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School records zero percent pass rate for 15 years

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School records zero percent pass rate for 15 years

Clever Taperamoyo

MASVINGO – Zvehuru Secondary School in Masvingo West is reported to have recorded a zero percent pass rate in Ordinary Level Mathematics subject since it was opened 15 years ago and parents are calling for the removal of the school head who happens to teach the subject.
Zvehuru Secondary School head Evelyn Mandishona kept hanging up her phone each time TellZim News tried to get a comment from her.
Parents who spoke to this publication expressed displeasure at the results the school has been getting for the past 15 years and called for immediate action.
“For the past 15 years the school was under Mandishona who also teaches Mathematics and no pupil has ever passed. I do not think that all the pupils who have gone through Zvehuru are so mathematically dumb that none of them has ever attained at least a grade C.
“This all boils down to the subject teacher. We need a new teacher because 15 years with a zero pass rate is not a joke,” said one disgruntled parent.
Another parent said pupils who performed better in mathematics usually do extra lessons with other private teachers from in and around the area.
“We have a serious challenge at the school. Parents are sometimes forced to transfer their pupils who do better to other schools or to pay for extra lessons but not every parent can afford that especially under the current economic conditions,” said another parent.
A similar case has been heard at Chiwanza Secondary School where parents petitioned the District Education Officer (DEO) after the school recorded two percent pass rate in 2017.local

Gumbi quits, forced to stay

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Gumbi quits, forced to stay

James Gumbi

Upenyu Chaota

MASVINGO – MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairperson James Gumbi threw the whole province into quandary on Sunday night when he announced his resignation citing pressure of work but national organising secretary Amos Chibaya refused to accept the resignation letter saying he has to finish his term pending the 2019 congress.
Many had questioned Gumbi’s timing of resignation with some viewing the move as ‘good riddance’. 
“Due to pressure of work, I have decided to step down as MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairperson and tomorrow (Monday) will officially hand in my letter of resignation to the president. I want to thank you all for the support since 2014 to date,” wrote Gumbi.
Gumbi has been well known for standing his ground against donating parliamentary seats to MDC Alliance partners in Masvingo province and has been accused of candidate imposition in the party’s primary elections.
Gumbi has on many occasions defied authority and at some point Chamisa was forced to clip his wings when he declared ‘over his dead body’ would other alliance partners get constituencies they are emotionally connected to.
MDC-T provincial secretary for information and publicity Dusty Zivhave said Gumbi remains the provincial chairperson until his term of offices expires next year.
“The national organising secretary Amos Chibaya responsible for party structures has refused to accept the resignation letter from chairman Gumbi as such he remains in his position as the chairperson till next congress,” said Zivhave.
One member who had rejoiced at the resignation said Gumbi had destroyed the province and bragged about it taking no advice from anyone.
“After he destroyed the party in the province, I have no kind words for him. He ruined our structures by imposition of candidates, removing performers, rigging and he was so boastful. My heart bleeds for Tsvangirai honestly,” said one party member on condition of anonymity.politics

Zaka schools forced to pay for ‘Mabhinya’ workshop

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Zaka schools forced to pay for ‘Mabhinya’ workshop


Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Two months ago, Masvingo province made headlines as machete wielding rapists (mabhinya) terrorised women with female teachers at rural schools caught in the cross fire and in response, schools in Zaka district were last week forced to pay a US$80 fee to fund a three-day defensive (karate) training workshop for female teachers, TellZim News has learnt.
The workshop which invited two teachers per school was aimed at empowering female teachers between the age of 18 and 50 to defend themselves against ‘mabhinya’.
The workshop was facilitated by karate instructors from Kyokushin Karate International Honbu.
In a letter from the District Schools Inspector (DSI)’s office to the school heads, the schools were asked to deposit the money into the Better Schools Program Zimbabwe (BSPZ) account and all schools were asked to participate.
“This serves to notify you of a training workshop on ‘mabhinya’ where two female teachers from each school will be recommended to participate.
“The workshop fee is $40 per participant and it covers food for three days and certificates. Please support them by giving them transport to and from the venue. Deposit the money in the BSPZ account as usual and since this is a short notice, allow your teachers to attend as you pay the fee. All schools are expected to participate,” reads part of the massage.
The training workshop was conducted at the Zaka district education offices and all the 136 schools in Zaka were forced to comply.
However, school heads who spoke to this publication said there was no logic in the program as only two teachers were trained and other schools failed to comply.
“We were forced to fund the workshop which benefits only two individuals at the school and besides, how can a two-day workshop equip a woman against armed robbers?” said one head.
Zaka DSI Beaular Shambambeva was not available for comment as her mobile phone went unanswered but it has been established that the District Office was acting on instructions from the provincial office.
Provincial Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga is reported to be out of office and his mobile phone is not reachable.
However other heads said the workshop was fruitful though the time was short and asked for the organisers to do it at cluster level so that it includes a number of teachers.
“Considering the fact that Zaka was affected by cases of these bandits, I think the workshop was a good idea but it has to be done for quite a longer period so that those trained could be fully equipped to teach others and the pupils,” said another head.local

Makwarimba in court for kidnapping traffic cop

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Makwarimba in court for kidnapping traffic cop

Clayton Shereni

MASVINGO – Fidelis Makwarimba (31), who is son to Masvingo Senator Clemence Makwarimba, was recently dragged before Masvingo magistrate Takawira Mugabe on kidnapping charges against a traffic police officer, Assistant Inspector Conscious Mpofu.
Makwarimba who resides at house number 801 Nemamwa growth point is facing charges of kidnapping as defined in Section 93(1)(a) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 09:23.
Makwarimba pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to appear back in court for further hearing on June 15, 2018.
The state led by Fidelis Nyamukondiwa alleges that on the April 25, 2018, Mpofu was conducting an operation of impounding unregistered vehicles which were overdue for registration together with other two unidentified Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officers.
The state further alleges that Makwarimba failed to produce Customs Clearance Certificate’s (CCC) for the unlicensed white Honda Jazz which he was driving and was ordered to drive to the depot escorted by Mpofu.
Instead of driving towards the VID depot, Makwarimba drove off along the Beitbridge road and turned along the Great Zimbabwe road where he parked the car after a heated argument with Mpofu.
Mpofu managed to escape from the vehicle with the CCC documents which Makwarimba had initially failed to produce.
 Through his lawyer, Makwarimba argued that he drove away with Mpofu after he had demanded a bribe from him.local

Fresh political violence in Bikita

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Fresh political violence in Bikita
…Supporters bashed for wearing party regalia

Brilliant Mukaro            

BIKITA – While leaders of the MDC Alliance are pressing for implementation of outstanding electoral reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections, some opposition coalition’s members in Bikita are alleged to have beaten up two Zanu PF supporters for wearing their party regalia.
James Musukutwa is said to be battling for his life at Silveira Mission Hospital, while Daniel Museve was treated and discharged following the attack by alleged MDC-T supporters.
The two victims are from Chirorwe village, Ward 20 in Bikita East constituency.
Zanu PF national assembly candidate for Bikita East, Johnson Madhuku had to assist the injured Musukutwa and Museve by providing transport to ferry them to the hospital as well as paying the medical bills including x-rays.
In an interview with TellZim News on Wednesday, Madhuku confirmed the development saying Musukutwa was still admitted at Silveira Hospital.
“Museve was wearing a party T-shirt when he was approached by some MDC-T members who then confronted him demanding to know why he was moving around wearing Zanu PF regalia. They beat him up and James Musukutwa was also beaten up when he tried to rescue Museve.
“I want to encourage the people of Bikita East to exercise tolerance; we may belong to different political parties but we are all Zimbabweans.
“Our President ED Mnangangwa is preaching peace so that we can have peaceful free, fair and credible elections,” said Madhuku.
Musukutwa reportedly almost lost a finger and was still admitted at Silveira Hospital by the time of writing.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson, Ezra Chadzamira also confirmed the case and slammed the use of violence by the opposition, which is always demanding free and fair polls.
“MDC-T leader is always on record denouncing violence; we therefore encourage opposition members to be tolerant. They are demanding free and fair elections but how can we achieve that when I am receiving reports that they have assaulted our supporters in Bikita East?” Chadzamira said.
Two months ago, MDC-T senior official Takanayi Mureyi told party supporters during a rally at Nyika growth point that his party was ready to unleash violence against Zanu PF if provoked.
Mureyi said if Zanu PF was to ever beat up any MDC-T supporter, they would attack 10 in revenge.
His statements, however, were watered down by party leader, Nelson Chamisa who said the MDC-T was a peaceful party which does not support the beating up of political rival.
“We are not a violent party; we must exercise tolerance. We want peace so that we can have free and fair elections,” said Chamisa then.
Addressing MDC Alliance rally in Chiredzi last Sunday, Chamisa again emphasised the need to shun violence, saying his party would not hesitate to expel any members found wanting.
“We are a democratic party and we do not tolerate violence. We do not want to be associated with violent people in our midst. If anyone perpetrates violence, give us their names and we will expel them from the party,” said Chamisa.
Bikita is one of the districts that have experienced the most horrific, politically-motivated violence since year 2000, much of which was, however, perpetrated against opposition supporters allegedly by Zanu PF activists.top news

Triangle FC restore PSL championship hope

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Triangle FC restore PSL championship hope

Triangle FC restore PSL championship hope

…as they thrash unlucky DeMbare at Gibbo

Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – Triangle United FC have revived their hopes of winning the 2018 Premier Soccer League (PSL) or to at least finish the season with good points after netting six points from the previous two matches they have played.
Two weeks ago, Triangle FC travelled to Sakubva Stadium where they beat Mutare Rovers before their win against Dynamos FC at Gibbo Stadium last weekend.
These wins revived their hopes after their devastating defeat at the hands of Herentals FC at the National Sports Stadium the previous week.
The victories put Triangle FC at 4th position on the Castle Laager PSL log with 26 points, below Bulawayo giants, Highlanders with 29 points.
Ngezi Platinum is on top with a sound 38 points followed by FC Platinum, also with 38 points.
The Sugar Sugar Boys have so far lost five games and have settled for a draw in two, but they have won eight matches and are hoping to win the remaining 13 so that they can finish the season with 65 points.
The team’s coach, Taurai Mangwiro said he was pleased by the team’s latest level of performance, saying the winning spirit ought to continue.
“I am excited by my team’s performance especially the victory against Dembare and Mutare Rovers. I cannot single out any player, the team has done fairly well,” said Mangwiro.
Triangle FC striker, Collins Dhuwa was probably the most notable player during the match against DeMbare, netting a hat trick which frustrated the visitors before Ocean Mushure was red carded for scolding the referee in the 86th minute.
Devout Triangle FC fan, Alfainos Mangoma said the team ought not to slow down as supporters were now in high spirits.
“We are playing well. We hope this will continue. We want to win and we are confident in the defence abilities of such players as Chivheya and Kawondera.
“Lameck Nhamo is also valuable resource for Triangle FC, he has been doing very well for us. All the best for him,” said Mangoma.

Musiso High wins car in national quiz competitions

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Musiso High wins car in national quiz competitions

Musiso High School quiz team

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – The Roman Catholic-run Msiso High School quiz team won a Nissan March vehicle at the Book of African Records quiz competitions held in Harare last week.
The school came third in the competition which was sponsored by Old Mutual, with all team members also winning phones for themselves.
The team consisted of Ruvarashe Nyandoro, Amon Kwasara who are both in form 5, Stansilus Musekiwa and Tanatswa Jengwa who are form 4 and their patron, Mr Tinago.
The first position went to John Tallach High School (Matebeleland province) while the second position went to Zengeza 1 High School of Chitungwiza in Harare.
Zaka District Schools Inspector (DSI) Beaula Shambambeva praised Musiso for the outstanding performance.
 “We are happy that the school has put us on the map. We are, however, waiting for the handover ceremony which will be done at the school soon,” said Shambambeva
Musiso High School head, Joram Mawana also hailed the team for raising their flag high.
“I’m happy with the pupils’ performance. We will continue to work hard so that our name can grow,” said Mawana.education

Manicaland rural, urban councils win service award

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Manicaland rural, urban councils win service award

Buhera RDC staff hold their prizes at the award ceremony

Shingirai Vambe

MUTARE – Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), held its Manicaland Business Awards and dinner on June 01, with a number local authorities being nominated for doing well in the year 2017.
The awards, which are held annually, saw new names and faces making it onto the list which included the usual winners; Tongaat Hulett and Mega Market.
Buhera, Mutasa and Makoni rural district councils (RDCs) were named best local authorities for the year 2017.
Buhera RDC was recognised for notable improvement of service delivery since 2014, a development which has seen Murambinda growth point reviving hopes of moving towards town status.
The RDC was also praised for improving the ease of doing business, with a notable increase of investment at the growth point.
Buhera RDC CEO, Emily Chibvongodze, said the local authority was planning to build a new town near Murambinda B Primary School and to upgrade the road to Birchnough.
“We are looking forward to work on the road which links us to Birchenough. The road is very bad and it has for all this long separated us from important markets. Even our offices were supposed to be at Birchnough,” said Chibvongodze.
Isaiah Musabayana of Eat n Lick scooped the ZNCC Businessman of the Year 2017 Award while Rachel Mgwagwa (Wimpy Mutare) was named Business Woman of the Year 2017.
Other winners were Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) CEO Morris Mpofu, Nyaradzo Group, OK Zimbabwe, Diamond FM, Holiday Inn and TelOne.local

ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings

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ZCDC slammed over Chiyadzwa killings

ZCDC CEO, Morris Mpofu speaks at the security indaba in Mutare

Upenyu Chaota

As the world celebrates 70 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Zimbabwe still lags behind in terms of respect of human rights, it has been said.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum’s State of human rights report for 2017 implicates the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) in the cold-blooded murder of five people in the Chiyadzwa diamond fields of Marange.
The report says the killings were the worst human rights violations of the year 2017.
“In terms of severity, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company tops the list as it is implicated in the death of five people in Chiyadzwa.
“Since the discovery of diamonds in the Marange diamond fields in Manicaland province, artisanal miners trying to earn a living in Chiyadzwa have fallen victim to the brutality of security companies contracted by businesses in Chiyadzwa.
“Villagers and artisanal miners are subjected to various forms of violations including dogs being set to maul them, unlawful arrests and detention. The arrested persons are often subjected to torture and inhumane treatment,” reads the report.
The report says in August 2017, Didymus Ngorima, a former ZCDC employee was shot dead and buried at his home in Ward 23 in Marange after being mistaken for an illegal miner.
Kudzai Zambuko, Wonder Kaiza and Kudzai Baiguru were also shot and they later died of their injuries in hospital.
ZCDC is, however accused of covering up the killings by ferrying the victims in an ambulance in order to create an impression that they were injured and not dead.local

Chiyadzwa diamonds: ZCDC no better than the Chinese

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Chief Chikukwa of Marange follows proceedings at a ZCDC security indaba held at Holiday Inn in Mutare this week. His people are among the poorest in the country despite being hosts to lucrative diamond fields that have been exploited for the past 10 years

Shingirai Vambe

MUTARE – Villagers of Marange as well as those resettled at Arda Transau Farm have blasted the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) for failing to differentiate itself from the Chinese companies that were kicked out of the diamond field in 2016.
Government formed ZCDC after forcing out five companies, including the Chinese-owned Anjin and Jinan, that were accused of failing to honour their developmental obligations to the host community and cheating the government of critical revenue.
Local people, however, maintain nothing has changed ever since, with the new government-owned miner continuing to exploit the precious stones without doing anything good for the community.
Last week, iTell News visited Arda Transau Farm and witnessed first-hand the acute poverty that the people are living under.
Young girls were collecting firewood for sell at the nearby Odzi business centre.
Houses were cracked, displaying the poor workmanship of the Chinese companies that built them in their rush to get the villagers off the lucrative diamond field.
Out of seven boreholes that ZCDC claims to have drilled, iTell News saw only two, one of which does not work, while the other was reportedly drilled using funds raised by the community itself.
One of the community members, who identified herself only as Mrs Bendezi, said apart from payment of electricity bills, all diamonds companies had never helped them in any way.
“These people lie. The only notable thing they have done was the payment of electricity bills which helped to ensure the reconnection of water to the area,” she said.
Another resident, Amos Chikosi said ZCDC once came and promised to establish an irrigation scheme but nothing has happened.
“They came and addressed us, captured some pictures and left, and that was that. Schools, clinics and other social amenities haven’t improved,” said Chikosi.
Other people living in communities close to the diamond mines told iTell News that when their livestock stray into mining area, they cannot freely go and drive them back as there is always the danger of being shot or arrested.
ZCDC last week held a security indaba at the Holiday Inn in Mutare where the company’s CEO, Morris Mpofu tried to paint a different picture of what is actually happening on the ground.
His presentation was, however, dismissed by representatives of the people of Marange, who accused him of using empty words to cover up the company’s shoddy record in the area.crime

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