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Eight-year-old ‘mechanic’ defies odds

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Eight-year-old ‘mechanic’ defies odds

By Virginia Njovo

While his agemates are busy playing with toys and video games, eight-year-old Tanyaradzwa Mabhanda is defying expectations, turning wrenches and fixing engines mastering intricacies of motor mechanics at his father’s workshop.
Tanyaradzwa, a grade four pupil at Francis Aphiri Primary School in Masvingo town is determined at his age that he wants to be a mechanic and says he got inspiration from his father Johannes Mabhanda.
The boy says he is proud to be working alongside his father at their family company, Mabhanda Motors.
“My father inspired me to do this job though I am yet to be a professional. I used to come to my father’s workshop during the holidays just to give him company while doing his work which is when I started to develop interest in mechanics,” said Tanyaradzwa.
He said he would pursue motor mechanics at college as he has developed passion for the trade.
“I want to study motor mechanics in college. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and I hope to become one of the best mechanics in Masvingo and Zimbabwe,” he said.
His father, Johannes Mabhanda said his son had shown great potential in mechanics as he only started learning about mechanics about a year ago when he was in grade three during school holidays when he would accompany him to work but has since mastered various tasks including assisting in disassembling a car engine.
“Tanyaradzwa is now able to disassemble an engine, changing wheels of a car strategically, changing oil from vehicles and identifying a problem a car is having as well identifying the tools which are used during some of the operations,” said Johannes.
Johannes said he was grateful that in a world where jobs are scarce and innovation was crucial for survival, his young boy was following his footsteps career wise.
“I am proud of my son since it was my dream to have one of my children become a mechanic and uphold the legacy of Mabhanda Motors even after my departure from this world,” said Johannes.
His father said Tanyaradzwa said his son was an average student in school and hopes that doing mechanics would be an advantage to him as he had committed to teaching him the trade and help him be a master in the industry.
“Since Tanyaradzwa has already identified his strength, I am committed to supporting his journey to mastering the key skills required in the industry and I am keen to mentor him throughout his journey till he become a professional in this field,” said Johannes.
Johannes further said his son had shown traits of innovation since he has developed other skills to improvise in some procedures that might be heavier for him since he is still young.
“As for other duties which might be heavier for him he has come up with his own strategies to do other jobs which may need more strength as well as safety mechanisms for example when changing wheels on bigger cars,” said Johannes.
Innovation is one of the most vital ingredients for success in the modern world where there is a demand for critical skills. Zimbabwe is currently implementing a competence based curriculum which seeks to develop learners ready for life and work in a globalised environment and Tanyaradzwa is already ahead of his peers in this.

Junior Primary scoops award

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Junior Primary scoops award

By Richard Mukwenya

MASVINGO – Junior Primary School, one of the most prestigious private schools in Masvingo, together with its director Noah Marima recently scooped the Private School Of The Year 2024 Award and Businessman of the Year Award respectively at the Sundrive Business Awards.
The Junior Investments enterprise which owns Junior Driving School, Junior High and Primary Schools, Junior Security Company, Junior Micro finance, Junior Complex among other entities continues to soar after adding two more gongs to their cabinet.
Marima also scooped the Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the same awards ceremony.
He recently won the Best Businessman of The Year Award at the Megafest awards.
Speaking to TellZim News, Marima said he was elated by the recognition which he said shows how dedicated they were as an organization, adding that the awards fuel their passion to innovate and make a difference.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award and I want to thank our incredible team, customers, and partners for their unwavering support.
“For the school award, we are proud to be leaders in our field, and we won’t stop striving for excellence. This award wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our talented teachers and learners. We want to share the achievement with our learners’ parents and guardians and all our clients as well as partners who support us,” said Marima.
Marima was named Outstanding Business Personality in 2020 at the Megafest Awards while Junior High School bagged the Diamond Award in 2022 cementing the enterprise as one of the best in the province and beyond.
Junior Driving School was also named best in the Motor Trade Industry several times at the Masvingo Agricultural Show.
One of Junior Driving School drivers Tongesai Mudyiwa came third in the Driver of The Year competitions held by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TCSZ) recently.

Residents clash with council over ZiG payments

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Residents clash with council over ZiG payments

By Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO City residents are up in arms with council over the local authority’s decision to allow only residents whose banking details match with the account being paid for to use swipe or bank transfer when paying rates.
Residents interpreted the move as an indirect way of demanding USD payments by council, as tenants and other residents whose details are not on the properties they have to pay for cannot use either bank transfers or swipe to pay council rates.
The local authority issued a statement on September 18 advising residents that only those with matching details on both property and bank details will be allowed to use the platform.
“Masvingo City Council would like to notify its clients that for payments to be made via swipe cards and transfers, the details of the paying bank card/account should match those of the account to be paid /settled. This is in line with the Monetary Authorities’ regulations,” read the statement.
There is no policy however which states this as claimed by the city council.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association Director Anozivaishe Muguti said as residents they were not going to allow council to bully them, urging the local authority to reconsider its decision or see residents boycotting the payment of bills.
“We, as residents, are deeply concerned and disappointed by the city council’s sudden decision to refuse payment of rates and bills using bank cards not bearing the same name as that on their accounts. This move unfairly restricts our payment options, causing unnecessary hardship.
“The decision is unacceptable, inconvenient, and unjust, lacking any legal basis. We urge the council to reconsider. If not, we may consider a payment boycott. We demand transparency, flexibility, and accountability,” said Muguti.
Disability rights activist Henry Chivhanga said the policy was discriminatory as some disabled people who could not work rely on other people to pay the bills.
He said though Council would want to preserve value, it was not a monetary authority and was thereby usurping the powers of the Reserve Bank and the Ministry of Finance.
“Council seems to have taken the role of the police and the judiciary to allege, arrest and convict residents on suspicion of being money changers.
Now the effects are that persons with disabilities and pensioners who rely on well-wishers and relatives will have water disconnected. It will be tricky for residents who rent houses because it is a norm that such tenants pay for their water. This will result in low cash inflows to Council,” said Chivhanga.
He went on to say council should rescind the decision until after consultations and council should find other means to persuade residents to pay bills.
“We love our City and we have entrusted our councilors to run this City on our behalf. That trust is critical and we cannot afford to waste it. I for one would encourage other residents to support our Council as long as it is sensitive to our challenges,” said Chivhanga.
He went on to castigate councilors and warned residents to see what was happening and decide who to elect next time as the current crop of councilors were after their own benefits.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo City Mayor Councilor Alec Tabe said through the move, council wanted to control illegal moneychangers who were now in the habit of camping near council offices swiping for people to get USD.
He went on to say they were not banning the use of swipe but will not allow a single card to pay for multiple houses.
“We are trying to guard against money changers who at times camp near council offices paying for people and getting USD. This deprives council of the much needed cash to get critical requirements for service delivery since most of the things are paid for in USD.
“So residents are allowed to use swipe cards but what we do not want is for one card to swipe for multiple households. One card should swipe for only one household,” Tabe said.

Gambling lands Masvingo businessman in jail

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Gambling lands Masvingo businessman in jail

By Meditation Mposi

Gambling has landed a Masvingo businessman in jail after he defrauded a client of nearly US$2000 and using the money for betting.
Thinkmore Gezeya, who buys and sell ceiling boards told the court that he used his client Godwin Ratisai’s US$1 860 to gamble when he was supposed to buy ceiling boards in Mutare four years ago.
Gezeya was convicted of theft by Masvingo Magistrate Cathrine Tafira, who then sentenced him to 10 months behind bars.
In passing judgment, Magistrate Tafira said she had given Thinkmore Gezeya 10 months after considering that he was a first time offender, has a family and also some of the money was recovered.
Tafira however said a custodial sentence was necessary, saying Gezera’s actions were not acceptable considering that he used business money for personal interests since 2020 and never returned it but rather continued betting.
It was the state case that sometime in September 2020, Godwin Ratisai gave Gezeya US$1 860 to purchase ceiling boards for resale on his behalf since they were business partners.
Gezeya did not purchase the ceiling boards, neither did he return the money to Ratisai. He started to avoid Ratisai giving excuses whenever he tried to reach him to recover his money.
On September 14, 2024 Ratisai met Gezeya in Masvingo CBD and reported the matter to Masvingo Central Police Station which led to Gezeya’s arrest.
From the total USD$1 860, Gezeya managed to return US$142 since 2020.
Narrating his side of the story, Gezeya said he had found the ceiling boards out of stock in Mutare and had to wait for a week. While waiting, he met his college friends who persuaded him to bet part of the cash, after which he converted the remainder for personal use.
Asked why he did not pay back the money since 2020, Gezeya said he was still betting in an attempt to recover all the money.

Dr Zulu in court for allegedly killing patient

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Dr Zulu in court for allegedly killing patient

By Meditation Mposi

Masvingo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Noel Zulu has appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Bishard Chineka facing charges of culpable homicide after a patient he operated on in 2015 died and was allegedly found with a cotton swab in the abdomen.
Zulu, who pleaded not guilty will be back in court on September 25 for sentencing.
It was the state’s case that sometime in 2015, Zulu performed an operation on the now deceased, Gladys Sibanda Mapwashike on the abdomen at Masvingo Provincial Hospital and left a cotton swab inside.
Since then, Mapwashike’s abdomen started to swell, as she lost weight and her health deteriorated until she died in 2023.
On July 16, 2023, Mapwashike attended a Presidential rally in Zaka after which she collapsed on her way back and was ferried to Msiso Mission Hospital where she died upon admission.
A post-mortem was conducted with suspicions that she could have been poisoned at the rally and the body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where Dr Godfrey Zimbwa did the postmortem on July 18, 2023. An old cotton swab was found in the deceased’s abdomen.
Giving his testimony in court, Dr Zimbwa said the swab was found in the abdomen but it could be the least cause of the Mapwashike’s death.
Dr Zimbwa said he observed that Mapwashike’s body had no external injuries, had plus or minus five litres of blood stained with petronal fluid, clotted blood on the abdomen indicating that there had been a slow bleeding likely for weeks or months since the blood was old looking. He also observed a shrunken pale liver almost creamish in colour indicating a condition called liver cirrhosis and too much fluids in the abdomen.
Dr Zimbwa further said a medical doctor could not be accountable for the swab in the abdomen as a number of people are involved when conducting a surgery including one or two surgeons, a scrub sister and a runner. He said a scrub sister is the one who is responsible for auditing instruments used during a surgery. Prior to a surgery, instruments to be used are counted and are counted again post-surgery. If they are missing the operation starts again to search for the missing instruments.
Dr Zimbwa said the liver problem which resulted in too much fluids in the abdomen could be the cause of Mapwashike’s death but did not dismiss that the swab which was found in the abdomen could also be a potential cause of death.
Dr Zulu is being charged with culpable homicide as defined in Section 49 (1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 09:23.

Poverty stricken Mavhaire rejoins Zanu PF

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Poverty stricken Mavhaire rejoins Zanu PF

. . . claims he was never a CCC card holder

By Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO- Dzikamai Mavhaire, who seems to be wallowing in poverty, has retraced his footsteps back to Zanu PF for the second time in two decades, a development which analysts said was an attempt to get resources from the ruling party.
Mavhaire was recently paraded at State House together with his son, Tawanda and former Gutu Central legislator Oliver Chirume.
Sources who accompanied Mavhaire to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the former Energy Minister did not waste the opportunity as he immediately requested for a private one on one meeting with the President. The sources suspected that he wanted to beg for resources from the President.
“We went with him (Mavhaire) to meet the President. We were, however, surprised when he suddenly pleaded with the President for a private meeting. We are not sure what he wanted to discuss with the President but we suspect it has to do with his welfare as you can see he is in a sorry state,” said the source.
Mavhaire’s fortunes took a nosedive when he got fired as Minister of Energy in 2014, which also saw him being sacked from the ruling party amid factional fights.
He subsequently lost shares at Bikita Minerals where he was a shareholder after the mine was sold to Chinese company Sinomine in 2022.
With his truck company also collapsed, and the ministerial fleet he left government with continues to depreciate, Mavhaire was now surviving from a not-so-thriving horticulture project at his farm along the Great Zimbabwe Monuments road.
Speaking to TellZim News in a phone conversation a day after his State House visit, Mavhaire asked the reporter if he had ever seen him with a Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) membership card, insinuating that he was never a member of the opposition party.
“So you want to write that I have joined Zanu PF? Have you ever seen my CCC membership card?” “I thought you would ask some- thing better and write a positive story, you should write develop- ment than writing this nonsense,” Mavhaire said before hanging up.
Political analyst Dr Lucas Ari- bino said the move by Mavhaire was not something extraordinary because politicians would always want to be where they can bene- fit which is why they were always shifting within parties.
“What has just happened is indeed a qualitative indicator of the credo that politics is about self-preser- vation. In terms of international relations, politicians just behave like nation states that enter into ei- ther bilateral or multilateral agree- ments for the purpose of compara- tive advantages, it is the ‘what is in it for me’ thing.
“Mavhaire just like any other po- litician has demonstrated that the centre of gravity in politics begins and ends with self-hood,” said Dr Aribino.
Dr Athur Fidelis Chikerema who once worked with Mavhaire said his return to the ruling party should not be a surprise to anyone as he was power-hungry and always wanted to be close to power.
“The issue with Dzikamai Mav- haire should not be a surprise to anyone. I knew him when we were both representing our respective provinces during our tenure at the inception of Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
“What I observed is that Mav- haire is an opportunist and a po- wer-hungry politician as he was the self-imposed chairperson. Due to his egoistic and power-hungry nature he engineered the split of the party as there was disagree- ment on the composition of the constitution on the issue of two vice presidents where the ‘young turks’ wanted one vice president which made members think that ZPF was a Zanu PF project,” said Dr Chikerema.
He said after the demise of ZPF, it did not come as a surprise that Mavhaire rushed to join MDC-Al- liance and later CCC, hero-wor- shipping Chamisa while lambas ting Zanu PF and its leader whom he said was too old.
“Everyone knows that if you lea- ve Zanu PF, life will not be rosy, as they will come after you and will strip off all of the benefits you were getting. Being left as director of Bikita Minerals shows that the- re is a paradox, meaning that the- re were still connections between him and Zanu PF,” said Dr Chikerema.
Ironically, Mavhaire had become so close to opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and would often be given a chance to speak at any gathering he attended even ahead of Chamisa’s then deputies Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Lynette Karenyi Kore.
He was one of the few critics of former President Robert Mugabe whom he told to resign because of old age and that was alleged to be one of the reasons why he was later expelled from the revolutionary party.
His other son Moses, who is doing charity work in Masvingo Central, was however quoted in the press vowing that he would never join Zanu PF and will remain loyal to Chamisa.

Isn’t ‘Munhumutapa’ desecrating our history?

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Isn’t ‘Munhumutapa’ desecrating our history?

Hello ladies and gentlemen, sorry, I mean SADC chairpersons. Please treat me nicely and bring me nice food and clothes here at Dr Gire Trading Centre where we are busy renovating, revamping and constructing Chimusana Bridge. I am not an engineer so I am not sure what these Masimba guys are doing neChimusana chedu. I don’t care as well what they are really doing but what I want now is for them to quickly complete the work before the rains come otherwise zvinovharwa. Handisi svikiro zvangu like the Gen Z one in Renco Mine but I can smell early rains. But mukati Ba 2 havapengi imi? Suddenly we are all SADC chairpersons,can you imagine. Who in his right mind would want to be associated with such madness? Maybe he meant hake kuZanu ikoko but I am sure there are some even kuZanu kwacho vasingade kubatwa kumeso zvenhando. Ba 2 mukawana time muite mushe imi.
Zvinhu zvaoma ladies and gentlemen zvaakutoda prayer, this is the one of the few times I would wish Nero was the president. Imagine with how prayerful he is, zvinhu zvaidai zvichitofamba so. But he is trying hake mukomana, we all see the prayers and verses he posts every day and I am sure mese makamuona achitamba gaza kwaGutu kkk. We all know paakapinda gore riya cellphone lines that were bought using mombe were reduced to a dollar. Imagine madhurire ari kuita Starlink and we allow him to come back again kuti data rinochipa sei. I think this is the only way to persuade our youths to participate in civic processes rather than kuswerera gukamakafela. Can someone bring me a Starlink kit here please ndipindewpo mumasaisai? Kana bridge ragadzirwa road yanaka I am sure dust will be a thing of the past so the router will be safe. If you can’t beat them just join them, I am told Telone has since joined the agents who are selling the Starlink package, zvinoda kuonera ladies and gentlemen, it’s called survival.
Ko munenge muchiitana seiko musi weMunhumutapa imi? What happened to the presidential chopper? Who wanted to kill who? I am sure you all know the history of accidents in this teapot country. Vamwe voti Kedha was the target that’s why he boycotted vamwewo voti chaitoda mukuru chaiye, imiwoye kkkk zviro zvacho. But something doesn’t add up in this whole issue. I heard the popular theory saying the chopper was bound to Mbungo to pick up Mukuru. Is that so? Akambege aenda nei ikoko? Someone is hiding behind a finger. Vamwewo hanzi kudonha kwechikopokopo was just a warning sign from the real Munhumutapas who are sleeping mumasango nemumakomo that the name Munhumutapa cannot be abused like that for nothing. I remember gore riya when Uncle Bob commissioned Tokwe Mukosi, when Ba 2 introduced him he said, “Hama dzangu dzekuMasvingo, ndauya naVaMutapa Mambo wenyika ino.” I didn’t know he was creating a dynasty where he would replace Bob and become the Mutapa himself. So they want to make ED a king? All things start sefunny in Zim and mozongoona ah, zvatoita. Please Zanu PF people stop abusing the names of our ancestors, let them rest in peace. Remember you once put Mbuya Nehanda’s face on bond notes, what happened to them? Nhasi mava naMunhumutapa, tichanzwa kwaakutaurwa zvaKaguvi manje manje ipapa. What happened to that Munhumutapa Fund what what that is being led by John Panonetsa Mangudya. What’s so special about this Mutapa name? Stop abusing the name and fix the economy, Mutapa will not resurrect, just stop corruption or sanctions. We need new leaders and nothing else. Chete vanhu vacho havana nyadzi, they have no shame at all.
Speaking of the shameless Zanu PF, I heard about this guy who lost elections in 2018 and when to parliament nekuda kwaChigumba, uyu anonzani, Dexter Nduna. That guy is a clown sure. Kana kusanyara, sure murume mukuru kungoda kurarama nezvekuba every time. He rigged again but this time he rigged to get a degree, which is impossible. It’s only Dr Gire who could pull it off with her thesis that looked at how orphanhood led to children being in orpharnages. Who would have guessed, what an important research, kkk. People don’t learn, Nyagura was arrested gore riya. But zvaDr Gire zvaiva nani, she just made a phone call and all was set, izvi zvanaNduna zva zvechidofo, how can he force himself and authorities to graduate when he failed some modules? Hanzi wearing a gown does not mean graduating. Anyone can wear a gown but not everyone can graduate. Go and do farming mumapurazi amakatorera vanhu iwaya vana Nduna, unoda kuita lawyer raani? Who in his right mind would want to be represented by a thief? Ukuwo kuMpilo, a fake doctor was nabbed in the hospital, kuPari earlier kwakabatwa another one and you hear one saying Vision 2030.
I heard it was all smiles at State House recently as Ba 2 was welcoming one of his major critics, Baba VaMavhaire nasonny wavo. I am sure it’s now open to everyone that it’s about fattening their pockets than representing people. After being fired for telling Mugabe to retire, Mavhaire went on to join the new outfit led by Zimuroyi rekuDotito Runaida Joyce Teurai Ropa Mujuru kkkk. After causing its split and later its downfall, he went on to join the CCC and the Blind Pastor Nelson Chamisa went on to take him on board and put him close. I remember kuRujeko gore riya when Mavhaire came achiti ari kunzwa mudumbu and Pastor Chamisa prayed for him. Kutambisa munamanato. As if that was not enough, he was given a mic and took to the podium where he asked the youths kuti why do you want to vote for Ba 2 who is closer to the grave than the young Nero. He made sense right? Yes, I even clapped my hands ndiri kuno kuChitima ndichiti musharukwa areketa. We all know what happened on August 23. People voted for the one who is closer to the grave, fair enough, but takazongoona hedu kuti once Zanu PF, always Zanu PF. Mavhaire is like a stubborn fly that follows a corpse into the grave kkkk. I would forgive Mavhaire zvangu and say regai vakafa vavigane because they are all graves iye naBa 2 vacho, but what about his son? Ko uyuwo Chirume? I think this is an eye opener, we are all alone in this. We have no opposition in Zimbabwe, they are all Zanu PF projects hapana hapana. Opposition went to the grave with MRT, vamwe kutamba nesu.
I am sure we all know how our own Joshua dumped the people and retreated to be a Twitter pastor, giving us morning, afternoon and then midnight verses. We all know what happened to Polad. Everyone is aware about the Chabangu debacle. Speaking of Tshabangu, I used to agree with him that he was against Nero’s dictatorial tendencies and imposition of candidates and only realised my suspicions that it was all about the political party finances. He has fattened his pocket and I tell you this, the ploy is to nullify the 2028 elections so that 2030 vanenge vachipo kkk, mark my words.
Before I go hangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, has anyone heard from the former Minister of Physchomotor? Varova baba vaHungwe. I wonder where he is vanhu vachiita corruption munyika kudai. He used to say zvanzi naJehovaha rambai fufuro kkk. I wish he was hear reading the riot act to truant Zanu PF people like anaDexter vasingasvodi. I want to implore EMA to make sure that the Great Zimbabwe shrine was cleaned and cleansed. Kwakasiiwa a lot of rotten chicken inn boxes and all sorts of tsvina. I doubt kuti dai our beloved former VP Mphoko was there would tolerate that nonsense, wakangotarisa face yacho you will see kuti inenge ichitosemeswa nechekare, he wouldn’t allow people messing the national shrines. Iye aripiko? Mboko Imboko!!!!

ZNFPC targets tertiary students with contraceptives

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ZNFPC targets tertiary students with contraceptives

By Virginia Njovo

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) will raise awareness on new contraceptives to tertiary students as it commemorates World Contraceptive Day on September 26.
ZNFPC will host the commemorations at Mkoba Teachers College in Gweru under the theme ‘Contraception Is Your Life, Your Responsibility’ targeting young people in the reproductive phase and sexually active.
Speaking to TellZim News ZNFPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Farai Machinga said there were gaps in information on contraception knowledge, timing and contraceptive types among universities and colleges where students tend to only use condoms as a way of protection.
“We are going to have free service provision on the day, including free information as well as free counselling to those in need of those services. When talking contraceptive health to young people we encourage them to abstain from sexual activities whilst focusing on their studies since it is the only safest way of staying healthy,” said Machinga.
Machinga said hosting the world commemorations at Mkoba Teachers College serves as a tribute to the teachers’ dedication and resilience and recognizing the significant contributions of teachers who despite their own responsibilities continue to inspire and educate others.
“This is also a way of appreciating teachers who help the world in educating and inspire other youth who are at reproductive stage and sexually active in different ways. As Family Planning Council we are committed to ensure the availability of services and access to quality integrated, affordable contraceptive services to everyone by 2030 as well as to ensure access to comprehensive and appropriate information to appropriate people.
“Current statistics show that regardless of tertiary students being the most affected people with STIs, married women are also at high risk since 41 percent of them are using pills as the only way of contraception whilst 10 percent are using injectables,.
“10 percent are using implants, four percent use male condoms, female sterilisation, IUCD and traditional method are at one percent. So we urge people to use dual contraceptives curb the spread of STIs as well as unwanted pregnancies,” said Machinga.
Midlands Province has four tertiary institutions excluding vocational training centres and the province has mining activities where students are lured by artisanal miners putting them at risk of contracting STIs as well as transmitting them.

Council to widen stream to avoid flooding

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Council to widen stream to avoid flooding

… As efforts to relocate Runyararo West flood victims remain pipe dream

By Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council is in the process of widening the banks of a stream in Runyararo West as a solution to the perennial flooding that has seen some households in Davis Mugabe Street losing property and get stranded whenever there are heavy rains.
Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe said engagements to relocate the flood victims were still underway although land had already been identified for relocation, the immediate plan was to widen the nearby stream to divert the runoff during floods.
“Council has already identified land for the affected residents and we are waiting for other stakeholders to chip in. The relocation is not solely the responsibility of council and we have done our part. At the moment council intends to widen the Runyararo West stream and we anticipate the widening work to commence soon,” said Tabe.
According to a report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), ward 2 councilor Benson Hwata was quoted saying Masvingo City Council had plans to get an excavator to widen and deepen the stream that passes through the wetland where houses were built on.
“The ZHRC interviewed Mr Hwata and obtained information that, he was aware of the flooding houses along Davis Mugabe Street in Runyararo West. He stated that MCC was in the process of acquiring an excavator to widen and deepen the river as a measure to channel the water along the stream and avoid flooding,” reads part of the report.
Hwata told TellZim News in an interview that this was the immediate plan while awaiting the actual relocation of the victims.
“This is the immediate plan that council has towards assisting the flood victims as the rain season approaches. We are hoping that this can help save the residents’ properties from being soaked in water time and again while waiting for relocation. This might actually work for the better and might mean residents can stay in their homes,” said Hwata.
The Davis Mugabe residents have been receiving empty promises from responsible authorities for quite a long time with the relocation promise becoming a pipeline dream.
During the 2022-23 rainy season due to fear that the houses may collapse, Masvingo City Council evacuated affected residents to the District Development Fund offices (DDF) as a temporary measure.
To date, five mayors, namely Femius Chakabuda (the late), Hubert Fidze, Collen Maboke, Shantiel Chiwara, though short-lived, and now Alec Tabe, have failed to resolve the issue and the Tabe administration is taking its first step towards addressing the challenge.
The families were allocated stands at the confluence of two small streams in the area and the situation is said to be worsened by construction activities in Victoria Ranch.
Some sources close to the matter said at the time when the stands were allocated, in the mid-2000s, an engineer who was working at townhouse advised against it, which fell on deaf ears, although he had predicted the impending disaster due to the presence of water bodies nearby.

REA installs solar mini-grids in rural areas

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REA installs solar mini-grids in rural areas

By Virginia Njovo

Rural Electrification Agency Zimbabwe (REA) is installing solar mini-grids in rural villages starting with Manicaland and Masvingo provinces as a way of adapting to climate change through environmental friendly energy sources.
The agency, through its ‘green village’ movement is also training communities in environmentally conscious practices to reduce waste, conserve resources as well as to promote eco-friendly habits.
Speaking with TellZim News, REA acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Felisters Makumbinde during the Public Procurement and Corporate Governance Conference organized by Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) at Clevers Resort in Masvingo recently said there were eight community mini-grids they would install.
Of these, they will install one per province and in Masvingo, it will be installed at Soti Sosi in Gutu District while in Manicaland it will be installed in Chipinge in the Hwakwata area.
“We had eight community mini grids and each province should get one. We did thorough piloting so as to locate the suitable station where we can put the power mini-grid in that community so that everyone benefits from generated power, from business centres to households.
“In Chipinge District we established a US$1.6 million 200 KW mini-grid power solar plant in Hwakwata village which is now fully operational and it is benefiting 108 households including Hwakwata Clinic and Primary School which has an approximate enrolment of 920 learners,” said Makumbinde.
Makumbinde added that they were also establishing another solar power plant mini grid in Gutu District, Masvingo Province at Soti Sosi where the number of beneficiaries is yet to be figured out.
“With the same mandate of establishing green villages where we want people in rural areas to experience urban setup lifestyle, we are establishing an approximately US$1.2 million mini grid in Gutu, Soti Sosi, with its construction currently underway,” said Makumbinde.
To complement the solar energy, biogas systems were established at ninety homesteads in Hwakwata where Makumbinde said it only needed six cows for for one to get a cowdung biogas digester system which is believed to produce clean gas leading to the reduction of air pollution as well as minimizing deforestation.
“In order complement solar power energy there is also another renewable energy which is biogas which is used by 90 households to cook in Hwakwata Village.
“The project is open to those who with six cows and above to come approach us, so we come and construct a clean gas system for you which is user friendly,” said Makumbinde.

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