Upenyu Chaota

GUTU – Francis Zimuto, popularly known as Black Jesus, who passed on last week, was given a hero send-off over the weekend at his mother’s rural home in Makore village under chief Makore in Gutu.
The 62 year-old war veteran, whose efforts helped to start the Land Reform Programme, was given a state-assisted burial which saw government dignitaries attending and the military giving him a three man gun salute.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa, war veterans secretary general Victor Matemadanda, war veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya and other legislators from Masvingo province witnessed the send-off.
Alleged members of Team Lacoste also went to bid farewell to their colleague while suspected Generation 40 (G40) loyalists snubbed the burial.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Amasa Nhenjana was one of ruling party officials who became conspicuous by his absence.
Mahofa described Zimuto as an astute war veteran whose contributions to the country’s liberation will forever be appreciated.
“Zimuto was a great leader and his role from the liberation struggle to the time of his death will be cherished forever.
“He always said the truth and we liked him like that. His journey ends here but the journey for the rest of Zimbabweans is still on going.
“We are like the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. Not all of us will reach the land of milk and honey. Some of us will die but others will come and take over and lead,” said Mahofa.
She fired warning shots at people who go against the revolutionary principles saying they should be careful so as to avoid bringing trouble to themselves.
“The constitution says people have their freedoms to do what they want but they will not watch when people lose direction while going against Zanu PF,” said Mahofa.
Mahofa took the opportunity to urge political leadership to give food aid to everyone without discrimination. She said she was worried to hear that some Zanu PF leaders were blocking opposition supporters from getting food aid.
“Food aid must not be distributed along political lines. The aid is for everyone despite their political affiliation and I urge you today that when it comes to food, everyone must receive their share weather they are green, yellow, black or red,” said Mahofa amid ululations from the mourners.
She also called for unity in the party and pleaded with the masses to support President Mugabe because it is his time to lead.
“We still have a long way to go and a lot of leadership roles many of us have to assume. Right now we have President Mugabe as our leader and we should support him. Moses led the Israelites to Canaan but he did not reach there with them.
“He died along the way and another leader was appointed. So, as long as Mugabe is still able, he will lead us but some other people will reach Canaan with us. Zimuto today has died and you never know who could be next,” said Mahofa.news

Masvingo Urban legislator and Zanu PF politburo member, Daniel Shumba has challenged the masses to stand up and constitutionally challenge the ruling party if they do not like its rule rather than complain aimlessly as that will not help them.
Addressing a packed Charles Austin theatre at Civic Centre in Masvingo during the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) dialogue meeting last week, Shumba said the law provided for citizens’ power to hold their government to account.
He argued that the people are to blame for the rot in the country due to their failure to act.
“Our problems stem from our failure to follow through on the ideals of the constitution we voted for. I am deeply concerned that we have allowed corruption and externalisation of natural resources. If you go to Beitbridge border post, everybody; black, white and brown is externalising resources.
“We have allowed self-enrichment and corruption at all levels. We have allowed externalisation of resources; money which has affected our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We have got a spirit of entitlement in Zimbabwe and that has killed a culture of hard work while promoting laziness and corruption,” said Shumba.
“If you don’t like somebody, there is something you can do about it….even if it’s Zanu PF or me. We need to rid our systems of partisanship. We are to blame for the mess,” he said.
He however accused the West of injecting over 380 million euros into the country, not through the fiscus but through civic society groups opposed to the government.
He claimed that this year alone, a lot of money had found its way into the country through the wrong channels.
“We need to introspect as to why we have many challenges in African politics because most of the political discourse is as a consequent of sorcerers. Wherever two people of a family have a disagreement, it is easier to resolve as a family but when an external person comes and supports one or the other, agitation begins,” Shumba said.news

ZVISHAVANE – Not only in the political realm are defections common but in sport too as was evidenced by events at Mandava Stadium at the weekend when a number of FC Platinum fans abandoned Norman Mapeza after seeing their side’s dream of clinching the premiership become a nightmare following a one all draw with Ngezi Platinum.
A number of disgruntled supporters who spoke to this publication made it clear they will not be supporting FC Platinum next season if the team fails to bring the silverware to Mandava.
They said they would rather go back to their roots – Shabani Mine FC – who are promising to come back into the premiership next season.
The draw in Mandava seemed to have extinguished title hopes for the Zvishavane-based side, which now lies third, and is trailing log leaders Caps United by two points with only three games left.
“Mapeza has failed to take us to Canaan, we need new blood we can’t endure the pain anymore. It’s better to support Division One football…it’s not stressful,” said a disgruntled fan.
“ZvePlatinum zvandikona ini, ukaona yavapa number 3 ziva kuti season yakupera, Bvaru Bvaru ikange nani (if you see FC Platinum at third position be assured that the season is towards its end, supporting Bvaru Bvaru is better).
“For the third year running, FC Platinum proved to be a potential title contender only to choke on the last hurdle. We have been leading for the greater part of the season only to be disappointed at last,” said Tapiwa Phiri, a football fanatic.
However, a ray of light shone towards Pure Platinum play’s way as Caps United drew three-all with Dynamos, leaving them with the hopes of turning the tables again if both Highlanders and Caps United drop points.
Mapeza’s phone was unavailable by the time of this publication.news

As the need for food aid continues to rise in the drought-stricken Masvingo province with almost everyone in need of relief aid, the Community Based Aid Programme (CBAP) has rescued 724 families in wards 1, 13, 17 and 19 of Masvingo district.
The programme, which started in August this year, has targeted the four wards in Masvingo district.
CBAP director Samuel Mhungu said these wards were the most affected by drought hence the first priority.
“We carried out a survey in the district and it showed that these wards were the most affected and we gave them the first priority from what we had.
“When the programme started in August, each family received 50kg regardless of the family size and 181 families benefitted from each of the wards till September.
“In October 301 families received maize in ward 1 while 290 families in ward 17 and 133 households benefitted from the food aid in ward 19,” said Mhungu.
Ward 13 councillor Trust Mugabe said the food aid came at an opportune time when the people were starving due to the poor yields last season.
“The food shortages we are facing today are not limited to my ward alone but they are a national crisis. Almost every household is surviving on one meal per day and any aid that comes is deeply appreciated.
“CBAP has been very helpful by feeding the starving families from the time they started food aid distribution in August this year.
“We welcome anyone who comes in handy to help our starving people,” said Mugabe.news

MPANDAWANA – A 34-year-old Gutu teacher at Chiwara High School last week took her boyfriend – also a teacher at the same school – to the civil court for dumping and refusing to marry her after almost two years
She was demanding US$8740 for damages.
Vivian Zinhanga from Zaka and her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Chirangwi from Murewa appeared before Gutu Resident Magistrate, Edwin Marecha.
She wanted Chirangwi to pay the money, part of which would be used to reimburse the cost she allegedly incurred when she helped him import his car as well as pay his bills.
“Your Worship, this man lied to me that I was going to be his wife soon after he buys a car. We started dating in March 2015 and I helped him. I accompanied him to Tanzania to collect his car.
“When we came back, he texted his friend and told him that he was missing his wife and kids and was planning to go and apologise to his wife and take her back. I confronted him about the issue but he applied for a protection order against me and I was evicted from his house at the school quarters. He used to earn only US$30 a month and I covered everything else for him,” Zinhanga said.
Chirangwi, however, denied that the complainant paid his bills and claimed that Zinhanga was no wife material as she was violent and would bring other boyfriends to their workplace.
He also alleged that she had told him his life was in her hands; implying she could use witchcraft to kill him.
“I never on any occasion promised her a marriage. I would never say that and all witnesses she brought here are fake. She bought bar ladies to come here to stand as her sisters,” said Chirangwi.
A miffed Zinhanga threatened this reporter for attending the court session and threatened to deal with her if the story got published.
Marecha warned the complainant against being too emotional saying she should let the court and journalists do their job.
The case was postponed to November 2, 2016.news

ZVISHAVANE – Two local craftsmen have brought life to the craft industry in Zvishavane by opening up a new exhibition centre at corner Goddard Road and Robert Mugabe Way near Zvishavane Town Council offices.
Born and raised in Zvishavane, the two artists, Kudakwashe Makalisa and Agusto Nyoni, of Mandava said they saw the need to exhibit their artisanal talents in their home town.
After showcasing their work in many places around Zimbabwe and abroad, the two said they have decided to look for a permanent place for their products closer home.
Speaking to TellZim News, Makalisa said they were praying about getting a permanent place to operate from so that they could move away from marketing their wares on the streets.
“Our aim was to get a permanent place to operate from and parade our products to customers. We are humbled that we have got a suitable place now,” Makalisa said.
The centre is the first of its kind in Zvishavane and the artisans say they wish to partner with other willing artisans to grow the craft industry in the Midlands and the country at large.

Brighton Chiseva

Zaka – Panganai High School was last week crowned Chief Nhema trophy champions after a 3 – 2 win over Matara in the finals at Chinorumba High School in Zaka district.
The tournament, which is held yearly and is sponsored by Flexi Mart Supermarket in partnership with Chief Nhema, Rangarirai Bwawanda, attracted 11 schools this year.
The first runner-up in Group A was Panganai, in Group B was Mutsambwa which finished the group stages undefeated and without conceding a goal while Matara was the first runner-up in Group C.
Panganai secured a ticket to the finals after dismissing Mutsambwa by two goals to one in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in the semis.
 Matara secured theirs after beating Tsiga with a goal to nil in the semi-finals.
The champions walked away with two soccer kits, boots, socks and a ball. The second team got a soccer kit, boots, socks and a ball while number three and four were given a soccer kit and a ball and the rest of the participants were given a ball each.
Mutsambwa’s Kudakwashe Tarume was named player of the tournament while Courage Dembure was crowned the best goalie after serving several penalties.
Admire Ndemo from Panganai went away with the top goal-scorer prize with three goals and Kudakwashe Chimbemu from Matara was the most disciplined player.
Speaking after the tournament, Flexi Mart sales operations director, Wilson Mususa, said he was humbled by the support from their customers in Zaka.
“If you continue supporting us and buying from our shops, then we will not stop coming back with your money and sponsor tournaments like this,” said Mususa.
Chief Nhema said the tournament was meant to scout for young talent as well as help the schools with what they need.
“When we were at school, some schools had no balls or kits, so I decided to help them through this sponsorship,” said Cheif Nhema.
Lettie Chadamoyo, who stood for the Provincial Education Director (PED) as Guest of Honour, thanked Flexi Mart Supermarkets and Chief Nhema for their unique partnership for the development of sport.
Other schools which participated in the tournament were the host Chinorumba, previous winners St James, Muroyi, Mutevhure, Svingarimwe and Rusere.news

Davison Marenga

ZVISHAVANE – The establishment of the Midlands State University (MSU)’s Zvishavane campus has led to a rapid increase in the use of Levonogestrel pills, popularly known as ‘morning after’ pills, a situation that threatens to reverse recent against new HIV infection rates, it has been said.
Speaking at the sidelines of Bethany Project Sports Gala, the District AIDS Coordinator, Denis Jaravani was worried that statistics of new HIV infection and prevalence in Zvishavane could soon point to the worst due to evidence of unprotected sex by students.
Although Jaravani expressed cautious optimism on the recent gains the district has made in reducing HIV cases, he made it clear that infection rates remain very high in such places as Mabula, Zuderburg and Mandava due to the presence of many artisanal miners.
“We fear that the figures may increase with the coming of (MSU) students as statistics we get show that the use of morning after pills increase in the course of their semesters,” Jaravani said, warning young people on the dangers of promiscuity and unprotected sex.
The morning after pill is up to 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex.
Jaravani said extensive awareness campaigns had nonetheless seen the district dropping from second position last year to fifth this year in terms of HIV prevalence rate in the Midlands.
Bethany Project director, Rebecca Gumbo urged the youth to protect their health by engaging in activities that keep them away from sex.
“The youth must avoid risky behavior that put their lives in danger. The main idea of this event is to encourage the youth to know their HIV status to enable them to shape their future accordingly,” Gumbo said.
“We are planning to reach the vision 2020 goals; getting 90 percent of the people tested to know their HIV statuses. I hope with the help we are getting from various stakeholders and the responses we are getting from the youth, the goal will be achieved,” she added
The gala was graced by a number of stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Midlands AIDS Caring Organisation, Midlands Aids Support Organisation, National Aids Council (NAC) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.news