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Gutu man imprisoned for molesting wife’s minor sister

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Gutu man imprisoned for molesting wife’s minor sister

By Meditation Mposi

A Gutu man (35) will spent the next ten years behind bars for sexually assaulting his wife’s 14-year-old sister who is also a neighbor.
The accused appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura, facing rape charges and pleaded guilty.
The state’s case as presented by Prosecutor Innocent Mudzingwa was that on November 20 at around 1000hours the complainant (14) was alone at their homestead sitting in the kitchen whilst her parents were away in the garden.
The accused came and asked for maheu (traditional homebrewed drink) and the complainant told him there was none at home. He then told the complainant that he wanted to fondle her.
He then dragged the complainant behind a door and fondled her privates, but the girl screamed and he left. The accused later returned requesting for maheu again, which he was told was none, but he proceeded to molest the girl and threatened her with death if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
The complainant disclosed the matter to her mother leading to the arrest of the accused person.
In his defense, the accused said that he was playing chiramu (flirting) with the complainant and never thought it was a crime.
On passing his judgment, Bepura said the crime was a big offence which could attract a jail sentence of up to 20 years. Bepura suspended the other ten years after considering that there was no penile penetration and that the accused was a first time offender. He also said the accused was a family man with five children and had admitted to his crime without wasting the court’s time.

Headman loses betting, nearly kills subject

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Headman loses betting, nearly kills subject

By Staff Reporter

CHIVI – Headman Madyangove in Chivi recently smashed a beer bottle into a fellow bar patron’s face in a bar brawl, shortly after the later had defeated him in a game of pool.
The victim, Fredreck Mudhe, was left nursing severe facial cuts after the headman, Jimson Manyumbu attacked him with a beer bottle in a fight at a local shopping centre.
The two had been playing snooker in a bar before they got into a brawl involving some cash on November 21 around 8pm.
Mudhe confirmed the incident and told TellZim News that during one of the games, the headman produced a US$100 note intending to buy beer and asked Mudhe to give him a small denomination which he did.
“We were playing pool with the headman and I defeated him several times. He then asked for a smaller denomination since he had a US$100 note which he wanted to use to buy beer. He gave me the note and I gave him US$20 which he used to buy the beer,” said Mudhe.
Mudhe went on to say after the game, he went on to buy beer which he wanted to take to a funeral, using the US$100 the traditional leader had given him earlier. He said when the shop keeper was about to give him change, the headman came and took it saying it was his though Mudhe was yet to use his US$20. They then got into an altercation which resulted in him being attacked.
“I went to buy a six pack of beer for US$6 and when the shopkeeper was about to give me change, the headman snatched the money. I asked him to give me my money but he said he owed me nothing. I then told the shopkeeper to give me back my money since I was the one who had given her the cash thinking she will get it from the headman but failed.
“I returned the beer and said I wanted my money with the intention of taking my US$20 and give the remainder to the headman.
“I then went outside and he followed me before asking for forgiveness and we said all was well, however, when I was making a phone call, I heard him accusing me of being stupid and I just thought maybe he was bragging. After a while he suddenly smashed a bottle of beer on the left side of my face and I fell to the ground and had to crawl and hide under one vehicle while people were fleeing the scene thinking I was going to die,” said Mudhe
He went on to say people who were there managed to refrain the traditional leader while rushing the victim to the nearest clinic and had to send a relative to Chibi Growth Point to a pharmacy to get medication that was required to treat him since there was none at the clinic.
Contacted for comment, Manyumbu confirmed the incident and said he injured Mudhe in self-defense after he had attacked him with a beer bottle first but he managed to dodge it.
“I can confirm the incident but it was an act of self-defense because Mudhe is the one who had attacked me first after a dispute involving US$100.
“We had just finished playing a game of pool when I decided to buy beer for both of us, I went to the counter and produced a US$100 note and when I was about to hand it to the cashier, Mudhe snatched it and both our hands were inside the counter barricade burglar bars. He said the money was his he had won it when we were playing snooker.
“I had to hold him tightly before he let go of the money. I asked the cashier to give me the beer and would pay her later which she did. That is when Mudhe tried to hit me with a beer bottle, which I dodged. I then retaliated and he got injured. It was purely self-defense and I had to escape and report the matter to Mashava police since him and his friends at the business center were attacking me,” said Manyumbu.
He dismissed Mudhe’s version saying he never asked him for money and said the beer which he used to attack him with was his first one.

Local Government Ministry clips Zaka RDC chair’s wings

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Local Government Ministry clips Zaka RDC chair’s wings

By Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Under fire Zaka Rural District Council Chairperson Fungai Maregedze has been warned by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for overstepping her boundaries, and was ordered to know her role in council operations.
Maregedze, who is wife to former deputy Minister of Finance Clemence Chiduwa was left with an egg on the face after she had written to the ministry accusing council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura and his management for hindering development in the district, among an array of other issues.
The Council chair was recently arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for abuse of office, where she is being accused of convening unsanctioned meetings and forcing council to pay sitting allowances.
After she wrote the letter, the ministry responded by sending a five member investigation team whose findings were presented to the full council on November 7.
The findings indicated that the council chair was at fault as she regularly interfered with management work and overstepping her role.
Presenting the findings, ministry deputy director for development Cephas Mudavanhu said the council chair would attend committee meeting and dominate there whereas she is supposed to allow the committee members to deliberate and give advice or seek for her input where necessary.
“When the council chair is invited to committee meetings, she should be there to advice not to dominate. However, we noted that she would be dominating telling councilors that all they were saying was not correct. That’s wrong, the committee members who are councilors should be debating,” he said.
He went on to say Maregedze does not listen to advice from technocrats including the CEO and District Development Coordinator (DCC), breaking the law saying statutes they were implementing were archaic and they should formulate new ones.
“We also noted another challenge; the chair does not listen when she is advised by the CEO or DDC especially on issues related to the law. Very few advices were taken. In most cases she would say the Act you are using is archaic. There is no archaic law, if it’s archaic it will be repealed by the parliament not by us here,” said Mudavanhu.
The investigation also revealed the council chair was overriding committee chairpersons and inviting people to the meetings wantonly and in some cases some of them would not even be relevant to the matters under discussion.
“On invitation to stakeholders, we noticed that some were invited without notice and some were invited to all committees whereas the committees are the workshop of council, stakeholders are invited when they are considered to be relevant to that committee, not inviting everyone. The committee chair is the one who knows that this person should be invited. So we saw the council chair was not following statutes especially on convening meetings,” said Mudavanhu.
One council committee chairperson who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were happy that the ministry picked the anomalies because the committee meetings were no longer serving any purpose because the chair would always impose her will.
“The ministry has relieved us of the burden we were carrying, the committee meetings had become talk shows since none of our contributions were considered, she would simply say all you have been debating is useless, and tell us what she wants. So most of the reports given in full council meetings by committee chairpersons were not a reflection of the councilors but her own will,” said the councilor.
Another councilor said the chairperson wanted to attend all committee meetings and often clashed with other committee chairperson who didn’t invite her.
“She wanted to attend all committee meetings to get allowances, she needs every single dollar that comes her way and after attending she would not want to be backstage, she would want to chair the meeting as well,” said another Councilor.
Efforts to get a comment from Maregedze who did not attend the meeting were futile as she was not responding to questions sent to her.
There has been growing tension between the council chairperson and management as well as other councilors.
The divisions between the council chair and other councilors are reflection of a bigger division within Zanu PF in the district where bigwigs fight for control.
The factions are between Chiduwa who is the Zanu PF district coordinating committee chairperson and also Zaka South MP and Davies Marapira, a central committee member who is also Zaka Central legislator and deputy minister of agriculture.

Mhangami wins Shurugwi South inaugural garden competition

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Mhangami wins Shurugwi South inaugural garden competition

By Tavonga Munyanyi

Mhangami Nutrition Garden won the Shurugwi South’s first ever Garden Competitions, held at Chachacha Business Center on November 23 and was sponsored by local Member of Parliament Wilson Mhuri who was guest-of-honor at the event.
Speaking at the event Zanu PF Shurugwi District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson Shepherd Mudhara said this event aligns with National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and thanked the MP for sponsoring it.
“This event aligns with NDS 1 which seeks to create a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society by 2030. One of the key pillars is food security which aims to improve food availability, access and utilization.
“I would like to thank the MP for organizing this competition in Shurugwi, they should continue in the following years as this unites people of Shurugwi South,” said Mudhara.
In his speech Mhuri encouraged farmers to take farming as a business so they could boost their livelihoods.
“I want to thank and encourage farmers to transform farming into a business so as to generate vast income. Money comes from the soil, our farm products should not rot in our houses; you must sell, get income and create employment opportunities,” said Mhuri.
Mhangami set a shining example with its outstanding nutrition garden, which has become a model for other farmers to follow.
The garden which was established in 1994 has been meticulously maintained by farmers, showcasing a remarkable commitment to good standards and it boasts with an impressive array of vegetables and cereals.
Speaking to TellZim News after the event Mhangami Nutrition Garden Chairperson Sifikile, Sibanda expressed her excitement for farmer’s performance.
“I’m very thrilled with our colleagues’ sacrifice and commitment which brought success. We have water shortages as our major obstacle as we are running our farming project without a borehole, our main source of water was an open well which was running dry due to severe drought but we are making it.
“Every member of our garden was carrying water using buckets for irrigation purposes and so we deserve to win this,” said Sibanda.
She thanked Agricultural Extension Officers for imparting valuable farming knowledge which led to the garden producing best results.
“I want to thank Agricultural Extension Officers who spent ample time imparting valuable farming knowledge to us, sharing techniques on crop rotation and soil conservation.
“This aligns with our mantra ‘Njere muShurugwi moto unogokwa’ (Knowledge in Shurugwi is a spark that ignites from the flames of others,” she said.
Sibanda applauded MP Mhuri for rendering assistance to Mhangami Nutrition Garden.
“I’m very happy to see positive changes at our garden, our MP gave us three bags of cement to construct a toilet. His efforts to provide necessities have not gone unnoticed as the garden is transforming lives,” she said.
In a side interview, Mhuri said the district has passionate farmers who are plagued by water challenges.
“Shurugwi South has passionate farmers who are affected by water shortages. I will work tirelessly to ease these water woes through drilling boreholes so as to curb water shortage in nutrition gardens, adequate water supply also promote good sanitation for our farmers.
“Another challenge is of poor road networks that are affecting farmers as they are struggling to transport their produce to the market. I will work towards improving road networks challenge, there is need to construct roads for the benefit of farmers,” he said.
Nutrition Gardens which qualified for this competition include Takaza, Tambenevhu, Simba maoko, Devon, Limukhani, Matigonera, Rimaugute, Banga, Vimbanayi , Toziva , Mwana Mwana and Rudo.
Rudo Garden came second, Rimaugute on third position and Limukhani came fourth.
Mhangami received 8kg of variety seeds which included 2kg maize, 2kg cowpeas, 2kg sunflower and 2kg sorghum from Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA), a toilet and a solarized borehole will be added to the Garden as part of their awards.
Limukhani, Rudo and Rimaugute went away with 6kg of variety seeds each from ARDA.

Tongaat hails Mufakose High for developmental projects

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Tongaat hails Mufakose High for developmental projects

By Beatific Gumbwanda

TRIANGLE – Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe (THZ) recently hailed Mufakose High, one of its schools in Triangle, over its remarkable academic performance as well as capital projects which have improved the sustenance of the school as they recently celebrated the purchase of a 72-seater Asia Star bus.
THZ run Mufakose High School in Triangle recently held its bus reception ceremony under the theme ‘success, a commitment to excellency’ where the newly appointed Chiredzi District School’s Inspector (DSI), Takaendesa Hove was the guest-of-honour.
Addressing parents and children at Mufakose recently, THZ Industry and Corporate Affairs Manager, Patrick Mangwiro hailed the school over its remarkable academic performance as well as parents for supporting the school on its capital projects and purchase of the bus which he said will help the school on its academic tours as well as generating capital through hire.
“This demonstrates a good working partnership between the Responsible Authority, School Development Committee and the school. I would like also to recognize support from parents who made this gesture a success, you never lost a minute to get aboard.
“We have witnessed fantastic results here and well-done. This wave must continue going,” said Mangwiro.
Mufakose High School, which was established in 1989 has a total enrolment of 1046 which is manned by 40 teachers. It was the best performing school in the district in 2023 on Advanced Level results as they had 20 students with 15 points and above while its ordinary level came third after Chiredzi Government and Hippo High consecutively.
Mufakose High School Headmaster, Severino Bvunyenge said the purchase of the bus will go a long way towards the fulfilment of the heritage based curriculum where leaners go for educational tours as required by the curriculum.
Bvunyenge said the purchase of the bus added to their capital projects after broilers, layers, sugarcane farming and a horticultural garden.
“The purchase of the bus has enabled us to meet the requirements of the heritage based curriculum where we will go for educational trips, which was once expensive for us when we used to hire for transport.
“The Ministry urges schools to have more than 6 capital projects and the bus will be one of them. We have layers, broilers, a sugarcane farm and a horticultural garden on our list,” said Bvunyenge.
DSI Hove motivated learners to dream for success as nothing comes on a silver platter.
“Dreams have been transformed into a reality here at Mufakose High School through purchasing this bus. I also need you children to dream big, don’t just seat here and thing and think everything comes on a silver platter.
“The Heritage-based curriculum encompass that children have educational tours, which is an extension of the classroom work and I am happy that this bus will make that a success,” said Hove.

Government transport woes stall food aid distribution

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Government transport woes stall food aid distribution

…as transporters refuse ZiG payment

By Perpetua Murungweni

Failure by government to transport food aid to vulnerable rural communities has resulted in serious food shortages in those areas as contract transporters are refusing ZiG payment, halting the social welfare food aid distribution.
This was revealed by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held on November 22, 2024 at the party provincial stand in Clovely.
Chadzamira said the government had enough grain for vulnerable households in the province but was failing to deliver the food to respective beneficiaries because of transport challenges.
“Our government is providing food aid with the help from development partners. The food is given in three phases and the first phase was done but the second and third phases have not yet been delivered due to transport challenges. The main challenge that we are facing now is that the transporters now want to be paid in USD not in ZiG.
“So the government decided to make arrangements in the districts that every beneficiary must pay an amount of US$3 so that their food may be delivered. We encourage MPs that have transport to assist in the distribution of food aid in their constituencies. We urge them to partner business people that can assist so that people get their food on time,” said Chadzamira.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa confirmed the crisis and said at some point they approached World Food Program (WFP) to assist with transport.
“For now transport is a challenge and at some point we approached WFP to assist us with transport so that people will get their food. So for the second phase, I’m not sure if there are any arrangements I will have to verify with social welfare department.
Masvingo South Constituency Member of Parliament Tanatswa Mukomberi told TellZim News that he was in the process of engaging a local transporter to transport the grain at a flexible cost.
“I have made a local arrangement where beneficiaries pay a small fee of about US$1 for the transportation of the food and this is being managed by their councilors. In my office as MP am engaging one transporter to come to an agreement where he provides me transport and I will pay him in flexible terms,” said Mukomberi.
Mwenezi West MP Priscilla Moyo said she had her own trucks that she was using to distribute food aid to the beneficiaries.
“I am going to use my own trucks free of charge to distribute the food. However some of the beneficiaries have offered to pay for fuel. In my constituency everything is set and we are waiting for the food that is said to come next week,” said Moyo.
Chivi North Constituency MP Godfrey Mukungunugwa said he provides transport for his constituency and the beneficiaries contribute to fuel.
“I’m providing transport for the beneficiaries through arranging for transport and the beneficiary contributes to fuel. I make sure that everyone gets their food whether they contributed or not,” said Mukungunugwa.

2421 graduate at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre

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2421 graduate at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

In a grand ceremony marking its 12th graduation, a combined total of 2421 students from four local Vocational Training Centres (VTC) were capped at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre (VTC) on November 27.
The graduation ceremony was running under the theme “Innovative, Create, Elevate: Celebrating Vocational Excellence” with a bias towards the Training for Enterprise concept.
Of the 2421 graduands who were capped, four were people with disabilities, 1137 were females and were slightly outnumbered by males who were 1280.
The host, Mushagashe VTC, had 1821, Masvingo Urban VTC had 317, and Gutu VTC had 197 while Chivi Mhandamabwe VTC had 95.
The 2024 graduates underwent extensive training in various courses including cosmetology, metal fabrication, plumbing and drain laying, brick laying, motor mechanics, clothing, IT, carpentry, electrical engineering as well as tourism and hospitality.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Developmental and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire who was guest-of-honour said it was worth noting that the number of female graduands had increased as well as the number of people with disabilities.
“I am honoured to stand before you all today as we witness the graduation of over 2000 young people. We are happy with the fact that amongst the graduands today we have young persons with disabilities, a development which is a true adherence to His Excellency, President E.D Mnangagwa’s call of “leaving no one behind”.
“This rings true of the adage that states “disability is not inability”. The gradual increase in the number of female students that are participating in the skills training initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry is encouraging and this trend has been noticed across the country,” said Machakaire.
He added that VTCs should campaign against drugs and substance abuse and they had plans to make sure that every district had a VTC.
“Let me take this opportunity to emphasise that VTCs must take centre stage in the fight against drug and substance abuse. Skills training can go a long way in addressing this pandemic. I urge you all graduands to be exemplary within the communities that you reside in.
“I implore you to be the beacons that will show your fellow youths that skills training can be an effective tool to meaningfully engage young people and ensure they stay away from drug and substance abuse.
“The Government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training has adopted a deliberate plan to establish at least one vocational training centre in every district of the country. This development is aimed at ensuring that as many youths as possible get the relevant skills for employment or entrepreneurship for industry growth,” added Machakaire.
He said VTCs played an essential role in national development and the country should empower youths.
“Vocational training plays a pivotal role in national development as the NDS 1 identifies human capital development as one of the key pillars for national development. Efforts being undertaken by our VTCs are specifically geared towards this key national development agenda.
“By investing in our youth and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive as the workforce, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous future for all Zimbabweans, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”.
“We need to put our hands together as a nation and invest in our young people. The country has begun a new era under the Second Republic where vocational training will ensure survival in a competitive local and global market through innovations, continuous curriculum review and productivity.
“In addition, the Ministry is currently going through a process to implement the Transformation of the Vocational Training system which aims at professionalising, standardising as well as modernising the vocational training system across the country,” he said.

Invest in health as you do in funeral – CIMAS CEO

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Invest in health as you do in funeral – CIMAS CEO

By Brighton Chiseva

BULAWAYO – The CIMAS Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vulindlela Ndlovu has urged Zimbabwean citizens to invest in health care insurance the same way they do in funeral policies.
His call comes at a time when health experts said Zimbabweans were investing more on funeral cover compared to health.
Reports indicated that 30 percent of the population had some form of insurance and of that number, 83 percent was on funeral cover while less than 10 percent is on medical cover.
Addressing journalists after a tour of the CIMAS facilities in Bulawayo on Friday November 22, Ndlovu said they were working around the clock to make sure health insurance services are affordable to cater for all social classes.
“I know people complain about shortfalls but I want to tell you that we are working around the clock to make sure it becomes comes affordable. For me coverage is important, because official statistics from AHFoZ indicate that less than 10 percent of the people are covered.
“I think it’s even less; we want more people to be covered, we need to take control of our health. There is this thing that we are quite happy to take funeral policies but not health policies, so we are spreading the message so that can we cover as many people as possible,” said Ndlovu.
He said at Cimas they were prioritizing that their members live a happy and healthier lives and urged people to join the service early, saying they were there to inspire healthier communities by providing global standard health and wellness solutions.
“It’s all about making sure our members live longer, happier healthier lives. Our focus is in that living healthier which is why we put emphasis on how we can improve health outcomes. We are concerned about the cost of health care in Zimbabwe, yes we need to put our heads together and see how we can improve access to health care.
“Health is not about because I can afford it or I have money, of course we expect the public sector to look after us but as a developing country, we do not have those resources. Let us be practical rather than mourn all day saying these are not working or that there is no medicine. We as the private sector are saying let’s do something about health and that is what Cimas is all about,” said Ndlovu.
He said as Cimas, they could not answer all the questions on health but at least one should have the medical aid card which gives them a starting point in accessing health care.
“As Cimas, we cannot answer all the questions but my experience is that with that medical aid card, at least you have something where you can start from. At least you can get into a hospital and get attended to,” he said.
He also said the media should play its role of making sure that they were accountable as an organization saying the media should encourage them where they do things right and put whatever they do out there as it is.
The group Chief Operations Officer (COO) Thando Kembo said they were relying on the media to tell people the services they were offering which makes Cimas outstanding.
She said there were statistics that people were living longer so they were inspiring healthier communities and said Cimas was different from others as they were not just funders.
“Our purpose is to inspire healthier communities and provide global standard health solutions. We cannot be compared by other funders because we are not just a funder but we are into wellness and healthcare. There are statistics that people are living longer and Africa will have the biggest number of people over 65 by 2050.
“At Cimas we say if you want to live longer, you want to be healthy and happy, that is why we focus and invest in health care so we are relying on your influence as the media to get people to join us,” said Kembo.
Journalists from various media organizations in Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland toured the group’s Medlab, the dental unit, Cimas clinic and the pharmacy.

Majority but marginalized: Women urged to unite, support each other

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Majority but marginalized: Women urged to unite, support each other

By Memory Rasa

Women have been urged to unite and support each other when it comes to politics and other leadership positions as they constitute the majority of the population but still struggle to secure foothold in the political arena.
Patriarchy, violence, intimidation, negative perceptions, and limited access to resources in Zimbabwe are some of the forces they have to endure before attaining the so much yearned inclusivity in the decision making processes.
Speaking at the recently held documentary launch on History of Women’s Political Participation in Zimbabwe at Hyatt Regency: Meikles Hotel in Harare, former Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Dr Thokozani Khupe said women themselves were a barrier to their inclusion in politics.
She said women were not able to support fellow women making it a nightmare for those who have the guts to test the political waters.
“Women are enemies to their own progress; they do not believe in themselves hence them not imagining that fellow women are capable of anything that’s why there are few women in leadership positions despite being the majority,” said Dr Khupe.
She said this giving context of how she was disqualified and downgraded despite her being the most senior member on the party’s hierarchy to lead MDC-T after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai.
She said she faced backlash and got little or no support from fellow women who were at the fore front of mocking her saying she could not lead a party, a position she aspired and was poised to take.
“The reason I am still standing here today is because I am a woman and women have to be strong, I had to have shock absorbers. There are no women in this country who have endured assaults like I did. Men called me all names one can think of, women had to nominate and support men they didn’t know just to get rid of me.
“However, I am a fighter, I am still fighting and even cancer will not win against me because women always win,” said Dr Khupe.
Speaking at the same event, women’s rights advocate, war veteran and former legislator Margaret Dongo said it was high time the Zimbabwean government recognize the importance of placing women in the forefront for the socio-economic development of the country.
“Women have always been capable of leading the country. We cannot continue getting handouts from men through quota systems as if we are not equal. I joined the liberation war when I was just 15 and the duties I was doing were equal to those done by men. We all fought in the war equally; what men can do, women can also do. There is no justification for men to occupy all seats and ministerial posts in this country, we all deserve equal opportunities,” said Dongo.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Virginia Muwanigwa said Zimbabwe has to support legal and policy framework, with Section 56 of the Zimbabwean Constitution that protect women’s right to vote and contest elections.
She said in practice, women face significant barriers hence a lot needed to be done to ensure that their civic rights were exercised and implored women to consider taking part in politics.
“To truly empower women in Zimbabwean politics, societal attitudes must change. Women must be viewed as equals, and their participation in politics should be supported and encouraged. By addressing these challenges, Zimbabwe can move towards a more equitable political landscape,” said Muwanigwa.
The launch was organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation For Freedom, a renowned organization that is dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights and economic freedom.
Women from various fields converged to showcasee the power of female leadership and collaboration. Other key figures who were present include Beatrice Karimatsenga- Nyamupinga who was standing in for the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tsitsi Gezi, former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) vice president Senator Lynnette Karenyi- Kore, Masvingo Zanu PF youth quota legislator Naledi Maunganidze, WIPSU executive director Sakhile Sifelani and LEAD president Linda Masarira among others.
Despite making up more than half of the population, women hold only 23.3 percent of cabinet positions and 26.9 percent of parliamentary seats globally.

Residents complain over closure of council clinics on weekends

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Residents complain over closure of council clinics on weekends

By Perpetua Murungweni

Masvingo residents have raised concern over closure of council clinics on weekends saying people were having challenges in getting health services even during emergencies.
One resident, Zvifadzo Marare said when they go to Masvingo Provincial Hospital they will be referred back to the council clinics which will be closed during weekends, making it difficult to get attention.
“It is difficult to access health care services on weekends as most council clinics will be closed and if you go to Masvingo General Hospital, you will be turned back. They say the General Hospital is only for referrals and they would need a referral letter.
“They also say the General Hospital caters for residents in Rhodene and surrounding areas. So council should consider opening their clinics over the weekend because no one plans to get ill,” said Marare.
Another resident, Tariro Chari, said the only other alternative that residents had was to go to private clinics which becomes costly considering the economic situation.
“If you get ill during the weekend you would have to go to a private clinic for medical services which is very expensive and at the end of the day we are forced to wait until Monday to go to the clinic,” said Chari
Masvingo City Council Director of Health and Environmental Services, Suzanne Madamombe said closure of council clinics on weekends was due to staffing constraints and lack of resources.
“Council clinics close on weekends due to staffing constraints; we have limited personnel and difficulties in maintaining adequate staffing levels on weekends. Lack of resources is also a problem as we prioritize available resources for weekday operations when demand is typically higher, than on weekends,” said Madamombe.
Madamombe said council ensures continuity of care for patients requiring services during weekends by providing plans that last through weekends and also said there were other alternative facilities that people could rush to in case of emergency.
“We try to provide patients with sufficient medication and treatment plans to last through weekends, sometimes the clinics are opened on Saturday 7am to 4pm to shorten the weekend. We also offer emergency contact information for urgent concern and refer patients requiring ongoing care to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
“There are also alternative healthcare facilities or services available for residents during weekends and these include Masvingo Provincial Hospital emergency, casualty department (for urgent care) and private healthcare providers offering extended hours,” said Madamombe.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association Board Chairperson Thomas Mbetu said the sad development limited access to essential services by residents.
“This decision has raised significant alarms among our communities, as it severely limits access to essential health services during a time when many individuals require immediate medical attention.
“Illness does not adhere to a schedule; it arises unexpectedly any time, including weekends. By closing clinics during these critical times, we are effectively denying residents the healthcare they need. This not only undermines public health but also places unnecessary strain on emergency services, which may already be overwhelmed.
“We urge council to reconsider this decision and explore solutions that would allow for minimal weekend services, Whether through adjusted staffing schedules, community volunteer programs, or partnerships with local healthcare providers,” said Mbetu.

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