Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU-The late veteran Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Midlands Province chairperson has been described as a man of honour who served the association with distinction during his tenure.
Austin Brian ‘Boston’ Chishanga as he was known passed on on September 4, 2022 at Arundel Hospital in Harare and was laid to rest on (Thursday) September 8, 2022 at Senga Cemetery in Gweru.
As one of the outspoken ZIFA councillors of his time until November 2018, he was recognised as one of the longest serving councillors having been part of the regional and provincial structures for 21 years, with three terms served as chairman.
In its condolence message released in a statement on (September 5), ZIFA said the late football administrator was indeed the ‘Archbishop of local football’.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to the Chishanga family, the football fraternity at large as well as the loved ones of the late Mr Chishanga following news of his passing on. Fondly known as ‘Archbishop of Football’ in the circles of football in the Midlands province, Chishanga served the association with great distinction.
“He was one of the longest serving ZIFA councillors having begun his journey as a football administrator when he joined ZIFA as chairperson for Mashonaland West province in 1987.
“In 1998, he assumed the chairpersonship of the Midlands province after his elevation from the being vice to the top office until September 2018. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the departed. May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace,” read part of the message.
Chishanga rose through the ranks from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer to a bus driver at Fletcher High School, before venturing into full time football administration.
He was also a key figure during the time of Cuthbert Dube’s reign at the helm of ZIFA, up until the time when Philip Chiyangwa assumed presidency.
He remained influential up to the time of his death as he was serving as one of the chief advisors of Central region side TelOne FC.

… As Agency promises to clear arrears by next week

Brighton Chiseva

There could be little joy for around 40 000 people who were employed by the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) but are yet to be paid for their service during the household and population census exercise held earlier this year as the statistics body promised to clear arrears before September 15.
Speaking to TellZim News, ZIMSTAT spokesperson Mercy Chidemo said they are busy processing the money for enumerators and will have the outstanding dues cleared by end of next week.
“We are currently processing the payments and by September 15, we would have cleared all the balances,” said Chidemo.
The enumerators who were drawn mainly from the civil service with teachers constituting a bigger number were only paid allowances for training workshops they did before the actual exercise of counting people got underway.
The enumerators are also complaining about the rate at which inflation had affected their allowances saying the money is now useless.
“We waited for the money for a longer period than we anticipated and paying it now brings less joy as it has already been affected by inflation. In April the rate was around ZW$ 150: US$ 1 but now it’s more than ZW$ 500: US$. If we had been paid in April, I could have used the money for something touchable but now the money is useless unless they pay us an amount that is equivalent to the US$ rate that was there in April,” said one enumerator.
Another one complained about the payment being done in batches saying they hope when their employer pays them, they would release the funds at once.
“What is more worrying is that they pay in batches, the batches are too little and is not systematic, others get paid while others are left out on the disbursement of the batches but we did the same work. This time around, they should pay the balances at once,” said another enumerator.
Some allege someone in the agency’s hierarchy is playing with them saying when the programmes are rolled out, the budgets would be there only to be told that there are no funds after the exercise.
“Our money was used for something else and they now want to give us when it no longer has any meaningful value. When the programme is rolled out, the budgets would have been approved meaning there will be money to pay the enumerators but the money suddenly disappear after the programme.
“They could have diverted the money towards other uses and they now want to pay us when it has been eroded by inflation,” said the source.
The enumerators are currently threatening legal action against ZIMSTAT which they accuse of violating labour laws.
This is not the first time enumerators have accused the agency of neglect after some civil servants could not access their dues after being deposited in to wrong accounts due to mix-up that took centre stage soon after the training which they were paid for.
Quite a number of people who participated in the trainings failed to get allowances timeously prompting some to visit the agency’s offices to sort out the mess.
The civil servants are also being owed money by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) who hired them to conduct voter education in June before the yet to be started process of delimitation.

…as council disconnects over 1000 properties from water supply

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council recently disconnected 1129 properties in the city from water supply, with councilors recently calling for severe measures to coerce residents into paying rates as well settling outstanding bills,
Minutes from the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on August 18 confirmed the developments, and in a recent full council meeting, councilors said they should be having an outcry from residents because of the disconnections if only council is diligently recouping debts.
“It was reported that a total of 1 129 properties were disconnected in July 2022 while 245 properties could not be accessed for disconnections due to locked gates. 206 properties had their water meters protected or submerged.
“Council team was denied access to 20 properties leaving the water connected. For the month of August 2022, the debt collection unit was targeting to collect a total of ZW$ 325 million,” read the minutes.
Speaking during a full council meeting on August 29 2022, Ward 7 councilor Richard Musekiwa said if revenue collection was being seriously pursued, they could be having an outcry by residents due to that and the reason why it was seemingly quiet was that council is not doing enough to make residents pay.
“If there was something going on in terms of serious revenue collection, we could have heard about it from residents. Usually those issues are discussed and it could have caught our attention.
“The quietness in the commonage translate to nothing being done in as far as revenue collection is concerned. The debt keeps on growing. We have got some outstanding projects like those of toilets that are supposed to be completed, but if management keeps on sitting on top a debt amounting to ZW$ 3 billion, then we are going nowhere.
“Failure to strictly collect the revenue ends up prejudicing other rate payers who honor their dues as they expect improved service after their payments,” said Musekiwa.
Ward 4 councilor Alec Tabe echoed the same sentiments and said council’s finance department should pull up their socks so that the funds council is owed can be used towards other projects that are in need of funding.
“Council is owed a lot of money by residents as well as other corporate organizations including government departments. My issue now is, what measures have management put in place to make sure that the revenue is collected before it loses value.
“There is need for us to move with time, ensure urgency in recouping debts because the hyperinflationary environment in the country would make it difficult for council to come up with something tangible from the money if it is collected later on.
“Residents demand services like clean water provision, consistent refuse collection among others and the only way council can be able to deliver is by having sufficient resources to do so and that compels residents to settle their bills timeously,” said Tabe.
He also said it is regrettable that the debt keeps on ballooning while revenue collectors are watching.
“If one looks at the revenue we are owed, it keeps on ballooning while we watch on. Those responsible should ensure they put in place mechanisms and other tight measures that will help encourage residents and institutions to settle their bills. There is need to continue urging those with outstanding bills to honor their dues.
“Bearing in mind that they expect efficient service delivery, they should also be reminded of their obligation and contribution towards such,” added Tabe.
Council Acting Finance Director Dannister Jori said management was doing its best and was soon to present a report to that effect.
“I have prepared a report that I would present to council management as well as the finance committee concerning revenue inflows,” said Jori.
Revenue collection is one key area that has seen most local authorities cracking heads as to how best they can compel residents to pay their dues with Masvingo City last year contemplating approaching the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira to intervene as a way of forcing government departments with huge debts to settle them.
However, only ZW$ 8 million out of a total of ZW$ 27 million as deposit upon signing payment plans was collected.
“The low density debtor’s reconciliation showed a closing balance of ZW$ 1 104 082 371 while high density debtors had a closing balance of ZW$ 319 280 106 as at July 30, 2022. A collection efficiency of 54.51 percent was recorded for the month of July 2022,” added the minutes.
Council at one point suggested the rebasing of debts to the US$, a move met with stiff resistance from residents with resident group Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) writing a letter to council management threatening to sue the local authority as they felt the rebasement was illegal.

Yeukai Munetsi

Zvishavane- based author Emmanuel Mhike (35), is to launch his first book in Mazvihwa, 40km South-East of Zvishavane and online for foreign based fans on September 10.
The 100 Shona poems anthology book seeks to address contemporary issues of preservation, education and sustainability.
Elaborating on the book, Mhike said he discovered his talent at 28 after attending a workshop with Zimbabwe’s renowned writers.
“I discovered my writing talent at 28 after Chisiya writers workshop organized by United States of America (USA) based Lecturer of Creative writing Professor Emmanuel Sigauke and Muonde Trust in 2015.
“Present at the workshop were David Mungoshi (novels), Memory Chirere (poetry) and Emmanuel Sigauke (short stories),” he said.
In order to advance his concept, Mhike did not schedule his writing but was rather inspired by everyday events to write his work.
“My writing was never scheduled. I always work, travel, relax and sleep with pen and paper around.
“The first stage in my writing is inspiration which gives me a theme to write on. My first stanza introduces a reader to what inspired me to pen down the piece, the body tackles interesting questions, discussions and beliefs while the last stanza answers all the questions or concerns raised in the body,” he added.
The recent release was inspired by Memory Chirere who according to Mhike made writing poems seem simple and exciting.
The book also supports the element of being patient as it took Mhike almost seven years to publish his work.
“Writing like any other talent needs to be given space and resources. Unlike other talents, writing is a calling that will stress or even kill you if you do not execute. Take your time, I started writing my book in 2015 and employed two editors to edit the week over a period of five years,” said Mhike.
He went on to encourage aspiring writers to thoroughly edit their work with professional editors before publishing.

TellZim reporter

In a move that seems to be an about turn towards cleansing the Central Business District (CBD) of illegal pick and drop points, Masvingo City Council has resolved to temporarily suspend the resuscitation of Mucheke Bus Terminus pending the completion of road rehabilitation already underway.
Minutes of Health, Housing and Environmental Services Committee dated August 18, 2022 revealed that the project meant to drive buses to the rank in Mucheke suburb is to be briefly put on hold until the new road is finished.
“On the resuscitation of Mucheke Bus Terminus, it was reported that the project would be suspended for now pending the completion of the road rehabilitation project being undertaken by government, which would see the highway passing through Chimusana Bridge.
“The need for council to establish the Croco mini rank was highlighted for convenience of the travelling public,” read part of the minutes.
Council has on a number of occasions passed resolutions aimed at driving out of the CBD long distance buses but public transporter Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) was accused of leading other transporters into the CBD with flourishing pick-up and drop points being cemented at Benjamin Burombo, Pick n Pay supermarket and Croco Motors on way to Harare.
Council efforts to drive transporters out of town and use Mucheke rank seemed to have hit a snag of late.
The new pick-up points have resulted in disorder in the CBD as the new termini have no ablution facilities for travelers prompting the pollution of open spaces in the ranks’ proximity.
Also the pick and drop points deny council access to the much-needed revenue they would potentially realize from such collections in an organized environment.
At one point council sought the intervention of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to help enforce their resolutions in May 2021 after they felt the use of areas with no ablution facilities pose a health hazard to residents and travelers.