Outstanding Town Clerk, Public Relations Officer Ashleigh Jinjika won as the Outstanding Public Relations Officer and Masvingo City won in the Best Performing Local Authority category.

Teen ‘ritualist’ haunted by troubled past

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Teen ‘ritualist’ haunted by troubled past

By Perpetua Murungweni

On October 14, 2024, a video of a 17-year-old boy from Masvingo town, who had allegedly ‘stolen’ an 11-year-old minor for rituals went viral.
Coupled with the video were voice notes narrating what had happened, to the point where the minor was rescued from the clutches of a supposed painful death, taking people’s memories back to the Tapiwa Makore story which is still fresh in people’s minds.
However, missing from the social media posts as is usual with many other viral social media posts was the agony faced by the mother of the alleged ritualist, who woke up to his son being demonized for almost becoming a notorious murderer.
Far from the rumors circulating online, teenager (name withheld for ethical reasons), who shared a friendship bond with the minor despite their six-year age difference has a troubled past that often makes him hallucinate, as his mother narrates.
The mother alleges that her son, who attends a local private college in Mucheke sometimes behaves weirdly and when it gets worse, hears voices instructing him to do certain things that included in this case, killing the 11-year-old boy.
Her voice shakes as she retells the story, recalling how she has endured one too many episodes of her son’s behavior since he was 14—a son she swore could never harm a fly just like any mother would say.
“I left my son in the custody of his paternal aunt going to South Africa to look for greener pastures when he was 14. Little did I know that over the two years I left him and his two sisters with their aunt, they were being abused. I also later found out that this left emotional scars especially on my boy, who then started behaving weirdly.
“This is not the first time he has done something this weird. He once ran away and was stopped by the police at the Tollgate walking towards Harare where he told police the same bizarre stories of ritual involvement and claimed he was walking to Harare,” the mother said, wiping tears.
She broke down again when she narrated how she believes her son had been initiated into the dark world, which may have been triggered by his abuse when he was younger.
“I don’t know what has gotten over my son, but I believe he needs help. He courageously opens up to police about his past abuse and sexual abuse by his aunt.
“He also said the said aunt forced him to participate in some rituals where she gave him a clay pot wrapped in a red cloth, subsequently wrapping his whole body with another red cloth,” she said.
The mother also said the teenager always claims to hear her aunt’s voice demanding that he either kills someone to survive or his parents will die instead. She worries that one day her son may wound up dead or worse still, kill a child and disappear into thin air.
“When I left for South Africa, all I ever wanted was the best life for my children. I never meant for them to suffer, but that decision has cost me dearly. I am desperate for my son to receive the support and healing he needs,” she said.
The mother dismissed allegations of drug abuse against her son, whom she vouches for his discipline through it all.
“I know my child better and I know he is not using drugs. He has always been a well-disciplined child and he is not a drug addict like what is being claimed in social media circles. He is just a boy who needs help,” the mother said.
On the other hand, the mother to the teenager’s 11-year-old friend he allegedly kidnapped for ritual killing said her son returned home safe and on his own, after having disappeared for two days and told them he was with his older friend.
She is neighbours with the family that almost robbed her of her son.
“My son ran truant from school on Monday October 14 after having lied to his grandmother. His grandmother later found out that he was not at school and threatened to beat him up, that is when he ran away from home.
“He later told us he slept under the bed at the teenager’s house, later going to the hills on Tuesday morning where they spent the night. Thankfully my son was unharmed and he told me his friend gave him a cloth to keep him warm at night while he kept warm by the fire.
She said the teenager was very close to her son, which took them by surprise when he came back claiming to have failed to kill her son because he did not have enough manpower to pin him down.
“His behavior raises a lot of questions about potential mental health issues or substance abuse,” said the boy’s mother.
“I don’t think this teenager’s behavior is normal. I think it’s true that he might have been bewitched by his aunt because there are so many stories around his growing up in the hands of his aunt,” the woman said.
Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe failed to confirm the incident saying the case was not reported to police despite the teenager’s mother confirming that her son spent a night in police cells on the night he returned home after disappearing with his minor friend.
“The police did not receive a missing child report, it’s something that we only saw on social media,” said Dhewa.

TellZim Editor Kuzipa elected MISA National Chairperson

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TellZim Editor Kuzipa elected MISA National Chairperson

By Beverly Bizeki

Passmore Kuzipa, the editor of TellZim News was elected National Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) during its elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at a local hotel in Harare on October 25, 2024.
Kuzipa was elected together with Phyllis Kachere from Harare (Vice-Chairperson), Albert Ncube (Gwanda) and Jefrey Muvundisi of Bulawayo (both committee members).
In his acceptance speech, Kuzipa thanked the MISA members for trusting him to steer the ship for the next three years saying he, together with other board members, would carry forward the good work that was left by the outgoing board members.
“I want to thank the Misa family for trusting me to chair the National Governing Council (NGC) for the next three years. Let me also thank the outgoing board members for the excellent work they have been doing – I want to assure them that I, together with other board members elected, will do what it takes to ensure that we go forward with the good work that you have been doing,” said Kuzipa.
“I am glad that I had an opportunity to learn from one of the best; Golden Maunganidze when he was chairperson for Masvingo Advocacy committee and, subsequently the national chairperson for two terms. The new board members are also bringing in a wealth of experience and expertise which I have no doubt will make our work much easier,” he added.
Kuzipa was chairperson for Masvingo Advocacy Committee for six years. He is a seasoned journalist with interest in media development work. He holds a Master’s degree in Media and Society Studies from Midlands State University and is currently studying law at Great Zimbabwe University’s (GZU) Herbert Chitepo School of Law.
Kuzipa has been known to be an advocate for media freedom lobbying for access to information and freedom of expression in the province.

40% of Masvingo new-born babies at risk

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40% of Masvingo new-born babies at risk

By Tatiana Mhararira

In a shocking report, 40 percent of new born babies in Masvingo are said to be consuming other foods in first three days against the standard six months of exclusive breastfeeding.
According to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZIMLAC) Urban Nutrition Assessment Report report, nationally, 31 percent of children had consumed other foods within the first three days after birth while Masvingo and Mashonaland East recorded 40percent and 35percent respectively of the highest proportions of children who consumed other foods within the first three days.
“Nationally, 31percent of children had consumed other foods within the first three days after birth. Masvingo (40percent) and Mashonaland East (35percent) reported the highest proportions of children who consumed other foods within the first 3 days,” read the report.
From the same report Masvingo topped child food poverty at 58percent meaning that it had the highest proportion of children aged 6 to 23 months who had severe food poverty.
“Masvingo (58.2percent) and Matabeleland North (55.8percent) had the highest proportion of children aged 6 to 23 months who had severe food poverty,” read the report.
The report emphasized that children under 6 months should be exclusively breastfed, as giving other foods interferes with proper breastfeeding.
“Children below six months should not be given anything other than breast milk because it interferes with exclusive breastfeeding,” read part of the reports.
Health workers who spoke to TellZim News concurred with the report and said mothers were forced to feed because of shortage of food that promote production of milk and some also go to work leaving their little ones at home thereby forcing them to give them solid food.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mhandamabwe Clinic Community health worker, Ruth Tivukayi said mothers were struggling to get food so babies are disadvantaged.
“Mothers in our area are struggling to put food on the table so their breasts produce little to no milk so at the end of the day young babies are introduced to solid foods within few days of birth,” Tivukai said.
Tivukai said cultural beliefs and the issue of women going to work also caused them to introduce solids at an early stage.
“Some cultural beliefs that rural women have that few days after a baby is born they can introduce solids is another reason why we have babies consuming solid foods at an early stage.
“Another cause of children consuming solid foods is that mothers go to work so at first they use bottle milk and later introduce solid foods to the baby so that he/she feeds while the mother is at work or in the fields,” she added.
Tivukai however, said there were challenges to be faced by babies who consume other foods within three days.
“Some implications to be faced by babies due to introduction of solids within three days of birth include risk of choking and cause babies to drink less than the needed amount of breast milk, can increase the risk of children developing allergies, babies digestive systems are not fully developed at birth causing difficulties in peeing and introducing solids too early can cause discomfort, constipation and other digestive problems,” said Tivukai.
Masvingo has been among the regions affected by the El Nino induced drought making it hard for families to get food to eat leading mothers to have good health to produce enough breast milk for their babies hence introducing them to other foods within three days of child birth.

Blood on your hands SADC chairpersons

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Blood on your hands SADC chairpersons

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed SADC chairpersons, forgive me for not being patriotic, I had totally forgotten that we had an Anti-Sanction Day to march against sanctions imposed on us by the West. That’s the worst sign of not being unpatriotic and I just hope the Patriotic Act will not catch up with me in the long run. Yaimbovako musi waaniko I just heard it was on this week vanhu vachidisplayer foolishness in the streets? Yakaitirwa kupi, here in Masvingo we used to do it paCivic Centre and march across town where no one from Britain or America would see us kkk nhamo zvainoita. The idea is good but pazvinoitirwa manje ndoma1. If we are really serious about this a country let’s all go and camp paUS embassy like some fellows vandakanzwa kuti they have camped there since the inception of the Anti-Sanction Day. But I wonder how lame and stupid some Zimbabweans are. What are sanctions? Ingori nyaya yekuti iwe hatitambi newe, we don’t give you credit, we don’t buy from you and you don’t buy from us. Usasvika kumba kwedu gara kwako. Totoita march against that? Are we not a sovereign nation? Can’t we just ignore the west and focus on rebuilding our country brick upon brick? Let’s put our house in order first and the so called investors whom we are looking for kunana Belarus will come willingly. Vanouya vega, there won’t be need to go and look for them. Let’s just make the conditions conducive chete, tikangodaro zvatopera. Inga we have our East all-weather friends, the Chinese criminals who are investing in Zimbabwe in all sectors of the economy but we still cry kuti sanctions what what. Zanu PF has failed ladies and gentlemen. There is need for change of the way we do things. While we march for sanctions, we also need to march against corruption and misgovernance, looting and embezzlement.
Who is trying to set up Marble Chinomona asi nhaimi, I hear speculations that she is the favourite candidate to replace Kedha? Vanenge vaenda kuti Genrol Ambi? 2030 vanenge vachipo unless you have some other way to get rid of him hameno. Marble, I am pleading with you as a fellow woman, regerai vakomana munoremara vakomana. I am sure everyone knows how Mai Mujuru fared after being used to shield Baba 2 gore riya. Where is she now? She was the most powerful woman during her time but nowadays taakungoti once upon a time.
But Baba 2 futi, the rigging mindset haibude mumusoro mavo sure. Can we call it dzungu I don’t know. Out of the whole sixteen SADC member, he is the only one who has since congratulated Chapo for winning an election before even vote counting was yet to close. But haa ladies and gentlemen, paMoza ma1. How on earth did they put 15 days of vote counting? Ah 15 days vakomana while we are trying to do away with five days? Mr SADC Chairman, please intervene and save the situation. I doubt if that is permissible in the SADC statutes though. Let me set the record straight, it’s obvious that Frelimo’s Chapo will form the next government in Mozambique, but the election was full of anomalies and that should be condemned in its entirety. I think as Zimbabweans we are doing a disservice to our comrades in Mozambique. Maybe zvakavanakirawo havo since ana Nyusi and Cabal failed to support us during our plebiscite last year. But manje, now that we are have all become SADC chairs, tiripowo pama1 acho. Makudo ndemamwe aya ladies and gentlemen, these revolutionary parties sucked from the same breast. They are only concerned about staying in power nothing else, zvekuti tozodii when we get in power yatova imwe nyaya. They don’t care and have no people at heart as long as they are in power. I am sure the trick makaiona mese, tosishaya amwe mafigures anobvepi in some areas izvo anobva kuMozambique, the way Zimbabweans voted in the Mosken election. Is Mandi still in Mozambique though, isn’t she the one who was mobilizing voters from Chipinge at the instruction yaBa 2? Ko Matemadanda howfar, I see his hand in all this. Now there is bloodshed all over the streets, people being brutalized by Chapo’s dogs just because they protested the rigging and the killing of their opposition leaders. Trust me when I say there is no conscience whatsoever in this SADC sham. They read from the same script. Back home we all witnessed the 45 degrees angle wani gore riya, and the Commission of Inquiry yielded nothing except fat pockets from allowances. At least vanaObert Gutu got some mileage, ko vachaitei when they have become political corpses, kkkkk. Chitunha chekupolitics zvacho. Zanu inenge kuromba, once you join it, especially coming from opposition we will definitely notice how your brain cells suddenly start going on vacation one by one, kkkkk, seka hako Mapombi. But on a serious note however, Zanu has the blood of the dying Mozambican people on their hands because we saw people who have never even been to Mutare or anywhere in Manicaland voting in the Mozambican elections. Don’t get me started about the number of people who have Mozambican IDs which they used to vote iye asingatombozivi chero the direction where Mozambique can be found. Enabling that means Zanu is liable. Zimbabwe is liable. Iyemi rudhende rweZimbabwe maSADC chair, you are liable.
I used to respect this former Murakashi turned Zanu PF critic nicknamed Mbudziyadura. I used to envy him ndichiti inini naye we are the only ones who could speak truth to power but ndakazoona kuti noo mhani, mumwe wangu is too trigger happy pamisinformation apoo, like last week when he went on about the drying up of Victoria Falls. He made a lot of sense but in the need for the two governments to work on the improvement of electricity generation but it also has to be clear that the drying up of the majestic Vic Falls on the Zambian side is not something new, seasonal fluctuations in water levels are common kumapopoma uko especially at the Zambian side. There is a lot of misses he makes in his posts, or should I call them rantings these days. Inoitaka ichipera clout so if you want to remain relevant kutongoti zvese zvese but mmm, munotikuvadza nemisinformation cde.
I hear Mudzanire sued Aljezeera over zveGold Mafia, and the broadcaster actually lost equipment through the case, haa mbavha nefree expression hazvionani I tell you. Airwerwa rute Uebert talking to the undercover journalists thinking he was going to make a fortune, zvaipira papizve nhai Papa? And ipapo that’s when I agree with the biblical Job kuti why do the wicked always prosper and the righteous suffer? Regai zvakadaro zvichifurirana nanaBaba Two, vanaNebuchadnezzer vaidii? Let me stop here before I think of opening my own sangano here at Chitima mukaswera makukanda chegumi, inga Tarendi Chiwenga makes money out of insulting people in his church wani until his relative Genrol Kedha disowned him.
Before I go zvangu kunokanga maputi for lunch, tell me, what went down at the Zanu Conference in Bulawayo? I hear people were aligning themselves with those they want to be the Bhiza come 2028, to a point where some even openly endorsed Kedha through some movement hanzi volunteers what what. Avawo Bootlickers Association is not relenting in their 2030 vanenge vachipo mantra signifying that Chiwenga should not be quick in making a move otherwise anonyura. Ini hangu I think it’s high time he activates his support in the military chinyararire if he still has ambitions to test power otherwise he may kiss it goodbye, but he needs to be very subtle. Most of his friends have gone kwamupfiganebwe he shouldn’t forget that, and without the military machine, he is too exposed. Ba 2 is very good at survival tactics. He survived a world renowned dictator who we musn’t also forget was his mentor. Sometimes I think Ba 2 is seriously considering going to rest come 2028 because I don’t think he admired what he saw his boss Bhobho going through over the years. I think that’s why he lashed out when he was asked the question in China.
Guys, have you heard about my friend Mphoko? I last heard zvichinzi his rapist son appealed his sentence, ndikati vatanga vanhu vaya. He may even get away with it. Anyway, if you see him tell him Mkwenyana Kedha needs support, ngaamuonewo mbichana. Until next week, mboko imboko!

Derby fever as Una Una face Kingdom Boys

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Derby fever as Una Una face Kingdom Boys

By Tatiana Mhararira

All roads will lead to Masvingo’s home of football, Mucheke Stadium, where Masvingo United nicknamed Una Una will face rivals, FC Wangu Mazodze, known as the Kingdom Boys, on match day 29 slated for Sunday October 27, 2024.
The derby will see the Kingdom Boys fighting to maintain their top position, a challenge made more difficult by the fact that in previous seasons, the best result between the two teams has always been just 1 point as the first leg of this season ended in a 0-0 draw.
Mazodze will be aiming to secure maximum points, as they currently sit at the top of the table with 61 points, while Una Una is on position 8 with 41 points.
Speaking to TellZim News, Una Una loyal fan Bolton Madamombe, said he hoped for the team to a it’s best and win
“As a fan, I expect my team to win this game since it’s a tough competition against the log leaders. However, Una Una always shines in derbies, as the players demonstrate their best skills.
“I want this derby to hold significant meaning, as Masvingo United is known for leading the game. Their usual outcome in these local derbies tends to be a draw against Kingdom Boys. We don’t want to deliberately throw the match, even though we don’t have much funds in our pockets. We want this game to be free and fair,” said Madamombe.
On the other side, staunch FC Wangu Mazodze supporter Stanley Mare said he expected a win but the team may turn to give disappointing results.
“I expect my team to win, but their recent performances may lead to unsatisfactory results. While I hope for a victory, the team’s play lately has shown a decline, dropping from a 13 point lead to just 5 points in recent weeks.
“My team is starting to resemble Arsenal, spending the whole season at the top of the table only to lose the trophy to a team behind them.
“Despite the current struggles, we hope for a Premier League presence in the city so we can enjoy better football, rather than the Division One matches we’ve been watching for quite some time,” said Mare.
The Kingdom Boys currently sit atop the log table, followed by Tenax FC with 56 points. If Tenax wins all their remaining matches, their chances of getting a ticket to the Premier League will be high. FC Wangu Mazodze, meanwhile, is expected to win all their remaining games, as the gap between the two teams stands at 5 points.

Inaugural Miss Charles Austin Theatre pageant on cards

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Inaugural Miss Charles Austin Theatre pageant on cards

By Meditation Mposi

Masvingo’s Charles Austin Theatre is set to host its inaugural Miss Charles Austin Theatre on Saturday October 26.
Speaking to TellZim News, Charles Austin Theatre Public Relations Officer Engineer Emmanuel Simon Sakala said the pageant will be running under the theme “The power of performance”.
“Miss Charles Austin Theatre will be on October 26 from 1800hours to 2200hours .The theme of the pageant is “The power of performance” which simply emphasizes the importance and significance of artistic expression and beauty.
“Masvingo Theatre and Arts club aka Charles Austin Theatre realised the impact and adversity every female face in the society. The pageant is coined to raise awareness around such issues and also empowering women to take charge and action to attend to some of the societal problems,” said Sakala.
Sakala said the month of October was the right time to hold the pageant as it is the breast cancer awareness month.
“The month of October is the perfect month for this pageant, being the month of the girl child as well as the breast cancer awareness month with the themes ‘girls vision for the future’ and ‘no one should face breast cancer alone’,” he said.
15 girls are going to contest for the tittle and locals will have a good show on the day.
“We auditioned 25 girls from around Masvingo and fifteen made it to the current stage. The girls and the Director Mhlauli Mlalazi went to Alpha Cottages and spent the day with the children in an effort to expose these future leaders to the realities of life beyond their compounds.
“We intend to do more visits and campaigns including joining the national cleaning day as we have already done,” he said.
tickets were already available and advance tickets were going for US$2 and US$3 at the entrance.
He went on to say they were still open for partners to make the day memorable and would want to take the contestants for a boot camp to add to their experience.
“We intend to host a 2 night boot camp with the girls to add on their experience during this exciting chapter of their lives.
“To make this day memorable, we are still open for partners and sponsorship.
“We also appreciate all the individuals and cooperatives that have supported us, including Tajae Mwenda of Dream Girl Modelling Agency who has been working tirelessly hand in hand with Mhlauli,” said Sakala.

Ngomahuru hospital in anti-drug campaign

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Ngomahuru hospital in anti-drug campaign

By Virginia Njovo

Ngomahuru psychiatric hospital is running an anti-drug campaign in schools and churches in solidarity with government, as the number of drug-related mental patients continues to rise.
Ngomahuru Information and Public Relations Gift Muzondo said they were moving in schools and churches raising awareness on drug abuse so as to minimize the rate of drug addicts being admitted at the hospital.
“70 to 75 percent of admitted patients at Ngomahuru are drug abusers, we have opted as hospital to partner with other organisations in the anti-drug abuse campaign to avoid the surge.
“By going to church services we are trying to educate parents so that they will be aware of the apparatus used by drug addicts when taking drugs so that they will be aware if their children or child is taking drugs and seek for medical assistance on time,” said Muzondo.
He added that they had already visited surrounding schools to educate pupils about the implications of drug abuse, which can cause brain cell damage which is irreversible
“We have seen it crucial in engaging school children where majority of victims are young men and girls, if we educate them on the implications of drug intake which include that once brain cells are damaged they cannot be restored rather a patient will be taking supplements for their lifetime,” added Muzondo.
He said majority of patients at the rehabilitation centre were not paying any fees hence they were struggling for years to meet the basics to their patients and they recently introduced a private ward for those who may afford the fees as a fundraising strategy.
Ngomahuru, the second largest psychiatric hospital in Zimbabwe, after Ingutsheni Central Hospital, was opened in 1926 and is located about 52 km from Masvingo town, a few kilometres from the Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway.

Runyararo Primary purchases new bus

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Runyararo Primary purchases new bus

By Tatiana Mhararira

Masvingo City Council’s Runyararo Primary School, located in the Mucheke suburb recently purchased a ZhongTong bus with a carrying capacity of 75 passengers, valued at US$190,000.
The bus was acquired after the school faced significant expenses from hiring buses for school events, along with the necessity of replacing its old vehicle with a modern one.
Speaking to Tellzim News, Runyararo Primary School head Erikanos Tasarira said the costs incurred for transportation during tours and the desire to enhance the school’s financial resources motivated the procurement of the new bus.
“What prompted us to acquire the new bus was the expense the school incurred for transporting learners to sporting activities and educational tours and also the need to ensure reliable and safe transportation for pupils,” said Tasarira.
“Besides reducing expenses, the bus project will also strengthen our financial resource base through hiring, as the school has been solely relying on school development levies,” he said.
Tasarira said the bus will serve multiple purposes and benefit the surrounding community.
“The bus will alleviate transport challenges, educational tour fees will be reduced, making it more affordable for parents to send their children on educational trips.
“The bus will also be available for hire by the local community, including churches and families needing transportation for funerals.Teachers will use the bus for retreats,” said Tasarira.
Runyararo Primary School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson George Mufaro Mudukuti said the SDC played a crucial role in the bus purchase and the achievement aligned with the school’s strategic goals.
“As the SDC, we played a pivotal role by identifying the need for a new bus due to the aging condition of the one we had. We were responsible for researching suitable suppliers, obtaining quotations, and following a structured tender process.


“The acquisition of the new bus aligns with the school’s strategic goal of enhancing infrastructure and ensuring the safety and well-being of students. It supports improved access to extracurricular activities, field trips, and other inter-school events, reflecting the school’s commitment to providing a comprehensive educational experience,” said Mudukuti.
Mudukuti said the purchasing process took several months and funding was secured through a loan.
“The purchasing process spanned several months, with initial discussions beginning early this year. Parents met to approve the project, and the tender process was completed by mid-May. The timeline allowed for thorough planning, vendor evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
“Funding was secured through a loan facility from local banks, structured over a specified period, and parents approved a bus levy to cover the purchase and financing costs,” said Mudukuti.
The purchase of a modern bus by Runyararo Primary demonstrates that primary schools are making significant strides towards development. Recently, Madyangove Primary in Chivi also purchased its own bus, which is clear evidence of progress in schools.

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