TellZim Reporter

After recording successive water losses, Masvingo City Council has resolved to embark on a compulsory replacement of non-functional water meters as a way of putting the losses to a halt.
According to minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee held on February 23, 2023, council resolved that the Finance Director send communication to residents urging them to replace such meters.
“It was reported that non-revenue water for January was 31.78percent which translated to ZW$ 170 093 757. Clarity was sought on the classification of non-revenue water; the Acting Director of Engineering Services explained that it includes water losses from leaks and non-functional meters. He (the Director of Engineering Services) added that council procured 250 meters and only 30 had been replaced. Committee members proposed that, council should make replacement of non-functional meters compulsory, replace the meters and charge residents the cost of the meter.
“The representative from the District Development Coordinator’s office advised that council should advise residents to replace non-functional meters and failure would lead to water disconnection. The Finance Director reported that the bulk Short Message Service system communication channel would be utilized to disseminate the information. The committee resolved that the Finance Director being instructed to send out communication to residents to urge them to replace non-functional water meters and water disconnection to debtors,” read the minutes.
The minutes also added that during the month of January, 40 burst pipes were reported while there were 29 water connections, 53 water meter replacements and 24 sewer connections.
Council has continuously recorded water losses especially through transmission in Rujeko area while also burst pipes and non-working meters were as well pointed towards as the major causes behind the losses.

Courage Dutiro

The country’s tax collector, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has joined the nation in fighting drug and substance abuse in the country through tightening the porous border lines where they are allegedly smuggled into the country.
Addressing journalists at Chevron Hotel on February 24, 2023, ZIMRA region 3 enforcement Manager Tomeyi Sona said the revenue authority is going to use drone system to monitor the border lines where smuggling is rife.
“Some of our border lines have no physical boundaries so when it comes to smuggling; the drone system is going to assist in detecting any illegal border movements in such areas.
“The drones have so far been acquired and a team that is going to operate the system is under training. The system will be in place by April,” said Tomeyi.
ZIMRA region 3 covers Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
He also said on the designated ports of entry the revenue authority’s scanners and sniffer dogs are assisting in curbing the illegal importation of dangerous substances and drugs into the country.
“When drugs come through our legal ports of entry, scanners and sniffer dogs that are already in use can detect those drugs,” he said.
The country is struggling with drug and substance abuse.
On February 21, 2023, a tout was found lying lifeless at a bar in Mucheke, Masvingo after he allegedly took an over dose of an illicit substance.
Recently Masvingo police intercepted 60kgs of mbanje, and other illegal substances during its Anti-drug abuse blitz in Masvingo.

Emmanuel Chitsika

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has once again reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption which the authority says is a non-tariff barrier that downgrades Zimbabwean products competitiveness on the international market while at the same time eroding investor confidence in the country.
Addressing journalists at Chevron Hotel in Masvingo last week, ZIMRA Corporate Affairs Director Gladman Njanji (speaking on behalf of Commissioner General Regina Chinamasa) urged the media to help the ‘taxman’ by joining the fight against corruption.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I call upon each and every one of us not only to shun corruption but to use our positions in the media to highlight, condemn and write about corruption. Corruption is one of the biggest non-tariff barriers that makes our (Zimbabwean) products non-competitive on the international market and erodes investor confidence.
“Zimra has put in place several measures to fight corruption which among them include whistleblower facility, anti-corruption hotline as well as disciplining non-compliant staff in accordance with the laws of the land and the authority’s code of conduct, asset declarations and other means of justifying any cases of unjust enrichment as a way of curbing corruption. We have done this asset declaration on a number of occasions and we are not going to stop as we aim to ensure our members of staff live within their means otherwise we end up having a scenario that erode the trust that we want to maintain,” said Njanji.
He also urged the media to continue working in partnership with the authority in the fight against graft.
“Currently we have been running a campaign where we engage various stakeholders in the fight against corruption and fortunately quite a number of media practitioners participated on the launch. May the media continue supporting us and let us use this partnership to our advantage, join hands and build our nation together while at the same time continuing with the networking even after this event,” added Njanji.
He also urged the media to disseminate information that help the general public to understand how tax systems operate and their importance towards national development.
“This engagement is considered of utmost importance in terms of generating constructive debate and exchanging ideas on issues affecting both ZIMRA and the media fraternity. We openly admit the role of the media in setting public agendas and even in sustaining them over periods of time. As a revenue administration, we rely on your strategic placement within society to disseminate information about importance of tax payment in terms of sustainable development of our nation.
“At the same time, you as media require our input as you generate stories which touch on tax policy pronouncement and how they impart on livelihoods and general economic performances. As such, this engagement presents an opportunity for us to discuss, introspect and reflect as well as finding areas we can leverage on for the very performance of our operations through sharing of relevant information on taxation and customs,” he added.
The engagement meeting was being run under the theme-‘ZIMRA transformation-The past, present and future’.

By Noah Marima

Rejoice Gundura, a Masvingo businesswoman, has expanded the number of dining options in the historic city by opening a traditional foods eatery at Junior Complex.
The new restaurant, Eland, opened its doors on January 18 2023.
Apart from traditional dishes, the outlet also serves western dishes and platters.
Depending on the dish, a plate of food at the eatery can cost anywhere from US$2 to US$10.
The eatery is the third outlet of the Rejos Kitchen brand. Before the launch of the latest branch Rejos kitchen had two outlets, one in the western side of Masvingo city and another in the eastern side along Masvingo Beitbridge road at Wimpy centre. The third offshoot is Eland.
Gundura says her vision is to see the brand expand throughout the southern region as she continues to promote consumption of traditional foods.
“I will be opening more food outlets throughout the province.

“My new food outlet is testament that the vision is taking shape. I am convinced that the new branch is going to make a positive impact on the market,” she said.

Gundura says the successful opening of the new branch has energized her vision.
“Everything is going according to plan. We will be opening another branch next year,” she said.
Born at St Theresa Mission in Chirumhanzu, the 30-year-old mother of three started cooking while in grade 3.
Before venturing into professional business, she worked as an entrepreneur selling food in the city.

As her business grew, she opened a formal outlet at Reflections in Masvingo’s industrial area.
Gundura’s story is one of the success stories of entrepreneurs who have worked to formalize their businesses.
She strives to provide services to different customers scattered around the city.
“We want to make sure that people who work in the CBD are served in town while those in the industrial area are served at the Reflections branch,” Gundura said.
The restaurant is classic and reserved, and the place is suitable for couples and families’ outings.
The setup is marvelous.
One of the regular clients at Eland, Junior Wita said Eland restaurant is offering mouthwatering dishes adding that the place was nice and unique.
“I loved the atmosphere at Eland Restaurant,” Wita said.
Now Masvingo boasts of seven food outlets – Continental restaurant, Ivory-industries out door), Wintok restaurant, Maworesa restaurant, Granez restaurant, Chakalaka restaurant and Reflections restaurant.
All the restaurants are offering close to the same menu although they differ on pricing.

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-ZB Financial Holdings recently opened a new banking hall with an all-inclusive service provision model placing all its services under one roof.
The new model houses ZB Bank, ZB Building Society, ZB Life Assurance, ZB Reinsurance, ZB Capital, ZB Transfer Secretaries, and Barcelona and Qupa at a one stop shop.
Speaking at the official opening of the new centre on February 27, ZB Group Chief Executive Officer Shepherd Fungura said the institution has adopted a holistic transformation approach of all services including online banking services to promote effective engagements.
“As part of our journey, we are transforming both our in-person and our online channels to better serve you.
“We are converting branches to sales and customer service centres and replicating the sales and service centres and the new my ZB mobile app, online and virtually to allow you to interact with us from the comfort of your homes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“We have learnt a lot during this transformational journey and our most important lessons have come from you, our customers. As ZB, we recognize the investment and growth opportunities in Gweru and the Midlands region arising from the fact that it’s the mineral hub of the country,” said Fungura.
Also speaking at the same occasion Minister for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Larry Mavhima congratulated ZB for achieving a milestone development.
“I am impressed and so is the market I believe, considering the fact that you have intentionally made your entity customer-centric.
“You have moved to a bigger and better site and remodelled from the old branch type to this new concept of the customer service centre where you are offering all financial services including Banking Services, Insurance Services and Investment under one roof.
“I can see you now also have a smile on your logo. This is really a bold move and I am looking forward to your team putting smiles on the people not only of Gweru but of the entire Midlands province,” he said.
The development comes as the financial institution continues to operationalize its ZB smile brand across the 10 provinces and the new business model was also adopted as part of efforts to improve customer service.
So far about 36 branches have been modified into Services Centres out of the institution’s 46 branches.