Increase Gumbo

CHIREDZI – The sudden death of Ward 2 Councillor Jesta Muteyaunga collapsed and died last Thursday at the age of 54 has effectively rendered Chiredzi Town council an all-male affair, a massive blow to the quest for fairer representation in the local authority.
Muteyaunga was the only female voice in the male-dominated council and her death has left a gap which might not be plugged any time soon.
Her son Irvine Muteyaunga said Muteyaunga collapsed in her bedroom while preparing to go to town for some business and she was rushed to Hippo Valley consulting rooms where she died.
“She was rushed to Hippo Valley consulting rooms but it was too late, she could not make it and she died,” said Irvine.
She was laid to arrest at Chiredzi cemetery on Saturday.
Chiredzi Town chairman, Francis Moyo said he was shocked by the councillor’s death.
“I am still in pain; I cannot believe it that it’s true that Mai Muteyaunga is no more.  I am in so much pain that I have to leave the funeral and find something to occupy my mind so that I can forget about it though it’s hard to forget,” said Moyo.
Moyo, who is also Ward 4 councillor, said he worked with Muteyaunga during her time in council
“I learnt a lot from Muteyaunga during her time as a councillor. As the only female, she was a shining example of somebody who know what she was doing and loved her party,” said Moyo.
Councillor Tarusenga Makamba of Ward 3 said Muteyaunga was a hardworking councillor who wanted the best especially for the women in her ward.
“She did many projects especially for women, she was a hardworking woman,” said Makamba.
Muteyaunga is survived by her husband, two sons and grandchildren.local

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – The Nharira man who burnt Zanu PF regalia on Independence Day says he is now living in fear after allegedly receiving threatening text messages and phone calls promising him death if he continues with his actions.
The man burnt the regalia in the middle of a road to protest bad leadership which he blamed for the suffering in the country but he now says he has received threats from what he suspects to be Zanu PF supporters.
“I received calls and sms dzekutyisidzira kubvira musi wandakapisa regalia musi weIndependence. Kutaura kudai ndatumirwa mamessage from four different people but all conveying the same message vachibvunza kuti ndakazviitirei zvekupisa regalia yemusangano. Ndava kurarama in fear for my life and for the safety of my family,” said the man.
The man also claimed that he was a victim of the 2008 political violence that rocked the country and said he was afraid of being targeted again because one of the message allegedly threatens to do that.
“Muna 2008 ndakasangana nenguva isina kumira zvakanaka ndichinzi ndirimutengesi saka ndave kutya kuti zvingandidzokere sezvo ndakanyorerwa kunzi wakapukunyuka 2008 asi wave kuda kuzvipisirisa,” he said.
The man said he was told to delete all the messages that he received and start living an ordinary life without interfering into the politics of the day as it would cost him his dear life.
“I was instructed to delete all those messages and live peacefully without getting involved in politics and I have done that,” the man said, indicating that he no longer wants to attract attention unto himself.local

Moses Ziyambi

MASVINGO – Civic society organisations under the

(CiZC) have embarked on a countrywide campaign engaging stakeholders to mobilise resistance against government maneuvres to change the constitution and widen executive powers in matters of appointments to the judiciary.
The coalition is particularly worried by recent government moves to scrap the requirements that candidates for the position of Chief Justice undergo public interviews to prove their suitability as provided for in Section 180 of the Constitution.
The Ministry of Justice wants to amend the clause and vest all powers with the President to make his own appointments by his own discretion.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Masvingo, CiZC programmes manager Thulani Mswelanto said the group had also submitted a petition to Parliament rejecting the proposed constitutional amendments.
“This is to coordinate civil society to oppose proposed amendments to Section 180 of the Constitution. We maintain that the Constitution must be implemented in full before any amendments are considered,” Mswelanto said.
The coalition has already held other meetings in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru to rally support for the cause and is working closely with partners like Abameli Lawyers for Human Rights.
The proposed amendments have sparked wide-spread outrage, with critics saying the repeal of draconian legislation and alignment of non-conforming laws to the new constitution, which the government seems unwilling to do, was more urgent a matter than amendments to Section 180.