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Pastor O Surprises congregants, funds start-up ideas

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Pastor O Surprises congregants, funds start-up ideas


TellZim
Reporter

MASVINGO
–
Youthful clergyman and business person, Pastor Onward Chironda recently
surprised congregants during a Sunday service at his New Creation Embassy
Church by giving some youths money to fund their business ideas.
During the course of
the service, Prophet O had asked young people what they were doing in life and
what they would want to be known.
A few who responded
that they wished to start businesses were given substantial amounts of money in
US dollars and in South African rands.
The youthful pastor
said the church was not a place of spiritual solutions alone but was also a
place of social upliftment.
Pastor O, as he is
affectionately known, is widely described as flamboyant but he has demonstrated
a strong commitment to the welfare of the less fortunate.
Inspired by his mentor
Uebert Angel, the young pastor has been doing many philanthropic works aimed at
giving hope to the underprivileged.
He recently completed writing
a book which he has launched in the United States of America.

124 solar panels lie idle at Chivhu Gen Hosp

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124 solar panels lie idle at Chivhu Gen Hosp

Elliot
Jinjika
CHIVHU–
The incessant power shortages which have hit the country have taken a toll at
Chivhu General Hospital putting to a halt key operations which require electricity
while a124 solar panel field lie idle in the backyard drawing and ire from the
public.
The hospital management has come under fire from the
public after they have negated a solar field of over 120 panels donated by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) about two years ago.
Power shortages have affected the mortuary,
laboratory, theatre and CSSD departments at Chivhu General Hospital with most
patients now being referred to Gutu, Murambinda, Driefontein and other mission
hospitals for assistance.
There have been some reports alleging that the
hospital management abused the funds to finish the project in anticipation that
they would recover the money quickly but the economy took a nosedive plunging
the whole project into doubt.
No comment could be drawn from the hospital
authorities but Chivhu district public works officer Edwin Mashingaidze said that
the project will soon be operational as it has been stalled for far too long.
“Soon the project will be completed and everything
will be done in a very short period of time. The handover had not been done
because the work was still in progress. We were just waiting for the donor to
supply other materials that were lacking.
“All things hinged in the hands of the donor and our
job here is just to check the progress and nothing more.
“Some sections of the hospital have already been
connected and soon the whole hospital will be done. Circumstances beyond our
control derailed the progress and it has nothing to do with misappropriation of
funds as others may think,” said Mashingaidze.
If completed, the solar field will be able to power
the most critical areas of the hospital.

Hwindi soldiers embarrass Army

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Hwindi soldiers embarrass Army

…as desperate gunmen
hustle it out on streets as mahwindi

TellZim
Reporter
MASVINGO
–
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has distanced itself from the activities of
its wayward members who seek to supplement their salaries through means that
are unprofessional and outside of the organisation’s mandate, TellZim News can
report.
Responding to questions
in the wake of the death of a soldier in an accident at old Croco Motors on
January 10, ZNA spokesperson Col Overson Mugwisi said the duty of soldiers was
to defend the country and not to indulge in unprofessional hustles.
“I have not received any
complaint regarding the issue of our members who practice touting and I would
have wanted you to identify those who are doing it for me. As you know, the
duty of soldiers is to defend the country as per the mandate of ZNA,” said
Mugwisi.
He said disciplinary
action will be taken against members who are found to be breaking the
guidelines of their professional duties in order to protect the reputation of
the organisation.
Mugwisi, however,
feigned ignorance of the death of Lance Corporal Mufaro Jongwe while doing
touting work at old Croco Motors in Masvingo.
Jongwe, who was a
well-known tout at the pick-up point, was helping to load a stationary
Harare-bound Bercam bus when he was crushed by the same bus after he ran after
it when it took off.
As the bus moved
forward, Jongwe had reportedly hopped onto it but he missed his step twice and
fell on the ground before the vehicle ran over his head.
The soldier, who is
survived by a wife and two children, was buried on Monday, January 13, in
Vuranda village of Chivi district.
He was sent off with
requisite military honours while his colleagues in the touting business also
trooped to his homestead to pay their last respect.
“He was a fantastic
colleague who had mastered the crude requirements of our work. He was a soldier,
yes, but he suffered like the rest of us. The money that junior officers are
getting is not enough so we can’t fault him for trying to find extra means to
fend for his family,” said one distraught tout.
Many serving members of
the army are openly practicing touting when they are outside of their
professional work as part efforts to survive the harsh economic realities.
In the same vein, some
police officers are engaging in pirate taxi business and illegal foreign
currency dealings on the streets.
The Zimbabwe Republic
Police (ZRP) recently released a circular condemning the behavior of some of
its female members in Harare who are reportedly selling their bodies to illegal
gold panners in Mazowe district.

Chief Neromwe bans circumcision, female initiation

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Chief Neromwe bans circumcision, female initiation

                                                 Chief Neromwe
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chief Neromwe
has come out strongly against traditional male circumcision and a girls adulthood initiations rites that he said
were not customary to people of his cultural identity.
Traditional male circumcision
rites are performed widely in Chiredzi district but mostly by members of the
Tsonga/Shangane tribal group.
Chief Neromwe, born Clemence
Madzingo, is just but one Shona chief in a district dominated by Tsonga
traditional leaders.
The restoration of the Neromwe
chieftainship last year has caused severe friction with Chief Tshovani, born
Hlaisi Mundau.
The revival of Neromwe saw
Tshovani losing wards 17, 26, 27 and 28, leaving him presiding over wards 20,
22 and 32.
The four resettlement wards which
were awarded to Neromwe were under Tshovani and were subjected to Tsonga
cultural practices of hook (male circumcision) and komba (female initiation
into adulthood).
Both cultural practices are
practiced in the mountains under the cover of many taboos and superstitions
that prevent external scrutiny.
Many people in the wards that
were awarded to Neromwe felt the practices were alien to them and Neromwe now
seems to have acted in response to their apprehension.
Speaking to TellZim News soon
after obtaining a court order which bars Chief Tshovani from getting into his
territory and interfering with his subjects, Chief Neromwe said the two
cultural practices were now a banned tradition in areas under his jurisdiction.
“It was never our tradition. We
will no longer allow any of that to take place in our community as it has been
happening before,” said Neromwe.
Government and foreign donors are
implementing medical male circumcision across the country, and they have in
some parts of Chiredzi partnered local communities to improve traditional
circumcision practices.

Ailing rape victim weeps in court in fear of ‘rapist’ sangoma

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Ailing rape victim weeps in court in fear of ‘rapist’ sangoma

…begs magistrate to strike case off the roll

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI– A rape victim
recently wept in court and begged Chiredzi Senior Regional Magistrate Judith
Zuyu to strike off the roll the case against his alleged rapist whom she said
could kill her using his black magic.
The 42-year-old ailing woman, who
was raped allegedly by Jamu Jamu, a sangoma, said she feared her rapist would
use his magic to finish her off if he was to be convicted.
“I forgave him, like what my
husband did before he died. He said maybe Jamu Jamu had raped me as payment for
a service he rendered us.
We owed him a cow after we
consulted him when my husband was ill but he never got healed. We then failed
to pay up in time so he raped me perhaps to compensate himself for the unpaid
work. I am now in fear, as I no longer know the root of my sickness,” wept the
woman, who cannot be named for ethical reasons.
She said her health was
inexplicably deteriorating ever since Jamu threatened to make her worse if she
ever reported the two incidences when he raped her.
Both wife and husband were Jamu’s
patients but the sangoma allegedly raped the woman on the two incidences he
attended to her.
The State led by Innocent Tshuma
claimed that on March 13, 2019, the complainant experienced abdominal pains and
she went to Jamu looking for help.
Jamu is alleged to have smeared
some herbs onto the woman, laid her on some bedding where he raped her once.
When she regained her
consciousness and realised she had been raped, her violator apologised for what
he had done.
While on his way to hospital on
June 05, 2019, the woman’s husband met Jamu whom he asked to go to his home and
attend to his wife who was not well.
When Jamu went there, he used the
same tricks to rape the woman again. When the woman discovered she was
pregnant, she confided in her mother who then advised her to report the matter
to the police.
He husband died in December 2019.

80-year-old widow kicked out moments after husband’s funeral

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80-year-old widow kicked out moments after husband’s funeral

Monalisa Matongo
MUTARE – A 63-year-old man from Gutarurare village under Chief Zimunya was
recently dragged to kraal head Machikiti’s court where he was made to kneel on
the ground and pay a cow as fine for kicking away from home his 80-year-old step
mother moments after his late father’s burial.
Joseph Magagada declared that he had every right to kick out
Rosemary Tinofara from home, claiming that the property belonged to his late
father and mother and not to her.
He claimed that Rosemary did not build any house, kitchen or bedroom
for herself when her husband was still alive as per tradition, so there was no
space for her in the homestead.
During the case’s settlement, Tinofara complained that Magagada had
always been a thorn in the flesh for her even when his father was alive. She
claimed that while on his deathbed, Magagada’s father had instructed that no
one should ever kick her out.
Neighbours testified that Magagada and Tinofara had never been in
good books and they always quarrelled.
After deliberations, Tinofara then opted to go away and start a new
life on her own, and the court agreed with her as she had no marriage
certificate to help her assert her rights.

Makanaka High School opens doors in Victoria Ranch

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Makanaka High School opens doors in Victoria Ranch

TellZim Reporter
School
children in the sprawling suburb of Victoria Ranch can now breathe a sigh of
relief after a new school, Makanaka High School, has opened its doors to cater
for pupils from and around the new high density suburb.
There
has been many calls for a high school which will service Runyararo North West,
Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch. Residents tried in vain to engage the city
council to build the high school but the city fathers cited financial
constraints.
The
Simukai Reformed Church run Makanaka High School is that answer. The opening of
the school will help to decongest the already existing few high schools.
Makanaka
High School becomes the sixth high school in Masvingo City joining the league
of Ndarama High School, Mucheke High School, Masvingo Christian College,
Victoria High School and Masvingo Day.
Makanaka
High School is registered with the ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
and will be a Zimsec center.
Speaking
during a tour of the school, Makanaka High School Board of Trustees treasurer,
Ephraim Gwanongodza said the school will seek to bridge gap left by the
existing high schools.
“This
school came to be after residents complained that their children were
travelling long distances to access high schools.
“We
build this school to service the community and the fees will be fair for
everyone. No one should travel long distances to access education. If possible
each location should have both a high school and primary school,” said
Gwanongodza.



Another
member of the school’s board of trustees, Goddart Dunira said the school is
there to serve the community and provide education for everyone in the area.
“We
saw that the special need for a High school in Victoria Ranch so we built a
school which is affordable to all.
“This
is not a private school and we have plans to introduce night school classes so
that we cater for everyone who wants to learn and we are doing things according
to what the government wants, which is education for all.
“Makanaka
High School is an inclusive school and we will thrive to offer the best,” said
Dunira.
Dunira
said they will soon be constructing a primary school which will feed into the
high school.
The
school fees at the institution per term for Forms 1-3 are ZWL$700 and a
registration fee of ZWL$200.

Court bars Chief Tshovani from Neromwe’s territory

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Court bars Chief Tshovani from Neromwe’s territory

 Neromwe (left) with Tshovani (right), Charmubira (2nd from left) and an unidentified individual during the launch of the Kilimanjaro Project in late 2019           


Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI
– Embattled Chief Tshovani, born Hlaisi Mundau, was recently banned from
setting foot in Chief Neromwe’s territory after the latter approached the courts
seeking a restraining order against the former who had trespassed into his
chiefdom and addressed his subjects, TellZim News can report.
Chief
Neromwe, born Clemence Madzingo, approached Chiredzi Civil court applying for a
restraining order against Tshovani whom he wanted banned from setting foot in
his chiefdom after he had addressed multitudes of Neromwe subjects at Ditoi,
challenging his chieftainship.
Chief
Neromwe was officially installed as substantive chief by the Minister of State
for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira under the authority of
President Emerson Mnangagwa.
The
installation ceremony was held at Masimbaavanhu Primary School but Tshovani has
been challenging the installation through in the courts of law.
The
creation of Neromwe chieftaincy saw Tshovani losing Chiredzi Rural District
Council (RDC) wards 17, 26, 27 and 28; leaving Tshovani with only wards 20, 22
and 32.
In
his ruling, magistrate Rogers Mawarire said his decision to award the
restraining order had been made after considering that the installation of
Chief Neromwe was done by the respectful board involving the president of
Zimbabwe, Minister of Local Government July Moyo and his permanent secretary,
who are the authorities in that area.
Mawarire
also said his decision was made after observing proximity, convenience, history
and language spoken in the area, though the area is still yet to be gazetted as
they are resettlement areas.
“Neromwe
must hold fort to wards 17, 26, 27 and 28 until the government gazettes to
identify who possessed the land because it is a resettlement area. This is
meant to avoid anarchy and chaos,” said Mawarire.
He also
said Tshovani’s lawsuits against the legitimacy of the Neromwe chieftainship
had come at a huge cost to the new chief.
“Chief
Tshovani is therefore barred from conducting any public meetings in Neromwe’s
territory or any form of gathering until the government gazette has been
released.
“Tshovani
has harassed Madzingo almost every time by challenging his chieftainship in
courts and he should have not opposed the application. He also preached that
his chieftainship was challenged and he has not been successful in all these
legal battles therefore he has to pay back Chief Neromwe the resources he spent
defending his rights,” said Mawarire .
Chief
Tshovani is set to pay more than $200 000 to Chief Neromwe.

Shirley Makausi and the beauty of retirement

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Shirley Makausi and the beauty of retirement

…veteran
educationist, Ndarama High School head savours moments of newfound rest
Star Matsongoni
Retiring
from work could be a wonderful and fulfilling experience especially for those
that do so voluntarily and after having left behind a positive legacy worthy
emulating.
This
is the story of former Ndarama Government High head Shirley Makausi who now
walks with her head held high in the full knowledge that she has moved on to
yet another stage of her life having led what used to just be ‘another public
school’ to a great institution that it is today.
Ndarama
High School is one school which is living in the beauty of its dreams after the
former head presided over its rapid transformation into the best performing
government high school in Masvingo province and even beyond.
Makausi,
who now lives a quiet life away from the public glare, opened up in an
interview with TellZim News that she was satisfied by the progress that she
helped cement at the school.
“It
has been a hard journey but one which I do not regret, one which helped me grow
my knowledge and competencies. I am glad that I have disembarked not from a
sinking ship but from a one which is intact and destined for greater
destinations,” said Makausi.
She
said she was particularly pleased with the quality of the school’s overall
performance in terms of academic development, performance in the sports field
as well as improvement of infrastructure and learning conditions.
“The
school’s academic competency remains at its highest at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels.
Since 2004, ‘A’ level classes have been growing from 75 percent towards the 100
percent pass rate mark. In the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, we had 100 percent at
‘A’ level. Our ‘O’ level pass rates have been growing rapidly and beginning in 2017,
we attained 100 percent.
 “I am glad that that I helped the school
to excel not only academically, but in the whole curriculum package we give to
the learner; in sports, arts and culture,” said Makausi.
Makausi
reframed the school’s objectives, vision and the rules and made sure that they
were followed.
“I
knew what I wanted and I wanted Ndarama to be one of the most recognized schools
so I had to change the school’s vision, objectives and rules.
“It
wasn’t easy as I faced resistance, and had to charge some teachers for them to
see how serious I was and for them to accept the change. After I had shared my
vision and made sure that my staff understood and embraced it, things started
to flow and they were happy as they started to see light at the end of the
tunnel,” said Makausi.
She
credits her Catholic faith for keeping her going even in the most challenging
of all circumstances, saying God had been her guide throughout.
“My
day started at 5 am when I would attend the 5-6 morning mass and by 6:30, I
would be at school by the gate. How you start your day is also important
because I see the hand of the Lord in everything I have done,” said Makausi.
The
experience she gained at other schools before she moved to Ndarama High was
also invaluable in her efforts to transform the government school.
Makausi
served as deputy head at Victoria High School and as school head at Chirichoga Secondary.
“The
experience I gained at the other schools helped me to shape up. I would like to
particularly acknowledge the experience I gained under the then St Anthony’s
Musiso High School head Mr. Nengeze who taught his staff true love for work and
how to implement change.
“I
strongly believe in excellence which I learnt at Victoria High School. This is
how I managed to help improve Ndarama as a school. I was able to help provide a
conducive working and learning environment; even our grounds are perfect,” said
Makausi.
In
terms of infrastructure at Ndarama High School Makausi made a huge difference
with new classroom blocks being built and existing ones being improved. The ‘A’
level science laboratory block has now been completed.
The
school is also engaged in agricultural projects such as the production of eggs
and cabbages that are supplied to some boarding schools.
The
mother of three and grandmother of four says she is looking forward to becoming
a consultant, offering advice to others as she is no longer interested in being
a fulltime employee.
Makausi
went to Asher Girls’ Secondary School in Bulawayo and St David’s Bonda in
Mutare.
She
graduated from the then University of Rhodesia with an Honors Degree in Shona
and Theology in 1975. She then went and taught at Duwere High School for a year
before going back to school after which she graduated with a Certificate in
Education.
Before
becoming a school head at Ndarama, Makausi worked in the education sector at
different schools including St Anthony’s Musiso from 1980-1983 and Masvingo
Christian College from 1983-1994.
In
early May 1994, she was promoted to Ndarama Secondary School deputy head and
she served in that capacity until 1995. She was then requested to go to
Victoria High where she served as deputy head from 1995-1997. She served as
school head at Chirichoga High from September 1997- February 2004.
Her
journey at Ndarama High started in 2004 and the fruits of the journey are
testified by the visible imprint she has made at the school.
Makausi
believes that it all starts by being a good teacher, knowing what you want and
your responsibilities.
At
Ndarama, she won a lot of awards among them the Secretary’s Merit Award twice
(2013 and 2018), Best School Head and Most Outstanding School Award.
“We
once had a challenge when other school heads complained that Ndarama should be
rated under boarding schools to make the ratings fairer, but then we were not a
boarding school and Ndarama remains a day school to this day,” said Makausi.
“If
there was a time which brought the school together, it was the time of
receiving our ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examination results. We would sing and dance in
celebration. I will always cherish those moments. I am also proud that we
constructed a good ‘A’ level laboratory block,” said Makausi
Makausi
said she never had any challenges being a female school head.
“I
never had problems as a female head as all my staff respected me and I had an
imposing motherly figure to them. I respect girls’ high schools very much as
they teach confidence, being courageous. “I believe in saying my mind out as
that is the only way to make people understand you,” said Makausi.

Violent Zanu PF 2008 run-off election activists face judgement

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Violent Zanu PF 2008 run-off election activists face judgement



…as 12-year-old election violence case refuses to
die down
Nyashadzashe
Mambure
ZAKA
– Three Zanu PF
activists accused of illegally confiscating a cow from a village family he
accused of being MDC members during the violent presidential election run-off
of June 2008 will know his fate on January 30, 2020.
The three, who were part of the Zanu PF campaign
machinery, allegedly seized the beast from which belonged to Alouis Mashiri of
Mashiri village under Chief Nhema, Ward 15.
The
accused persons; Cosmas Simon, Zvirevo Majoni and Sekai Pepukai
of Fuve village, are accused of confiscating the cow as punishment on Mashiri
whom they accused of voting for the MDC.
They
are being represented by James Makiya of Makiya of Makiya and
Partners.
The
Mashiri family had their cattle seized and killed for meat by Zanu PF
supporters at the height of political violence which followed the ruling
party’s electoral loss to the opposition MDC.
The
accused have pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing that the case is a
result of personal grudges and a quest to settle scores.
The case was for long out of court after the
docket and other documents reportedly disappeared, only for it to resume on
October 14, 2019 following the recovery of the documents reportedly at the
Masvingo Magistrates’ Court.

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