Gweru- A 33-year-old man died after sustaining a deep cut on his ribs following a misunderstanding with his estranged wife whom he had reportedly confronted over alleged infidelity.
The incident occurred on August 19, 2022 at around 1900 hours in Ascot, Gweru.
It is alleged that Malcom Maliko was warming himself at a fireplace outside the house in the company of Arthur Kurai (a man).
Maliko then reportedly saw a message purported to be from his wife’s boyfriend on her phone.
Maliko had an exchange of harsh words with the sender of the message.
A misunderstanding arose with his wife Ruvimbo Chamunorwa also known as Mai Talent, over the alleged messages.
At around 2230 hours, the informant who is a co-tenant went and reported the domestic matter to the police.
Police attended the scene and found Malcom Maliko lying in a pool of blood in his room while the suspect (his wife) had disappeared.
The body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem. Investigations are in progress.
The accused Chamunorwa was arrested three days later, on 22 August 2022 at Mandava long distance bus terminus after she had come from Mberengwa where she was hiding.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko urged the public to solve issues amicably.
“We urge members of the public to resolve their domestic disputes amicably or engage a third part, rather than resorting to violence,” he said.
Six Canadians will this month cycle 500km over five days to raise money for the construction of a maternal and infant health wing at Gutu Mission Hospital.
Dubbed ‘Ride For Gutu Mission Hospital’, the initiative is the brainchild of Dr Peter Agwa, the executive director of EMAS Canada – a Christian medical missions non-profit organization based in Burlington, Ontario about 50km from Toronto.
EMAS Canada was founded in 1948 and specialises in short-term medical mission trips and healthcare training among other activities around the world.
In Zimbabwe, EMAS Canada already supports the operations of Karanda Mission Hospital by deploying volunteers who serve on short-term medical missions trips every year at the Mt Darwin-based health centre.
Dr Agwa, who was a physician and surgeon in his native Kenya, is one of the six cyclists along with the only Zimbabwean on the team, Chi Mandivenga.
The other participants are Gary Aikema, Tracy Robb, Wally Boonstra, Wil Bartels, and Nick Scholtens.
The ride will start on September 12 in Burlington which is about 60km away from Toronto. It will end on September 16 about 500km away in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, at the Zimbabwe embassy.
Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Canada, Ruth Chikwira, is expected to welcome the cyclists upon their arrival.
Located in the sprawling town of Mupandawana in Masvingo province, Gutu Mission Hospital is owned by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ).
With 165 inpatient beds, it is the referral centre for 250 000 people and serves as the first port of call for medical emergencies from 30 smaller satellite clinics in Gutu district.
Maternity is the hospital’s busiest department and it is the only facility in the area with a capacity for caesarean deliveries. The hospital handles one-third of all in-hospital deliveries in the district and has a nursing school.
Dr Agwa visited Gutu Mission Hospital in 2019 and the dire state of the hospital’s maternity facilities prompted him to action.
Zimbabwe is one of 15 countries on the Fragile States Index that still has high maternal mortality ratios (MMR). According to UNICEF and Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, the country’s MMR is estimated at 462 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2019.
The maternal mortality rate in Zimbabwe is more than 40 times that of Canada which was estimated at 10/100,000 live births, while in South Africa it was about 120/100,000 as per World Health Organisation (WHO) data.
WHO Global Health Expenditure Database indicates that in 2019 Canada allocated approximately US$5,048 per capita for health while Zimbabwe’s US$103 per capita was significantly below regional averages. South Africa allocated about US$547 per capita.
“I am riding to help improve the health of mothers and their newborns in rural Zimbabwe. The 500-plus kilometres from Burlington to Ottawa over five days will be my toughest cycling challenge ever. I’m doing this to raise money for training hospital workers later this year: Like a famous king from long ago (Biblical King David): I will not offer to God that which cost me nothing,” SAID Dr Agwa.
Chi Mandivenga
For her part, Chi Mandivenga (who will participate during the first day) said she joined the ride for very personal reasons
“I am riding for mothers and babies in Zimbabwe to have a better chance at survival,” said Mandivenga.
She urged Zimbabweans and other well-wishers to support the initiative adding she was doubly motivated because her mother was born at the mission hospital, which is about 240km from Harare.
“To whom much is given, much is required, and this is one way to use the resources, skills and experience that I have to change the outcomes for mothers and their babies in my home country,” she added.
Meanwhile, EMAS Canada will co-host a medical conference with the RCZ in Masvingo from October 30 to November 6, 2022 as part of a 10-year strategy to upgrade the hospital’s services and facilities.
For more information, Dr Agwa can be reached on his email peter@emascanada.org or the website. www.emascanada.org. Alternatively, Gutu Mission Hospital Infrastructure team chairperson Solomon Madondo can be contacted on the email smadondo@rantwood.co.zw
Mwenezi- A man who was recently left destitute after his entire household property was reduced to ashes following an electrical fault in his five-roomed house is appealing for assistance from well-wishers.
The unfortunate incident which occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, August 21, left Maichani Chauke of Mukahamari village under Chief Neshuro and his family of 11 without anything to sustain their day-to-day livelihoods.
Chauke’s son Nehemiah, who ruled out any foul play on the incident, confirmed the tragedy to TellZim News saying they are currently sleeping in makeshift tents.
“The fire was a result of an electrical fault which emanated from the ceiling and it occurred on the midday of Sunday. With the help of fellow villagers, we attempted to douse the fire using water but all was in vain as the inferno exacerbated to other rooms.
“All our household property was destroyed and what were left are just clothes which we were wearing on the fateful day. Everything was reduced to ashes and nothing recovered from the inferno. We appeal for any form of assistance from well-wishers,” said Chauke.
With a family comprising a total of 11 members including children of school going age, well-wishers can get in touch with Chauke on 0775149040 / 0777115663.
In a love affair that went sour, a 37 year-old Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) librarian Tanaka Tinovimbanashe Chirenje has been dragged before a Masvingo magistrate facing allegations of theft of two motor vehicles worth US$ 7 000 belonging to his 32 year-old alleged ex-lover.
Chirenje who lives in Norton appeared before Magistrate Patience Madondo on August 29.
It is alleged that Chirenje stole two Toyota Fun Cargo vehicles worth US$ 7 000 from his ex-girlfriend Esnath Mushonga who is employed by a bank in Masvingo, to which he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It is the state case as presented by prosecutor Ruvimbo Makoni that in April 2018, Mushonga handed over her Toyota Fun Cargo to Chirenje for registration and use as a taxi in Harare and a second one in May during the same year for use as a taxi again.
Chirenje who was supposed to surrender proceeds from the taxi services into Mushonga’s bank account (which he did not) denied the allegations saying that it was a love affair that went sour and that the complainant only reported the case in July 2020 two years after they broke up in 2018.
It is also reported that Chirenje intentionally converted the other vehicle to own use.
The complainant at one point tried to call the accused with the intention of engaging him over failure to remit the proceeds from taxi business, but the latter would decline the calls. In November 2018, they finally discussed the matter but to her surprise, Makoni was told that all the vehicles were no longer in possession of Chirenje and after noticing the accused’s arrogant behavior, she later reported the matter to police leading to the ex-boyfriend’s arrest.
Chirenje’s lawyer however applied for discharge and the ruling for the application was moved to September 5, 2022.
The Gweru boogie clock tower was on August 25 (Thursday) afternoon briefly in flames following an alleged electrical fault before fire fighters came to its rescue.
Eye witness Tendai Makamure said the fire broke out for a few minutes before fire brigade came to the rescue.
“We saw a thick black smoke coming from the top part of the clock and in a few minutes the fire brigade came. I believe not much damage was inflicted,” said Makamure.
Gweru City Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee confirmed the incident.
“There was a fire at the boogie clock yesterday. Fortunately, our fire brigade team managed to contain the situation. We are happy that it was not destroyed.
“We would like to advise our valued residents, clients and stakeholders to safeguard anything that belongs to the city of Gweru. It does not belong to council management and workers alone, but to us all,” she said.
Residents were encouraged to immediately report to the police anyone who causes damage to Gweru property.
MASVINGO – The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) last weekend elected new leadership known as the Moderamen that will run affairs of the church for the next two years at a conference held at Chibi Mission High School.
The church leaders gathered for a four day Synod Assembly which started on August 24-28, 2022 running under the theme Church on the Move: Preaching the Gospel in Season and out of Season (2 Timothy 4:2).
The executive is termed the Moderamen when it consists of only men and is referred to as the Moderature when it has both men and women.
Reverend Isaac Pandasvika retained his post as the moderator and is deputised by Reverend Silas Magwati.
The General Secretary (GS) is Reverend Tafadzwa Masimba and his vice is Reverend Lovemore Mashamba while Reverend Charles Juro was elected Actuary.
The Synod secretary is Dr Joyful Tatenda Rugare and his vice is Advocate Knowledge Mabvuure while Pikisai Mhizha retained his treasurer post and is deputised by Torerai Hungwe.
The Synod assembly had people drawn from RCZ’s 127 congregations with two representatives per congregation with voting powers.
Speaking to the media, new General Secretary Rev Masimba said the conference was meant to deliberate on a number of issues that deal with the church and said they would want to implement a number of new resolutions to suit the current situation.
He said they failed to hold the conference in 2020 due to Covid-19 so they want to invest in digital connectivity so that they can do meetings virtually.
“We have a number of issues we are discussing at this conference and those that we resolve become policy. We failed to hold the conference due to Covid-19 restrictions and that has taught us a lesson. We are now thinking of doing our meetings and other conferences virtually as that saves a lot of time and resources,” said Rev Masimba.
He said they wanted to implement best practises that include incorporating gender and current labour laws as well as looking at new ways of revenue generation saying they are considering going into real estate business.
“We want to implement best practices like aligning our policies with the current gender and labour laws as well as contributing to the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“We are also looking at other ways of revenue generation and we are currently considering going into real estate business,” said Masimba.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has blasted Zanu PF leadership whom he claims are behind violence orchestrated on his party faithful saying the ruling party must always bear in mind that no political party or individual can monopolize state apparatus.
Chamisa made the remark while addressing a press conference at Cresta Oasis in Harare following a violent attack on his convoy in Gokwe where he had gone for a rally to drum up support for CCC candidate, Costin Muguti in the Gokwe-Kabuyuni by-election set for August 27.
“Nobody has monopoly over state institutions. Now we are focusing not just on transferring power because an inauguration process is already in place. We are ready for what we are going to do.
“Nobody has monopoly of being foolish and reckless but let’s make sure we democratise that monopoly. By the way it’s not a threat, but rather a promise,” said Chamisa.
The CCC leader said nothing will last forever and denounced all forms of violence Zanu PF had or would perpetrate against Zimbabweans.
“No darkness lasts forever. All darkness is for a particular season, just for the past six months, it’s shocking that we have witnessed 28 arrests of opposition political activists including the Nyatsime 16 (legislators Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole are part of the detainees). Just yesterday, 13 people were seriously injured in Gokwe with some being burnt for wearing yellow T-shirts.
“Now let us go mango as CCC (having a green outside with yellow inside). Just be Zanu PF in slogans but be sure to maintain integrity and the change you believe. Just yesterday in Gokwe, Zanu PF did a funny thing in Gokwe as they chased our convoy but we had to find ways to block the heavily armed assailants (with AK47s) through our security. They had 21 vehicles and I am surprised July Moyo, a whole government minister was part of them which surprises me as to why he chose to behave like a little thug,” added Chamisa.
He went on to say the CCC party will stick to its promise to peacefully take over the presidency unlike their Zanu PF counterparts who allegedly resort to violence when push comes to shove.
“We will not be drawn into deliberate ploys to drag us into violence. We have seen the machinations of Zanu PF who want to descend in violence so that they can justify a state of emergency and their violence. CCC shall remain peaceful and maintain peace.
“Claiming a win does not mean killing people or walking over dead bodies or other things I have heard people talking about. We are clear about the route we have taken but trust the process and leadership; you will see it at the appropriate time. Don’t hurry, rush or even harass us because violence is not part of our DNA for peace is our language, nature and next foot forward for Zimbabwe. In the past, we have won elections but not transferred power, now we are ready for what we are doing.
“Nations are built by dialogue and conversations not by violence or attacks and arrogance. Nations are not built by killing people because if you do so, you will end up with a cemetery and not a country. Unoda kuita goritoto here? (Do you want to be ghost?)” he said.
Zanu PF has on record been accused of resorting to violence during elections to force people to vote for the party with the strategy usually paying dividends in rural areas where traditional leaders are used to spearhead such violent campaigns.
Mimosa Mining Company has donated over 500 cattle under its livestock revitalisation programme aimed at uplifting communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
In his 2022 Midlands Agricultural Show speech last week, Mimosa General manager Stephen Ndiyamba said as a company they had taken the move to invest in projects that impact on the lives of people in surrounding communities.
He further added that the initiative was meant to create a lasting legacy that would outlive mining operations.
“We have so far donated over 400 bulls and 159 heifers since the inception of the programme in 2015. In 2020, we launched the Artificial Insemination programme to complement the breeding bulls programme with the objective of accelerating the herd genetics and so far the programme has had a success rate of 70percent.
“The company has also refurbished dip tank infrastructure in the respective areas to meet the requirements of Veterinary Services Department and Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, who are their partners in the programme.
“As Mimosa we would be participating at the Midlands Agriculture Show with the annual exhibition offering a platform for business and sustainability issues.
“We encourage other stakeholders to partner the Midlands Show Society and avail resources towards improving infrastructure and facilities at the show grounds. The 163 companies that took part at this year’s show reveal a positive signal that the annual event is growing,” he said.
Meanwhile agriculture has remained one of the strategic drivers of the country’s economic growth as it provides employment to around 60 to 70 percent of the population.
More so about 60% of raw materials needed in industry comes from the sector and contributes 17 %of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mimosa Platinum Mine is a mine located in Zvishavane town, in the Midlands province. The mine is currently venturing into platinum mining.
More than ninety women from Masvingo and Zaka districts graduated at Maina Mandava’s farm located near Great Zimbabwe University Main campus on August 25 after undergoing a two week training course on baking and confectionaries facilitated by a Private Voluntary Organization called Grassroots Advocacy.
The organization’s Communications Director Byron Dzinoreva said the programme is aimed at empowering women by equipping them with the skills as they received certificates at the end of the training.
“We are going around training people especially women, life skills and entrepreneurs to be involved in bakery and confectionery business. So people will receive certificates after successfully completing the courses,” said Dzinoreva.
Grassroots Advocacy is funded by Patricia Chimombe, a United Kingdom-based philanthropist who hails from Zaka Central constituency.
Masvingo Zanu PF provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa appreciated Patricia Chimombe’s work during the graduation ceremony saying it has contributed greatly towards the Vision 2030 and encouraged more diasporans to do the same in their communities.
“Patricia Chimombe has shown the highest level of patriotism, to give back to the community that she comes from. We implore other diasporans to invest in skills development for women and contribute towards the Vision 2030 as espoused by our President ED Mnangagwa,” said Mavhenyengwa.
The organization was formed with the sole aim of trying to alleviate poverty and hunger thus ensuring food security in Masvingo communities.
It is premised on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (eradication of poverty) and 2 (eradication of hunger).
It mainly targeted Zaka women but however spread to other districts.
The organization is currently focusing on women empowerment programmes and is looking forward to diversify in the future.
…As world commemorates Day for Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Emmanuel Chitsika
Since November 2017, when long serving nonagenarian Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was disposed of power albeit a sanitised military coup which ushered in the New Dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, human rights violations have continued to put a significant dent on the country’s human rights record.
For organizations who have been fighting for human rights in the country, the situation that obtained during Mugabe’s era is not so different from the current which these defenders claim is even a bit worse.
In an interview, one victim of such, Makomborero Haruzivishe accused the ‘New Dispensation’ of trying to silence voices of dissent in the country by cracking down on activists and human rights defenders.
“Cases of enforced disappearances remain rife in the country, for example the case of one Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) agent Wellington Mushosho who during the 2019 demonstrations against fuel price hikes was part of the team of a security squad deployed in Mbare where he and his accomplices were caught after robbing people and they confessed before the courts to having been sent to harass opposition activists. Again, the case of Tawanda Muchehiwa (a young student and victim from Bulawayo abducted before July 31,2021 to-be-staged demonstrations) shows that in the new set up, Zanu PF government has developed the tendency of deploying State security apparatus to shut down and silence citizens’ voices.
“As we commemorate this day on August 30, it is critical for us as Zimbabweans to raise awareness and the need to put to an end to this. It is important that people the world over take action to bring to an end such practices. Advocating for an end to such brutal and heartless means for political suppression is the only way to go.
“I was at one point attacked like on February 17, 2021 with men armed with pistols, blind-folded and was only fortunate that members of the public raised alarm after hearing the gun shots and that is how I got rescued as the abductors made an about turn and dumped me at a police station,” urged Haruzivishe.
He also said this was synonymous with the era soon after Independence in which human rights abuses as well as abductions were rampant in the early 1980s.
“Enforced disappearances have been used as a tool for political suppression since time immemorial and we speak of the early 1980s when thousands of people were abducted and killed during the famous Gukurahundi in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces by soldiers. This would go on as Zanu PF continued with their move to silence critics like what happened when Jestina Mukoko was held in-communicado for advocating for human rights.
“The other issue is the aim to instil and harvest fear in citizens which took place even during the reign of Mugabe and also in this so-called ‘New Dispensation’. Under Mugabe, Itai Dzamara was abducted never to be seen again and several others who were tortured and returned like Partson Dzamara for advocating for the release of his brother Itai Dzamara.
“Under this new government, there has been a sharp increase in these enforced disappearances and the moniker used by the president. Then there is the case of the trio of Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova who were clearly abducted but ended up facing criminal charges laid against them despite the spokesperson of police releasing a statement confirming having them in police custody.
“However, the State has declined assuming responsibility of such cases despite the fact that overwhelming evidence was availed,” added Haruzivishe.
Another human rights defender Jestina Mukoko who is also the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said human rights abuses signalled by enforced disappearance cases have been a take over from where Mugabe left by the current president (Mnangagwa).
“Having a day like this (August 30) is important because it ensures people don’t forget what happened to human rights defenders. Having a commemoration like that would allow those who have been victims to also reflect on their various situations because they would appreciate that at the end of the day, when you go through that you don’t remain the same.
“It is just good to realise that there is a day set aside for such occurrences and the sad part of it is that we continue to see citizens being subjected to enforced disappearances and this is really a crime against humanity which the State needs to stop,” said Mukoko.
Asked on her view on the situation in the old and new set-ups, Mukoko said there is no difference.
“Where is the difference, if I may ask? I am not aware of any changes in the situation but rather it’s a continuation. By the way the actors are still the same, they might have changed the goalkeeper but the strategies the coach employs are still the same,” she added.
Masvingo human rights lawyer Martin Mureri echoed Mukoko’s sentiments saying the cases of enforced disappearances are on the rise probably being perpetrated by a few untouchables.
“Cases of enforced disappearances are increasing pointing to a conclusion that there are some few, powerful figures who maybe untouchable being the chief culprits because we have never witnessed any arrests on part of perpetrators but the victims instead.
“That is despite the fact that citizens would have on record been abducted but no arrests are made and sometimes law enforcement agents seem to be reluctant to act but will only act when pressing charges on the victim. In Masvingo we had a case of John Mupanduki who was abducted in Bikita but police ended up arresting him laying accusations of giving false information to them.
“That shows there are powerful figures behind such cases but they seem to be above the law as no action is taken against them,” said Mureri.
He also said more still has to be done on part of responsible authorities other than just mere commemorations.
“Commemorations alone are not enough. There should be mechanisms put in place to ensure the perpetrators of such disappearances are brought to book and face the wrath of the law and only then shall we be able to freely and meaningfully commemorate the day,” added Mureri.
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres also weighed in on the significance of August 30.
“Impunity compounds the suffering and anguish. Under international human rights law, families and societies have a right to know the truth about what happened. I call on member states to fulfil this responsibility,” said Guterres in a statement.
Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of July 1, 2002 and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006 qualified ‘forced disappearance’ as a crime against humanity and thus, is not subject to a statute of limitations. It gives victims’ families the right to seek reparations and demand the truth about disappearance of their loved ones.
Zimbabwe government has on record been accused of gross human rights violations and dissent against opposition political activists while currently the arrest and detention of CCC legislators Job Sikhala (Zengeza West) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North) and other 14 activists from Nyatsime are such examples of rights violations as they have been denied bail for over two months to date.
