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COTRAD uses sport to fight violence

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COTRAD uses sport to fight violence
By Itai Muzondo
Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development Trust (COTRAD) hosted a sports tournament in Mwenezi district as a way of commemorating sixteen days of activism against gender based violence.
The tournament which was held at Maranda business centre sporting grounds saw five teams from wards, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 16 battling it out in soccer and netball competitions.

Ward 9 councilor, Gilbert Gondo said the tourney was very important as it reminded the people about the need to stop gender based violence.
 “I want to thank COTRAD for remembering us during this period. I am sure their message has been well received …there is certainly going to be a decline in cases to do with gender based violence”, said Gondo.
COTRAD Information Officer, Brighton Ramusi said that their organization was happy to work with communities for development in key areas such as fighting gender based violence.
Participating teams received balls and sporting kits as prizes.
The 16 days of activism against gender based violence 2014 were commemorated under the theme, Lets challenge militarism and violence against women.local

Time for government to put people first is now

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Time for government to put people first is now
Wezhira wati wahwei  with Golden Maunganidze
I am sure a lot of people are quick to recognise my handwriting because this is not my first time to make my opinion public.
I am sure the year 2014 is going to be remembered for a lot of things. However, to many people, this is the year which they want to quickly forget. I also strongly believe that the people of Masvingo have very disturbing memories about what happened this year. Ironically, when the year started, the people were full of hope thinking that by the end of the year half the population would be enjoying the fruits of our own economic blue print ZimAsset.
ZimAsset became popular to such levels that some of us thought even cats and dogs were able to articulate the contents of this noble solution to our economic woes.
Some of us who were frequenting Chingwizi transit camp for flood victims thought that the government was going to swiftly address the natural disaster so that like any other Zimbabwean, the victims would enjoy the fruits of ZimAsset. When the President declared Tokwe-Mkosi a national disaster, we were quick to conclude that the government was prepared to deal with the problem once and for all. However, the solution has remained a pie in the sky.
I don’t want to remind you Wezhira that the victims went through difficult times to the extent that to date most of the affected families need more counselling than food. It was trauma through and through. I shall not remind you Wezhira about the chaos and riots that took place until the people were forcibly resettled. To date, we still write about these people’s plight.
At some point I persuaded myself to believe that the government did not have money but as time went by, I realised that it was all about priorities.
We were watching when the congress issue started, I mean the ruling party’s recent elective congress Wezhira, we also remember very well the money which was needed and we also know how it was raised.
I will not go into detail but I really believe that we no longer prioritise critical areas. Big people donated huge amounts of money towards the congress and we converted Harare to a flashy city within days. Get me right Wezhira, I am not saying we were supposed  to have a dull congress. No. I am saying that government officials have potential to fundraise when need arises but surprisingly they prioritise protecting their positions in the party and government and end there.
                                             Chingwizi transit camp
We witnessed purging of party stalwarts on a daily basis this year more than any other year since independence. Again, I am persuaded to believe that we no longer have a conscience – let’s prioritise shelter for fellow Zimbabweans.
If we continue to have this kind of governance – then I believe that something is wrong somewhere! Elsewhere in this newsletter, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Kudakwashe Bhasikiti talks about the need to prioritise shelter. I think minister Bhasikiti is now slowly seeing the light!
For now Wezhira says it’s time to put the people first!!! Wati wahwei? send comments to editor@tell.co.zw   .blog

Government reluctant over Tokwe-Mukosi victims

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Government reluctant over Tokwe-Mukosi victims
…Thousands sleep in the open    …. tents are worn out …  ..Over 100 families back to  flood basin
By Tell Reporter
CHINGWIZI – Over 3000 displaced Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims who were forcibly resettled by government four months ago are living under inhumane conditions, with more than 1000 families living in the open amid reports that the make-shift tents donated to them by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) early this year have worn out.
Investigations by Tell Zimbabwe established that over 100 families returned to their original homesteads at the Tokwe-Mukosi flood basin after government short-changed them and allocated them one hectare per household against the four hectares it initially promised, raising fears that there will be another disaster if the province continue to receive heavy rains.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, confirmed the development but he could not ascertain the number of families that moved back to the dam’s buffer zone before he hastened to say government was reluctant to compensate the Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims.
“Over 3 000 families were permanently resettled from the Chingwizi Transit Camp, however, I heard other families have moved back but I believe they are very few. I am very sure the number is very small, maybe 10 families, so it is something that  should not cause alarm.

                      Kudakwashe Bhasikiti
“The situation of Tokwe-Mukosi floods victims is however worrying and needs urgent attention.  Families are living in the open because the tents they received when they were evacuated early this year have worn out. Government is supposed to release $6.8m for compensation and I am going to engage the minister of finance this week. I will continue to appeal to government to release the funds so that people can buy building material and build proper permanent houses.
The minister however, said the province has no form of assistance to give to the flood victims in the event that the government fails to avail the compensation funds in time.
“We have no plan; we have no money and the victims have no money too so they can’t build permanent shelter. We are already in the raining season and we risk losing lives because of poor shelter. It is the cry of my heart that government release the funds so that the victims build proper homes. If we all prioritise the lives of people at Chingwizi, $6.8m is not a lot of money because it will save lives of thousands of people,” Bhasikiti added.
Various reports that were released by human rights organisations said the families endured several human rights violations during their stay at the Chingwizi transit camp.local

Angry teachers hold deputy PEDs hostage over accommodation

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Angry teachers hold deputy PEDs hostage over accommodation
By Own Reporter

MASVINGO – Masvingo deputy Provincial Education Directors (PEDs), Fadzai Jirivengwa and Andrew Chikwange together with their Masvingo District Education Officer (DEO) Zacharia Makopa had a nasty experience at the hands of  38  Mashava teachers who are facing eviction from the AA Mines’ houses.
The senior civil servants in the ministry of education had to endure cold weather outside their office at  Wigley House from 1700 hours to around 2000hours on Tuesday after they were blocked from leaving their offices.
The teachers were demanding to be given alternative accommodation by their employer.
AA Mines won a court order to evict the 38 teachers from the mine houses at Mashava amid reports that they had resisted paying rentals resulting in their arrears ballooning to amounts between $500 and $800. Affected teachers are from Temeraire, Mashaba and King Mine schools in Mashava.
A representative for the teachers, Nathan Ruzengwe confirmed the development and said they had come to seek alternative accommodation from their employer.

Some of the teachers who blocked deputy PEDs demanding alternative accommodation
“We appealed to the courts after we were served with eviction letters but today we were surprised after our lawyer told us that another eviction order was granted pending appeal. We  are left with no option but to come to our employer so that we can have alternative accommodation. We have been servicing the mine schools but now that the mine is no longer working they want to boot us out and lease the houses to institutions which have the capacity to pay more rentals than teachers. We want our bosses to address us because we are stranded,” said Ruzengwe.
Makopa declined to comment and referred all questions to his superiors. The deputy PED, Chikwange who was at the scene also declined to comment and referred all  questions to the PED, Zedias Chitiga who could not be reached by the time of going to press.
AA Mines is represented by Chuma, Gurajena and Partners.Local

Checheche runs dry

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Checheche runs dry

Checheche Correspondent

Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge has gone  for  three weeks without water after ZESA had to cut off power supply to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) pumping facility over an undisclosed amount in outstanding bills.
The development has forced residents to resort to unprotected water sources for their domestic consumption thereby raising fears of Cholera and Typhoid outbreak in the area.

Council official from Checheche Robert Ziracha  said the dilemma faced by residents is likely to worsen.

 “Its true that we have gone for three weeks without water and the problem is likely to worsen since the water pipes in some areas were damaged by graders which maintaining the roads,” said Ziracha.
One resident who declined to be named said they were left without an option besides consuming untreated water. He added that  residents were worried  because ZINWA was not taking meaningful steps to solve the problem.
“Council and ZINWA must solve this problem as soon as possible. We have gone for three weeks without water and they dragging their feet in addressing the problem. We can’t continue drinking water from the river because it’s not safe. They (council) must not take advantage of the people’s silence to manipulate us,” said the resident.
Another resident said the existing boreholes have salty water which is not suitable for human consumption.
“Children are the most affected as they had been used to safe water but they are failing to adjust,” said another resident.

Ziracha could not comment as to when the problem would be solved but he said that residents were receiving clean water from the boreholes.


“I cannot speak on behalf of ZINWA as to when they will resolve their dispute with ZESA but all I can say is that residents are drinking clean water from boreholes. Some are using water from Save River for their laundry and this makes the situation manageable,” said Ziracha.
Checheche Growth Point is eying town status and residents have called for council to take full responsibility of water pumping.

Efforts to get a comment from ZINWA were fruitless.Local

No Christmas for Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims

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No Christmas for Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims
Tell Reporter
Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims settled at Chingwizi in Mwenezi are facing a bleak Christmas following government’s failure to compensate them this year.
Three quarters of the 3000 of families affected by Tokwe-Mukosi floods which hit Chivi District in February and March were moved to Chingwizi transit area but up to now they are yet to get compensation.
Scores of affected families told Tell-Zimbabwe recently that they wished if government could be considerate enough and spare them the heartaches through making available part of their compensation money so that they can join others in enjoying Christmas Day and New Year Day celebrations.
Raina Moyo,45 who has not yet received compensation appealed to government to extend assistance even in kind so that they see off the festivity in good spirits like their counterparts who were compensated.
To date government has disbursed a paltry $2 million of the estimated $9 million for compensation and only a quarter of the affected families have received amounts ranging from $600 to $15 000 depending on the developments made on their original homes at the time of evacuation.
“Some of the settlers at Chingwizi were compensated but the large number, with my family included, is yet to receive anything. This is disheartening especially considering that it is Christmas time when others will be merry-making. We hope government will consider our plight between now and Christmas Day. For now, we are not selective on our demands that we would accept even food hampers, especially for our children,” said Moyo.
Berita Vhurumuka who said the only solution to the trauma they suffered during the floods is compensation adding that the national budget is silent about their plight.
“We have suffered as victims of natural disaster and making matters worse Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa was silent about compensating flood victims when he announced the national budget last month. The budget is silent about when and how Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims will be compensated.

“We call upon powers that be to make available some funds for those who did not receive compensation specifically for Christmas,” said Vhurumuka.
“When we ask the powers that be, they give us non-committal responses and that makes us lose hope.”
A village head, Samuel Tsikisai said their wish is to lead a normal life given the fact that they have been given permanent sites.
“We want to lead a normal life like any villager in the country but as long as we are not compensated life will not be good for us. Our poverty has become man-made because some of us we were living better lives before the disaster and used to enjoy Christmas like others. As it is many people here wear long faces as each one is pondering on what to do during Christmas,” said Tsikisai.
Contacted for comment Provincial administrator Felix Chikovo said government is yet to release funds to that effect adding that as soon as resources are made available the affected families will get their compensation.
“Although it is difficult for me to say when the compensation will come from this end, our commitment as government is that we are seized with the situation and everyone will receive his or her share. We are going to compensate every affected family according to the results if the property assessments,” said Chikovo.
He said the families have not been receiving their monthly food rations and government is moving with haste to assist them.
“I can confirm that it is now two months without families at Chingwizi receiving their food rations. The department of social welfare has released food vouchers for the families but we are presently working on transferring the vouchers into cash for Grain marketing Board to start supplying the food. Minister of State for provincial affairs Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti is in Harare ,seized with the issue, as we speak,” said Chikovo.
“However, Tongaat Hullet is expected to supply some food to Chingwizi and government will also supply the rations anytime from now. For their appeal for Christmas food hampers, that is a genuine request, we will consider that and take it to the next office for consideration when they make an official request.”Local

Woes for Chiredzi never end!

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Woes for Chiredzi never end!

…And the watcher says Its okay or Zvikahle

I do not know whether I am getting old or the people I speak with are pulling my leg. Whenever I engage in a conversation, they usually say to me “mudhara.”
The gist of this contribution is not really on my age, but on the hopeless surrendering spirit that is with Zimbabweans. Meet any stranger or acquaintance and ask them in Shona how they are, and the answer is the same, “Zviri bhoo, Its Okay or Zvikahle.” Even if “zvakapresser muviri wese” they will say “zviri bhoo.”
I think we take this from our British colonial legacy where we have all our salutations on the positive. Like “good morning,” “good day,” “good evening” etc. without finding out from the other chap how they are really, really feeling. I mean, what is good about a morning or an afternoon if one is not aware of a neigbhours’ circumstances? That is why we have a plain “masikati,” which is then followed up with a qualification “Maswera sei?” That’s more like it if you really want to know what is happening in a person’s life.
Unfortunately for us, that colonial affliction has permeated society so much that it has become part of folk lore. That is our culture now. And our very undoing in terms of how our political affairs, our very own lives have been taken for granted.
Now back to that resigned feeling that has anesthetized Zimbabweans. The dominant languages in our culture are Shona and Ndebele. The people of Chiredzi in Masvingo Province have been influenced on the language front by the Karanga people of Zaka, Nyajena, Chivi and to a lesser extend the Ndau people of Chipinge. Even if you are in their home town Chiredzi, it is rare to hear them using their mother tongue. When I went to get my national ID at the District Administrators’ office in 1985 I noticed so many elderly people having their names being distorted by clerical staff who were issuing the documents. So you end up with Mukachana instead of Mukhachana, Mushava in place of Muhlava, Makanani when it is supposed to be Makhanani.

Chilonga bridge in Chiredzi

All this is water under the bridge now. But there is something that is devastating that we have learnt to live with as a legacy of this relationship with the rest of the citizenry. Loyalty, submissiveness to whatever is the situation, docility. We just tell ourselves as Zimbabweans that “Its bhoo!” “Ndizvo, chero zvazvaita chikepe chedanda.” We go with the flow.
In the local Shangani language that is spoken in Chiredzi rural, the equivalent of ‘Zviri bhoo’ is “zvikahle” if you come from the Chilonga and surrounding areas. If one goes dipper into the hinterland, at places like Chingele, Chikombedzi, Malipati, Muhlanguleni – the “zvi..” is substituted with “svi..”
So, ‘svikahle.’ Its OK, zviri bhoo, ta tata.
What is OK in Zimbabwe? In Chiredzi? Why has it become so tragic? Are other parts of Zimbabwe spared?
Potential  source of employment lies in sugarcane plantations
When cyclone Eline damaged the bridge near the former Chambuta Refugee Camp many years ago the entire Shangani community in Zimbabwe became excommunicated from the rest of the country. At the time of writing, nothing has been done to rebuild the bridge that links the TransFrontier Gonarenzou Park to the Buffalo Range Airport. The South Africans are waiting with their moneybags on the other side of the border and are entertaining all the tourists from all over the world. Svikahle.
Beside the investment in sugarcane irrigation in the Lowveld, that is in Triangle, Hippo Valley, Mkwasine and a few remaining commercial farms surrounding the town of Chiredzi, there is no economic activity generating employment for young people. There are not technical colleges, universities or any vocational training institutions. The only ones that are available and credible are in the town of Masvingo and its environs and we continue to sing Svikahle chorus.
Those living in SA coming home for Xmas
The only other link to civilization after the Chambuta bridge was swept away by that cyclone is a low bridge located at Chilonga Irrigation Scheme to carry produce to the market in the town of Chiredzi. The structure is so weak that during the last rainy season, Lundi river swept the thing away cutting off the whole community. In the town of Chiredzi itself, the once clean, almost manicured town has now turned into a rural centre. If one is not driving a 4X4, it is safe to drive parallel to what was once the tarred road. The dust road, over the years, has actually crept right into town and the town council now needs graders to maintain the dust roads and we again sing Svikahle. Its bhoo!!
Because there is no employment being generated in the district of Chiredzi, unless if one is prepared to slave in the sugarcane plantations, the young men and women have migrated to South Africa where they are doing menial jobs. They have their own “Wenera” now and this has had negative consequences on the family structure. Young men come home to die after having contracted HIV/Aids.
The degree of poverty in the rural areas is crushing. Households still use the bush for their toilets. There are no roads to speak of, except pathways. There is no furniture in schools. In fact, going to school is no longer regarded as a license to a better life but a waste of time. Hence the exodus to South Africa to work in farms and firms in that country. Svikhale.

Living standards remain generally poor
Earlier, I did ask the question, is this happening in Chiredzi only? Hell no! The whole country is in decay. Is it because of sanctions? Maybe to some extend. Who will come to our rescue as a country? Not SADC, not Zuma, not South Africa. Neither does our solution lie with the AU.
We have all these calamities because we have said to ourselves its bhoo. Svikahle. Life goes on. That is the tragedy that has gripped Zimbabwe, where we expect someone, somebody, somewhere to put their head on the block. And we tell ourselves that it will be OK, soon. In the meantime we run away to South Africa, Botswana, America, UK, Europe and Australia to make some noise from there. The people we sent to represent us in government  have also developed this leg disease. Instead of mobilising the people to say “It’s not right, it’s not OK,” they have taken tthat opportunity to fight their factional wars .
 As long as we continue on that path, the tragedy will continue to unfold. While other countries in the entire world are leapfrogging in terms of development, Zimbabwe backtracks and reminds itself of the war of liberation struggle. It was a good struggle and it brought many positive changes. Isn’t it time to consign it to history, get over it and forge ahead? Otherwise for now let me say svikahle!!!
send comments to editor@tell.co.zw      .blog

I want a clinic in Rhodene – Cllr Beta

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I want a clinic in Rhodene – Cllr Beta
By Moses Ziyambi
Ward nine councillor in Masvingo Urban, Mr Babylon Beta is fighting for an establishment of a small clinic in his ward saying the people in that area were having problems with going to the General hospital which expect patients to pass through a clinic which will in turn refer them to a referral hospital.
 Speaking to Tell Zimbabwe recently, Beta said he was not comfortable with the situation where patients have to go to Masvingo General Hospital even for minor ailments.

Ward nine Cllr Babylon Beta
“The problem is that Masvingo General Hospital is a referral hospital which normally expect patients to firstly pass through a clinic which will in turn refer them to the hospital for further treatment. You would be very lucky or you would be seriously ill for you to be given treatment at the general hospital without reference from a clinic,” said Beta.
Masvingo General Hospital is the province’s biggest and sole public referral hospital.
Beta said authorities were aware of the problems but lack of funding was hampering progress.
“As councillors we want to develop our communities but we don’t have the funds. In my ward, most roads and street lights are in a state of disrepair and I frequently raise this issue at council level but there is no money.
“I would also have wanted to see more boreholes being drilled in areas like Northleigh in order to cushion residents against water cuts,” said Beta.
Unlike in other wards with more boreholes, residents of Ward 9 have to grapple with persistent water cuts without an alternative source of water.Local
   

City council losing US$11 000 on bars every month

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City council losing US$11 000 on bars every month

 

By Moses Ziyambi

The Masvingo City Council is losing at least US$ 11 000 on its seven bars dotted around the city every month, Tell Zimbabwe has established.

This comes at the backdrop of a dwindling revenue base, unpaid rates amounting to millions of dollars, a ballooning salary bill and the resultant poor service delivery at the council.

An insider told Tell Zimbabwe this week that the council did not have a choice but to lease the bars to private individuals starting January 2015.

“Losing huge sums amounting to 11 000 dollars per month, what option do they have? They will start leasing most of them (bars) from at least early next year. They want to rid themselves of the mess and lease most of the bars except only two; Chidavaenzi and MerryMe. These two will be easier to manage,” said the insider.

 “It’s painful for the ratepayer who ultimately has to foot the bill,” added the source.

Masvingo city town clerk Adolf Gusha

Council- run bars include Chidavaenzi (Mucheke bus terminus), Chiororo (Pangolin) and MeryMe (Rujeko)

These startling revelations come as the city council struggles to maintain optimum service delivery with several suburbs going for several hours without water on a daily basis.

Refuse collection is also erratic as council has only two refuse- collection trucks while other trucks remain attached in the ongoing labour dispute.

Masvingo city mayor Hubert Fidze could neither accept nor deny the allegations. He laughed and said, "who told you that information."

"I cannot comment about that now but you can talk the town Clerk," said Fidze.Local

 

 

Kombi drivers clash with flea market operators

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Kombi drivers clash with flea market operators

LLOYD SHUNJE

Masvingo- Flea market operators have accused commuter bus operators for causing commotion and congestion, following the council’s decision to use the Leopold Takawira Avenue as the loading bay for commuter bus operators.
The outcry came following the shifting of the loading bay from Benjamin Vurombo to Leopold Takawira Ave between Victoria Hotel and the Flee market.
In an interview with one of the residents who owns a flea  market Tawanda Munjanganja said kombi drivers are causing commotion.

New loading bay for kombis
“We have been operating in peace here, before these guys (kombi drivers) joined us, besides congestion they always leave this place dirty, takutotya zvirwere (we are now afraid of diseases) said Munjanganja.
Responding to the allegations, Justice Zhou a kombi driver said flea market owners were raising unnecessary alarm.  He also thanked the city council for giving them operational space.
The Masvingo city mayor Hubert Fidze could not be reached for a comment.Local
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