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Devolution-funded boreholes lie idle as residents scramble for water

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Devolution-funded boreholes lie idle as residents scramble for water

Melinda Kusemachibi

Boreholes that were sunk in the run-up to the March 26 by-elections in Masvingo urban and were left incomplete are lying idle despite residents’ scrambling for water at the few available bush pumps in the city due to perennial water woes.
The boreholes were drilled using devolution funds notably in wards 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Masvingo urban constituency but they are now lying idle with residents in all of these wards struggling to get alternative sources of water.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya said the borehole drilling was initiated by the president so he is the one who has the final say on how things should go.
“Presidential borehole drilling scheme is the president’s programme which is going to benefit people in and around Masvingo province mostly those in rural setup,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
Quizzed on why the boreholes in the urban setup have not been completed after tank stands were erected at respective centers, Dr Sakupwanya asked why reporters would have more interest in issues that have to do with urban dwellers at the expense of the rural folk.
“Why do you want to focus much on urban setup instead of rural set up? There is too much wide coverage in urban than rural set up,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
A number of projects that were initiated during election campaigns seem to have been abandoned following the defeat of ZANU PF candidates.
Recently the city went for days without adequate water, with the Masvingo City Council being unable to sustain adequate supplies to the ever growing populace.
The period preceding the March 26 local authority and House of Assembly by-elections saw the ruling Zanu PF resorting to the use of devolution funds to drill boreholes in Masvingo urban, Chivi South and Mwenezi and questions were raised on why the boreholes which are said to be part of developmental projects were only drilled in areas with elections.
Zanu PF has also been accused of abusing state resources like social welfare food aid and presidential input schemes towards furthering political interests during election periods.

RCZ Education secretary elated with ‘O’ and ‘A’ level academic prowess

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RCZ Education secretary elated with ‘O’ and ‘A’ level academic prowess

Tendai Charumbira

Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) education secretary Dr Julius Witmos Mutumburanzou said he is delighted with the performance of RCZ run schools in the November 2021 Ordinary and Advanced level results.
Dr Mutumburanzou told TellZim News that he was particularly happy with the ‘O’ level results despite some of the schools not delivering their very best unlike with ‘A’ level results in which the schools did really well with the lowest getting 90 percent pass rate.
“We as the RCZ, are happy with the performance of the schools in the November 2021 ‘O’ level results especially Chibi and Pamushana High schools, although some schools failed to reach our bench mark.
“We are also delighted with the ‘A’ level results because the lowest schools scored 90 percent pass rate, which is a rare feat,” said Mutumburanzou.
He also added schools were quite outstanding despite the socio-economic hardships in the country, industrial actions not forgetting the Covid-19.
“RCZ schools were quite remarkable against the social-economic situations which are quite difficult and also the industrial elections apart from Covid-19,”said Mutumburanzou.
Chibi High is leading in the ‘O’ level results with a 100 percent pass rate, in ‘A’ level it recorded 98.28 percent pass rate. Pamushana scored 91.02 percent in ‘O’ level and 99.49 percent pass rate in ‘A’ level results. Gutu High recorded 89.6 percent pass rate and the best candidate scored 12As and 1B in ‘A’ level it scored 97.7 percentage pass.
Nyashanu High School in Buhera district in Manicaland province also recorded 90.63 percentage pass rate in ‘O’ level recording that best pupil being a boy who scored 11As and 1B and best female pupil scored 8As and 4Bs. In ‘A’ levels, it recorded 94.67 percent. Chingombe 2 Alhiet recorded 76.22 percent pass rate in the ‘O’ level and 90.22 percent in the ‘A’ level results.
Makumbe High School recorded 88.46 percent pass rate. The best pupil in boys scored 7As, 3Bs and 1C and best candidate in girls scored 5As and 3bs. In ‘A’ levels, it recorded a total percentage pass rate of 65.97. Zimuto High recorded 78.80 percent pass rate in ‘O’ levels while in ‘A’ levels it recorded 92 percent.

Police release disputed Gweru mayoral car

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Police release disputed Gweru mayoral car

Tinaani Nyabereka

Police in Gweru have today released the mayoral pool car which was being held at Gweru Central Police following a dispute between former Mayor Josiah Makombe and council.

The vehicle was set to be Makombe’s exit package after his full term as he was supposed to buy it at book value, but he was then recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-Alliance in December 2021.

According to an affidavit in the hands of this publication, the vehicle was returned today, May 5 2022 to Gweru Acting Town Clerk Vakai Chikwekwe.

“I Douglas Vakayi Chikwekwe residing at (address given), Gweru being the owner of Toyota Prado AAF-6417 I do hereby indemnity the Government of Zimbabwe and the ZRP or any member thereof any damage which the property may have occurred during investigations.

“I also acknowledge that I do not have any other property in the hands of the police. The property will be kept by me until I am advised to dispose it by the police. I shall also comply with the court instructions if the property is required as evidence,” read part of the affidavit.

Efforts to get a comment from Makombe were fruitless as his phone was not reachable by the time of writing.

Chikwekwe also could not comment on the issue as he referred all questions to the Public Relations Officer.

Family reunion: A key therapy to inmates’ reintegration process

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Family reunion: A key therapy to inmates’ reintegration process

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru– The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS)’s momentous family reunion week programme has been described as a key therapy to inmates as it constitutes an important role in the reintegration process of inmates when they return to society.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event which saw the community visiting inmates incarcerated for various criminal offences at Whawha Prisons last Saturday, Whawha Rehabilitation Officer, Assistant Principal Correctional Officer, Tamuka Davira said the rehabilitation exercises offered by the institution are focused on correcting the mindset.
He added that, the family was important in debunking the myths associated with incarceration.
“As we have been conducting the family week, its importance lies on the aspect of rehabilitation as rehabilitation focuses on the mindset. So the various activities, courses and projects we offer inmates while inside are meant to impart skills so that when they go out, they carry something with him. Some come to prison without nothing but when they leave they go with degrees and diplomas. So we would love to continue working with the community, stakeholders in coming up with more initiatives to help the inmates.
“During this family week and those to come, we keep on encouraging the family as an institution to come forward and see their loved ones because reunion help inmates to feel loved and accepted. It also helps our brothers and sisters to release pressures and stress they have. One may say committed a crime to my family and to the state but it also starts with the family to reconcile with the inmate. If the family does not accept the inmate, then it will become difficult for the community. So we urge families to come and visit their loved ones,” he said.
He further said imprisonment was not a punishment but a corrective measure.
“Let me hasten to say imprisonment is not a punishment, it’s a corrective measure. That is why we are working with various players in rehabilitating our fellow brothers and sisters. As they go out, the community needs them and they need it,” Davira added.
An inmate at Whawha prison, Simon Dhemba from Kwekwe urged the community to respect the law saying it was always good to be a law abiding citizen.
Dhemba who used to farm in the communal lands of Kwekwe in Mbizo said he missed the good times of producing for his family and nation as he used to produce and sell to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
“I just want to share a word or two with my fellow countryman, let’s be law abiding citizens and shun all elements of criminality. If you do not have anything, do not steal. Rather look for piece jobs and work, do not offend your brother or sister or be involved in any form of crime.
“I am a farmer. I used to grow maize a lot at my plot in Kwekwe supplying some to the GMB. Ever since I was incarcerated for the past six years, I have never enjoyed the fruits of the soil. It is my humble prayer that when released in 2024, I will go back to my land and start production. I have an uncle of mine in Kwekwe I was staying with and appeal to him to pay me a visit,” Dhemba said.
Another inmate who identified himself as Moses Mlala appealed to his sister for reconciliation saying it was time to bury the hatchet.
“I am glad we had a family week, though I didnt get any visitor but I know the exercise was good for us all as we get time to reunite with our loved ones. I just want to apologize to my sister her name is Nothabo Mlala she is in Lupane in the new stands area. Ever since I was arrested, she never visited me and am appealing to her to come and see me.
“I know we have had a rough past but want us to reconcile as a family. My grandmother used to come to see me but she is old and cannot see. So am appealing to my sister to come and see me here at Whawha medium,” Mlala said.
Meanwhile Childline Zimbabwe one of the stakeholders working with ZPCS recently urged inmates to be reintegration ambassadors when they leave prison.

Approximately 4 hectares of lantana Camara cleared at Great Zimbabwe

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Approximately 4 hectares of lantana Camara cleared at Great Zimbabwe

Melinda Kusemachibi

Approximately 4 hectares (ha) of alien species lantana camara has been cleared at the Great Zimbabwe National Monuments as it had been damaging the monuments, Great Zimbabwe Regional Director Lovemore Mandima has confirmed.
Speaking during a press tour of the American Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) project at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site held on April 28 2022, Mandima said they had so far cleared 4 ha of lantana camara.
“We have cleared 4 ha of lantana camara on the area. In this project we focused on the dry walls and how best can we conserve them so that people will appreciate the various components of the monuments which were restored. We are also focusing on the removal of lantana camara as it is an invasive species that we do not need on such world heritage sites and we are trying to remove them. We may not really eradicate them but we are putting more effort to remove them as to make our site fit.
“Lastly we are monitoring the monuments. We have been basically monitoring it manually to check if the stones are moving because of the environment so we wanted to install the electric monitoring system such that we can use manual and electronic,” said Mandima.
Archeologist at the site Dr Tawanda Mukwende said that all institutions are supposed to engage with stakeholders to clear up lantana camara.
“The Forestry Commission and Ministry of Environment declared it an unwanted species, all institutions or people are supposed to carry out control mechanisms to ensure the removal of lantana from their specific environs and we have so far removed 4 ha of area covering lantana camara. As National and Monuments of Zimbabwe we are working together with the World Monument Funds who are sponsors together with the Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation in trying to control this lantana here in particular areas in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mukwende.
Conservation Consultant to World Monuments Simon Warrack said that the management team had been very helpful in clearing lantana camara.
“Uprooting lantana camara, we see it as a way of destroying it as we apply herbicides called Caputi to the stems which had been cut. The management team is very helpful in destroying lantana camara as we coordinate and come up with an effective plan,” said Warrack.
In Zimbabwe, climate change and invasive alien plant species are among the top threats to the ecosystem and Masvingo province has not been spared either.
Invasive alien species are plants that are introduced in an environment where they are not normal.
Statistics released by Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Masvingo province shows that an estimate of 2473.17 ha of land has been affected by Lantana Camara in the province.
The dominance of Lantana Camara affects ecosystems’ equilibrium which is important in the fight against climate change effects.

Rural women’s hesitancy for political posts a tragedy for democracy

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Rural women’s hesitancy for political posts a tragedy for democracy

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi -In one of his hit songs ‘Kushandiswa seCaterpillar, musician-cu-politician Hosiah Chipanga chronicles how, before being wholly excluded, a caterpillar is at the forefront of smoothening of roads paving way for other vehicles to pass without hindrance, after which it is excluded from using the road.

Chipanga’s song seems to be squarely apt in summing up the political dilemma of the hesitant women in the distant Mwenezi district who for years now are merely propping up men for political office duties while they preserve their roles as voters instead of being the ones who are voted into political offices.

The participation of women in the country’s electoral processes as position holders in the local authorities is becoming a ceaseless dream in most rural constituencies where voted political posts seem to be a preserve for men.

Mwenezi’s two constituencies Mwenezi East and Mwenezi West, having a total of 18 male councilors elected during the 2018 harmonized general elections is a microcosm of what is pervading in most rural communities where women despite constituting the majority of voters, are consistently sacrificing their vote for male representatives at their own expense.

Owing to the past volatile political climate coupled with some stereotype that is usually tagged to women who ‘miraculously’ rose to the apex echelon of political office, some politically capable women prefer to stay away from contesting for elected political posts.

Mwenezi District’s Zanu PF secretary for women affairs Violah Maregedze who also decried the absence of female councilors in the local authority said a lot still needs to be done for women to acquire the necessary guts to contest for political office.

“In addition to several defined societal roles which confine women to fully participate in politics here in Mwenezi West, some of the women who are not educated and are of the view that elected political posts are for the educated elite but we are currently embarking on an enlightening initiative to demystify such misconceptions.

“As a party, we have already identified some women who have indicated that come next year’s harmonized elections, they are inevitably going to contest as councilors,” said Maregedze.

46 year-old Loveness Shoko of Mwenezi’s ward 3 told TellZim News that there is need for women to speak with one voice if they are really serious about their political destinies.

“In my view, regardless of our diverse political groupings, as long as a woman contestant eyes any political post, we need to give her all our maximum support as a united force.

“What is regrettable is that currently all our 18 local councilors are male and it is naive for us to believe that whenever they deliberate on, they do justice to our concerns as women. As mothers, we need to speak on our own not to elect male candidates to speak for us. This ought to be the thing of the past come next year’s elections,” said Shoko.

On his part Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) interim Mwenezi West district chairperson Amos Hungwe said though in the 2018 elections they managed to field one female candidate for councilor’s post who later on lost the race, it is their hope that they are going to have more female candidates in next year’s elections.

“At our recent meeting, we deliberated the issue of giving priority to women candidates in the coming elections. Our target is to have a 50/50 representation though it is difficult to achieve especially in rural communities like Mwenezi but we are certain that we are definitely going to field more female candidates regardless of the hurdles.

“The root problem of some of these challenges is that the previous elections especially the 2008 presidential re-run was dominated by the worst political violence targeting opposition party supporters. As a result, a lot of potential female candidates have fresh memories of the horror hence they do not want to be associated with politics worse still to stand as opposition candidates,” said Hungwe.

As the countdown to next year’s harmonized elections draws closer, political parties’ genuine commitment towards gender parity especially in marginalized communities like Mwenezi is once again having its litmus test.

Silobela man blows self up over lover

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Silobela man blows self up over lover

Tinaani Nyabereka

Silobela-A 31 year-old Silobela man recently died after he blew off his head with explosives for being jilted by an alleged lover.

The incident occurred on April 28 2022 at around 1500 hours at a kiosk at Mahari Business Centre under Chief Malisa, Silobela.

It is reported that Isaac Shumba (31) of Kwayikwayi village visited his girlfriend (24) who resides at the business center.

It is alleged that his girlfriend told him to go back to his family and this did not go down well with him before a misunderstanding arose between the two.

Circumstances given further reveal that the estranged Isaac ran amok welding a knife and threatening to kill anyone who came close while fastening explosives on his head, he ignited the fuse of the explosives which blew off his head whilst standing at the veranda of the shop.

He died on the spot and a report was made to the police who attended the scene.

The body of the deceased was ferried to Silobela Hospital mortuary for post mortem while investigations are in progress.

Midlands Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende appealed to members of the public to solve disputes amicably.

“Once again the police are appealing to members of the public to solve their disputes or differences amicably by engaging a third party so as to be able to manage their issues.

“Use of violence leads to unnecessary loss of lives as this incident could have been avoided,” she said.

NetOne applauds Chilonga community

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NetOne applauds Chilonga community

…sets record straight on victims of tragic incident

Fredrick Moyo

Telecommunications giant NetOne has applauded the kindly gesture from Chilonga Community who assisted in the recovery operation after a tragic incident which occurred at Chilonga Bridge along Runde River in Chiredzi on April 30 2022 claiming the life of one of their employees and another yet to be identified victim.

In a press statement undersigned by NetOne Board Chairperson Susan Mutangadura and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raphael Mushanawani, the mobile operator thanked the local leadership and community at large for helping retrieve the vehicle involved and its occupants.

“The NetOne Board, Management, and Staff thank the Chilonga community and local leadership for their support and remarkable efforts in the recovery operation. We would also like to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and its Sub-Aqua Unit, Malilangwe Trust, Tongaat Hulett, the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and Honourable Killion Callisto Gwanetsa (MP), for the assistance rendered.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased during this difficult time. Mr Samson Zvarimwa has been a valued member of the NetOne team since 1 July 2011ad will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the departed,” read part of the statement.

NetOne Group CEO Mushanawami left Harare last night for Bikita to attend the funeral wake of the late Zvarimwa.

Zvarimwa joined NetOne in July 2011, and has been working for the company since then.

Recently, a D4D pickup truck believed to be belonging to Chief Chilonga Tiyani was involved in an accident while attempting to cross the river and the vehicle was swept away and one person was confirmed dead while three other were missing, with Chief Chilonga surviving the incident after managing to swim out of danger.

Chilonga Bridge has off late become a dark spot for people using the crossing point prompting people to superstitiously claim the presence of mermaids at the place.

Gweru effects five percent interest penalty on debtors

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Gweru effects five percent interest penalty on debtors

… resolution to be implemented with immediate effect

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- City Council on April 25, 2022 resolved to effect a five percent interest penalty on all debtors with immediate effect.
The resolution was passed following the accumulation in debt from both residents and the business community.
Recently with regards to debt accumulation, council revealed that domestic customers owed council approximately over ZW$ 600 million and while the business community owed council over ZW$ 1billion.
Speaking during the 693 ordinary council meeting held in Gweru, a member of the Finance committee and ward 10 councilor 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 five percent interest is coming as a credit and debt collection mechanism which will help us recover our money.
“The five percent interest 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 penalty. To those who are paying their bills, we greatly appreciate and consider their efforts towards improved service delivery,” he added.
Ward 17 councilor Farai Muza said council is 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 councilor Chikozho has said. So a robust mechanism is needed to address the issue of debt at hand,” said Muza.
Ward 15 councilor Trust Chineni the Environment, Works and Town planning chairperson said most operations and projects proposed by the committee require resources.
“As a committee, we are really pushing the finance committee to look for money because for us to be able to implement most of the projects on the environment we need money. The five percent interest proposal comes in to push the finance team so that they come up with more ways to raise revenue.
“If sewer blocks, we need rods, cars and fuel to attend on the ground. Right now we are failing to purchase fuel because garages need forex and as a local authority we are only allowed to charge our services in local currency. As long as we are not looking for other mechanisms we will not be able to offer services to our residents on time,” he added.
Gweru Mayor and ward 1 councilor Hamutendi Kombayi said as a local authority there was need to craft a policy which enables the collection of foreign currency for improved service delivery.
Ward 12 councilor Jefta Zvidzai however said as the interest rate was being effected, there was need to reconsider that most of the ratepayers in the community are the elderly and vendors who are struggling due to economic hardships.
“As we effect this five percent per annum, let’s also consider that we have people who religiously pay their bills. We need to take note of such ratepayers as their efforts have kept council afloat.
“We also have vendors and the elderly who are struggling to honor their bills due to financial constraints, some are being charged forex on their market bays and shops yet they sell their products in local currency and at the end of the day they struggle to look after their families.
“Let’s effect such measures knowing that we are dealing with people who are facing challenges as well,” Zvidzai said.
Gweru council deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri highlighted the need to notify residents of the resolution.
“As council we need to demarcate when implementation can start, remember as we come here we are representing people and we need to go back and tell the people on such developments in our various wards.
“We also need the applicability of the five percent whether it is introspective or retrospective” he said.

… As residents bemoan lack of consultation on critical resolutions

Gweru residents have expressed concern over the non-payment of rates penalty saying engagement was always key in having such resolutions.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Conerlia Selipiwe said engagement was the way to go for residents to know what is happening.
“Council should always consider the input of residents by engaging and consulting them before making some resolutions that affect them,” said Selipiwe.
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRARDA) in a statement issued by its director Pastor David Chikore cautioned residents on the need to avoid debt accumulation.
“This statement serves as a plea to all of us as Gweru residents and ratepayers to honor our monthly bills so that we do not accumulate debt, which might prove crippling in future. For those with outstanding balances accumulated over previous months, we are pleading with you our fellow residents to either clear those debts, if you can, but where finances are constrained, we urge you to pay a decent portion of your accumulated debt.
“It is common knowledge that most of us have grievances with council and service delivery and/or billing system, but let’s operate from a position of strength by vigorously fighting for our rights,” he said.

Councilors clash over Army, ZRP, and ZPCS ballooning debt

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Councilors clash over Army, ZRP, and ZPCS ballooning debt

Melinda Kusemachibi

Masvingo City councilors recently clashed over the best course of action against government institutions namely the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) over their ballooning debts to the local authority.
In a full council meeting held on April 20 at the Civic Centre, councilors squabbled over the issue with Masvingo mayor Cllr Collen Maboke proposing to name and shame the debtors while ward 10 councilor Sengerai Manyanga whose ward covers 4 Infantry Brigade said the decision will put him under fire from ZNA.
Maboke said they should name and shame the debtors as the public deserve to know those who are responsible for poor service delivery.
“These institutions owe council a lot of money but the people out there do not know how much. I think is it best if we name and shame or even publish their dues in a newspapers,” suggested Maboke.
“We want to publish in newspapers those institutions that owe council since it affects service delivery and residents blame council. These institutions owe us a lot of money and if they were paying, we could probably have 10 refuse compactors, as you can see we do not have enough compactors,” said Maboke.
Manyanga refused to name and shame the debtors as it is reported that they are in good relations with the Army.
“No we should not name and shame then munenge mandiuraisa (you would have placed me in a difficult position), the Army sometimes calls me at their camp saying councilor how is everything doing so do not name and shame them, I will be in hot soup,” said Manyanga.
He also said that the Army is paying up their rates.
“Army is paying up their rates this month they paid ZW$15 million. Other institutions are not paying, but the army is paying,” Manyanga said.
However Deputy Mayor Wellington Mahwende said that they are going to engage with the office of Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
“We want to engage the office of Minister Chadzamira on how best we can resolve the matter. It is a suggestion we make together as councilors. We once did it and it was effective. It is not only big institutions that are owing council, even individuals are owing the local authority,” said Mahwende.
In previous years council threatened to unleash debt collectors on institutions.
Several schools, ZRP, ZNA among other debtors owe council a total of ZW$202 975 443, 66 while residents, various organizations and institutions have debt arrears of about ZW$707 900 215, 77.

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