Ladies and gentleman let me start by passing my heartfelt condolences on the passing on of Major General Godfrey Chanakira, our distinguished hero because of the work he did for the nation. Eish I am still reeling from shock to the news of his sudden death and struggling to come to terms with it after I saw the man here in Masvingo barely three weeks ago when he was on government business assessing progress on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) in the province. Of course death is our ultimate destiny, but when he came and had a briefing at our own Benjamin Burombo (BB) the former soldier did not seem unwell after all only to be told he is no more. Anyway zviriko kuZanu especially when we are faced with such critical gatherings like the October elective congress kkk padzoda kunotungana Scarfmore naGenarari hameno ma1 anenge atanga pasina anoda kuitwa gwara akaimba hake Gafa. Anyway it is part and parcel of our culture to pay respect for the departed ones while we await our time. Go well soldier, rara nevamwe zvakanaka pachikomo pawaida kunyimwa nzvimbo ipapo.
Yaa coming back to bread and butter issues, ladies and gentlemen haaa takazviparira senyika kusiya Zanu ichiita majority in Parliament yaaa takatanga sedambe but tazonzwirira manje nemaStatutory Instruments awa ummm too much a one thing ends up in fatigue, kkkk Mapombi is a learned destitute by the way. Heee Parliament yava dambiro revanana vongoti wada waita chake, afunga kuchinja mutemo oita sekudaro chero zvichibatsira Zanu. Shame this precedence we are setting as a nation will haunt us one day, believe you me. Mapombi anotaura sedambe asi pazvinozoitika vazhinji mobata miromo chero musingazondiudzi henyu kana zvadudzirwa. Now they have come up with a Statutory Instrument to force farmers to deliver maize to GMB but when it is farming season kkkk vanopanana maiInputs pachiZanu Zanu asi kana vaisa roadblock yemapurisa neavo vemaRed Beret hanzi torerai wese asina license chibage imi kaa Zanu chinhu chakaora. Kkkkk his command economy thing never seize to amaze people for sure. Ko sei hurumende isina moyo iyi mese kuita semakazvarwa paBarika nana mai vamwe here kufurirana utsinye? Anyway command economy is a proven failure in Zimbabwe, watch out there.
Right! coming back to my core issue guys believe you me GENARARI vave nesimba pamukomana wasisi Auxillia shuwa. The late Chanakira who was a permanent secretary in the VP’s office was accorded a State assisted funeral but that only lasted a few hours if not minutes before the powerful former ZDF commander reversed the decision. Kkkk zvandifungisa kambo kaya‘Kumusha haadi ondovigwepi’. Of course Genarari vati Chanakira kuChikomo ndokwake and subsequently Dr J Misheck Sibanda made another announcement that the late is declared a national hero. I salute Chiwenga though ndisina kuzvidzidzira hangu but will try by all means to salute the general for he has proven himself in this case. Whatever the case, that women’s league has endorsed Tongombeya, tondosangana kumapenalty naGuvheya this time around. If he possesses the powers to turn the decision of a whole Politburo, then who am I to underestimate his power if not at my own peril. Watch out the soldier is soldiering and will soldier on this time around.
Guys chakaherereka pedu paRoman Catholic Masvingo Diocese apo haaaa Bishop vazvibuka shuwa. Yes of course re-assignments and transfers have been common occurrences in most if not all organisations, but it is that level of demotions that will raise alarm yoo. Vicar General vakachinjwa chigaro vakamhanyiswa pamajokochwa paBangala apo haaa inotambika wani maybe it’s a promotion in a top-bottom approach or model chete Mapombi chakamujambawo apa. Kkkkk ko zvekuti new blood ndaifunga zvakarerekera kuna Scarfmore naNero but umm with this swift response from the Bishop, I am now smelling a rat and link it to some likely factional wars in the popular church. Zvirikowo futi izvi. Haaa new blood to the periphery and marginalized area yooooo.
Ladies and gentlemen haaa these legislators of ours seem to have deviated from the society’s moral fibre. Yes. News filtering through the province is that down there in the Lowveld paMukwasine apo paita MP aidiridzira 100 hectares dzenzimbe achishandisa magesti emahara haaaaa ndozvinoita varimi vedu here. If a whole MP can by-pass ZETDC power supplies so that he can irrigate his crops free of charge, guys who would assume the responsibility of ensuring the law is respected after a law maker does not? Guys ko zvemahara hapana asingazvide nhai, ndazvionera hangu nhasi pamhene. Haa honourable it’s a title that requires the bearer to live to his/her billing, but in this case it might not be applicable any way.
Yaa Mapombi is someone who always accords due credit whenever it is due tiriko kuChitima tichidya mabanana akaora. Of course why not? The current speaker of Parliament deserves salute and respect from every progressive Zimbabwean after his suggestion that the diaspora community should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights in the upcoming 2023 polls. Yaaaa Jacob you are man enough a represent the bold. You even rise above fellow cowards who always argue that because of travel restrictions, they will not be able to lure the diaspora vote when in actual fact they know those people are fed up of their ideologies and won’t vote for them. Asi imiwo vari kunze maitenga maWhisky asi hamusi veZanu here or maida kudhakisa mukuru? How can Zanu be afraid of the diaspora vote, when they have suppoters scattered all over the globe even in Davos?
PaBikita hamusi maakuzvinyanya here apo Chief Maungunye anaBudzi haaa batai vanhu apo zvaakuda kuenderera izvo. Zuro ndizuro makatenga mazimota emhando yepamusoro mukaisa muma nhamba eYellow, nhasi makucheresa zvibhorani zvinodhura haaa, ndofunga zvinobudisa mvura yakashanangugwa izvo kkkkk. Chingoma chiririsi ka choda kubvaruka. Anyway we are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the investigations into the vehicle purchasing issue and hopefully get to the bottom of the matter. Vanhu vemuZimbabwe mutange dzamunopedza veduewee ndomashoko makukutu andiinawo. Ko iko kutozoti sika sika neWairesi yeHevoi ndichiti iznwi rekwedu kana Campus Radio dzichaverenga nhau kwadzo musi wa29 May. Asi Chief Khumalo musazviregerera imi, makazotadziswa naniko kutora State House paInthuthu apo haaa. Motangirei musindo imi muri gwara hanzi vanoronga kuzondirova kkkk. Kufunga kwenyu maingonodarika Presidential Guard yakatarisa muchipinda haaa sadero vaShe.
Haaa mukomana akanosimudza chaunga paBinga apo and that movement of the masses in jubilation invoked a sense of victory maybe for Nero that is if they are registered to vote.
Anyway guys just spare a minute of silence for the vulnerable and those on the streets, yaaa gore rino chakachaya chando ma1 tanzwirira shuwa haaaa pakaipa. Asi ndiyo climate change yacho here nhai hama dzangu? Ko avasei Robert Junior? Shuwa ndakapedzisira kunzwa kuti ari muchipatara kuSingapore, how is he feeling now? Ko nemiwo Dr Stop It zii zii yenyu bhoo here asikana veduwee. Ko Tyson wangoti zii wani, I think it’s high time you come out in the open so that your ambitions via a ‘Return of the Emigres’ into your former party can be seen.
Ko mai Muchuchuti vakafamba sei nhai vehama? I miss my new drama queen on the political front. Ko my old friend Mphoko ndiani akambonzwawo nezvake? Ko nyaya yaaisungisa Welshman yakazopera seikowo? Hope he managed to score a victory anyway. Anyway hop our province won’t lose constituencies to delimitation akadai kutangidzwa uyu. Regai ndokanga mhandire dzangu ndichidziisa zvioko zvarohwa nechando izvi. Bye for now Mboko imboko!!!
GENARARI is powerful guys
Bikita RDC ‘squanders’ US $ 36 000 on four boreholes
…CEO Chibhi says he does not know the cost of one borehole
Melinda Kusemachibi
Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) is again at the epicenter of a corruption storm after the local authority allegedly drilled four boreholes with one costing between US$ 7 000 – US$ 9 000.
It is reported that the company which drilled the boreholes is Zvishavane-based Pote Drilling Company owned by Antony Clever Pote believed to be a Zanu PF sympathizer.
A source privy to the matter (who spoke on condition of anonymity) said Bikita RDC is suspiciously into an act of corruption judging on the amount charged that is over US$ 7 000.
“Yes l can confirm that Bikita RDC drilled four boreholes one in ward 1 and 2 and also in ward 3 they drilled two boreholes. It is said they drilled one borehole at a cost of US$9 000 which is not equivalent to the commercial cost of one borehole. Most companies charge US$40/m, so we do not know how the RDC got charged such a huge amount on one borehole,” said the source.
Bikita council chairperson Benjamin Masakadze said the RDC drilled boreholes but does not know how much council paid for the boreholes but one individual in the local area said his borehole drilled cost US$ 1 200.
“Council drilled four boreholes in Bikita South in wards 1, 2 and 3. Ward 1 borehole was drilled for the community, ward 2 was drilled for Nejoto Primary School and in ward 3 two boreholes were drilled one for the community and the other one for a Crèche.
“ I do not know how much it cost but what l know from the individual who drilled his borehole here in Bikita it cost US$ 1 200, so l do not know if council used US$ 9 000 to drill one borehole,” said Masakadze.
Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Chibhi however contradicted himself as he said that eight boreholes were drilled but does not know how much it cost and how many meters were drilled.
“We drilled eight boreholes, one in Maone clinic in ward 22 but l do not remember how much it cost to drill the boreholes and how many meters were drilled,” said Chibhi.
Drilling and installation of ordinary 40 meter boreholes cost an average amount of US$ 1 600 if charged at US 40 per meter and about US$ 45 per meter depending with the company.
A drilling company in Masvingo said they normally charge US$ 40 per meter depending with the area.
“We usually get water after drilling 25 to 35 meters but on rare occasions, we go as deep as 50 meters in search of the precious liquid, and a meter cost between US$ 40 and US$ 45. Installation of everything which includes solar systems cost a total of US$2500,” said one of the employees at the drilling company.
The price of sinking a borehole around a radius of 40 km from Masvingo urban is pegged at US $1200 by some borehole drilling companies.
However a survey carried out by TellZim News at Makanaka Investments (Pote Holdings) revealed that Pote Holdings charge US$ 3600 for surveying and drilling a single borehole and US$ 2700 for drilling only.
At Pote drilling company, only survey and mobilization will be charged on dry holes which include investigations by geological and geophysical method which is US$ 600.
However Pote Holdings also said that if they drill a borehole on wet areas it cost a total of US$2700 and if they attempt to drill a borehole for two times and they do not reach the water table there is no refund but on dry areas which they had surveyed they refund US$2800 from the total cost of US$3600.
Bikita RDC is currently under investigation by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing after the former bought six personal Toyota GD6 vehicles for its Head of Departments.
EMA fines Masvingo City Council, Delta for environment pollution
Melinda Kusemachibi
Following the death of fish highlighting the ignored plight of aquatic life in the country’s natural water sources as a result of human action, Environmental Management Agency(EMA) slapped Masvingo City Council (MCC) and Delta Beverages with level 14 (ZW$ 500 000) and 13 (ZW$ 300 000) fine tickets respectively.
EMA released a statement on June 3, 2022 confirming that council and Delta were responsible for disposal of harmful effluent into environment.
“Follow up inspections to check on the compliance of Masvingo City Council to the Environmental Protection Order (EP 0011377), which spelt out that the local authority had to repair Rujeko Pump Station, to ensure that the Biological Nutrient Removal Plant (BNRP) was working and to stop discharge of effluent into the environment by May 27 2022 was conducted.
“The inspections revealed that the local authority was behind the compliance timelines prescribed in the Environmental Protection Order. As a result of this, a level 14 ticket (No EP 014599) was issued to Masvingo City Council for the offence,” read part of the statement.
The statement also revealed that another source behind pollution of Mucheke River was Delta discharges hence it was fined a level 13 ticket.
“It was observed that another source of pollution in Mucheke River was emanating from Delta Beverages where an unregistered discharge point was eventually draining into the river. Rapid onsite water quality tests of the effluent from Delta Beverages were conducted and the tests revealed that the Dissolved Oxygen was 12.1% saturation (Red Class) which meant that the free oxygen available in the water body was at a critical point and was well below the permissible value of at least 50% saturation (Green Class).
“An Environmental Protection Order was resultantly served (0019751) to Delta Beverages for them to register the site and a level 13 ticket (No EP 014600) was issued for the offence,” added part of the statement.
EMA urged the industries to do pre-treatment facilities before discharging the effluent into the environment.
“As EMA we strongly advise and urge the industries which have effluent discharges to have pretreatment facilities before discharging into the environment and to be licensed by EMA which assists in monitoring and advising them on the best standard and prescribed practices which minimize and reduce environmental pollution,” read part of the statement.
However EMA Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Brian Makani could not reveal more details on the next course of action if the pollution continues and or deadlines for the ticket payments.
This is not the first time the city fathers were given a ticket by EMA.
The local authority released a statement on May 23, acknowledging responsibility over discharge of sewer though they maintained the causes were a result of vandalism on sewer reticulation infrastructure.
Masvingo City Council bans use of spikes at moving vehicles
…warns municipal police from taking intoxicating substances at work
Rutendo Chirume
Masvingo City Council (MCC) municipal police were recently banned from using spikes at moving vehicles citing implications which it has on vehicles in motion and the public.
The minutes of a council meeting held on May 05 resolved that municipal police should never throw spikes at moving vehicles since the practice was dangerous to the public.
“The Committee raised concern on dangers associated with the throwing out of spikes to a vehicle in motion. The municipal police were strictly advised never to throw out a spike to a moving vehicle since the practice was dangerous to the public,” read part of the minutes.
The municipal police once threw a spike on a moving taxi resulting in the injury of two vehicle occupants with one sustaining a broken leg.
On another issue on activities of the municipal police, it was resolved that council should take proper measures against officers who take intoxicating substances during working hours whereas the Chamber Secretary should ensure Municipal police guards at Civic Center have access to ablution facilities.
“On the issue of the alleged taking of intoxicating substances during working hours by some of the municipal police details, the committee agreed that council should buy a breathalyzer to enable the supervisors to scientifically prove the allegations.
“The committee raised concern that guards manning Civic Center offices were having challenges in accessing the ablution rooms during the night since all entrances would be locked,” added the minutes.
The move to ban use of spikes follows a move by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) also to desist from the use of such spikes after the Mutare fatal incident following an officer with the force allegedly throwing a spike to a moving Kombi.
Consider citizens’ voice in Covid-19 policy formulation-ZimRights urges lawmakers
Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru- ZimRights last week challenged lawmakers to prioritize consultation of the public in policy formulation processes in future to ensure the input of the general populace is taken on board.
As part of engagement with various stakeholders and office bearers in the Midlands province on a Covid-19 assessment programme that was set to establish strategies and mechanisms to combat the pandemic in the near future, ZimRights highlighted that a lot of human rights were violated during the Covid-19 lockdown periods, hence the need for lawmakers to incorporate voices of ordinary people they represent through consultation.
Addressing stakeholders at the engagement in Gweru last week, ZimRights Director Dzikamai Bere said it was prudent for legislators to interrogate and draft policies which carry the voice of citizens in most decision making processes.
“We know Covid-19 ravaged our community and we saw how the security sector responded in line with the enforcement of the regulations and restrictions.
“We then want to bring dialogue and understand how our lawmakers can be essential in order to restructure the relationship between our security and the people for future purposes,” said Bere.
Findings presented by ZimRights in Covid-19 Assessment report revealed that after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, people were afraid to work hand in hand with their security sector.
“We want the relationship between people and their security to have a democratic enhancement for our country to develop. The security is there to protect its people and people need it. As the constitution charges you to make laws as legislators, kindly take the voices of citizens as they are crucial in nation building,” he said.
Bere added that legislators and councillors were however tasked to establish solutions as the community’s survival depended on a well-crafted policy framework.
“There is political paralysis in our leadership because there is no political will. We need to guard against political paralysis. By raising a point and debating motions in parliament and council chambers, you are advocating for people’s rights. Leaders are called to find solutions and it is important for our legislators and councillors to find solutions to the challenges we are facing,” added Bere.
Ward 18 councillor John Manyundwa said the implementation of Covid-19 measures in communities was difficult as community leaders were excluded in Covid-19 taskforces.
“The implementation of the Covid-19 measures was very hard for us as councillors in our various wards because we were not involved in most decision making processes. Even the Mayor himself was not part of the Covid-19 taskforce. As a result, the local authority lacked adequate information on how processes were supposed to go about.
“More so, lack of information affected our communities, as councillors we were never part of the vaccination campaigns. Remember a lot of misinformation and disinformation hindered the vaccination exercise .As leaders, we couldn’t build confidence in the people since we didn’t know what to say regarding the vaccines,” he said.
Ward 10 councillor Charles Chikozho added that most council operations were crippled by the pandemic.
He added that a lot of people felt the statutory instruments were imposed to suppress them during the lockdown.
“During lockdown one way or the other people in our various constituencies felt that the so called “statutory instruments” were used to suppress them. People couldn’t go to town to buy food or medicine at one point. We know the lockdown was imposed at the appropriate time but there was need for government to prepare citizens to sustain themselves.
“We wrote names of people for distribution of food and safety cushion monies as community leaders but nothing materialized. Up to date we don’t even know how the process ended. People were at loggerheads with us as community leaders as they demanded answers,” said Chikozho.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (Midlands chapter) and ZimRights member Rebecca Butawu further pointed that it was crucial for lawmakers and regulators to be human-centred.
“May our regulators and lawmakers be human-centred as they craft the country’s laws and always consider the importance of conducting consultations whenever a pandemic looms,” she urged.
Member of Parliament for Mkoba constituency Amos Chibaya said failure to implement the national constitution had affected most governance processes.
“We are where we are because the state of our society greatly oppose democratic principles. We need the constitution to be implemented so that most processes work for people,” he said.
Gweru Urban Member of Parliament, Brian Dube however said it was unfortunate to note how some positions of authority were using the legislative framework to move wrong motions.
COMMENT: Spare a thought for aquatic life
Recent reports on fish dying in Shagashe River allegedly to pollution of water by the discharge of raw effluent or sewage into the natural water body could be a sign of how aquatic life can be neglected by human beings who seem to be chief perpetrators of water pollution.
Quite a number of animal species use water as their habitat but human action continues to be detrimental leading to the destruction of that very habitat.
During the weekend of May 21-22, reports and videos of people scrambling for dead fish circulated on various social media platforms in Shagashe River though they disregarded what could have caused such deaths and resultant implications on their health.
For whatever reason could have led to such deaths, the onus is on responsible authorities to make sure cases of pollution are a thing of the past thereby ensuring water sources are free from any kind of pollutants.
The responsible authorities namely Masvingo City Council, its parent ministry that is Local Government, Public Works and National Housing as well as Environmental Management Agency (EMA) are taken to task in this case as failure to ensure the protection of water sources is solely their responsibility not taking away those residents who act irresponsibly by vandalizing sewer reticulation systems.
Initially had council and EMA acted swiftly to the reports of raw sewer flowing into Mucheke River which would then feed into Shagashe, the lives of these poor creatures could have possibly been saved and so is human health which became exposed after feeding on the fish. How can any responsible authority choose to argue that the flow of sewerage is due to vandalism instead of correcting the anomaly then address secondary issues of infrastructure maintenance?
EMA on the other hand could have swiftly moved into action and do what is expected of their management body and ensure water bodies are free of pollution of any kind or form.
If the death of fish could have been caused by any other discharge of chemicals into the river as some authorities would want to argue, again it is their responsibility to ensure such perpetrators are brought to book and held accountable of their actions and thus preserve precious lives of aquatic animals while at the same time the city’s major supplier of water is kept safe as well.
EMA and council should work closely with those stakeholders be it in the industrial area to make sure they won’t discharge chemicals into the river as it is hazardous to both animals that live in animals and human beings.
The ministry of local government is also called to task to ensure most of their local authorities put in place long lasting solutions to the perennial problems of liquid waste management that always lead to pollution of water sources which at the same time leads to high costs of treatment of that very water for human consumption. The House of Assembly as well could chip in and ensure stiffer penalties are imposed on those who deliberately pollute or cause pollution of critical human needs like water.
Moving away from blame-shift mentality would go a long way in addressing challenges people may face as that will entail bringing in workable solutions instead of identifying the root causes of such problems.
Chipinge district SME’sholds Funding and Business Linkages Indaba
Livingstone Mtetwa
CHIPINGE- Small and Medium Enterprises Funding and Business Linkages Indaba that was held on May 24, 2022 at Deplaza Lodge witnessed a large crowd of business people from across Chipinge and parts of Zimbabwe.
The Indaba was graced by organizations and societies of note being Manicaland Chamber of SMEs, Chipinge Rural District Council (RDC), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), ZimTrade, Standards Association Zimbabwe (SAZ), PRAZ, More Harvest, Smedco among many others.
Chairperson for Manicaland Chamber of Commerce Moses Magura who was the guest of honor applauded organizations for heeding to the call of the Indaba.
“It’s quite commendable seeing big organizations heeding calls to associate themselves with such events which interprets their keen interest for the growth of our SMEs,” said Magura.
He also said the growth of SMEs is essential for the growth of Zimbabwe and global growth as well as the attainment of vision 2030.
“The growth of SMEs is very essential for the growth of the nation. This is the root of development and that is where it all starts. If we help our SMEs grow, then we are certainly in right path to the growth of our nation as well as attainment of vision 2030 as per the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“SMEs form the backbone of the global economy, they represent 95% of all companies in the world and contribute over 50% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the world’s employment. SMEs play a crucial role in economic growth, contribute to local communities and advance inclusion and international development through domestic commerce as well as international trade,” he added.
Magura encouraged Chipinge community to utilize its rich fertile soils so as to maintain its bread basket status as region 1.
“Chipinge is the epitome of region 1, a blessed area with very fertile soils and good rains therefore as Chipinge SMEs we should utilize this God given gift to the fullest of extent as we stand as the bread basket Zimbabwe,” said Magura.
SMEs are non-subsidiary, independent firms which employ less than a given number of employees. This number varies across countries. The most frequent upper limit designating any SME is 250 employees.
Though small in size, small and mid-size enterprises play an important role in the economy. They outnumber large firms considerably, employ vast numbers of people and are generally entrepreneurial in nature, helping to shape innovation.
Gweru bogus soldier up for fraud
Tinaani Nyabereka
Shurugwi-A 28 year-old Gweru man appeared in court for allegedly swindling two people of over US$12 750 after masquerading as a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Appearing before Shurugwi magistrate Percy Mukumba last week Friday, the accused Wallace Mapoko pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud after he was caught facilitating bogus deals to purchase a firearm and a Toyota truck for the complainants.
According to state papers as presented by Fatuma Tekera, on November 15, 2021 the accused person approached Verencia Chibvere (51) at Village 2 Bicken Kopje, Shurugwi and introduced himself as a member of the ZNA.
Mapoko is friends with the complainant’s daughter.
He informed the complainant that he had the capacity to facilitate and provide a firearm for her.
The court heard that the complainant became interested and told the accused to facilitate one for her because she had suffered from a number of house breaking incidents at her home.
The complainant however asked the accused if she could pay the money in instalments.
On a date not known but during the month of December 2021 at Gweru bus terminus, Adrian Dzvuke gave the accused person US$200 on behalf of the complainant as deposit for the purchase of the firearm.
On December 18 the same year at the complainant’s place of residence, the accused was given money amounting to US$100 as part of the payment for the firearm.
During the same month a few days later on a date not known the accused proceeded to the complainant’s place of residence and collected an additional US$100.
The accused proceeded again to the complainant’s home and said he wanted US$50 to purchase a cage for the firearm, for the police and his journey.
On the second count, on a date unknown date to the prosecutor but during the month of November 2021, the accused was at a Johanne Masowe gathering at Surprise farm in Shurugwi.
He heard one Sifelani Matengavhu talking about his wish to buy a truck and the accused offered to help.
During the same month whilst at Marufu milling plant in Shurugwi, the accused was given US$4 000 for the purchase of a 3 tonne Toyota Toyace truck.
During the month of December, the complainant met the accused at Chicken Inn Shurugwi and he gave the accused US$300 as part of the payment for the truck, with the latter saying the vehicle was now in Daresalaam in Tanzania.
On February 28, Mapoko took the complainant to Shambrock garage in Gweru and showed him a truck and he was paid US$3 000 the last payment in agreement that the complainant will get his motor vehicle on March 8 since he said it was being serviced.
On 8 March, the complainant proceeded to Shambrock garage and was told that the vehicle he had seen belonged to someone else.
The complainant tried to contact the accused but he was no longer reachable and he reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested while duping the third person using the same trick in Shurugwi.
He was however remanded in custody and awaits continuation of trial this week.
Have Masvingo authorities turned their back on aquatic life?
Melinda Kusemachibi
The weekend May 21-22 2022 recorded the death of fish highlighting the ignored plight of aquatic life in the country’s natural water sources as a result of human action that one can arguably link to ‘negligence than human error’.
Residents from neighborhoods nearer Shagashe River were reportedly jostling to catch dead fish in the river after they allegedly succumbed to raw sewer disposed into their habitat by the local authority.
The death of fish followed almost two weeks of raw effluent flowing into the main water sources Mucheke and Shagashe rivers albeit via the decade-long incomplete Mucheke Trunk Sewer.
In their response on May 23, 2022 MCC acknowledged responsibility over raw sewage disposal though distancing themselves from assuming responsibility for causing the death of the fish.
“Council acknowledges the recent discharge of raw sewer into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers due to blocked sewer main lines in Mucheke A and Rujeko B as a result of vandalism.
“After the incidents, we collected and sent samples to a reputable laboratory in Harare for tests. We are therefore awaiting the results from the laboratory in order for us to ascertain whether the alleged death of fish was caused by raw sewer discharge or other chemicals that might have been deposited in the water bodies,” read part of the statement by MCC.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) responded on May 25 through a statement saying they had noted the issue of disposal of raw sewage into the main sources of water Mucheke and Shagashe Rivers which is causing loss of aquatic life.
“The Environmental Management Agency has noted with concern the direct discharge of raw, untreated sewage into the environment, especially into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers. The Agency carried out investigation inspections to establish the possible causes of loss of aquatic life in Shagashe River, which was observed on the weekend of 21-22 May 2022. Firstly it was noticed that there was raw sewage draining directly into Mucheke River close to the Craft Centre,” read part of the statement.
EMA also added that from the tests they had done, the disposal of raw sewage affected the acqua life as the level of oxygen was too low for acqua to survive.
“From the tests carried by the Agency on 10 specifications from different points along the river, it was duly noted that of importance, D.O (level of free oxygen present) was 5.2% which was too low to support aquatic life and affect water quality which is red class.
“Conductivity ranges from 927-1576 which reflects that the river contained high masses of dissolved salts and inorganic matter hence conductivity increases with salinity which was ranging from 0.46-0.72 (green class) and this was also supported by the fact that resistivity was very low ranging from 0.006-0.0011. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) amount was high ranging from 467-787 which reflected that there were more cations and anions whilst permissible value is 500ppm, for fresh water the value might be very low. The most likely possible causes of increase in TDS are industrial, agricultural and mining activities,” added the statement.
However, the authorities seem to have forgotten aquatic life as evident by the disposal of such dirty into the water sources.
Environmental commentator Everjoy Mukwaturi said council is the chief culprit over disposal of raw sewage which is costing aquatic life.
“City fathers are to blame for disposal of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers that feed into Lake Mutirikwi, Masvingo’s main water source. They are the chief culprit as it is costing aquatic life. Contamination of sewage flowing into a body of water causes a detrimental chain reaction. What begins as an overdose of chemical elements, can ultimately ruin the ecosystem in place and is harmful to the environment.
“The effects of disposing untreated sewage in aquatic systems are depletion of dissolved oxygen this is a result of the oxidation of organic matter. Furthermore, increased nutrient loading with nitrogen and phosphorus in the waterway causes proliferation of invasive aquatic plant species like the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes,” said Mukwaturi.
Director of Fauna and Flora Zimbabwe (Faflo Zim) Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said the disposal of raw sewer into main rivers violates the constitution.
“The discharge of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe River leading to the death of fish and other aquatic animals is both a health hazard and a blunt violation of environmental rights set out in Section 73 of the constitution. What is most disturbing is the fact that the death of aquatic animals coincided with World Biodiversity Day which was commemorated on May 22, 2022,” said Nyamukondiwa.
Wildlife Conservation Action public engagement programmes manager Tapiwa Chimbadzwa called on the relevant authority to take action on the preservation of aquatic life.
“Water pollution poses a serious threat to aqua life, therefore let us seek to create an environment conducive for all as we shape a better future for all life on this earth. To the relevant authorities, there is now need to put in place measures that can help the aquatic species recover,” said Chimbadzwa.
Contacted for comment Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he was busy and could not comment.
“Currently am busy, I cannot comment,” said Farawo.
MCC has on a number of occasions been blamed for disposal of raw sewage into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers that feed into Lake Mutirikwi, Masvingo’s main water source.
The issue was raised in the 2019 Auditor General Mildred Chiri’s report on local authorities where Masvingo was rapped for contaminating water bodies.
Masvingo kids shine at karate tournament
Sports Reporter
Young karatekas from Masvingo province-based Rujeko Junior Karate (JKA) club excelled at the just-ended Zimbabwe Junior Karate Association (JKA) tournament in Gweru last week.
Masvingo province was represented by three participants, Monica Redeem Victor (16), Michael Munyaradzi Benno (16) and Marksman Machacha who put up a splendid show at the tournament.
Monica won two gold and two silver medals, Munyaradzi took one silver medal and one bronze medal while Marksman Machacha returned home with a silver medal.
Monica is a pupil at Masvingo Christian College, Munyaradzi is a learner at Ndarama High School and Marksman is at Rujeko Primary School.
In a statement to express their appreciation towards the athletes, Rujeko JKA club described the three as brilliant and energetic:
“As Rujeko JKA club, we are happy with the way Monica, Michael and Marksman Machacha represented us at the 2022 edition of the JKA Karate Tournament. The trio’s participation is a milestone for Masvingo province. In karate circles, Masvingo province is producing talented athletes.
“We wish to thank our instructors at Rujeko Club Casmore Adini and Elder Benjamin Mauswa for the splendid job. The two, Mr Adini and Elder Mauswa are great coaches. We hope they will continue to produce shooting stars. We also wish to thank Masvingo province JKA chairperson, Sensei Monica Peters, Provincial Technical Director Sensei Patrick Gombwe, provincial secretary, Honest Makanyire and the supporting staff for working tirelessly to ensure the development of the wonderful karate discipline in the province,” read the statement by the club.
They also expressed appreciation to Zimbabwe National Karate Federation president Sensei Joe Rugwete who the youngsters always draw inspiration from.
“We also acknowledge the fact that Sensei Peters took Monica through training sessions before the tournament. On behalf of Masvingo province JKA, we greatly appreciate the support, guidance and inspiration we are getting from Zimbabwe National Karate Federation president Sensei Joe Rugwete. We shall always look up to him for advice and wisdom.
“As Rujeko JKA club, we also wish to thank Masvingo City Council, local parents and Berylin Academy for supporting our efforts. The Berylin Academy staff members are highly supportive of the club. We also wish to thank Cedric Chuchu and Tafara who accompanied the participants to and from Gweru,” added the statement.