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ERSL race to PSL promotion opens

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ERSL race to PSL promotion opens

…Masvingo United draws with Tenax FC in season opener

By TellZim Reporter

Masvingo United drew nil-nil with Tenax FC in their Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) Division One season-opening match.
Playing before its legion of fans in Mucheke stadium the George Magariro coached boys missed the opportunity to convert from the chances they got.
The team manager Lewis Matambo said as a season opener, they were looking to build on from the performance displayed.
“We played a fair match even though we missed a lot of chances. We were supposed to have converted from at least one or two of those chances.
“Since it was our first match of the season we are expecting to improve from what we did. We have some young players who were not in the previous squad so they are still trying to blend with others but soon they will master our plan,” said Matambo.
Bigboy Masocha a football fan said the team displayed a good game but they only need improvement on strikers’ finishing.
“Masvingo United failed to take full advantage of their opportunities. They missed almost six good chances but the game was not bad.
“The team only need to improve on the strikers but the youngsters were playing well, they only need time to gel,” said Masocha.
Tenax, whose dispute with the Zifa Eastern Region Soccer League board nearly halted Bikita Minerals’ promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL), rarely crossed to the other side of the field.
A Masvingo United supporter Roderick Chadya is optimistic that the team is going to excel this season.
“Based on their performance, I’m hopeful that we’ll have better results this season. We just need to sharpen our striking techniques,” said Chadya.
In the country’s top league Bikita Minerals FC which is using Sakubva stadium as their home ground won against Bulawayo Chiefs.

Use locally available materials to produce livestock feed: agro scientists

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Use locally available materials to produce livestock feed: agro scientists

By Decide Nhendo

As impacts of the El Nino-induced drought continue to hit hard in the country resulting in pasture inadequacy, research officers at Makoholi Research Institute have encouraged farmers to take advantage of local materials to produce livestock feeds as drought looms.
This came out at Makoholi Research Institute where Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development held previous year reviews and strategic planning meetings on livestock research where robust measures and strategies against the effects of drought on livestock were presented by the institute’s scientists.
Speaking at the meeting, MoLAFWRD Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri applauded scientists and research officers at Makoholi for inventing livestock feeds from local materials and helping farmers with supplements during the drought.
Jiri said from the researchers’ findings it is distressing to note that the feeds can be produced from local materials like cactus pea, acacia and crop residues that succumbed to drought (stover) and local trees which farmers can add value to and increase nutrients for cattle.
“I applaud scientists for their research, so it is now up to farmers to be innovative at the local level and produce feed for their livestock to supplement little grass left out by drought using some of the ingredients.
“Farmers must welcome locally invented machines by our scientists easy to operate which produce molasses blocks for goats from, salt and local Stover for goat feeds with cheap locally available materials,” said Jiri.
Showcasing some of their discoveries and inventions to Profesor Jiri, Makoholi Research Institute Research Officer Calisto Gwatirisa said a properly formulated feed especially in the dry season provides livestock with a balanced diet for animals with all nutritional requirements.
“We managed to produce a balanced diet for animals through food formulation where we mix various feed components in appropriate amounts to meet specific nutritional needs of an animal.
“The main objective of feed production is to provide an economical palatable and nutritionally adequate diet to promote optimal animal growth, its health as well as productivity,” Gwatirisa said.
Feed formulation is important because it leads to improved animal performance, and provides animals with all nutritional requirements, especially in dry seasons like this El Nino.
Head for Makoholi Research Institute Boziwe Tererai said for farmers to keep their livestock safe from drought, they must provide enough water, allow enough time for grazing as well as supplying of food supplements through the use of safe crop residues as there were some cases where rapoko residues poisoned livestock.
MLAFWRD Director Responsible for Livestock Andrew Chamisa echoed the same sentiments and said they were targeting to produce 100 metric tonnes of vegetative planting material and pasture as part of the plan for the drought through the use of schemes and farmers to provide pastures.
“Last year we conserved plant and animal genetic resources through generation, packaging, and dissemination of new livestock technology knowledge and this reaches farmers through agents.
“Our main goal was to produce 100 metric tonnes of vegetative planting material and pastures specifically to provide supplementary feed for livestock when it is totally dry and there is no grass, especially in areas where it is always dry.
“This year we are going to use technology generation and publications, and improve resource mobilization by responding to calls for funding so that the institutes will be capable of undertaking their task,” said Chamisa.

Gokwe family loses cash, gadgets to armed robbers

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Gokwe family loses cash, gadgets to armed robbers

By Tinaani Nyabereka

A family of five in Gokwe South lost gadgets and cash worth US$10 400 and R3 000 after four armed robbers pounced on the family shop at Masakadza Business Centre in Gokwe South on April 7, 2024.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and said police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“I can confirm a case of robbery which happened at Masakadza Business Centre where a group of armed robbers attacked and went away with cash and gadgets. We are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects and urge members of the public not to keep large sums of money in their premises,” said Mahoko.
On the fateful night, Leonard Chari (45) who operates a grocery shop at Masakadza Business Centre where he also resides together with his family closed his shop at 2000 hours and retired to bed.
At around 0100 hours, Chari and his wife were awakened by four unknown men who were armed with axes and logs. They demanded cash and other belongings. The four then jointly and wantonly assaulted the complainant, his wife, children and the shop.
The intruders took away cash worth US$9 900, R3 000, a Revolver (Taurus) gun loaded with 28 rounds and 5 cell phones all valued at $10 400 and R3 000 and went away unnoticed.
The stolen gun was recovered after it was found lying within the complainant’s yard possibly after being dropped by the criminals.

Christian Care, City Council donate water buckets to residents

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Christian Care, City Council donate water buckets to residents

By Bright Zhou

In a bid to fight the ongoing cholera outbreak, Masvingo City Council has partnered Christian Care and donated water storage containers and water treatment chemicals to residents in the city at Mucheke Hall on April 11, 2024.
Masvingo City Director of Health Services Suzanne Madamombe said Masvingo had not been spared from the outbreak and had recorded a number of cases. She said the partnership had brought twenty-litre water containers and water guard as a way of ensuring that residents have clean and safe drinking water.
She added that Masvingo City had managed to drill a number of boreholes around the city and for residents to access clean water for use in their homes.
“We partnered with Christian Care and they have decided to assist us with water containers to be used for water storage.
“The buckets are fixed with taps for hygienic purposes because traditionally people usually use jugs to fetch water from buckets and the likelihood of dipping their hands into the bucket is very high. The tap will assist to dispense the water without getting in contact with the water. We are distributing other containers to use for washing hands after using the toilet,” said Madamombe.
Masvingo City Deputy Director for Health Services, Sithabile Matava encouraged people to use water guard for treating water for domestic uses as well as cleaning water containers regularly.
“We encourage people to use water guard before using water especially for cooking and drinking purposes as it kills microorganism when applied in contaminated water. Water storage containers should be cleaned at least after every three days with soap to prevent germs from forming,” said Matava.
As at March 10, 2024 Masvingo Province had recorded a cumulative total of 3 105 cases, 95 deaths and 2 995 recoveries.

Notorious pair arrested for armed robbery

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Notorious pair arrested for armed robbery

By Bright Zhou

Two notorious men, one from Zaka and the other from Chiredzi were recently arrested by police in Masvingo for an armed robbery case they committed in Chiredzi.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and thanked members of the public for supplying positive information.
“I confirm the arrest of two men in line with a robbery case in Chiredzi South. As police we applaud members of the public for supplying positive information,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on March 24, 2024 at around 2000 hours, Tariro Chifodya (27) who is a shop keeper at Rockman Investments in Chiredzi South, retired to bed in her bedroom which is behind the shop.
At around 0150 hours the accused persons Tobias Chidavaenzi (54) from Musariri Village Chief Nyakunhuwa and Leonard Muzenda (20) from Lisimati Village Chief Chilonga, Chiredzi broke into the shop and gained entrance into Mafodya’s bedroom where they ordered her to surrender cash at gun point.
Chidavaenzi and Muzenda took R1000 cash, groceries worth R295 and a Samsung J4 cellphone with an Econet line, all valued at R1200 and then they disappeared.
Chifodya reported the matter to the police and investigations were instituted leading to the arrest of Chidavaenzi and Muzenda.
By the time of reporting the police had cleared seven robbery cases committed by the two and have recovered some of the stolen items including a firearm which they used to commit the robbery.

Chiredzi teen challenges gender stereotypes, campaigns for menstrual health

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Chiredzi teen challenges gender stereotypes, campaigns for menstrual health

By Beverly Bizeki

In a world where talking about menstruation is considered a taboo topic, a Chiredzi 16-year-old teenager is challenging the norm by campaigning for a pad drive to assist girls in Chiredzi schools especially in rural areas.
Driven by the desire to reduce period poverty which often leads to absenteeism in school by most girls, Tawanda Taputsa a junior councilor and Ordinary Level student at Hippo Valley High through an organisation called Climax Foundation in Zimbabwe said the campaign drive was aimed at boosting girls’ wellbeing when they are on their periods.
“I was motivated to conduct this campaign after realising that our school is in the rural areas and most of the girls that learn there come from families who cannot afford to buy them sanitary wear. This has led to an increase in absenteeism of girls at school when they are on their periods.
“Some of them rely on harmful objects such as book sheets and as a junior councilor this has moved me to take action,” said Taputsa.
Taputsa said it was of utmost importance to provide menstrual hygiene products for girls so that they can participate equally in school and will engage Guidance and Counselling Departments from all the schools involved to deliver education on menstrual health safety.
“Menstrual hygiene products will boost a girl’s self-esteem and confidence when she is with other learners she would not have to feel out of place so this campaign will also serve to protect the girl child from discrimination and will help boost her confidence among others. We will work with Guidance and Counselling departments at all schools in our community to ensure that every girl is taught the safety measures to take when using sanitary wear,” said Taputsa.
Taputsa said the campaign was also a chance to get the male learners involved in menstrual health education with every member of the community expected to extend a hand towards the idea including teaching the girls to come up with reusable pads.
“Members of the community can join hands to support this campaign by donating sanitary wear and teaching girls to make reusable pads themselves. In addition the boy child should learn to accept the girl child the way she is. He needs to make his sister feel protected and welcomed not discriminate or laugh at her. Through this campaign I would like to let the girl child know that her brother is with her in this and also set an example for other boys and members of the community to follow.
“Alongside this pad drive campaign we are also working towards innovating ways to manage waste against climate change, we are holding tree planting campaigns under the theme ‘Making Chiredzi a Green Place’ including clean up campaigns. We are also running drug awareness, cancer and cholera campaigns in Chiredzi, and the surrounding areas,” he said.
The program is targeting all schools in Chiredzi and disadvantaged communities in Chishamiso, Mhlanguleni, Chambuta, Chilonga, Tshovani and other areas in Zaka District. If the drive yields goods it will extend to all parts of Zimbabwe.
Climax Foundation Zimbabwe was founded in 2022 under PLAN International’s youth innovation challenge with the aim of coming up with innovative solutions to harness climate change in the country.

Farmers urged to invest in indigenous livestock breeds

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Farmers urged to invest in indigenous livestock breeds

By Decide Nhendo

Makoholi Research Institute Officers have encouraged livestock farmers to invest in indigenous breeds of cattle and sheep as a way to preserve the breeds and increase productivity.
The officers raised concern over the issue saying many farmers were venturing into exotic breeds which grow fast with large carcasses which go for high prices on the market but are prone to climate changes.
Researchers said local livestock farmers must take advantage of indigenous breeds like Mashona cattle breed, Sabi sheep and goats which are tolerant to local climates, being also resistant to climate and environmental effects like the current drought.
Speaking to TellZim News, Research Officer Calisto Gwatirisa said local livestock farmers seem to be forgetting the importance of indigenous livestock given their resilience to the devastating effects of climate change causing droughts resulting in shortage of pastures and water for cattle.
“Local farmers are seemingly rushing for exotic breeds and tend to forget that our indigenous breeds which include Mashona and Sabi sheep breeds are more favourable to be reared in harsh climatic conditions.
“I encourage livestock farmers to take advantage of local breeds of livestock as they adapt well and suit in low input assistance in terms of climate change which is currently causing lack of adequate pastures due to low rainfall,” said Gwatirisa.
He said though Eastern African goats are important in our agricultural production system, indigenous goats are fast deteriorating in numbers since farmers do not recognize their importance and role.
“Farmers mostly think that if they keep high mixed breeds they will fetch more money on markets but they must take heed of the fact that local breeds thrive well in our communities given that we have little pasture.
“In our communities, only around 18.5percent of goats are pure indigenous while mixed breeds and exotic breeds cover 32.9 percent and 48.6 percent respectively which means many farmers are neglecting indigenous goats,” said Gwatirisa.
Gwatirisa said small Eastern goats enhance resilient farming and can produce large quantities of milk and meat production with a little input which shows their importance in alleviating poverty to improve livelihoods.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said institutes like Makoholi and Matopos were playing a pivotal role in preserving indigenous livestock breeds which are important in community development as they can thrive in harsh climatic conditions like droughts.
“Indigenous livestock breeds are important to community development as they can sail through harsh climate effects like droughts providing food and money to communal farmers.
“Institutes such as Makoholi, Grasslands, Matopos, and Henderson are important as these have specific research programmes which look at our indigenous breeds for livestock. Makoholi is the mainstay of Mashona breed and Sabi sheep are adaptable to Zimbabwe climatic conditions so if you want to buy heifers or steers you will get them at this institute,” said Jiri.
He also said the institute’s mandate was to develop technologies important in the livestock industry like conserving the Mashona breed for future generations since it was a national asset facing threats from drought effects.
The ministry is targeting to inseminate 500 cows from various districts through social service to farmers and has bulls and he-goats to be sold at affordable prices to increase national livestock production.
Livestock farming is one of the key factors affected by climate change and drought and centres like Makoholi come in handy for the maintenance and recovery of these breeds from harmful drought effects.

Sport4peace unites Gweru political players

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Sport4peace unites Gweru political players

By Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru Mayor, Councilor Martin Chivhoko has urged youths to value and uphold sports as it brings people together despite political or religious standing or belonging as the Sport4peace tournament brought unity to Gweru political players.
Chivhoko said this during the official opening of the Sport4peace tournament, which was held in Mkoba last week to unite youth in various political parties including Zanu PF, MDC and CCC, where he applauded the youths for agreeing to participate in the tournament.
“This gathering is a celebration of unity camaraderie and the transformative power of sports in fostering peace and understanding within our communities. As the Mayor of our city, I am deeply honored to witness the energy and passion that our youth bring to this event, your presence here today is a testament to your commitment to building a better future, one filled with harmony, respect and solidarity.
“As we gather to celebrate the spirit of youth sports, we reaffirm our commitment to harnessing its potential as a force for positive change. Through sports, our youth learn invaluable lessons in leadership, discipline and resilience qualities that are essential for navigating life’s challenges and contributing meaningfully to society,” said Chivhoko.
Chivhoko said sports were also important as they can be used to create relationships among people from various backgrounds.
“Beyond the physical prowess and competitive spirit, youth sports also serve as a platform for promoting peace and social cohesion. It is here, on the playing field that friendships are forged, differences are set aside and common goals are pursued together. In a world often marked by division and discord, the bonds formed through sports are a powerful antidote to hatred and prejudice.
“As we celebrate the achievements of our young athletes today, let us also remember the importance of nurturing a culture of peace and understanding in our communities. Let us commit ourselves to creating inclusive spaces where all youths, regardless of background or ability, feel welcomed and valued. Let us champion diversity, equality and inclusion both on and off the field,” he said.
Chivhoko thanked the organizers and sponsors who made the Youth Sports for Peace Gala possible and urged everyone to continue harnessing the power of sports in building a more peaceful and prosperous world for generations to come.
One of the events planners, Ebenezzar Women Trust Organization, Florence Guzha said she was grateful that the tournament had proved to be a success.
“The program went so well, that youths from various parties including Zanu PF, CCC participated and this reflected the unity of purpose among young people.
“The political situation of our country is greatly changing and this just shows that as a people despite our political standing we can join hands and be one in building the nation. If you recall last year, we gathered to remove posters in the street and we did this initiative together with the late Director of Nkabazwe Community Radio,” she added.
Three teams with mixed youths from Zanu PF, MDC and CCC participated in the tournament with team A winning in all the games after securing 6 points followed by Team C which had 4 points and lastly Team B with 2 points.
All the teams were awarded the peace trophies each and medals for participating

ZDA urges church leaders to infuse religion, science in diabetes fight

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ZDA urges church leaders to infuse religion, science in diabetes fight

By Bright Zhou

Zimbabwe Diabetes Association (ZDA) has urged various church leaders in Zaka to infuse religion and science in the fight against Diabetes during a Bishop Say Workshop on Diabetes held in Zaka recently.
Speaking during the workshop where about 60 leaders from different churches were in attendance, ZDA vice president Bishop Jeremiah Matenhese said they had realized the gap between religion and science was growing at the cost of general public and needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency to fight health challenges in the country.
“This workshop has been necessitated by a growing gap between religion and science which is growing at the cost of general public, we realize that there is need to close this gap by allowing religion and science to work together through a coordinated approach to the health challenges of our nation,” said Matenhese.
Matenhese said it was the first time for the organization to hold such a workshop where ZDA educated church leaders with the necessary information on prevention and management of Diabetes.
“This is the first workshop of its kind in Zimbabwe where ZDA has decided to equip leaders of churches with the necessary knowledge to ensure that the message of prevention and management can be effectively delivered to the generality of Zimbabweans,” said Matenhese.
Matenhese added that people should realize that religion is an important factor in the fight for a healthy nation and added that the organization was excited with the response from churches and the Ministry of Health and Childcare.
“It is important to realize that the religious sector and health ministry are equal forces, partners in the fight for the health of the nation and we are quite pleased by the response from the churches and efforts of the health ministry in this training,” said Matenhese.
Matenhese said the workshop covered various topics to do with diabetes including causes, signs and symptoms, management of diabetes among others.
“We covered some interesting topics including causes of diabetes, signs and symptoms of diabetes, management of diabetes and counseling, the lectures are going through all what we can regard as key in the management of diabetes,” said Matenhese.
He said without the proper statistics of diabetes, they cannot tell its prevalence but from what was on the ground the diabetes prevalence is so high, he added that this can raise the alarm to those who are concerned to play a role to prevent diabetes.
“Without proper statistics we might not be able to tell its prevalence but from what is on the table, the prevalence of diabetes is so high and this should raise an alarm to all those who are concerned to come on board in the prevention campaign to ensure that we create a healthy, happy, peaceful Zimbabwe,” said Matenhese.
Matenhese said many families suffered from Diabetes and high blood pressure and this has an emotional impact on the population
“Many families are under attack, in a group of ten people in Zimbabwe eight of them are on medication for diabetes or high blood pressure and that is becoming a lifestyle with its complications manner. You can imagine the emotional impact it is having on the population,” said Matenhese.
It is the mandate of the government of Zimbabwe to have awareness campaigns to save the health of many. Many people are living in frustration because of the impact of diabetes on their daily wellbeing.

Moyo further remanded

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Moyo further remanded

By Beatific Gumbwanda

Chiredzi Regional Court has further remanded Chiredzi’s Zanu PF godfather and former Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson, Francis Moyo to May 3, 2024, to pave way for the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to gather more evidence against the former boss over gross abuse of office as a public officer.
Moyo, who was Zanu PF Chiredzi Central 2023 Parliamentary candidate was arraigned before the courts by ZACC in early March over allegations of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer under the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 where he was remanded out of custody with a US$500 bail.
The state represented by Ronald Kwangwari alleged that on May 14, 2013, a developer, Inotrade Investments, represented by Trinity Mutsetse applied for commonage stands in Chiredzi Township from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
It is further alleged that the accused person using his position as the town chairperson as well as chairperson of the Justin Chauke Housing Cooperative hatched a plan and corruptly benefitted from the 50 commonage stands reserved for the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The court heard that on December 17, 2014, Inotrade Investments and Justin Chauke Housing Cooperative entered into a partnership agreement to develop and construct 50 housing stands.
Investigations revealed that Inotrade Investments later handed over the project to Justin Chauke Housing Cooperative with the accused person being the Chairperson of the housing cooperative and the Chairperson of Chiredzi Town Council during that period.
Following the launch of an investigation on Chiredzi Town Council by the Local Government Ministry, from March 2016 to April 2016 known as the ‘Nhamo Report’, it was established that no land intrinsic value was paid to the ministry for the 50 residential stands.
It is alleged that Moyo’s actions led to the Ministry of Local Government suffering a prejudice of US$60 000 being the land’s intrinsic value that was payable.
Two lawyers, Charles Ndhlovu of Hwacha and Associates and Emmanuel Chibudu of the Manyika Law Chambers are representing Moyo while Magistrate Judith Juyu is presiding over the case.

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