The High Court in Masvingo is currently understaffed, with only two judges handling cases at the Court, which covers Masvingo, parts of Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces.
This was revealed during the official opening of the 2025 legal year on January 13 at the Masvingo High Court, in a speech by Constitutional Court Judge Justice Anne-Marie Gowora who officiated at the ceremony.
She said while there had been a substantial volume of cases handled by the Court in relation to the limited number of judges, there was need to address the need for additional judicial capacity at the Court.
“I must emphasize that the High Court is currently staffed by only two judges, Honorable Charewa and Zisengwe JJ. When one carefully considers the substantial volume of cases handled by the Court in relation to the limited number of judges, it becomes evident that these judges have displayed remarkable dedication and resilience.
“Nevertheless, I must stress the importance of addressing the need for additional judicial capacity at the Masvingo High Court. While the stellar performance of the two judges last year is commendable, it is crucial to recognize the challenges posed by their current workload,” Gowora said.
She further went to say that lack of adequate staffing posed the risk of delays in case resolution, which in turn undermines the delivery of justice on time.
Gowora added that the Masvingo High Court needed one more judge, to ease pressure on the existing judicial officers, so that they are not overburdened by cases due to their volumes as well as the demands of the Court’s jurisdiction.
“The deployment of an additional judge is therefore not only justified but necessary to ensure the expeditious handling of cases, and the continued maintenance of high standards in the administration of justice,” she said.
The civil division of the Masvingo High Court in 2024 received 893 cases on top of the 20 cases carried over from 2023, making a total of 913 cases.
Of these, the Court managed to finalize 810 cases, which left 103 cases pending resolution and carried over to 2025, with the clearance rate being 89 percent. Additionally, the criminal division of the same Court received 1 909 cases in 2024, including 32 cases that had been carried over from the previous year, and of those, 1 719 cases were finalized, which left 118 cases pending resolution, placing the clearance rate for criminal cases at 94percent.
Can someone tell me guys; is there a causal link between becoming a President and a good farmer? Mapombi is really confused because all along it was President Robert Mugabe and his Gushungo Dairy Farm – it was very thriving and he was one of the best farmers in Zimbabwe until November 2017 when minimal force was applied to force him out of office. Then entered ED and suddenly he is the best farmer in the country – Almost everyone is going to Precabe Farm to learn how to farm kkkkkkk zvinhu zvacho unotoshaya kuti zvofamba sei. And Mugabe’s farming prowess suddenly ended the moment he was forced out of office, and the Gushungo Dairy Farm is drowning in debts. Is farming and presidency interwoven?
A week barely passes without a group of people going to Precabe Farm in Kwekwe to learn about what the President is doing. Kkkkkkk but Jealous Mawarire ngaasadaro so kkkkk hanzi the manner people frequent Precabe Farm disturbs livestock from breeding kkkk. He said this is clear evidence that there is nothing serious happening there because no sensible farmer would want people around his livestock every day as it disturbs their breeding. Hanzi mabhuru anombozvida here zvekuti aite yonini vanhu vakazara vakatarisa. Give the cattle a conducive environment to breed, Cdes! So does this mean Constantino Chiwenga is the next great farmer in Zimbabwe? Kkkkkkkk nhasi ndazviparira zvimwe nevaya vanoti 2030 chakuti chakuti. Sorry I didn’t mean to offend anyone with this question but kwanga kuri kutongobvunzawo hangu kuti so is Chiwenga the next great farmer in Zimbabwe after ED. Kkkkkkkk ndofunga dai Mapombi anga ane phone ainzwa zvake nekufonerwa nenyaya yandatanga iyi kkkkk manje nharembozha handina anondida anotongouya kuno kuChitima totaura zvedu ndichizvidyira maputi angu and some rotten bananas.
So Mapombi had a morning briefing this morning with vendors at Chitima Market; e-eeh I know you were going to be surprised – you think you are the only ones who do Monday briefings ka kumabasa kwenyu ikweyo? I do morning briefings with vendors just to get an appreciation of the state of the nation. I know many of you look down upon vendors but all I can tell you is you can do that at your own peril. Yes, at your own peril and I mean it. These guys are driving the economy! That Prof Mthuli is not so intelligent; he is not that wise – he is a professor of incompetence. Anyway, let me not talk about him that much because he is not worth my attention. I heard he budgeted for two referenda in his 2025 budget – who cares? Hanya nani chidhoma Chekwa Chivi! Itai zvamada all I know is chisingapere chinoshura – Mugabe naGrace varipi nhasi? There was a time Zimbabweans would know kuti nhasi Grace wadyei, wapfeka nduwe yemarii asi nhasi uripi? Itai yamuri kuita inguva yenyu asi zvinopera – no one is invincible!
Enough of this, let me tell you what the vendors told me during the morning briefing. They said what happened at Precabe Farm over the weekend where the opposition legislators endorsed ED’s term extension marked the death of opposition politics in Zimbabwe. We are now a one party state all thanks to Sengezo Tshabangu and his cdes! Tshabangu endorsed the 2030 vision and term extension. He said, ‘…even if it means extending your term of office as long as the people of Zimbabwe are happy then let it be.’ Kkkkkkk mukati dzakanyatsoti kwesere here paya nhaimi nhaimi? The majority of people of Zimbabwe are walloping in abject poverty and the ‘opposition leader’ is assuming people are happy. Nyika ino yakaroyewa newakafa zvokwadi. Mapombi once told you that people are in politics for self-aggrandizement mukati ndinopenga. Chero iye Mukomana wenyu chaiye anenge akatodya zvake kudhara dhara uyu. Mapombi heard that pakatodyiwa ka 10 million zvapo kare kare no wonder why God is in it. Kkkkkkk God is in it for sure! Mapombi knows that this will make him very unpopular among Mukomana’s supporters but chokwadi hachiputse ukama uye benzi nderenyu rikadzana munopururudza. I don’t care kutukwa nemi handidye kumba kwenyu ini, I survive on rotten bananas and maputi, not even one of you once gave me food to eat so I will say what I think without fear or favour. Ndakazvinzwa kuti Mukomana wenyu iyeye wakadya ndosaka akati ziro. All these shenanigans dzana Tshabangu, I heard, he was part of the planning. Koi ye munhu anoramba achingori Mukomana kusvika rinhiko – kuda kuita Sikhosana here uya weZanu PF youth league yaMugabe? It’s so frustrating and this is why Mapombi is so emotional about these issues – don’t take people for granted mhani.
Anyways, its lunch time now let me go ndindokanga zvangu maputi angu for lunch ndizvidyire zvikati nhasi kune kaguti kanotonhorera but know that we are one in a one party state. They don’t call him Ngwena for nothing – he devours and wese atambira padziva rineNgwena anonyura. Let’s wait and see, Mapombi can tell you that Mthuli is busy working on MPs hefty packages zvaizvozvi so that the constitutional amendments to extend presidential term anouya vakaguta vachiita kudzvova tsvii chaiko. MPs are likely to get loans zvamanje manje ipapa, maybe 40k or more I’m sure ndidzo nyaya dziri kufambirwa naMushayazano akanyarara hake ZiG richiita zvarinoda.
Enough of this, let me enjoy my peace. Is there anyone anokwanisa hake kumbondiitira detembo riy ravaMuzenda riye Nehanda Nyakasikana. I miss the old man too bad, may his soul rest in peace. ‘Nehanda Nyakasikana….nyika vakatora vakagovana pahukama hwavo isu vana tichidya nhoko dzezvironda.’
GUTU – The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)-run Alheit Chingombe II High School recently launched the first smart classroom in the RCZ schools and probably the first in the district.
The classroom has desks fitted with tablet phones which will be connected to a smart board that allows learners and teachers to mirror their screens for everyone in class to see.
The school head, Benson Tagutanazvo, said the commissioning of the classroom marked a significant step in the school’s commitment towards innovation and embracing technology.
“This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the journey of Alheit High School towards embracing cutting-edge technology in education.
“The establishment of this state-of-the-art learning environment is a testament to the school’s commitment to innovation, the support of the moderature, the dedication of staff, the contributions of parents, and the community,” said Tagutanazvo.
He said the smart classroom will equip learners with the necessary skills needed to thrive in the technological world and prepare them for the future.
“We believe the smart classroom will not only enhance the learning experience of our learners but also equip them with the 21st-century skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
“We believe that this initiative will foster a more engaging, interactive, and effective learning environment, thereby improving learners’ outcomes and preparing them for the challenges of the future,” said Tagutanazvo.
RCZ education secretary Dr. Witmos Mutumburanzou challenged other schools to follow the route that Alheit had taken to ensure that they move with time.
“We have all gathered here to witness the commissioning of the first-ever smart classroom in our schools. The reason why we have school heads, station superintendents, and others is for them to witness firsthand where we want our schools to go.
“Every school should have one, and Alheit has led the way. We have brought Edutech here so that you interact with them, get all the information you want, and establish yours,” said Dr. Mutumburanzou.
RCZ General Secretary Reverend Lovemore Mashamba said the Church was supportive and committed to equipping learners with the tools they need to succeed, saying such developments enabled teachers to deliver more engaging and effective lessons and empower learners to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.
He urged all RCZ schools to embrace technology, saying there was no way they could wish it away but must embrace it as things change and move forward as an institution, quoting the biblical verse of Hebrews 13:8.
“I want to urge all RCZ schools to embrace technology. We cannot run away from technology but must embrace it and move forward. Let’s move with time; all things change, and only Jesus does not change, as the book of Hebrews says in Chapter 13 verse 8.
“All our schools should embrace technology, and Alheit has led the way by embracing it first. Providing quality education is one of our goals and creating an environment that allows for the unlocking of talents in our learners,” said Mashamba.
He went on to thank Edutech for partnering with the church and bringing the smart classroom and called upon all other stakeholders to come on board.
“I want to thank Edutech for partnering with RCZ to promote the church’s goal of providing quality education. I call on all others who want to partner with us to come on board and ensure we reach our vision.”
The Edutech representative, Luke Musambasi, said the smart classroom allows the school authorities, parents, and anyone who is logged on to the internet and given access to watch the lesson proceedings in real time.
“The smart board has a camera that can record whatever is happening in the class, and parents or other responsible authorities can watch the whole lesson in the comfort of their homes. It also allows learners to connect their tablets to the board, and everyone in the class can see whatever they will be doing on their computer.
He also urged other schools to emulate what Alheit had done, saying they had several promotions that they were running for schools, including taking school heads and teachers on international tours where they would learn digital skills.
One of the RCZ school heads, Raymond Ndega of Chibi, said Alheit had led the way and they were following, saying the smart classroom was the in thing if schools were to move with time.
“We have come here to witness and emulate the technological tools that we can use as schools, and as Chibi, we are going to emulate this because nowadays our learners are more advanced, and they need this if we want them to succeed.
The smart board can record every lesson and store it in the school’s main server, and the recordings can be used anytime. Classes can also interconnect, and one class can learn what is happening in the other class without leaving theirs.
As the year 2024 comes to an end, Masvingo City Council has issued its 2025 budget statement where it noted some major 2024 service delivery achievements. In the budget statement, presented by Finance Committee Chairperson Cllr Benard Muchokwa, council managed to improve in sewerage, refuse collection, parks and social amenities, education, housing and health. The local authority managed to complete 2.5km of sewerage system to alleviate perennial sewer blockages and bursts. In terms of refuse collection, the local authority purchased a refuse refuse compactor and is working on the completion of its new landfill in Cambria farm. In Education services, Masvingo City is constructing two blocks at its sole secondary school in Rujeko suburb. The school was established to ease shortage of secondary schools in the city, relieving the burden on two government schools, Mucheke and Ndarama High Schools as well as Church of Christ’s Masvingo Christian High Schools. The local authority also boasts for the renovating of Tanaiwa Hostels. This was it’s major achievement in housing projects and was done in partnership with Dialogue on Shelter and Homeless People’s Federation. In terms of health, Masvingo City completed the construction of a maternity wing at Northwest Medical Clinic and the procurement of equipment for the entire clinic. Masvingo City also managed to re-gravel 14 out of a target of 18 roads, road markings were done on the city roads and other major roads. 1.4 kilometers of drainage was lined in preparation for the rainy season and more work on the drain lining is in progress.
Recent rains received in Masvingo Province have brought a sigh of relief, with dam levels rising to 60.5 percent from last week’s 60 percent.
In a statement from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), major dams received a boost while others have reached their maximum capacity.
“The current wet spell has started to push up water levels in most major dams in Runde Catchment. As at January 6, 2025 the average level of dams in the catchment rose to 65.5 percent which represents a marginal 0.5 percent increase from the previous week.
“Muzhwi Dam which supplies Chivi Growth Point, Mashava and Mhandamabwe has increased by 6.7 percent and is now 88.9 percent full while Manyuchi Dam now stands at 62.2 percent after recording a significant 7.3 percent increase. A marginal 0.5 percent increase has seen the water level at Lake Mutirikwi rising to 83.4 percent,” reads the statement.
Five dams have reached their maximum capacity while Tugwi Mukosi the largest inland dam has not recorded any notable change.
“Nyatare dam, Gonye, Mabwematema, Mhende and Muteri are some of the few major dams in the catchment that have already reached their maximum capacity.
“Tugwi Mukosi is 60.5 percent full which is exactly the same level it was the previous week. The same situation is obtaining at Woodlands and Taramura Dams in Gutu where last week levels of 63.5 percent and 27.5 percent have been maintained,” reads the statement.
Manjirenji and Bangala are still on low levels with 12 and 31 percent respectively.
The low rainfall received in the country since the beginning of the rain season has resulted in the country’s major dams and reservoirs having 59.1 percent which is quite low than the levels recorded last year during the same time.
The country has received low rainfall despite predictions from the Meteorological Services Department which stated that the country would receive normal to above normal rainfall.
Masvingo town received heavy rains on January 7 which left a trail of destruction, with trees and electricity poles falling and blocking roads, especially in Rhodene suburb.
Council workers were busy in the morning (January 8) clearing the roads for safe passage of vehicles into town especially in Eddison Zvobgo Street.
Some of the trees fell on electricity lines and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has since issued a statement saying the trees had affected supply in town and other areas.
“Heavy rains received, Masvingo CBD, Rhodene, Eastvale, ZimrePark, Clipsham are without power. Power lines are down mostly due to trees fall on overhead lines. Poles and conductors are broken on many parts of the lines. Teams attending,” read the statement,” the statement read.
Huge trees close to electricity lines are becoming a cause for concern during rainy seasons as they pose a threat to the safety of people, properties and infrastructure.
A signage damaged by the rains at Masvingo Provincial Hospital
A young boy is nursing severe burns, and his family has been left without shelter, food, and clothing after the hut he was in was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in a freak storm that hit Shurugwi recently.
The incident happened in Muchachi 2 village, ward 2 in Shurugwi South on January 3 when the boy was trapped in the burning hut while family members tried to rescue him.
Henry Mawedzere, the boy’s grandfather, confirmed the incident to TellZim News and said lightning had brought sorrow to the family.
“The incident occurred at around 15:30 on January 3. I was sitting in the kitchen with my brothers when we heard thunder rumbling,” said Mawedzere.
“A spark of lightning ignited a thatched hut, enveloping it in flames, and 15-year-old grandson Dzidzisai Gwandibva was in the house. I ran towards that hut, calling him to get out, but he couldn’t hear me,” said Mawedzere.
He said they called for help from neighbors to put out the fire, but they could not come because they were confined to their homes by the heavy rains and lightning. They did, however, manage to rescue him, and he (Mawedzere) also got burned in the process.
“We later managed to rescue him, but he had sustained severe burns on both legs, hands, and the face. He is in the hospital receiving treatment. However, I also sustained some burns in the process.
“I started having cramps on my leg, and I’m struggling to walk. I cannot manage to access medical attention due to financial constraints, and all we have is directed towards getting food and clothing, but it’s not even enough,” he said.
He said the incident has left the family impoverished; food, kitchen utensils, clothes, and blankets were destroyed, and they are currently surviving on handouts.
Ward 2 Councillor Tafirenyika Nyama appealed for assistance on behalf of the family, saying the situation was dire, adding that the local MP Wilson Mhuri had chipped in and paid hospital bills for Dzidzisai.
Those who want to assist can get in touch with Mawedzere on 0784505391.
In yet another outstanding achievement, Junior High School has recorded 100percent pass rate in the 2024 Advanced Level Cambridge examinations, cementing its reputation for academic excellence.
The school opened its doors in 2022 and the pioneer class for Advanced level who sat for Cambridge exams in 2023 left no crumbs as it secured a 100 percent pass rate from a total 32 learners sat for exams where the highest scored straight 24 points.
In 2024, 35 learners sat for exams and the highest scooped 15 points from a combination of Maths, Chemistry and Physics, with the majority of the group scoring between 12 and 14 points.
Commenting on the results, Junior Investments Director Noah Marima said he was impressed by the performance saying they were fit to compete with others with several years in the trade.
“I am elated with these results as they exceed the previous year’s. It is an indicator that we can now compete with giants as we strive to become one in the future,” said Marima.
Marima also applauded the hardworking staff whom he said were behind the results as well as the learners and their parents for their dedication.
“A huge shout out to the hardworking teachers and our esteemed parents for support all the way as we promise to deliver the best at Ordinary level again in the coming years,” said Marima.
The school is strategically located along Harare Masvingo road in the leafy suburb of Rhodene and near the scenic Mangwandi dwala.
The school offers the Cambridge curriculum and offers both elite and traditional sporting activities.
It is one of the few schools to take learners on international educational trips and early last year they had a chance to tour Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Tensions ran high in a full council meeting at Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) on January 6 as councilors clashed with management over the delayed purchase of cellphones and motorbikes. These items were supposed to have been purchased before the end of 2024.
The full council heard that the local government had advised the council to procure these items for the councilors in the last quarter of 2024, but management failed to do so, citing unexpected hurdles.
Zaka RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Batsirai Majaura said the parent ministry had issued a statement requiring ministerial approval for all purchases, which had not been anticipated. As a result, management had written to seek approval, but this had caused a delay.
He also said they had been instructed to clear outstanding obligations before purchasing conditions of service gadgets for the councilors.
“We received a ministerial circular which instructed us that all purchases of that kind required approval from the ministry, and we were also instructed to clear outstanding obligations before we embark on that,” said Majaura.
The councilors were unhappy with management’s explanations, feeling that they had not been prioritized. They were adamant that they needed the cellphones and motorbikes to perform their duties effectively.
They argued that other councils had already provided similar benefits to their councilors, and they saw no reason why Zaka RDC should be any different.
Ward 24 Councilor Zivanai Zvada questioned why only Zaka RDC was required to clear other obligations before purchasing necessities for councilors, alleging that some local authorities had already purchased motorbikes for their councilors despite salary arrears.
“Why does that apply only to Zaka RDC? It’s now not clear if it’s the head office or the management here that is not willing to let us get the cellphones and bikes. We know of another local authority with five months of arrears but has already purchased bikes for its councilors. Here we cleared ours, and we are left with less than two months, but we are not allowed, why?” queried Zvada.
Another Councilor, Enias Chinyoka of ward 4, said management was supposed to prioritize the welfare of councilors so that they could work to unlock more revenue streams to ease the financial challenges affecting the local authority.
“You need to prioritize councilor’s welfare if you want to unlock more revenue streams. We need to be mobile, but it’s difficult because the wards are too big. The ministerial communications also have to be clear to us. We need to see the circulars here, not just telling us that you spoke to someone. We need it in writing so that we understand,” said Chinyoka.
Former Council Chair and ward 13 Councilor Alderman Sebastian Musundire said councilors were failing to receive council proceedings minutes that were sent via WhatsApp because some did not have smartphones or data.
“We need cellphones and data. If you address that, you won’t hear some saying they did not receive minutes. Some do not have smartphones and data, and that needs urgent attention,” said Musundire. However, ward 19 Councilor Albert Mazvanya said the councilors should ensure that they cleared workers’ salaries before thinking of themselves.
The standoff exposed the challenges faced by local authorities in Zimbabwe, where resources are scarce and priorities often clash. While the councilors are pushing for better working conditions, management is constrained by bureaucratic red tape and financial limitations.
In a region where climate change has made rainfall a scarce commodity, an innovative farmer in Zaka District is making waves by growing small grain, a crop he believes is suitable for the area’s challenging weather conditions.
Amiel Jekese, a 34-year-old father of three from Matizirofa Village in Ward 19, had been growing maize and cotton. Last season, a field day was held at his homestead, attracting the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davies Marapira, who is also the local MP.
Despite initial skepticism from fellow farmers, his perseverance has paid off, and he is now expecting a bumper harvest.
“I realized that our traditional crops, such as maize, were no longer viable for our region due to the erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change. Small grain, on the other hand, is more resilient and requires less water, making it an ideal crop for our area,” said Jekese.
Jekese said he was born to peasant farmers and grew up working in the fields, cultivating small grain, which also inspired him to start growing it.
“I studied agriculture at school, and I grew up working in the fields since my father was a peasant farmer. He used to grow rapoko, and my mother would brew beer, and the proceeds were used to fend for the family and send us to school.
“So, when I discovered that maize was not doing well due to poor rainfall, I decided to start growing small grains, and now I have a hectare of rapoko and half a hectare of millet,” said Jekese.
He said he works with his wife since his kids are still young and he cannot afford to hire labor, which has forced him to work even during the night.
“Some people think I use juju because I only work with my wife, though since our kids are still young. I cannot afford to hire labor, so I am forced to work even at night when there is a full moon,” he said.
He urged other farmers in the locality to adopt small grain farming, which he said was promising and had been encouraged by agriculture experts.
Jekese said his vision was to get a borehole for irrigation, saying that would enhance his productivity since he has a passion for farming.
“I have the power and passion, but I am still lacking resources. My wish is to get a borehole so that I can start irrigation and grow crops all year round,” said Jekese.
Apart from small grain, he also has two hectares of cotton and said he was the second-best cotton farmer nationally in last year’s competitions.
Jekese’s small grain fields have become a model for other farmers in the district, who are eager to learn from his experiences and adopt similar practices. His success has also caught the attention of local agricultural authorities, who are now considering promoting small grain cultivation as a viable option for farmers in the region.
Marapira commented on the farmer, saying he was doing great and heeding the call to grow small grain, which is drought-tolerant, considering that Zaka receives low rainfall.
“We encourage farmers to grow small grain, and Jekese is leading the way. We urge our youths to emulate him,” said Marapira.
Zaka District Agricultural Advisory Services (Ardas) officer Kennedy Pedzisai confirmed Jekese’s work and said he was among the best in the district.
“Last season, Jekese managed to conduct a successful cotton and maize field day, which was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. He did not end there but proceeded to the national level, where he got the second national prize in cotton production. This season is his second year doing traditional grain crop production,” said Pedzisai.
He urged farmers to emulate Jekese and grow traditional crops and gave general tips for good crop production.
“Though farmers continue to produce maize, we encourage them to produce traditional grain and also to observe good agricultural practices like liming of soil, organic/inorganic fertilizer application, correct plant population, and proper land preparation. “We also encourage farmers to ensure weed, pest, and disease control and bird guard to control birds, especially on small grain,” said Pedzisai.
