GWERU – The government has put in place stringent surveillance mechanisms to make sure hospitals comply with the directive to offer free medical services to senior citizens, pregnant women and minors under five years of age.
This was said by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Owen Ncube, as he welcomed First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa at Gweru Provincial Hospital a fortnight ago.
“It is disappointing to report that some of health institutions in the province were not complying with the government’s free user fee for children aged five and below, senior citizens and pregnant women.
“In light of this, we have put in place a monitoring and evaluation system through the Joint Operations Command (JOC) to closely monitor this non-adherence to policy,” Ncube said.
Ncube also urged the government to lift a ban on the recruitment of health officers saying some institutions were incapacitated.
He pointed out that new medical equipment procured by the new government for public health institutions should see hospitals offering better services.local

Freedom Madungwe

Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – The Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has slapped Chiredzi Town Council with a US$10 000 ticket over its failure to manage large mounds of garbage that are now common at all market places especially in the light industrial area popularly known as ‘Kumagarage’.
Various stakeholders visited the vegetable market this week to assess the garbage situation which is getting no better despite many complaints being made.
Council housing department officials failed to show up at the meeting, with town secretary Charles Muchatukwa saying he did not turn up because he expected the issue to be handled by the District Administrator (DA) Lovemore Chisema.
“It was being handled by the District Administrator so I thought everything was under control,” said Muchatukwa.
Ema district officer, Peter Mugodhi slammed council for making no effort to improve environmental hygiene in the area.
“The place needs bins and is very smelly. Toilets are very close to the market and with no toilet dip, there is a health hazard for many people,” said Mugodhi
Councillor Obert Ngwenya of Ward 2 also attacked council for failing to improve service delivery.
“There is so much incompetence in council so I urge residents to stand up and demand accountability,” said Ngwenya.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA) chairperson Jonathan Mupamombe threatened to organise peaceful demonstrations against deteriorating service delivery.
“I am applying for a right for residents to hold peaceful demonstrations against council. It is yet again the ratepayer who will be made to settle that ticket and we are not at all pleased,” said Mupamombe.local

Brilliant Mukaro

BIKITA – Armed rapists suspected to be part of the gang that has gained notoriety in the Bhuka, Bhati and Steven areas are said to be now operating in Bikita district.
The police recently warned the people in the Duma area at Nyika growth point to be on high alert.
Sources said on February 15, the criminals preyed on a Gwindingwi High School teacher who stays in Kunedzimwe village.
When contacted for a comment, Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said she had not yet received a report on the matter.local

BIKITA – Monalisa Mapfunde, of Mondo village under Chief Mazungunye, who was doing grade two at Chivaka Primary, last week drowned in Chivaka River reportedly after sneaking out of school bounds.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and urged parents to warn their children against crossing flooded rivers.
“Parents should warn their children not to cross rivers alone and teachers should make sure pupils do not sneak out of school,” said Mazula.
It is said Monalisa sneaked out of school around 10: 00 hrs to go home alone. She tried to cross Chivaka River and was swept away.
Around 17: 00 hrs, Monalisa’s mother Sylvia Tizwi (34) started to look for her child who had unusually failed to come back home on time.
With the help of fellow villagers, Tizwi found the body of her child along the river the next morning.local

ZAKA – Marasa Tazvitya (32) from Zvidzai Village under Chief Ndanga died last week after an abandoned hut in which he had sought shelter from the rain caught fire after it was struck by a bolt of lightning.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and urged people to find safer shelter during thunderstorms.
Sources said Tazvitya was heading cattle when he sheltered at an abandoned homestead after it started raining.
The hut in which he was sheltering was struck by a bolt of lightning and a neighbour, David Pungwe went to investigate after he saw the hut on fire.
Upon his arrival, he found Tazvitya lying dead on the floor with multiple burns. he later reported the matter to the police.local

MWENEZI – The head boy of Guiding Star Secondary School was last week convicted by the Mwenezi Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to a wholly suspended three months jail term for assaulting a pupil who had made fun of him.
Tendai Mboweni of Mboweni village under Chief Negari, pleaded guilty to charges of assault when he appeared before magistrate Honest Musiiwa.
The magistrate warned Mboweni that the court was only lenient with him as he was still at school and the victim did not sustain serious injuries.
It was the State’s case that on January 31 at around 08:00 hrs, Mboweni summoned Maslow Dziva to his office and asked him why he had mocked him the previous day at assembly, accusing him of stealing some dolls.
He then struck Dziva using open hands several times on his face and a police report was made leading to Mboweni’s arrest.
Angelinah Makonya appeared for the State.local