Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Residents have said the new Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo has a mammoth task of clearing the mess left behind by his predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere at Chiredzi Town Council.
Residents claim there is a lot of corruption in the council as revealed in a report by an audit team from the ministry.
Kasukuwere, however, refused to officially release the report to the public, let alone act on its reported filthy exposés.
When the audit team visited last year, it – among several other things – discovered that councillors had irregularly shared amongst themselves 40 residential stands that they latter resold to third parties at inflated prices.
The team also found that council chairperson Francis Moyo had been involved in an accident while driving a car he was not supposed to drive.
Residents say town secretary Charles Muchatukwa is fronted by many people in his ownership of multiple stands and properties in the town.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA) chairman Jonathan Mupamombe said they were giving the new minister some time to deal with the mess that Kasukuwere ignored at the council.
“Our hope is now pinned on July Moyo. We are very much prepared to work with him to clean up Kasukuwere’s mess at Chiredzi Town Council. We had an investigation team from the ministry and it unearthed a lot of irregularities but everything was swept under the carpet.
“The report must be made public. If the management was caught offside, they must be held accountable. We want service delivery.
“Recently, town engineer Wesley Kauma was spotted connecting water only to his homesteads in Makondo location (Ward 8) using council resources while leaving out the rest of the households,” said Mupamombe.
When contacted for comment, Kauma dismissed the allegations as false.
“That’s a true lie. Residents once threatened to demonstrate against council pertaining connection of water in Makondo location. We are now in the process of connecting all households yet rumours have begun circulating that I am connecting my homesteads only. Truly speaking, we are connecting the whole of Makondo location not my homesteads only as people are saying,” said Kauma.local

Memory Rasa

This year saw some of the most horrific road traffic accidents ever recorded in this country with a devastating effect on the national economy, the welfare of families and the wellbeing of survivors.
Road traffic accidents are expected to be the main cause of death globally by 2020 according to Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ).
This year has already seen a number of fatal road accidents being declared national disasters.
Over 2 000 lives have already been lost on Zimbabwean roads this year, with an average of five people dying and 38 injured every day due to road carnages.
A closer look at fatal accidents of 2017 reveal that human error was the main cause and more care on the part of drivers could have seen many if not all of the accidents being avoided.
In April 2017, a South Africa-bound Proliner bus was sideswiped by a haulage truck near Chaka Business Centre in Chirumhanzu, along the Harare-Masvingo highway, killing over 30 passengers and injuring more than 40. Most of those who died were burnt beyond recognition.
Prior to that, in March, there was another horror crash in Kwekwe which claimed 31 lives after a front tyre of a Pfochez bus burst, leading to a sideswipe with a Mercedes Benz Sprinter.
In June, a King Lion bus on its way to Lusaka, Zambia, killed 45 passengers and injured 30 in Nyamakate along the Harare Chirundu highway. The driver, who was speeding, lost control of the bus, causing it to slam onto a tree. It was reported that the bus had 76 passengers on board instead of 69.
Most saddening of all these accidents, perhaps, is the fact that many breadwinners were killed while on their way to fend for their families outside the country.
Both the accidents involving the cross-border busses could have been avoided firstly if the drivers were more careful and secondly, if the roads were in a better shape. Vehicles are sideswiping each other because the roads are narrow, there is no doubt about that, but also because drivers enjoy speeding.
In June, a commuter omnibus rammed a stationery haulage truck near Dema police station in Seke killing 10 people. It was on its way from Hwedza to Harare.
That was followed by another deadly accident when 11 people were burnt beyond recognition after two vehicles, a Nissan Caravan with 21 passengers and a Honda CRV, collided and burst into flames along Centenary – Mvurwi road.  All four people in the CRV died on the spot while seven others travelling in the Caravan perished.
On August 24, a commuter omnibus driver in Murewa tried to dodge a police traffic checkpoint and the vehicle encroached into the right lane where it collided head-on with another omnibus travelling to Motoko. Ten people died on the spot and several more were injured.
On August 25, another horror crash involving a haulage truck in Kamativi, Matebeleland North province killed 12 people. The truck was carrying 130 people, mainly apostolic church congregants from Binga who were going to a conference in Dete. It was reported that the truck developed faulty brakes, veered off the road before plunging into a valley where the 12 died while many others escaped with injuries.
On November 2, a Polokwane-bound kombi killed 12 Zimbabweans after colliding with a truck. The kombi, which caught fire near Botlokwa village along the N1, was travelling from Musina when it hit a stray donkey.
On December 02, 21 people died at Jamila in Tsholotsho Mtebeleland North province, after a Ministry of Health and Child Care UD truck which was carrying 50 anti-malaria campaigners from Nkayi and Lupane skidded off the road and crushed
It was reported that the driver of the truck failed to negotiate a sharp curve with other reports saying the driver had been drinking prior to that.
With due care on the part of the driver and officials from the Health ministry, the accident could have been avoided.
These deadly crushes are clearly a result of preventable factors: human error, disrespect for road rules and mechanical faults; all of which are avoidable.
Although night driving, bad roads, stray animals, decrepit and poorly-maintained vehicles have been cited as some of the major causes of the numerous casualties on the roads, TSCZ and the police department say at least 94 percent of road traffic accidents are a result of human error.
These mistakes include failure to give way, overtaking and reverse errors, use of cell phones while driving as well as speeding. Misjudgement, following other vehicles too closely, fatigue and negligent pedestrians or cyclists are also some of the main cause of road carnage.
According to the World Health Organisations (WHO), 1.3 million people are killed on the world’s roads annually and over 50 million are injured. About 90 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries.
WHO however states that road safety campaigns in conjunction with legislation can help to influence behavioural change but when used in isolation, education, information and publicity generally do not deliver tangible and sustainable reductions in deaths and serious injuries.
The director of transport management in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Allowance Sango says the accelerated rate of road accidents claiming lives in the public transport sector is now alarming.
He also said the creation of a national road accident fund which is awaiting government approval
TSCZ managing director Obia Chinyere said motorists should be extra careful and ensure that their vehicles are regularly serviced to avoid accidents especially as the country approaches the festive and rainy seasons.
A concerned cross boarder truck driver, Admire Maungani thinks regular training and evaluation of drivers can help to reduce accidents. He says the government should fast track the development of the rail system to reduce pressure on the roads.
“On numerous occasions, passengers cheer drivers on when they speed, not realising it is their lives that are at stake. Passengers also play a role in these road carnages; they need to know when their lives are in danger and how to stop drivers,” Maungani said.
In March, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the number of accidents rose by 75 percent despite the increased number of police roadblocks.
In its 2017 first quarter report, ZimStat said road traffic accidents increased nearly four times from 45 701 in 2015 to 159 490 in 2016.local

ZAKA – More than 300 people registered to vote last week in Jerera at a national peace campaign organised by Heal Zimbabwe, Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) in Zaka.
The event was running under the theme ’13 million voices for peace’ and it was graced by Winky D, David Mubaiwa of the Sabhuku Vharazipi fame as local artists Gun Barrel and She Selectah.
Some 250 people registered to vote at the event and many of them were youths, a significant number for a district with apathetic young people.
Heal Zimbabwe brought commissioners of oaths who issued people with proofs of residence to facilitate easy access to the registration process.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust programmes manager Sithabile Dhehwa said the organisation saw it necessary to provide live entertainment as a way of attracting more people and spread the gospel of peace.
Representatives of ERC and ZimRights took time to educate the people on BVR as well as to make it clear that registering to vote is a constitutional right that all citizens have to enjoy.
“People should preserve peace, they should register and vote in peace and desist from intimidating others, peace begins with you and that is why we are calling for 13 million voices,” said Dhehwa.
Chief Nyakunhuwa, born Courage Jerera, was also in attendance and he encouraged people to exercise their rights peacefully and without fearing anyone.
 “If your village head asks to you to pay to get proof of residence report to us as chiefs. We know how to deal with such people. Everybody should register and vote in peace without fear,” said Nyakunhuwa.
Zaka suffered some of the worst politically-motivated violence in 2000 and during the 2008 presidential election runoff.local

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Masvingo Photographers Association (MPA) in partnership with Zimbabwe Performing Arts for Schools Trust (Zimpast) last week organised a charity walk from Mangwandi Cemetery to the Civic Centre in order to raise money to buy sanitary wear for disadvantaged girls.
MPA secretary general manager Charles Maregere said the idea was to help improve access to sanitary wear by girls in children shelters.
 “People contributed some few dollars to participate in the walk. All the money will be channeled towards helping the underprivileged girls in orphanages in Masvingo,” said Maregere.
Zimpast director and founder Tichamupei Nyandoro said the money raised will buy sanitary pads so as to help girls in orphanages to have a more enjoyable festive season.
“As we approach the festive season, many people donate groceries, clothing and other basics. We have decided to complement that by buying those necessities,” said Nyandoro.
Deputy director in the Provincial Affairs ministry Lovemore Chisirimunhu, who was the guest of honour, said national resources should be used to improve the wellbeing of the girl child.
He said it was the duty of all stakeholders especially those in the public health sector to work for the improvement of access to sanitary wear by girls in disadvantaged communities.
“We call for collaboration of all stakeholders in the public health sector in order to carry out robust community-based health education. Our target should be both in school and out of school youths,” Chisirimunhu said.
The march also served to raise awareness on HIV and Aids, gender based violence and domestic violence.
Small business people, members of professional bodies, non-governmental organisations and Masvingo Christian College pupils also joined the March.
In 2016, MPA and Zimpast organised a similar event where they celebrated women who are in largely male-dominated trades.local

Nyasha Marumbi

Members of the public and passers-by were last week Friday shocked to see a baby boy crying alone in a busy area behind Chevron Hotel after his mother allegedly dumped him.
Informal traders who do their business nearby said the baby was first seen by a passer-by who head him crying helplessly.
People began to gather around the boy and police were later called and they took the baby away.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo Central has since issued a press release asking for information that can lead them to the mother of the baby.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo central is appealing for information leading to the location of the mother of a baby boy of about +/- 2 years who was found in a bushy area close to the foot path near Chevron Hotel, Masvingo on the 8th day of December 2017 at around 1300 hours.
“Anyone with information (is encouraged) to contact the officer in charge Masvingo Central Chief Inspector Chichera on landline number (039)262986 or the investigation officer Constable Zivhave on cell member 0775036926,” reads part of the press release.
Other people who spoke to TellZim News said the parents of the baby probably lost him, not that they deliberately dumped him.
“It’s difficult to say because newborns are often the victims of baby-dumping, not children who are that old,” said an eye witness.local

…as Hwarare bounced back as CSFAZ chairperson

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi West legislator and member of the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers Association of Zimbabwe (CSFAZ), Darlington Chiwa last week lashed out at the organisation’s former secretary general Roy Bhila and chairperson Tawanda Mafurutu whom he accused of failing to advance the interests of members and selling out to Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe.
Chiwa and other members of CSFAZ had for long been fighting against Bhila and Mafurutu over alleged mismanagement. He had also been actively working to prop up Addmore Hwarare who has since bounced back as chairperson after winning elections.
Addressing farmers before the announcement of the election results, Chiwa said all the problems being faced in the sugar industry emanated from failure on the part of Bhila and Mafurutu.
“There is no farmer who can fight his/her colleague. Our main opponent is Tongaat Hullet which is manipulating Bhila and Mafurutu. We had an agreement on the payment of by-products which was signed in June 2014 but nothing has yet been paid.
“Bhila and Mafurutu were busy defending Tongaat instead of facilitating for the payment of those by-products.

They are being paid by Tongaat thereby worsening problems we face as farmers. Administrator, please check the print out of trucks that transport sugar from Tongaat, you will find out that other transporters are given fewer loads than those given to these two men. They would rather die fighting to remain in office because they were benefiting a lot,” said Chiwa.
Bhila and Mafurutu had made a High Court application through their lawyer Alex Nduna in a bid to postpone elections and give the Mafurutu executive a chance to balance its books which are reportedly ‘tattered’.
CSFAZ administrator Jairos Masiye, however, told the farmers that he would only accept a High Court interdict which is served by the Sherriff of the High Court.
“There are speculations that there is a High Court document barring the continuation of these elections. I will only accept an interdict served by Sherriff of the High Court, and not a lawyer,” said Masiye.
Addmore Hwarare was voted chairperson while Julius Changamire was voted vice chairperson. Ralph Sakupwanya was elected secretary general while Collin Togarepi was elected treasurer general.local

Zinatu provincial chairperson Misheck Kudzaishe Mhike and Livison Maunganidze

MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (Zinatu) has been officially launched here amid optimism that the interests of teachers will find new momentum in the employer/labour relations.
Zinatu provincial chairperson Misheck Kudzaishe Mhike said the union had already hit the ground running by setting up committees in all districts of the province.
“Since our launch in Masvingo earlier this month (November), we have managed to set up structures in all districts and membership is increasing every day,” said Mhike.
He said the union is aimed at restoring the profession’s dignity and improve teachers’ welfare.
“As an organisation we want to work for the welfare of teachers and revisit the remuneration issue while pushing for the reintroducing of grades. For now, all teachers are receiving the similar salary regardless of qualifications,” said Mhike.
He also said the union will create projects for its members as well as its own funeral policies and its own pension fund.
The union was formed in June last year but was officially registered with the Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare in April this year.
The national president of the union is Davy Mudhebha from Murambinda Government High School.
Provincial vice chairperson is Gladys Dangwa from Terrygoes Mufakose High School in Triangle while Trust Mavambira from Cheninga School in Bikita is the secretary. 
Masvingo is set to hold the International Teachers’ Day celebration on December 04 at the Charles Austin Theatre.local

The late Zacharia Makopa

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – District Schools Inspector (DSI) Lackson Zanamwe has praised learning conditions at the Roman Catholic-run Sacred Heart High, saying developments at the school put it among the best in Masvingo province.
Speaking at a colourful speech and prize giving ceremony held at the school recently, Zanamwe said Sacred High possessed all the qualities needed for a school to become a candidate for the Permanent Secretary’s Merit Award.
“Sacred Heart High School is one of our most esteemed schools in the district. The school is evidently providing a favourable learning environment for quality learning outcomes. These achievements make it possible that the next time we gather here, it will be for the purposes of celebrating the coveted Permanent Secretary’s Merit Award,” said Zanamwe.
In his remarks, Sacred High School head Brother Joachim Kamwana said in spite of the economic hardships, the school managed to build a new classroom block and to fence the whole school yard. 
“Plans to buy a school bus and construct a state-of-the-art laboratory are now at an advanced stage,” said Brother Kamwana.local