…harsh economic policies and conditions causing untold suffering

Beverly Bizeki

Zimbabweans are in a ‘war for survival’ as the majority of people are struggling to make a living owing to harsh economic policies and conditions causing untold suffering to them according to Vendors Initiative for Social-Economic Transformation (VISET).
In a statement released by VISET on September 21 to mark commemorations of The International Day of Peace, Zimbabweans are living in poverty.
“Today the nation finds itself in the grip of another war, one that is dominated by the fight for survival as the majority poor struggle to make a living owing to the harsh economic policies and conditions that have caused untold suffering for the past two decades.
“Food inflation in the country has been estimated to be at 350 percent by the World Bank which is the highest in the world,” read part of the statement.
According to VISET the situation in the country has been worsened by the war pitting Ukraine against Russia which has seen a sharp increase in prices of edible oils, grains and cereals.
“Zimbabwe’s economic woes, and indeed the world’s have been exacerbated by the war pitting Ukraine against Russia, and has seen skyrocketing of prices of edible oils, grains and cereals,” added the statement.
VISET further stated that the situation clearly illustrates ‘the need for world peace as the price is too heavy to pay’.
VISET urged the world at large as they celebrate the day to strive to bring to an end to the Russia Ukraine war as part of International Day of Peace.
“We hope that as the world commemorates this year’s Day of Peace, it brings home the urgency to strive for the end to the Russia-Ukraine war and for the United Nations to use the platform of their annual General Assembly to bring together the warring parties and declare an end to the war,” read the statement.
The day was established in 1981 by the United Nations under resolution UN 36/37 and is dedicated to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peace.
The day was celebrated under the theme End Racism. Build Peace.
Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980 after the liberation war struggle where several black lives were lost in the fight for racial equality and the right to self-determination.
The nation is however plunged into yet another war for due to economic woes fighting the country.

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Midlands sports gala has been described as a vital instrument of social control as it dovetail with the institution’s religious motto of discipline to members of the security.
In his official opening remarks, Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Commissioner Nelson Chikwature said without the support from the corporate world, they were not going to reach the level of success they got to.
“It is my singular honour to welcome you to our annual sports festival of the Sports Tournament as ZPCS Midlands province. Let me hasten to register my deep sincere appreciation to our commander Commissioner General, Moses C.N Chihobvu for according us time off our busy schedules so that we could adequately prepare for this event, notwithstanding the invaluable logistical support which enabled us to travel for the event.
“Indeed from a security point of view, sport is vital instrument of social control and this dovetail with our religious motto of discipline as members of security services. Today we gathered here to witness 43 teams drawn from our respective stations within our province partake in sport. The teams competed in various disciplines which include Athletics, Soccer, Netball, Volleyball, Darts, Chess, Pool and Tug of War among others.
“Indeed their unwavering support in cash and kind illuminated and propelled this event as we managed to present quality medals and certificates courtesy of the generous support from these corporate partners. As Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Service Midlands Province we are forever grateful to charming support we received from Global Sports, Active Sports, Moonlight Funeral Assurance, George Mitchell, Greynut Investment, Chicken Inn from Simbisa Brands and our good neighbour Mr Mutangayi,” he said.
He added that there was need for sound contracts to build mutual benefits with the corporate world to strengthen all developmental initiatives.
“It is common cause that we are slowly becoming a force to reckon with particularly in infrastructure development an area which might be of interest to the corporate world.
“Thus our infrastructure development and business management division is ever ready to enter into contracts with corporates and individuals in construction of residents and office accommodation among other projects. We hope that our relationship will continue to blossom even to the extent of impacting on the livelihoods of our inmates and officers,” he added.
Speaking on the side lines of the tournament at Whawha grounds last week, ZPCS Provincial Public Relations official, Correctional Officer Grade 3 Nevison Tagarira said, the Officer Commanding Midlands sports tournament was the final event after the Officer in Charge sport tournament which was held some few months ago.
“The Officer Commanding tournament is the final tournament we are having this year after the Officer in Charge tournament which was held some few months back. So all the participants here are battling it out for top honours.
“It is from these participants that we will then select our provincial team which will represent the province at the Commissioner General Sports Tournament which will be held at Ntabazinduna on dates to be advised. The purpose of having such activities is for us to interact as officers and embark on body building exercises to keep fit and healthy,” he said.
A total of 43 teams were drawn to compete in all disciplines under three zones .These are zone A comprising of Midlands Provincial Headquarters, Zvishavane Prison , Shurugwi Prison and Mberengwa Prison. Zone B comprised of Whawha Complex that is Whawha Medium Prison, Workshop and Whawha Young Offenders and lastly zone C which was made up of Conemara Open Prison, Kwekwe Prison and Gokwe Prison.
The Sports gala however saw Zone A scooping the trophy, US$ 250 prize money and gold medals after it was ranked as the outstanding team in all disciplines, followed by Zone B in second position who walked away US$ 200 richer and medals while Zone C which scooped the monetary prize of US$ 150 and bronze medals came out last.
The tournament also awarded individual officers for best performances with gold medals and certificates.

Branton Matondo

Mutare- Residents have called upon the local authority to consider acting swiftly to their service delivery issues and address challenges raised before the situation gets out of hand.
The call was made during the on-going ward based budget consultations with residents from ward 1 to 5 who met at a local Full Gospel church in Mawonde suburb (ward 4) crying out at lack of urgency on part of city fathers as the situation has not only gone out of hand, but to inhumane levels.
The event was organised by City of Mutare finance and budget committee members, Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) supported by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ).
Speaking during the interaction meeting, Ward 1 (Old Township Section) and 2 (Avenues, Matida Flats Magregars, Chimoyo Flats) led by Councillor Elizabeth Tsoro representative said that the continued water shortages and gross dilapidated houses and toilets are two major challenges affecting residents.
“Houses are in a serious state of dilapidation. We are living in old houses that are as we all know some of the first houses to be built in Mutare. It’s a struggle. Rainy season is fast approaching us and it’s going to be a challenge,” said the representative.
Another elderly representative from ward 2 urged council to clarify on urban renewal programme.
“We want council to clarify on urban renewal. All we see are convoys of vehicles driving on and off wards and it confuses us residents because we are in the dark. Explain to us what is actually taking place,” she said.
Further reports from residents indicate that houses and toilets have become health hazards while in some cases snakes make their way in the cracked premises.
However, ward 3 members spoke out on how unfair council has been when it comes to paying and provision of services.
“We are facing dire challenges where we find ourselves paying bills from estimated meter readings. We don’t see council members coming to read meters but we only see them when dispatching dues. How come, is it possible that I have to pay the same amount when we have different numbers of people living in same houses? Water shortages have affected us. In Old Dangare, for example there is not water. We travel to Maonde to bath and wash our clothes which is tough for us. Service delivery should equal tariffs payment,” said the lady from Old Dangare.
Responding to issues raised, Acting Financial Director one Guni said council has already put aside an amount to address the challenge.
“As council we have set aside US$ 772 000 which will see us targeting a programme called non-revenue water. It’s a project meant to start next year but as of now, we have 5000 meters from a recently claimed tender. We are still deciding where to fix them because vandalism has been sabotaging progress,” said Guni.
Ward 3 members (New Chisamba, Chinyausunzi, Old Chisamba, Chinyausunzi Flats) and ward 5 members (Zororo, Maonde, Boys club area, Mwamuka area, Devonshire) called for council to fix tower lights as crime rate continues to rise in the aforementioned suburbs.
Responding to the issues, Guni said they are already moving towards fixing the issue.
“We usually acquire ZW$ 34 000 per month for street lights. We have been constructing three tower lights in a respective ward, but what we plan on doing is using devolution funds. That means we use a certain amount of money towards street lighting revamp. Residents should bear with us by complying with their tariff payments,” he added.
MAYA coordinator Jussa Kudherezera highlighted on the importance of consultations citing that they do pave way for service delivery and accountability.
“Consultations are paramount in any development, accountability and full citizen participation to put their inputs in matters affecting them and what they feel council should do to improve service delivery. There is no need to hurry in making critical decisions that affect citizens without their full participation be it budgets, housing, recreation facilities and refuse collection.
“They are the ones to finance them, hence need to know and get involved. Council has a tendency of by-passing residents and misfiring in the process when their inputs are rejected by residents,” said Kudherezera.
Mutare which is also under an urban renewal programme has seen the city engaging infrastructural changes meant to better the city.
Council guaranteed residents that they will not be affected by the development which will see institutions like NSSA constructing structures in one of the wards.
Close to 150 residents turned up for the budget consultations.
The assemblage which was also attended by respective councillors from various wards was meant to heighten challenges that residents are facing and how best they can be curtailed.

Branton Matondo

Envisioned national mantra ‘youth empowerment through mining’ has been realised by a Midlands based mining firm which has now grown from humble Kwekwe beginnings to breaking into the SADC region and engaging other youth driven small scale miners across Zimbabwe towards achievement of professionalism.
Mining prospectus and architectural survey Architeca Survey Consultancy is a fast growing sector that has allowed the movement of informal miners to commercial mining over the past decade.
A youth led mining survey and prospectus company is taking heed to government’s call for youth to professionalise mining be it small scale or immature commercial mining.
In an interview with TellZim News, Architeca Survey Consultancy director Engineer Norman Pfende said youth should utilize the vast opportunities engrained in the mining industry as his firm broke into the SADC region from modest beginnings in Kwekwe.
“In Zambia, we recently engaged big corporations that are recognized nationwide there through Over Resources organization also run by a fellow Zimbabwean youth. We are now providing technical services in exploration, mine surveys, grade control, shaft sinking, mine planning and design and mining contractor. The multi-million dollar project is already in motion because it’s a long term initiative,” said Pfende.
Over Resources top protocol Shingayi Saga who is based in Zambia confirmed the collaboration citing that mining, small scale and commercial has good opportunities that are at youth’s disposal in the SADC region.
“The project is new and yet to grow but it is receiving a lot of promises. As Over Resources, we were tasked with duty to select a panel of mining experts and Mr Pfende was more appropriate for the job. I feel that such engagements will put youths on the spotlight in terms of exposure to formal way of the mining business in the entire region. I believe that youth have taken over the mining industry but I feel they lack support from respective governments in terms of capital and granting of mining licenses,” said the former Jena mine worker.
Over Resources is a Zambian based company that supplies mining consumables to small scale gold miners and also partnering in mining and mineral processing projects.
ASC is already operating in Mumbwa and Mazabuka regions in Zambia.
Survey, geology and mining have been key in the transition of small scale mining hotspots like Shurugwi, Gwanda, Kwekwe, Lower Gweru and Mhondoro.
Youth across Zimbabwe have taken the initiative of formalising their mining productions a clarion call that has been preached by government towards realisation of vision 2030.
The 28 year old mining expert has already engaged with Masvingo based small scale and upcoming miners from Zaka in Makaha area a move that has seen ASC chipping in by supplying shaft sinking and plant setup.
An attempt to contact Masvingo based small scale miner Panashe Guyo was fruitless until time of writing.
The deal is aimed at professionalising Masvingo based miners at the moment producing tonnage of gold per annum from various mines to Fidelity.

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru -two men were last week arrested for alleged unlawful entry and theft cases that were reported in Mtapa and Mkoba 19
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko however applauded the community for supplying that led to the arrest of the two.
“I would like to applaud members of the public who supplied positive information that led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“Police have cleared cases committed during the period extending from May to September 2022,” he said.
It is alleged the duo of Gibson Marifanda (44) of Sekope Township in Gweru and Tawanda Moyo (25) of no fixed abode have been moving around armed with iron bars and unlawfully entered into 10 different houses on separate occasions.
The two stole cash, cell phones, gas tanks, solar batteries, laptops, television sets and various groceries all valued at ZW$ 2 599 444.
Police investigations went on after getting a tip which then led off to the arrest of the two suspects.
The recovered property was worth ZW$ 1 706 424-00 and iron bars used in the commission of the offences were recovered.
Nine complainants have since positively identified the recovered property.
The two suspects were taken to Gweru Magistrate Court for initial appearance on September 16, 2022 and were remanded in custody for further trial at a later date.

… Ngundu police recover 7k liters of diesel, stolen goods

TellZim reporter

A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) blitz at Lundi Business Centre in Mwenezi led to the recovery of  7 000 litres of diesel and other goods including 550 kg of fertilizers,  grocery items like soft drinks , 200 litres liquid soap and washing powders among other things.

The raid was conducted on September 23, 2022 leading to the recovery of the various goods.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the development saying the operation was launched two years ago after numerous criminal activities were reported in the Lundi area and said three suspects were nabbed during the operation while police investigations are underway as police hunt for more suspects.

“From 2019, Ngundu police received reports of criminal activities from areas around Lundi with suspects targeting accident victims along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway. Those accident victims would have their belongings stolen by people from the local area. ZRP reacted with an operational order code-named ‘No to accident victims theft’ which commenced on September 23, 2022.

“During the operation, Ngundu station received information that property belonging to certain accident victims at Lundi had been stolen and formed teams that went to Lundi to conduct a search which led to the recovery of all these items,” said Dhewa.

He appreciated the role members of the public play towards curbing criminal activities in the community.

“We would like to appreciate the role being played by members of the community is playing by supplying positive information useful towards fight against crime. We will continue to appeal to other sections of our society to supply police with information as we would always act swiftly towards such reports.

“To those who want to live on proceeds from criminal activities, be warned that the vigilant eye of the law and its long arm would catch up with you,” added Dhewa.

ZRP Ngundu has been doing well of late in combating crime with notable arrests have been made among busting of three armed robbers at Ngundu business centre before recovering 36 stolen cattle with one of the robbery suspects implicated as the mastermind of the cattle rustling syndicate.

Lydia Koto

Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) Masvingo Regional Campus on September 17, 2022 donated food hampers worth ZW$ 200 000 to Mucheke Old People’s Home in Masvingo.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Secretary for information in the School Representative Council (SRC) at ZOU Masvingo regional campus Admire P. Dhovie said it is their corporate belief to give to the most affected group in the society and this year they chose Mucheke Old People’s Home.
“As ZOU students, it is part of our corporate belief to give to the most affected groups in our society and this year we chose Mucheke Old People’s Home. Since the elderly group is one of those recently affected by Covid-19 pandemic, so we have decided to give them food as it is one of the most basic needs in our daily lives,” said Dhovie.
Mucheke Old People’s Home which consist of 19 elderly people, 11 women and 8 men received grocery items which include mealie-meal, sugar, cooking oil and rice among others.
The donation was handed over by Fortunate Goto (the student advisor for ZOU Masvingo Regional Campus) and Alice Muonde who were the guests of honours.
Goto said with the support of her university, they have decided to come to give the elderly food, entertain, had fun and also to be entertained by them because it is their culture to plough back to the community through various ways.
“With the support of ZOU leadership, we have decided to give you food, entertain you, to have fun and also to be entertained by you because it our culture to plough back to the community through various ways,” said Goto.
Muonde also added that they have come to create a bond and also hear their (old people) challenges so that they would help them.
“We have come here to create bond and also for you to tell us the challenges that you are facing so that we would help you,” said Muonde.
Mucheke Old People’s Home chairperson pastor Kidson Maponga expressed his gratitude to the kind gesture by ZOU and said he wished that physicians from the university would come to help the elderly people.
“We will always remember the good deeds that you have done today. l hope one day we will see physicians from your university coming to help our elderly people here because some of them are in need. We also want to partner with you so that you help us to take care of them,” said Maponga.
Sekuru Gono who is the oldest at Mucheke Old People’s Home with 106 years did not manage to hide his happiness and profound gratitude.
“I am feeling happy today. I came here with nothing but now l have everything that l always hoped to. May the Lord bless your families, studies as well as your work,” he said.
Pastor Matopos Chaka who is in charge of Mucheke Old People’s Home was thankful for the donation though he said more resources are needed.
“We are facing food shortages and also monetary resources to use when someone gets sick. Some of the elderly might get sick and asked to go for an operation. One of challenges that we usually face is lack of money to pay for bills as some might be asked to go to India or any other country. I urge all the universities to be like ZOU. A bond has been created and we are happy to work with the institution,” Chaka said.