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Musikavanhu takes Tongaat Hulett head on over workers’ welfare

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Farai Musikavanhu

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Zanu PF Chiredzi West parliamentary candidate, Farai Musikavanhu, has taken the fight to sugarcane giant Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ) management over what he describes as ill treatment and abuse of workers saying the company is making huge profits while workers live in squalor.
Musikavanhu, who is former THZ agriculture manager, said there is just nor room for ill treatment of workers in the new dispensation and will fight until the lives have been uplifted.
THZ is listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and, according to Musikavanhu, is recording large sums of profits for its operations in Zimbabwe.
In a media tour organized by Musikavanhu, he said the company is failing to upgrade the welfare of its employees who are living in houses without electricity while the company generates 39 megawatts of electricity from its Hippo Valley power station which is supplied into the national grid.
“I have no personal vendetta with my former company but I am just trying to make it right for the employees.
“This company is listed on the JSE and declares profits in Zimbabwe and their production level is at 75% installed capacity. We can’t say THZ suffers economic setbacks like what other companies did.
“This is called corporate corruption. The company generates electricity to the national grid but workers are living in dilapidated houses with no electricity. Electricity is only supplied to a bottle store and is a bottle store more important than the houses of employees?” said Musikavanhu.
Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe recorded 17.4 million profit in 2016 and 25 million in 2017.
Zimbabwe Sugarcane Milling Workers Union (ZSMIWU) Secretary General Faster Gono also expressed the same sentiments saying it is high time THZ looks into the welfare of its workers.
THZ has flighted an advert in newspapers saying it has launched a housing scheme for its workers where it is upgrading the old dilapidated houses for its workers.politics

Ema, police unite against deforestation

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Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – There has been an unprecedented rise in the rate of cutting down trees in the periphery of Chiredzi town and the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has roped in the police to carry out joint operations to fight the scourge of deforestation.
Speaking during a Civil Protection Committee meeting last week, Ema manager for Chiredzi, Peter Mugodhi, said the rate of deforestation has reached alarming levels hence the need to put collective efforts to end the practise.
“We cannot have people cutting down trees randomly. We are actually encouraging people to plant more trees not cut them down. As Ema we are engaging the police to embark on joint patrols so that perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Mugodhi.
There has been a rise in the number of firewood dealers which has precipitated the cutting down of trees as the business is booming owing to the rise in backyard kitchens.
“We give licenses to sell firewood but that comes with terms and conditions. If one has a firewood business they also need to have proper paper work which allows them to pry in that trade.
“We are very serious about this issue and we are going to enforce it to the dot. We need tress and we should be planting more instead of cutting them down,” said Mugodhi
Ema was forced into action after concerns were raised by Chiredzi Residence and Ratepayers Association (Chirra) chairperson Jonathan Muusha over the environmental body’ failure to deal with rampant deforestation in the edges of Chiredzi town.
Chiredzi has a vast population of Mopane trees which provides a nutritious diet to livestock in the area but the number is shrinking due to deforestation as the same tree is favoured by firewood dealers because it provides a good fire especially for kitchens.
Chiredzi District Administrator (DA), Lovemore Chisema, pleaded with Ema to quickly mobilise all that it takes to protect the environment.local

Gutu Zanu PF supporters arrested for beating Chikwama’s driver

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Gutu Zanu PF supporters arrested for beating Chikwama’s driver

Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – Two Zanu PF supporters; Edmore Marwizi (34) and Tinashe Marwizi (29) of Matombo village under Chief Munyikwa appeared before Gutu magistrate Victor Mahamadi facing charges of assaulting Gutu East MP, Berita Chikwama’s driver.
They were charged for contravening with section 89 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 09:23 for allegedly assaulting Zvaoma Muusha.
They were remanded in custody pending ruling on the bail application that had been made by their lawyer; Owen Mafa of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners.
The State’s facts, as presented by Millicent Azangwe, are that on May 17 at around 21:00 hrs, Muusha was in his shop at Chin’ai business centre, when Edmore and Tinashe approached and asked to see him.
Edmore allegedly stabbed Muusha once with an okapi knife on the middle and fore fingers saying he did not want to see anyone who supported Berita Chikwama.
Further allegations are that Tinashe then joined and struck Muusha once on his right thigh with a metal bar. Muusha then managed to escape from the assault and locked himself in one of the rooms at the back of the shop.
The matter was then reported to the police leading to the arrest of Edmore and Tinashe.
Muusha was medically examined.politics

Outcry as prison officer faces ‘discipline for undermining President’

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Outcry as prison officer faces ‘discipline for undermining President’

Clever Taperamoyo

A Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer at Chiredzi Prison, John Mahlabera, is set to appear before a disciplinary hearing on June 12 charged with undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa by allegedly posting a Twitter message which supposedly referred to opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa as ‘my president’.
He will be charged with contravening Section 3(1) of the Prison (Staff) (Discipline) Regulations of 1984.
According to ZPCS, Mahlabera allegedly posted a message on micro blogging site Twitter account, which reads; ‘Come to Chiredzi my president’ in response to Chamisa’s rally in Zaka.
ZPCS says Mahlabera’s statement showed disrespect for Mnangagwa, saying the prison officer had no right to act in the manner he did.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has expressed outrage, saying the move marked ‘a fresh clampdown on dissent’. The legal rights group has also instructed its members; Collen Maboke and Blessing Nyamaropa to represent Mahlabera.
Maboke and Nyamaropa said they believe Mahlabera’s was within his rights to express himself freely as guaranteed in Section 261 of the country’s constitution.
They also argue that the statement itself is ambiguous as Mahlabera did not explain whom he was referring to by ‘president’. They further argue that there is no verification that the account really belongs to Mahlabera and he is the one who made the post.
Other concerned citizens have also taken to Twitter castigating Mnangagwa’s government for adopting the same tactics used by former president Robert Mugabe.
ZLHR’s records compiled since 2010 has shown that the organisation has attended close to 200 cases where people have been arrested and charged for allegedly ‘insulting or undermining the authority of the President’.politics

Govt needs to do more in HIV and Aids fight, says Mugurungi

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Govt needs to do more in HIV and Aids fight, says Mugurungi

Clever Taperamoyo

MASVINGO – Director of Aids and TB programmes in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi recently revealed that the country had a current shortfall of US$18 million to sustain its effort in fighting against HIV and Aids.
Addressing stakeholders at a HIV and Aids partnership conference organised by Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) at Great Zimbabwe Hotel, Dr Mugurungi said the government should chip in and complement efforts by the Global Fund and other international donors.
“We are relying much on the Global Fund and other international donors in the fight against HIV and Aids but we also call on the government to chip in and complement such efforts. The money we receive is not enough to cater for 2018-2020 programmes.
“The deficit we have is equivalent to 27 000 people therefore, it might be the whole of Masvingo being affected by this shortfall,” said Dr Mugurungi.
New cases of adult infection by HIV are recorded at approximately 32 000 cases per year.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care introduced a variety of measures to control the rise of new infections among them self-testing and voluntary male circumcision.
ZPCS Deputy Commissioner General, Dr Alford Mashango Dube concurred on the need to supplement funds for the fight against HIV and Aids particularly in prisons.
“It is my belief that this partnership conference will help us in meeting our objectives and among them is to lobby and mobilise resources towards HIV and Aids response in prison setting,” Dube said.health

Five bust with 150 smuggled bales of 2nd hand clothes in Chiredzi

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Five bust with 150 smuggled bales of 2nd hand clothes in Chiredzi


Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – A suspected cartel of five people was brought before Chiredzi magistrate Geraldine Mutsotso last week charged with smuggling 150 bales of second-hand clothes from Mozambique into Chiredzi.
Representing the State, Rony Chibatamaoko told the court that on May 22, the suspected syndicate, made up of Leo Bhila (31), Tapiwa Mapfumo (32), John Madondo (32), Runyararo Zanga (30) and George Musvosvi (29) used an illegal route into Zimbabwe to evade payment of duty at the legitimate port of entry.
The following day, the minerals and border control unit got a tip-off that the five accused persons’ UD truck was parked suspiciously in the bush near Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi.
They went to investigate upon receiving the information, leading to the arrest of the five after they failed to produce declaration documents that are given at the border upon clearance with the customs department.
The accused, who are being represented by Charles Vhudzi of Zimbodza and Associates, denied the charges and were remanded in custody pending their bail hearing on Friday, June 01.
Mutsotso told the court that the accused had no right to do what they were being accused of doing and justice had to be served.
Police seized and took to Zimra Chiredzi office 150 bales of second-hand clothes worthy US$76 405.crime

Mwenezi Gvt High pupil jailed for theft

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Mwenezi Gvt High pupil jailed for theft


Cephas Shava


MWENEZI – An 18-year old form three pupil at Mwenezi Government High School was last week arraigned before the Mwenezi Magistrate Court where he was convicted of two counts of unlawful entry.
Knowledge Moyo of Chirimigwa village under Chief Neshuro pleaded guilty to the two counts of unlawful entry and was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment from which 2 months were conditionally suspended.
The remaining 8 months were set aside on condition that he performs 280 hours of community service at Chikadzi Primary School.
Since Moyo is still going to school, he was ordered to perform the community service during weekends.
Magistrate Honest Musiiwa strongly condemned Moyo’s actions and warned that he was saved by the fact that he is still in school otherwise the punishment would have been harsher.
State facts as presented by prosecutor Angelinah Makonya were that sometime in December 2016 during the evening, Moyo proceeded to Tongofa Store, owned by one Wisdom Siziba at Neshuro Growth Point.
While the complainant was fast asleep, Moyo took cash amounts of R6 000, US$300, Econet airtime worth US$200 and went away unnoticed. In total, the value stolen amounted to US$1100 and nothing was recovered.
The convict used the money from the offence to acquire a driver’s licence, Samsung tablet and a laptop.
Moyo’s nefarious acts came to light of May 19, this year when he tried his luck again in the same shop in the early hours while Sibiza was asleep.
His luck ran out when he stepped on a crippled base bed which made some noise alerting Sibiza who woke up immediately and caught Moyo at the cash box.
A police report was made leading to Moyo’s arrest.crime

Mwenezi village head arrested for poisoning dogs, chickens

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Mwenezi village head arrested for poisoning dogs, chickens


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A 68-year old Mwenezi village who allegedly poisoned many dogs and chickens as way of revenge for his goat which had been mauled to death by some dogs was last week brought before the courts.
Earlier this year, TellZim News reported on a shocking incident where many village dogs and chickens had died after eating poisoned food thrown around at several homesteads during the night.
Fani Chikahamare of Village 5, Munyamani under Chief Maranda, was being represented by his lawyer Kossam Chuma when he appeared before magistrate Honest Musiiwa.
He pleaded not guilty to 14 counts that were read before him but villagers who lost their dogs and chickens in the barbaric incident, however, said it was indeed Chikahamare who committed the offence.
They argued that he cut some pieces of flesh off the carcass of his goat, applied some poison onto them and moved from door to door in the night, feeding all the dogs.
The complainants said they woke up the following morning to the horrible site of dead dogs, cats and chickens that had also consumed bits of the poisoned meat.
Charles Sibanda, who is one of the complainants, told the court that one of the key witnesses who saw Chikahamare committing the dastardly offence had since developed some mental challenges after exposing the act.
“The key witness in this case is my younger brother Hardlife Sibanda. When Chikahamare realised that he was spotted by Hardlife committing the offence, he warned him against exposing him. However, the day Hardlife broke his silence, he became mentally challenged and is now admitted at Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital,” Sibanda said.
Led by prosecutor Willard Chasi, the State alleged that on January 17, Chikahamare’s goat was mauled by some dogs from the village and he vowed to retaliate.
On the night of the same day, Chikahamare laced remains of the dead goat with an unknown poisonous substance and moved around the village throwing the poisoned meat at several villagers’ homesteads.
Villagers woke up the following morning to find dogs, cats and chickens dead. Footprints of the suspect were tracked and they led to Chikahamare’s homestead.
According to State papers, more than 60 dogs, some cats and several chickens belonging to different villagers died. The matter was postponed to a later date for continuation of trial.news

‘Little-known’ wins chaotic Chiredzi West MDC-T primaries

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‘Little-known’ wins chaotic Chiredzi West MDC-T primaries


Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – A former councillor won the MDC-T Chiredzi West primary elections which were, however, described as not credible because of widespread allegations of rigging, with one of the candidates’ name missing from the ballot paper.
Stanley Temba, who is former Ward 3 councillor, won the elections after garnering 530 votes followed by Charles Jacobs with 515 and Simbarashe Baloyi with 509 votes.
His competitors, however, cried foul saying Temba and presiding officer, Lovemore Chinoputsa plotted to rig the elections.
UK-based businessman, Dr John Manganye’s name was struck off the ballot paper altogether.
MDC – T leaders, Nelson Chamisa is expected in Chiredzi this Saturday to try and solve the grievances.
Critics of the electoral processes said Temba and Chinoputsa opened a bogus polling station in Ward 27 where ballot boxes were stuffed, giving Temba 347 votes at that single polling station while his rivals got nothing.
When contacted for comment, Chinoputsa dismissed the allegations, saying the process went well.
“People voted very well in Chiredzi,” said Chinoputsa
However, a party member who refused be named said Zaka West constituency aspiring candidate, Festus Dumbu caught one boy trying to use Temba’s BVR slip to vote and he handed him over to Chinoputsa.
Dumbu’s cell phone was not reachable for comment but Chinoputsa said he did not know about the allegations.
“We never received such kind of report from Dumbu. We just heard by rumours that someone was caught using Temba’s BVR slip in Triangle but the issue was never brought to our attention,”  Chinoputsa said.
A total of 13 polling stations were used, with Baloyi leading in seven of them, followed by Dusty Zivhave but Temba carried the day thanks to the controversial Ward 27 polling station.
During his time in council, Temba was named in some corruption allegations and some party supporters have said his candidature in the primaries will not do the MDC Alliance any favour.
Zanu PF has since fielded Farai Musikavanhu as its candidate for Chiredzi West after the former Tongaat Hulett agriculture director beat Chiredzi Town chairperson, Francis Moyo and current MP, Darlington Chiwa in the ruling party’s own chaotic primary elections.
Moyo and Chiwa have since dismissed the primaries as a sham and have indicated they will contest in the general elections as independents.politics

New curriculum will provide economically compatible pupils—Prof Mavhima

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​Profs Mavima and Zvobgo with Masvingo PED Zedius Chitiga after the delivery of the lecture at Robert Mugabe School of Education

Clever Taperamoyo

MASVINGO – Primary and Secondary Education minister, Professor Paul Mavhima, recently unpacked the new education curriculum to the professors, deans and students on a public lecture held at Great Zimbabwe University’s Robert Mugabe School of Education.
Prof Mavhima said the ministry saw it prudent to replace the previous curriculum that existed for over 75 years with a new one which is more practical and able to produce economically compatible students.
“The previous curriculum existed for almost 75 years and was more theoretical and not compatible with the quickly changing world. The technological advancements have necessitated the changes in the curriculum so that we create pupils who will adapt with the 21st Century.
“We need to equip our pupils with proper and relevant education from primary to tertiary education,” said Prof Mavhima.
He said countries like South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Austria developed from the background of proffering proper educational system with coherent underlying value systems that answer to the needs of the country.
“Studies have shown us that an education system without coherent underlying value system would not contribute to national expectations,” said Prof Mavhima.
Mavhima admitted that the ministry still encounter a myriad of challenges towards effective implementation of the new curriculum but are working to overcome.
“Information Communication Technologies (ICT), Wi-Fi connectivity, classrooms and electricity might be the biggest challenge particularly in rural areas but we have to embrace and find a way forward.
“As the ministry we are planning to computerise all the schools in 3 to 5 years to come,” said Prof Mavhima.
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo said the lecture was important to the university since they are the major stakeholders in the education system of the country.education

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