Home Blog Page 924

Mangoma in trouble

0
…as provincial chair is forced to resign

By Itai Muzondo
Masvingo – The Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader Elton Mangoma is in trouble as he tries to unite warring factions within his political outfit amid revelations that youths in Masvingo province are calling for the ouster of the party’s provincial chairperson Mathew Eston Mutero.
The fight which has since found its way into social media networks has reportedly forced Mangoma to embark on an emergency journey to Masvingo  on Sunday where he is expected to address the problem.
But Mutero has since posted on the party’s WhatsApp group named Masvingo RDZ Youth Group that he is stepping down.
“All protocols observed. I write to inform all that after considering posts sent on this group by some unruly youths do hereby resign from the post as I am against whatever form of violence, physical or verbal. With immediate effect I shall not accept reference to my person as the chair of RDZ Masvingo Province. I wish and hope to see the party growing at that supersonic speed as wanted by those youth,” read Mutero’s resignation chat.


Elton Mangoma
In interviews conducted by Tell Zimbabwe, RDZ youths from across the province said they called Mangoma to come and officially dismiss Mutero who is accused of being aligned to Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
 “It is us who ordered the president (Mangoma) to come and deal with this rot once and for all. We want Mutero out,” said Darlington Tata.
Mutero’s phone was not reachable while Mangoma refused to comment as he just said not now before hanging up.
“Not now,” said Mangoma.politics

Chiefs vow to fight HIV/AIDS in communities

0
By Moses Ziyambi

Chiefs in Masvingo province have thrown their weight behind efforts to tackle the HIV / AIDS pandemic in their communities, committing themselves to actively encouraging their subjects to go for testing.
Speaking at a recent engagement meeting organised by the Community Based Aid Programme (CBAP) at Masvingo District Administrator (DA) offices, chiefs admitted they can play a central role in shaping attitudes and fighting for behavioral change as well as campaigning against the stigma.


“We want to be involved in the efforts to fight the spread of the disease and work to encourage men to go for testing with their pregnant wives. We don’t want a situation where only women go for the testing, while their husbands remain,” said Chief Chikwanda.
Many chiefs who participated said it was high time for them to complement the work being done by civic groups like CBAP and government through coming up with local based solutions to stop the spread of the virus.

“Let us restore morality and the innocence of children. Let us look at how we can delay our children’s exposure to sexual matters in these days of smartphones,” said Mugaviri Shumba who is Chief Shumba.
Headman Gurajena, Mangwanya Gurajena called on chiefs to be involved in matters of community mobilisation against HIV, saying they are the centerpiece of their communities.
“When relief organisations come, they stand a better chance of success if they rope us in because our voice carries weight,” he said.
Director of CBAP, Samuel Mhungu pleaded with chiefs to use their influence and authority to stop gender based violence and child marriages.
“We are certain that if our chiefs take a stand against gender based violence and child marriages, we will see a change. With your authority, you can use every public gathering to campaign against the stigma while encouraging couples to go for HIV testing and treatment,” said Mhungu.
Meanwhile CBAP, a Christian organisation with close relations with the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) is expanding its Community Mobilisation for Improved Access to Care and Treatment.
Among other programmes, the organisation is also promoting the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) by giving material support to health institutions    
  

Masvingo STIs increase worrying: ZNFPC

0
By Theresa Takafuma
The ever-increasing cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Masvingo has become a worrying factor, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council has said.
There has been an alarming increase in new STI cases in the province in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014’s last quarter.
Speaking at a wellness and clean-up campaign facilitated by the organization recently, ZNFPC Provincial Manager Peter Vhoko said STIs have become a perennial problem for Masvingo.


People are not using condoms

“STIs are a proxy to HIV and we have a problem of STIs in our province. Statistics from National Aids Council show that Masvingo Province recorded a 12,5 percent increase in the number of new STI cases, from 7141 in 2014’s fourth quarter to 8166 in the 2015 first quarter, ” Vhoko said.
“The increase in STI cases is a worrying factor as it indicates that people are indulging in unprotected sex, which increases the risk of spread of HIV,” Vhoko said.
“The high STI cases are attributed to lack of knowledge, unfaithfulness and inconsistent use of condoms in the community,” he added.
Vhoko also said low contact tracing and low HIV testing among the STI clients are a threat to the fight against the HIV pandemic, adding that the high number of STI cases recorded in the province’s health centres may also be a positive sign.
“On a positive note, the high number of STI cases recorded in our health centres may also be a sign of improving health seeking behavior amongst our people,” Vhoko said.
Statistics show that the number of contacts that were traced and treated for STIs with their partners increased from 619 in 2014 fourth quarter to 1357 in first quarter 2015.

Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund to be launched

0
By Moses Ziyambi

City of Masvingo Mayor, Hubert Fidze is set to launch the 2015 Christmas Cheer Fund on the 23rd of October to mobilise resources for charity as has become customary to give the needy people in the city a reason to smile over the festive season.
Well-wishers are encouraged to attend the launch which will be done in the Mayor’s reception room at the Civic Centre.
“Once again Christmas festivities are a few weeks away and our less fortunate citizens, the elderly, the poor and the disabled need our generosity to give them a little cheer during the festive season,” reads part of the notice.

                   Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze

Meanwhile, those who wish to start donating prior to the date can “contact the Acting Chamber Secretary, so that sufficient publicity is given,” reads the notice.
The Acting Chamber Secretary, Vitalis Shonhai can be contacted during office hours on (039) 2662241.local

Dzimbahwe Arts Festival kicks off, grows bigger and better

0
…Prof Zvobgo bemoans absence of national dress

Itai Muzondo/ Upenyu Chaota
Masvingo – Running under the theme, Reclaiming Our Africanness Now, the eighth edition of the Dzimbahwe Arts Festival (DAF) kicked off last night at Masvingo’s Charles Austin Theatre with breathe taking performances from local, national and regional artistes.


GZU Vice Chancellor Prof Rungano Zvobgo

Supporting acts from Award winning Intwasa Cultural Dance Group, upcoming Sahwira Mbira Group and intriguing stand-up comedian Doc Vikela kept the audience on their toes for the better part of the night.
Speaking ahead of the three day event, GZU Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo said Dzimbabwe has remained one of the major events by the university which help to sell and make people understand the Zimbabwean culture and heritage.
“Culture defines who we are. This is why GZU has the mandate to educate the nation through such festivals what it means to be Zimbabweans. Those who do not know the importance of being Zimbabwean let alone African have resorted to adopt the kill culture and to them, I say shame,” Zvobgo said.
“We do not know how to define ourselves. Since independence, we do not know how to dress. When we visit other countries, you can easily recognise a Nigerian or a South African because of dressing. It is different when it comes to Zimbabwe where you can only recognise your fellow after he or she has spoken a word from our native languages.
“GZU should then ponder in advancing our role as a college that advocates for advancement of African Culture and Heritage until we realise the importance of our fore father’s butter trading tradition as compared to the mare exchange of notes and coins,” added Zvobgo.

Masvingo businessman Machingambi dies

0

By Upenyu Chaota

Masvingo businessman Henry Machingambi has died. He was 54. Machingambi died at his Rhodene house yesterday and was known to be a kidney patient.

Machingambi owned Kismet butchery and Gonyohori abattoir.

“Machingambi was found dead in the early hours yesterday. He suffered from renal failure and has been battling kidney problems for a long time. Three weeks ago he was in India seeking treatment,” said a close family member.

Machingambi was a very active member in the cattle ranching business with over a thousand herds.

He was also the treasurer of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU).

Beef farmers in Masvingo were saddened by Machingambi’s death.

“Machingambi was an exemplary figure; he was one of the best beef farmers in the province. He was always available to assist farmers in Masvingo and he contributed immensely to the beef industry in the country. We have lost an irreplaceable character,” said Robert Makado, chairperson of the Masvingo Beef Producers’ Association.

He is survived by two wives and four children. Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

 

Tsvangirai insists on grand coalition

0
…warns against greediness

Itai Muzondo/ Upenyu Chaota
Masvingo – MDC – T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has insisted for a grand coalition with all the opposition parties ahead of the 2018 elections, if they are to remove Zanu PF from power.
Morgan Tsvangirai
Speaking at the burial of former Masvingo Mayor Fermius Chakabuda, Tsvangirai said grand coalition was the way to go but was quick to warn other oppositional parties not to concentrate on positions, but to sacrifice for the benefit of the ordinary Zimbabweans.
“Let’s forget about fighting each other and concentrate on the sole purpose of transforming the livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe. We need to work together so that we can achieve this mazvinzwa vaMavhaire (are you listening Mr Mavhaire),” Tsvangirai said.
Mavhaire was kicked out of Zanu PF early this year for allegedly aligned to the former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and since then he was linked to People First.
“We are now in the same team and we need our collective efforts to score the goal we want. It’s not about positions but conditions. Let’s work together and rescue the nation. Let us forget about internal fights, they are normal. Those who work to be buried at the Heroes Acre let them do so. We are there to work to improve the lives of the people of Zimbabwe,” Tsvangirai said.
Meanwhile, Tsvangirai described the late Chakabuda as Mr Masvingo who unites all people from across the divide.
“Chakabuda was a humble, simple man with a big heart. He played a critical role in improving the lives of the people of Masvingo and the country at large. The void he left will be difficult to fill,” Tsvangirai added.
Chakabuda collapsed while bathing at his Morning Side house on Tuesday morning and was confirmed dead upon admission at Makurira Memorial Clinic.

BREAKING NEWS ….Former Masvingo mayor Chakabuda dies

0
By Tell Zimbabwe Reporter
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) former mayor for Masvingo, Fermius Chakabuda, has died. Chakabuda collapsed at his Morning Side house in the early hours today and was rushed to Makurira Memorial Clinic where he was confirmed dead.
The late former Masvingo mayor Fermius Chakabuda

Close relatives confirmed the sad development and said his body was still at Makurira clinic. When Tell Zimbabwe crew visited Makurira clinic, scores of people among them MDC-T members, council officials, Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) and Zanu PF members were gathered at the clinic to pay their last respects. More details to follow

Zanu PF youth leader threatens social media users

0
By Itai Muzondo
September 28, 2015 – As if the threats to the mainstream media by the President Robert Mugabe recently were not enough, ZANU PF national secretary for youth affairs and politburo member Pupurai Togarepi on Sunday said his party was preparing ‘to deal with social media users’ who are causing divisions within the ruling party.
On top of the social media users who include the general public, Togarepi said those running online media publications will not be spared.
Addressing a poorly attended belated 21st February celebrations in Masvingo, Togarepi said his party was trying to establish names of the people who are publishing information which is tarnishing the image of the party in order to take stern action against them.
 “We are investigating on all people who are responsible for online publications which are taking advantage of WhatsApp and Twitter to further distribute their stories to a wider audience. They are not responsible media.
 “As youths, we must be prepared to get out of our comfort zones and defend the revolution. When we get in the fight, let’s remember Benjamin Burombo’s words that we should reserve another blow for other enemies that might want to disturb our cause. We will fight anybody who does not please our President,” Togarepi said.


Togarepi also told college students who constituted the majority of the gathering to shun internet research and rather use traditional text books in order to avoid online news stories.
“To all you students who have come to support this movement, I thank you. It is however my plea that you study hard to be successful, but in your studies, use available text books rather than researching online as a simple way of avoiding online publications,” he said.politics

Youth officers will not be fired – Zhuwawo

0
Brighton Chiseva

Minister of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Patrick Zhuwawo has assured youth officers that they will not be fired from various government departments despite rumours that most them who were employed after completing national youth service popularly known as green bombers because of the colour of their uniforms were not qualified for their jobs.
The youth told Zhuwawo during his familiarisation trip to Masvingo this week that they were in panic mood as they were afraid that they would receive three months notices terminating their jobs since they do not hold requisite qualifications for jobs being done.

But Zhuwawo said their background was going to protect their jobs.
“I know where you come from and I know your roots” said Zhuwao
The new minister further threatened anyone who would attempt to fire the youth officers saying he would rather have those calling for the dismissal of the youths going than firing green bombers.
“Kana wakapinda nepadumbu usingazivi kuti mayouths akabva nekupi, mind that it is your job that will be on line, “charged Zhuwawo.
The green bombers are known for campaigning for Zanu PF during election time. The youth officers are accused of terrorizing opposition political supporters and get jobs in return.
The minister however, failed to answer some questions saying that he was still on induction and had to consult was not yet furnished with all the information and he needed time to consult with the previous ministers.
Currently, the government is in the process of auditing the civil servants.local