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Gweru Council attaches residents’ property over ZW$ 1.7 billion debt

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Gweru Council attaches residents’ property over ZW$ 1.7 billion debt

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-A number of households from Senga area had their properties attached by the messenger of court at the instigation of Gweru City Council in a bid to force ratepayers to settle their outstanding bills.
The development comes after Gweru City Council effected a 5percent interest on all debtors as residents were said to be snubbing their bills, with only a few honouring them up.
Speaking to this publication Gweru City Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee confirmed the development and said council was taking the litigation route to force debtors to settle their bills.
She added that all in all ratepayers now owed the local authority about ZW$ 1.7 billion in debts and as of December 31, 2021, council debt was at ZW$ 1.1billion.
“Yes, I can confirm that 10 residents had their property attached last week as the local authority engages in litigation to force them to settle their debts. It is an on-going process and we encourage residents to settle their bills or approach council for payment plans.
“Attaching property is the last action that council takes. No one can be caught unaware because before going to the courts, council sends letters of debt notification to the clients. Upon receiving those letters, normally clients take action and come to make payment plans. If nothing is done, then council takes the legal route. As a council we have an open-door policy hence we encourage residents to make payment plans to avoid the legal route,” said Chingwaramusee.
She added that the local authority however was owes its creditors over ZW $ 300 million.
“The local authority owes its debtors approximately over ZW$ 300 million, so if residents meet their obligations, the local authority was going to offset its creditors and would be left with more revenue to improve service delivery.
“We continue issuing final demand letters and for those who do not respond, we take the legal route culminating in the issuance of summons,” she added.
Speaking during the 693 Ordinary Council Meeting last month, Gweru council Human Resources Committee chairperson and Ward 10 councillor Charles Chikozho said as a committee they were working on mechanisms to recover all debts as a local authority.
“We are coming with mechanisms which we think will help us in our revenue flows, we are trying to recover what we are owed by residents and business community. This 5% interest is coming as a credit and debt collection mechanism which will help us to recover our money. “This penalty we are proposing is not meant to fix residents because we have genuine residents who are paying their bills but we have some who have since shunned their bills for good. Those not paying are the ones who are likely to be affected by this 5%. To those who are paying their bills, we greatly appreciate and consider their efforts towards improved service delivery,” said Chikozho.
Ward 17 councillor Farai Muza echoed that council was in need of money to run its operations.
“Let’s not take the issue of debts lightly. As council we need money to run all operations like what councillor Chikozho said, so a robust mechanism is needed to address the issue of debt at hand,” he said.
Most local authorities around the country are experiencing challenges to recoup their money from debtors with mostly government departments being big institutional debtors.

Chief Mpapa designate succumbs to bee-attack, new one appointed

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Chief Mpapa designate succumbs to bee-attack, new one appointed

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI-Following the death of Chief Mpapa born Julius Mpapa who recently died after he was stung by a swarm of bees, the Mpapa family (last Thursday) on May 12, convened and appointed Edison Mpapa who is younger brother to the late to take over the reins.
The Mpapa Chieftainship, which in accordance with the Traditional Leaders Act was approved by President Emmerson Mnangangwa last year alongside two other Chiredzi Chieftainships, Gezani and Chilonga, was set to be presided over by Julius Mpapa who died before he was officially installed as Chief Mpapa.
The now incumbent Chief Mpapa, Edison Mpapa confirmed his brother’s unfortunate death and his own appointment to the throne.
“My brother Julius was stung by a swarm of bees which visited his homestead at around mid-day towards the end of Apil when he was alone. His wife later find him in agony after the insects had already wrecked extensive harm unto his entire body and efforts to rush him to Chiredzi District Hospital yielded nothing as he died before arrival.
“After the tragedy last week, the family convened and agreed that I take over the Mpapa Chieftainship which was left vacant by my late brother,” said Mpapa.
The Mpapa Chieftainship destroyed by colonial rule is set to take a sizeable share of Mwenezi East’s ward 13 which for years has been presided over by Chief Chitanga and some parts of Chiredzi South.

Zanu PF Feeling the heat

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Zanu PF Feeling the heat

Panotungana dzemudanga, ma1 anenge atanga, rakaimba zvaro Gafa, the song is loaded with meaning, ma1 akatotangidza kudhara. It’s burning in Zanu maCdes, mafactions ari kupisa, they are trying hard kufukidza moto jira. But hazvisi kuita kkkk. Let’s just watch and see but they are feeling the heat. Chakachaya izvezvi wait and see kkk. Before I talk about today’s gospel, let me talk about Mthuli and Mangudya a bit.
I used to shout out and castigate these guys dzepaRBZ, but I think we can all agree kuti hazvisi kushanda, Yes it has never worked because the guys havana ganda kumeso, havatyi, havanyare so kutuka vanhu vasina nyadzi hazvibatsiri. So I think the best way now is to beg to them kuti vatinzwire tsitsi. Yeah kutokumbira ruregerero chaiko because I don’t think under normal circumstances munhu angangokuitira utsinye like this pasina chawatadza. Please, Mthuli, Mangudya kusvika kuna Baba naMai chaiko, please tinzwirei tsitsi vana venyu tatetereka kkkk. Haa varume imi munojaidzwa imi, if the situation had not left me looking like a destitute, I would find a way to get to RBZ nemboma chaiyo ndosiya ndakupai 1-1, ah even Jesus turned the tables in church awana vachiita zvisina basa mutembere yababa vake. We have allowed these guys to temper around with our country while we watch now we can no longer reverse it.
But life yatiri kuraramiswa nevanhu avaka injuga chaidzo. Ndapinda muTown umu ndikaona maPrice anotyisa sure if they tested temperature many wouldn’t pass that test. Ukabuda uchinotester BP rinenge rakashooter kkkk. Fortunately paShop vanotester pakupinda otherwise dai vaidaro pakubuda vazhinji vaibatwa Covid-19 yavasina. Ukaona zvichirovesa isu vana Mapombi nehana who survive on rotten bananas nemaputi, what more of the ordinary people? Asi Mthuli nevamwe vako Mwari ave nemi. MaPrice ezvinhu zvese arikungokwira. I also heard people speaking here at Chitima market that Zesa hiked its tariffs also haaa asika zvechokwadi hakuna kwatiri kumboenda neTeam remutoriro iri. As that was not enough, boom, Econet yazviitawo haa amanaka. Ini ndichatokwirawo mumuti kkkk, ko ndini ndadii zvese zviri kukwira.
But if Shona provebs are anything to go by, I think zvoda kundonaka, hanzi makata anoshura materu and those who witnessed the 2008 situation can testify, vanhu vakaita mbovha dzemufaro nyika yadigwa sugar. 2023 is around the corner and I can predict zvinhu zvichanaka chete. Whatever outcome but what I know is things will get better.
But Zanu PF is feeling the heat comrades, they feel the pressure now, the challenge is that the opposition is not exerting enough pressure chete otherwise zvaitonaka before 2023. Potoda vakashinga ladies and gentlemen kuti zviite, all these reactionary tendencies, policy inconsistencies show that these guys are panicking zvino havachazive pekubata. This is the challenge of inoitika kana ukavhara mvura nemaoko kkkk. Uchibata apa yobuda neapo, kubata apa yobuda nepamwe kkk. This is what Scarfmore and his team are doing, they don’t know where the real problem is, so kungobata pese pese. Now the only solution is admitting kuti vakomana tazvikonewa and call those who can do the magic to perform. Aikazve, it doesn‘t need a year to make people happy, we all saw it in 2009.
Can someone tell Mr Bin kuti vazive zvekunovhura amwe mabin not threatening people. We are in the 21st century we no longer want zvana Tshaka Zulu zvekuvhundusira vanhu. Let people vote for whoever they want, it’s their democratic right. Let me warn you Chinamasa, vanhu havachatyi stop wasting your time intimidating people, kana wada kuvhotera Joseph Busha let it be. These are clear signs that these guys are feeling the heat, vapererwaka no more strategy. I used to hear people saying the G40s were the brains behind Zanu PF while Lacoste was the muscle, now I believe it. Hapana kana ane njere ipapa kana 1, all they know is violence. Hanzi voting for CCC will bring war and instability in the country. Zvambogara zviri stable here now, is the country stable, is the fuel price stable, is inflation stable, basic goods price iri stable? Even the tables mumaOffices umu ari no longer stable. People’s minds are no longer stable, nothing is stable Mr Bin, if voting CCC brings instability so let it be, takatojaira. But murikumbotembei? Something is wrong with the lenses of your spectacles hamusikunatsoona here kuti things are not stable at all in our teapot shaped lovely country.
After bribing MPs with free duty on vehicles, they now want to bribe us nekubvisa duty pamabasic goods. Kkkkk haisi BACCOSI lite here iyi yataunzirwa neRBZ. It seems as if we are walking on a pathway that we have travelled on before. Tiri kudzokera kwatakabva and that will fail again as usual. Zupco monopoly failed, banning loaning failed, 2 percent tax failed, subsidising fuel failed, haa saka mozogonei. Maroads hanzi tikugadzira but chinguri Harare-Beitbridge road yakatangwa haiperi haa this Baccosi will fail. Baccosing everything is not the way, just create a conducive environment for investors chete zvipere.
I heard the government is uplifting Grand Reef Airstrip to an Airport in Mutare, I hope you are also going to upgrade Chiadzwa and Marange communities where our so called all weather friends varikumora our diamonds without even developing the community. Kkkk kutadza kana kugadzirisawo road inoenda kwamunomoora shuwa here. Potable water is still a crisis munzvimbo inotorwa diamond. I hear now they have one close to Masvingo, hanzi vaakutora futi paBikita Minerals apa vanaNehemiah vakazvitadza.
Before I go zvangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, ko Nyaya yaChinoz yakazopera sei, I heard they had planned a demo which went on to flop kkkk. But Chinoz futi, kkk but dzine zvivindi wena, we need a few man like him vanombopota vachitaura sure mukati imomo kkk. But moti chingaenda nepi Chinoz, he is just in the wrong basket but chakadyawo chakatora zvivindi pakatora Save kkk. I heard vakazonokumbira ruregerero zvavo chero ndisingazive kuti nyaya yavo yaiva yei. Mapombi is a multi-lingual lady ndinombopota ndechireketa kkk Akomana musadaroba Chinoz uyu ndibaba enyu aya. But what wrong did he do? Chete panotungana dzemudanga, ma1 anenge atanga kkkk shuwa kutokokorodzana kuda kunobvisa zvinhu zvisina basa imika register to vote and do the right thing.
Ko gamba repaChivi makaregerei reiwo kunoriridzira gidi? Mune rusarura ndazviona asi dai kwaive Shurugwi kana Chirumanzu dzairira. Anyway akataura bundu raiva mumoyo mwana waZefenaya kuti utungamiriri hweprovince hwaposha kutadza kuinda paChivi ipapa less than 100 km. Dai maiziva maitiro aaiita opposition ikoko achiitira Zanu imore mainomuchema. Zvisinei wafa Wanaka Dr Bradah. Zororai murugare rwashe henyu, inguva tichasanganiswa zvekare.
The winter is here ladies and gentlemen, paChitima pari kutonhora shemu, ndopaida Mphoko apa nemaIncubators ake aya aakambopa madzimai. If anyone sees him please tell him kana pane 1 yakasara ngaandipewo inga ndiri mudzimai wani. Ndongopindawo imomo ndodziirwa kkk. Ko Mfana Robert ava sei? Ko ivo Dr stop it where is she? I miss that lady, ngaambouya atuke ED zvaaita paya pamwe zvinhu zvinganaka kkk, Mboko Imboko!!!

Gutu clinic construction abandoned for over 40 years

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Gutu clinic construction abandoned for over 40 years

…local councillor accuses people of de-campaigning him

Rutendo Chirume

Health delivery services remain poor and in a state of neglect as villagers in Gutu East constituency’s ward 18 in Dewende area are forced to travel over 10km to access health services since a clinic in their area has been left dormant for over 40 years without any progress.
The area in which the clinic was supposed to be built has been left lying idle with pegs to indicate the place in which the council clinic was supposed to be built being the only sign of progress, which has prompted villagers to get services at the nearest Majada clinic.
Elias Nzombe from Dewende area said the clinic issue had been ignored for over 40 years and people have come to accept that it is normal like that as no one has the courage to talk about it in the village for fear of being victimized.
“There are a lot of issues happening but it goes unnoticed and people in areas like these are voiceless and sometimes afraid of being harassed. I am 40 years now and the clinic issue has been there since we were in primary school and since then nothing has been done. We have heard about the devolution funds but I do not think it is enough since I heard we only got US$ 2000 the whole district which went towards borehole drilling being the only project that is a little bit successful. We have never had any council meetings around here and the meetings are done to push political agendas, nothing is said of infrastructure development,” said Nzombe.
Another villager Nzwisiso Chavaidze said women are heavily affected and they risk being attacked by criminals since they have to travel such a long distance to get to the clinic.
“Women who are about to give birth deliver through midwives and sometimes it is very challenging since they would require medical attention after that but because of the distance, we sometimes give birth on the way to Majada clinic or give birth at home through the help of a midwife. Despite that you have to find someone to accompany you to the clinic for fear of being raped. It will be very risky to travel alone. Also on family planning services, we end up neglecting the process because the clinic is far, besides even that clinic is incapacitated,” said Chavaidze.
Ward 18 Councilor Martin Taderera said he had been trying his best to ensure development in the area and the furthest distance villagers would walk to the nearest clinic is eight kilometers which is reasonable considering that there are plots in the area.
“If people have something to say, they should do it directly to me. I know there are people who have been trying to de-campaign me. I have been trying to make sure that we have development in Dewende, so far we are trying to resuscitate the already available clinic buy putting up a section for pregnant women and I do not think that Dewende clinic is necessary now. We cannot start building a new clinic when the other is not yet finished. The ground is there, but I have no idea that it is still a matter of concern since it is something which was supposed to be solved over 40 years ago. The ward is very big and we are in plots the far villagers get to be treated is about eight kilometers,” said Taderera.
As most clinics are understaffed and face severe shortage of drugs which has now become a common problem throughout Zimbabwe’s rural communities, critical patients are now routinely referred to Gutu Mission Hospital.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, health facilities are not supposed to be five kilometers away.

Human Wildlife conflict shifts to Masvingo

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Human Wildlife conflict shifts to Masvingo

Melinda Kusemachibi

With human-elephant conflict escalating in Manicaland, Masvingo province is already suffering the same fate witnessed by the shooting of two elephants by Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) in Chiteni Village under Chief Ndanga in Zaka after the villagers had reported the matter to police.
The villagers at Ndanga reportedly provoked the elephants by stoning resulting in the latter turning violent.
Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono said they do not know exactly where the elephants were coming from.
“We do not know where the elephants are coming from and sometimes people will be excited that they have seen elephants and start throwing stones with dogs chasing them. This has caused the elephants to become violent and resultantly attack people,” said Makono.
One of the villagers in Ndanga said that they are now living in fear due to the continued presence of the giant animals which they are not used to co-habit with.
“We are living in fear the stray elephants came from nowhere and we are suspecting they could have travelled all the way from Save Valley Conservancy since villagers are destroying the perimeter fences. We cannot be blamed, but the elephants come and destroy our gardens, eating our crops,” said the villager.
Fauna and Flora Zimbabwe (FaFlo Zim) director Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said that elephants attack when they are provoked.
“Elephants are social beings. They rarely attack if unprovoked. If they feel threatened, they attack. They will trample. They are intelligent and they do not easily forget,” said Nyamukondiwa.
He also added that co-existence is the only solution in solving human elephant conflict.
“Elephants will not forget that the human race is eliminating them. Will they forgive us? Co-existence is the solution to solve the issue of human elephant conflict.
“Are we (humans) not declaring war on elephants? It is time to move from conflict to co-existence. HEC should mean Human Elephant Co-existence and not Human Elephant Conflict,” he added.
Conservation activist Sharon Hoole said human wildlife conflict is a sensitive issue that needs to be looked into closely.
“HEC is such an emotive subject dreadful outcome in most cases for communities with crop raiding wildlife not only elephants but warthogs and baboons. Humans are trying to deter elephants from their fields and see them as the enemy. Answers are right in front of us, sustainable methods and non-lethal solutions are right here but no one is empowering them.
“There is less funding from the government, Zimparks is in capacitated. You get a lot of hunting safari operators who are exploiting the natural resources but there is no development on the ground that is the beginning of human and wildlife conflict. People on the ground see animals as problems not investments,” said Hoole.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana posted a tweet saying that HWC had become quite emotive.
“Judging by responses to my Zaka post yesterday, the issue of HWC has become quite emotive. This year alone 60 Zimbabweans has lost their lives to elephants and 50 injured. In 2021, 72 lost their lives.
“It is reported that in Bubi elephants are moving in numerous herds and have devoured everything in the fields and now moving into homesteads forcing community members to retaliate in the process injuring some of the elephants. The injured ones have become aggressive and uncontrollable,” said Mangwana.
However in a related issue, in Zaka, Zibwowa area in ward 20 a beast suspected to be a lion killed an ox belonging to Mapira Chinoda of Chinoda village on May 7 and is it reported that no Zimparks personnel came to the rescue of the panicking community members.
Conflict between people and animals is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species in different parts of the world, which is also a significant threat to local communities and if solutions to conflict are not adequate, local support for conservation also declines.
Elephants were seen by villagers moving towards Ngungunyani forests under Chief Mapungwana in Chipinge.
In Chanyamukwakwa village in Chipinge South elephants recently killed two women and a baby.

Fund disbursement delays derail devolution projects

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Fund disbursement delays derail devolution projects

Melinda Kusemachibi

The delayed disbursement of devolution funds from central government to local authorities where they are to be used for various developmental projects has been cited as one reason behind hanging and incomplete projects.
Some sections of society have argued that the delays in disbursement that has led to projects being carried over to the next year which has its own budget will create room for abuse and misappropriation of funds and thus abuse on part of implementers.
A handful of local authorities expressed concern over the delays that they say sometimes affect progress and the pace at which they implement developmental projects.
Speaking to TellZim News Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga said they are heavily affected by delays by government in disbursement of devolution funds.
“We are heavily affected by the delays by government in disbursement of devolution funds as it will affect the timeframe we would intend to finish our projects. This will affect our service delivery and residents will blame us for it,” he said.
Chivanga called on government to ensure they disburse the funds on time.
“It is far too late and it’s too little. We received ZW$ 9 million only and we are in mid-year and it is too little for us to finish our projects. This will make us delay in finishing and the money will lose its value because of inflation as well,” said Chivanga.
Acting Chiredzi Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma also said that they are yet to receive their devolution funds.
“Currently, we are yet to receive the devolution fund money for Chiredzi Town. ZW$ 292 million was allocated in the budget but we have not yet received it and we are in May. l do not know how on earth we are going to finish our projects. This money should be given in January so that we will do our projects on time,” said Engineer Kauma.
Zaka RDC CEO David Majaura said that they only received ZW$ 9 million and they do not know if they will receive more.
“We only received ZW$ 9 million for this year and we do not know if we are going to receive more or not,” said Majaura.
However, Bikita RDC CEO Peter Chibhi could not shed more light on the delayed disbursement of devolution funds.
“I cannot comment on the delayed disbursement of devolution funds but we received ZW$ 12 million out of ZW$ 429 million,” said Chibhi.
On the delay to finish the projects on time, Chibhi said it depends with the amount which they would have received.
“It depends on whether we will get the full disbursement or not,” he said.
Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefter Sakupwanya said there are mechanisms in place to account for funds and monitor how projects are running but some projects are not funded by devolution funds.
“There are mechanisms in place to account for the funds. It is the duty of councilors and District Development Coordinators (DDCs) to do follow ups so as to maintain efficiency and transparency,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
Disbursements are done in terms of Section 301 of the Constitution, which regulates the allocation of resources between Central Government and local authorities.
Last year, Government disbursed $657 million out of the $703 million that had been budgeted under devolution.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Manicaland chairperson Proper Mutseyami recently accused Local government minister July Moyo of abusing devolution funds during a constituency indaba recently convened by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) in Mutare when he said Moyo was deliberately delaying the disbursement of the funds to local authorities so that he can keep embezzling the money.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government chairperson Miriam Chikukwa (Zanu PF) made the call in Parliament saying the late disbursements affected planning and utilization of the funds in the face of inflation as she urged Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to timeously release devolution funds to local authorities.
Government has a budget for devolution in line with section 301 of the Constitution.
Over the past three years, government has disbursed ZWL$2.2 billion to local councils as devolution funds.
Large sums of money have been disbursed country-wide by government since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over in 2017 but that was done without legal monitoring or evaluation structures in place leaving enough room to possible abuse and misappropriation.

Stray pigs invade Jerera

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Stray pigs invade Jerera

Fredrick Moyo

Stray pigs have invaded Zaka’s popular growth point Jerera, with business people around the centre crying foul accusing Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) of ignoring their plea to take care of the pigs.
Speaking to TellZim News Albert Mazvanya, a businessman who owns a canteen at Jerera growth point expressed concerns as council is not taking action about the issue.
“Over 25 pigs have invaded our community and they are affecting our day to day business as they turn bins upside down looking for food.
“I personally wrote a letter to council complaining over the issue but they are not even taking action and it has been days now but they are doing nothing about it,” said Mazvanya.
Another business owner Sarah Munemo who owns a motel in the area said the pigs are destroying their properties and may trigger health challenges in the community.
“The pigs are destroying our property, they even destroyed my fence, they even mess my veranda on a daily basis. I cook using firewood outside and now I am worried about my health as they also invade my cooking place. Council should take action as the pigs should not be moving around,” Munemo.
When contacted for comment Zaka RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura said they held a community engagement meeting and they are in the process of holding a stakeholder meeting to resolve the issue.
“Community engagement was done, now we are left with stakeholder engagement before the veterinary department act on the issue,” said Majaura.
The community have been left frustrated by the pigs’ invasion as they are affecting their day to day business.

Gutu district gospel lovers up for historical treat

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Gutu district gospel lovers up for historical treat

…as Nyamande Old students association organize gospel competition

Faith Duri

All gospel lovers in Gutu district’s Nyamande area will be in for a treat as Nyamande Old Students association is organising a gospel music competition set for May 25, 2022.
The competition is going to include 17 Christian church denominations in Nyamande area.
Henery Man’oro the organizing secretary of the association told TellZim News that the first five winners will walk away with prizes depending on the ranges.
“There will be prizes in form of money. The first prize winner will be given a trophy plus US$ 150, number two gets US$ 100, third prize is US$ 60, fourth prize is US$ 40 and the fifth prize US$ 30 with each church required to sing three of its best songs,” said Man’oro.
He also added that the occasion will be graced by many people including gospel celebrities and well known church leaders.
“I am happy to inform you that the occasion will be graced by best gospel singers like Fungisai Zvakavapano Mashavave born and raised in Nyamande area, Joseph Tivafire, Mathias Mhere, VaBhosvo Mutombe of Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Bishop Matanike who preaches every Saturday morning on National FM, Bishops Isaac Masuka and Simango as well as our MP Winston Chitando and the local senator Lovemore Matuke,” added Man’oro.
The organising secretary also added that gospel music is a way of spreading the word of God.
“Gospel songs are a way of spreading the gospel and preaching through songs and dance and l am happy to inform you that we have been receiving overwhelming support through cash and kind with MP Chitando being one of those to lend a helping hand towards our cause.
“So l am urging people to come in numbers, there will be enough food for everyone,” he added.
Nyamande Old Students association has been organizing ball game tournaments for the past ten years but they chose gospel music this time around.
The organising members include Joel Mambara, Tawanda Korowedzi, Henry Man’oro, Isaac Nhemachena, Isaac Masuka and Joseph Shonhiwa.

Climate Change Adaptability: Christian Care rescues communities

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Climate Change Adaptability: Christian Care rescues communities

…pumps more than US$ 200k towards safe and clean water provision

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-Christian Care has rescued Chiredzi communities in both the communal and resettlements from the devastating effects of climate change as they recently installed piped water schemes for six administrative rural wards aimed at benefitting more than ten thousand people who have been walking distances at night in search of the precious liquid.
Christian Care, in partnership with UK Aid, UNICEF and the government of Zimbabwe recently bailed out communities in resettlement areas as well as communal lands of Chiredzi through its ‘Zimbabwe Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Project’ (CAWEP).
The partnership saw installation of piped water schemes in Manhekwe, Crown Range, Nyavasikana, Lisimba and Emobeni where villagers have been walking several kilometers in search of the precious liquid.
Speaking during the handover of the projects to the communities recently in Manhekwe, Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC) Gift Machukele said the installation of the piped water scheme is part of the government’s vision 2030 of becoming an Upper Middle Income economy.
Machukele also said it is a constitutional right for every citizen to have access to clean water, which they have managed to do through partnerships with Christian Care.
“We would like to thank our partners who have made this a success. This is part of our road to vision 2030 of becoming an Upper Middle Income economy. I then challenge you as the community to take extra care of this project as it is no longer Christian Care’s project but yours.
“Would you like to get back to a scenario where you would walk long distances at night in search of water? We have managed as government to invite our partners to provide you with safe and clean water as it is enshrined in the constitution that it is every citizen’s right to have access to clean and safe water,” said Machukele.
Ward 32 councillor Aspect Mashingaidze also applauded the programme and said it has alleviated challenges the communities have been facing as well as brought relief to schools which were heavily disturbed by the lack of boreholes.
“We had major challenges in schools where there were no stand-alone boreholes ever since their establishment. Every morning children’s first duty was to fetch water from nearby boreholes, where they would compete with elders and this delayed their learning as they usually get back to school at around break time.
“It is also a blessing to the villagers who were walking approximately two kilometers to a nearest borehole which was in a bushy area, where they could not go during the night. This has brought civilization to our communities and also there is little need for repairs as compared to the bush pumps where we would make some repairs every year after rainy season,” said Mashingaidze.
Christian Care Projects Officer Webster Kuhuni also urged the communities to take extra care towards the upkeep of this project.

Education now for the elite in new dispensation

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Education now for the elite in new dispensation

…fees hikes further depress guardians

Rutendo Chirume

Section 75 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly mandates the government to ensure that every citizen; poor or rich, black or white, partly abled or not, female or male accesses affordable and quality education, but the country has been witnessing the privatization of education where only the elite and those who afford to pay hefty amounts in school fees are the ones who can access education while the financially impoverished bow out.
Section 5 of the Education Amendment Bill that seeks to promote compulsory education reads: “Every child shall be entitled to compulsory basic state funded education” while in compliment, Section 27 of the Constitution places the duty on the State to progressively fund basic education within the limits of resources available.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) says parents have the right to challenge any fees hike.
However this has not been working since the fees increase on an annual basis, a development which has left many struggling to pay fees against the soaring currency exchange rates and the economic situation in the country.
The 2020 Primary and Secondary Education strategic plan noted that approximately 27 percent of school-going children fail to attend school because they cannot afford fees.
The majority of pupils from secondary schools are dropping out of school with statistics revealing that in 2018 there was 30 percent less pupils which have dropped out from the previous year, 2020 registered 184, 249 pupils who sat for five and more subjects at Ordinary level while 163 179 wrote five subjects and above in 2021 a significant decrease in terms of numbers which has become a common feature on the Zimbabwean education landscape.
The right to affordable and basic education has been challenged and changed not mentioning the drastic decline in number of children who make it to Advanced level.
In an interview with TellZim News MoPSE Director of Communications and Advocacy Taungana Ndoro said fees are still affordable in Zimbabwe for basic education both in urban and rural areas and the drop of children registering for ‘O’ level can be attributed to other factors.
“Education is not for the elite alone, even marginalized persons can access quality, relevant, inclusive and affordable education in Zimbabwe. Plenty of schools about 80percent have very affordable fees and remember we have over 10000 schools in the country. There is nothing “drastic” about that considering the effects of Covid-19,” said Ndoro.
On average the approved boarding school fees range between ZW $75000 to $160000 which is a cause for concern to parents mostly civil servants whose salaries are way below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) pegged at ZW $ 92 000 according to Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and generality of Zimbabweans with the bread basket of a family of five going beyond ZW $ 75 000.
A parent named Gloria Nyashanu raised her concerns and said if the situation continues, her children might be forced to drop out of school because so far she has sold most of the cattle she had to cater for her children’s school fees.
“Things are very tough in the country. I have four children with the last born in primary school, two in secondary and one is supposed to be going to university now but because of the situation, I have told her to look for something to do in the meantime while we finish with her siblings because I am failing to afford all their fees at once.
“We have been selling our cattle but the money is still not enough and I am afraid we might wipe out the whole herd. The most troubling thing is after we have struggled; our children will fail to secure jobs. The school fees are too much not to mention the examination fees which sometimes forces us to pay for only basic subjects which limits our children,” said Nyashanu.
Zimbabwe National Student Union (Zinasu) president Benon Ncube said government has turned a blind eye on the education sector and it has misplaced priorities considering what they have been doing nothing towards emancipation of learners.
“It is supposed to be a right than privilege and advantage to all children and students learning at government schools and institutions find themselves learning amid economic instability in the country because we expect them to charge fees in such a way that we will survive given salaries paid to our parents.
“Secondary examination fees have been increased three times and salaries have not been increased and a lot of parents are employed by government. How does the government expect them to pay that money? We are victims of exorbitant fees and an unstable economy, which means our education sector is in jeopardy,” said Ncube.
A circular that was shared on social media and attributed to Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec), Grade 7 examination candidates will pay $4 388 while the government will pay $5 362 giving a total of $9 750, Ordinary Level candidates will pay $1 620 while the government will pay $1 980 per subject giving a total of $3 600 meaning parents are supposed to be paying of total ZW$ 8 100 to register their children at least five subjects while Advanced Level candidates will pay $3 240 up from $1 080 per subject last year, and the government will pay $3 960 giving a total of $7 200.
Asked on what could have prompted the hike, Zimsec Public Relations and Communications manager Nicholette Dhlamini denied the existence of such a circular saying it did not originate from her organization.
“I have no idea of what you are talking about. I do not know anything about the flier because Zimsec has not released anything yet,” said Dhlamini.
Former Bulawayo Junior Mayoress Kimberly Malima expressed her concerns through this publication saying government has failed to fulfil its promises to learners and they have been dancing to the same beat.
“Our parents have been struggling year in and out without any resolutions. The truth is parents are struggling paying fees considering the low wages and the fact that most school children rely on our civil servant parents. This goes beyond finances because it disturbs the atmosphere at home and affect both parents and children emotionally,” she said.
Government has often been accused of neglecting the education sector through poor remuneration for teachers, introducing Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALA) untimely while school and exam fees have been pegged at figures beyond their reach.

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