Branton Matondo

Creative artists and the rest of the arts sector from Manicaland province are set to benefit from a nationwide European Union (EU) funded programme enforced by Culture Fund which will see individuals, institutions, culture organizations, focal groups and unions receive funding for their projects.
The official European fund tagged at €2 million is expected to finance projects from approved proposals received across all ten provinces.
Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry on February 24 launched the nationwide programme dubbed Creative Actions 2.
Addressing arts and culture personnel from Manicaland at Courtauld Theatre in Mutare on March 9, 2023, Culture Fund Executive Director Farai Mupfunya said the programme will go for 36 months as it seeks to target projects tackling challenges affecting Zimbabwe’s arts and culture industry.
“The response has been very good. The programme targets not just artists but creators from academics, teachers and instructors of music. We also expect that those who come and attend the sessions also go and equip others with the necessary knowledge. The response has been productive looking at the fact that people ask technical questions on how to apply and seek clarity on issues that are supported and not supported.
“In line with stipulations of the fund, interested individuals will have their proposals assessed by a panel of delegates from the local and regional cultural front,” said Mupfunya.
He added that Creative Actions 2 targets an array of sectors though there are other sectors on the fall out.
“People have raised talk on whether Creative Actions 2 supports the construction and refurbishment of culture hubs or not but unfortunately the fund does not support that because there are a lot of complications in that sector not forgetting that they are complicated to manage. Hence the programme is mainly for activities that are that span to a maximum of 12 months” he added.
Culture Fund Programme Facilitator Simbarashe Mudhokwana highlighted that Creative Actions 2 runs under three mantras which are capacity building, innovation and policy development (National Development Strategy 1).
Responding to government lobbying support on the culture sector, Mupfunya said it is a priority to have government come in and add resources to the project meant to facilitate the change of arts and culture in Zimbabwe.
“We are not government but we really expect government support in putting more money and resources. We have argued our case to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Culture Fund delegation will head to Murehwa Cultural Centre in Mashonaland East, Marondera, Bindura and Chinhoyi. Besides the funding of projects, Culture Fund also supports training courses, festivals, book launches, exchange programmes, culture based technological innovations, e-commerce and a plethora of sectors,” said Mupfunya.
National Arts Council (NAC) Provincial Manager Caroline Makoni said the programme by Culture Fund is equally beneficial to women as it is to men.
“The programme is important to women as it is equally important to men but specifically to women because we know that their participation of in the arts sector is limited. We encourage women to participate and get funding because it gives them an incentive which is important for them as a marginalized entity.
“Most of the challenges being faced by our fellow colleagues revolve around the issue of funding. There is a big gap in terms of funding projects in Manicaland. In terms of infrastructure, we are looking at offices, rehearsal space and spaces where they can operate from,” said Makoni.
Redwing Traditional Dancers group Director Tupele Mudhala who benefited from the first grant which spanned from 2020 to 2021 said the fund is a great opportunity which should be utilized by artists.
“As has been said in the meeting today the major challenge facing creative artists is infrastructure or innovation hubs. You find out that many people have standing projects that lack a physical platform. I have been a beneficiary of the fund in the past. I have managed to change the sector of operation in Penhalonga because l bought resources from the funds,” said Mudhala.
Zimbabwean culture and arts industry has over the years been hampered by lack of resources which has seen promising talent being wasted.

Beverly Bizeki

Members of the public in Masvingo expressed concern over the rise in cases of rape between minors and children under the age of 18 and such cases have become prevalent in communities and common feature at the courts.
The revelation came out during the Parliamentary Portfolio committee hearing on Prisons and Correctional Service Bill and Criminal Law Codification and Reform and Amendment Bill held at Mucheke Hall recently.
Residents who attended the public hearing on the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act rallied behind the need for government to amend the law on rape and aggravated indecent assault.
One resident at the meeting pleaded for the law to consider the rape incidents between minors following the rise in cases between minors.
“We have seen a rise in the cases of minors raping other minors yet they have to walk away scot free even though they have to receive that mandatory psycho social support but then it is not enough regarding the rise in the cases. Something must be done for the juveniles that commit rape,” said the resident.
Another resident at the meeting suggested that there should be a mandatory sentence for rape of a minor and rape of an adult.
“We are aware that there can be cues between adults but this cannot be the same with a minor, so there must be a stiffer sentence on those who perpetrate such an offense on minors,” the resident said.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mutare Central legislator Innocent Gonese said the amendment entails the introduction of a mandatory sentence for rape where a minimum of 15 years is going to be prescribed in cases of aggravating circumstances and a minimum of five years applied to other cases.
“There is also an issue which has not been covered by the bill which is very topical and important because the constitutional court gave a ruling in May of 2022 in terms of which it ruled that the current age of consent which is pegged at 16 is unconstitutional.
“There have been voices that the definition of young person which is in the Criminal Law and Codification Act particularly section 70 which relates to the crime of sexual intercourse with a young person is going to be amended.
“Particularly there are also sentiments that the definition of extra marital be removed because it is giving license to older people to have sexual relations with minors,” said Gonese.
Recently in Masvingo, a 13 year old teenage boy who raped two other juveniles escaped a jail term after being pardoned by the court and was cautioned not to commit a similar offense over the next five years.
In a related case, a 28 year-old man from Masvingo was charged for having sexual intercourse with his alleged 15 year-old girlfriend.
There has also been a rise in cases of adults having sex with minors which the public considers should also attract a mandatory sentence.

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU–City Council has acquired three brand new Holland tractors in an effort to improve service delivery.
The tractors valued at a total cost of US$ 93 000 were commissioned this week after being delivered from Duly’s Motors.
Confirming the development, Gweru Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the new tractors were going to enhance efficient service delivery in the city.
“The procurement of the tractors is anchored on building a sustainable, prosperous city of choice by year 2030.
“Three tractors were delivered to us today by Duly’s Motors and as a local authority, we are very much happy about this development because these tractors are going to be dedicated towards ensuring quality service delivery to our valued clients, residents and stakeholders.
“We bought these tractors at a total cost of US$ 93 000. Two of the tractors are going to be used in the engineering services department and the other tractor is going to be a slasher used by the department of housing and community services for grass cutting on road sides,” said Chingwaramusee.
She further highlighted that the new fleet was going to easy transport challenges council has been experiencing.
“Gone are the days when the local authority used to cry foul over inadequate transport to ferry equipment and employees to attend to blockages and burst pipes. However council service vehicles will be localized in the residential areas for quick and fast service provision.
“We therefore urge our valued residents to play their part by paying their bills for smooth running of the local authority and improved service delivery,” she added.

TellZim Reporter

Perennial water woes in Masvingo Urban ward 4’s KMP area were recently mitigated through the drilling of a borehole with a bush pump in the area.

The borehole project done using Ward Development Fund will see KMP residents being relieved of water shortages that had been haunting the area.

Ward 4 Councilor Alec Tabe wrote to council on February 24 requesting for the funds, which were availed leading to the drilling of the borehole.

“We have identified an open space at KMP Phase 2 suitable for a borehole. Therefore, we are requesting for the drilling of a borehole with a bush pump at that area.

“We are proposing that both the outstanding Ward Development Fund for 2022 and the current 2023 US$ 1 500 be utilized on the 2023 project stated above,” read part of the letter.

KMP residents said they were relieved to have had a borehole drilled in the area because water availability would now be better.

“Having this borehole drilled means we are not going to struggle accessing water in our area. You know how it is when there is water rationing and we are glad that Cllr Tabe heeded to our request to have a borehole with a bush pump,” a resident said.

Another resident said queuing for water would now become a thing of the past as the number of boreholes in the vicinity was growing.

“Having to queue for water is frustrating and having such facilities as this borehole brings a sigh of relief,” she said.

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU- City Council has engaged the police for help in recovering a council vehicle which is in possession of the suspended Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe.
The letter was written by acting Town Clerk Samson Sekenhamo after council passed a resolution to have the car returned during a special council meeting was held this week.
The suspended Chikwekwe is in possession of a Nissan Navara Single Cab Registration No AAE 5600.
Chikwekwe arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office is set to appear court on the March 17, 2023 after being remanded out of custody on ZW$ 100 000 bail.
“Reference is hereby made to the subject; The bearers; Mr. T.D.F Marerwa, Acting Chamber Secretary, Mr. K Mundondo, Transport Manager Mr. M. Mahere, The Acting Chief Security Officer, Mr. A. Matsiwo, Acting Sergeant Mr. B. Mambo, Constable Ms. S. Ncube have been instructed by Gweru City Council to recover the above-mentioned vehicle from the Acting Town Clerk and substantive Chamber Secretary who was suspended from employment on 22nd February 2023,” read part of the letter.
According to the council resolution, Chikwekwe is supposed to return all council property including the vehicle as a matter of urgency as he awaits his trial.
However, Chikwekwe is believed to be refusing to return back the vehicle arguing that, council gave a vehicle to former Engineer Robson Manatsa who resigned and never retained the vehicle after he was caught in the midst of audit findings for alleging violating procurement regulations in purchasing a JCB backhoe loader that was later discovered to be a second-hand vehicle.
Through his lawyers, Admire Rubaya of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, Chikwekwe has since challenged his suspension saying his suspension letter contradicts with the resolution which was given by the Special Council.
Chikwekwe was suspended last month following his arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC) for allegedly violating tender procedures a move which saw developers such as Casas and Wackdrive winning tenders to service Mkoba 21 and Randolph Phase 1 suburb stands unprocedurally.
His dismissal is also pointing out to a number of glaring mistakes where the suspended Town Clerk is alleged to have violated Public Procurement and Debt Management Act and there was a continuous exhibition of inconsistency in the discharge of his duties. Efforts to get a comment from the Suspended Town Clerk were fruitless as he couldn’t be reached on his mobile by time of writing.
Former Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe now ward 2 councillor once held on to council Prado after being recalled by Douglas Mwonzora accused of being loyal to Nelson Chamisa and police intervention was sought to repossess the vehicle as well.