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Three arrested over demonstration

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Three arrested over demonstration
By Itai Muzondo
 Three pressure group members, Honest Makasi, Misheck Gavi and Simbabrashe Hove were yesterday arrested for organizing a demonstration over the continued blackouts by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
The three were facing charges of breaching the Criminal Codification Act Chapter 9:23 as they are alleged to be promoting public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry.

Police details who  dispersed the demonstrators yesterday
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) disrupted the gathering at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) from which people were to march to ZESA offices.
The demonstration was organized by residents at Mucheke hall on the 21st of November 2014 after ZESA failed to pop up at the community meeting organized by Election Resource Centre (ERC)in collaboration with Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT).
The three are being represented by lawyers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Martin Mureri of Matutu and Mureri Associates. Local

Volley ball club cries foul

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Volley ball club cries foul
By Itai Muzondo

Masvingo based volleyball club Rujeko Marlins has expressed that the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA) is not doing enough to accommodate every team in the national league.
The club claims that teams outside Harare were not being given full attention they deserve. The allegations were basing on the argument that all national games were being played in Harare.
 Rujeko Marlins spokesperson Richard Maipisi said his club felt sidelined by the association. Maipisi added that besides being neglected by the association, his club was facing a lot of challenges that included financial problems.
“We would want to join the national leaguebut the main challenge is that we cannot sustain ourselves, we need a sponsor.
“The biggest challenge however is that Zimbabwe Volleyball Association is not doing much to accommodate every team as the national league is centralized in Harare, only teams in Harare have an open chance. If only they could rotate the matches we could manage playing in the competitive league as well”, said Maipisi.

ZVA president Fredrick Ndlovu was however of a different view saying the league is based on standard than balancing ratios.
“The league is not all about accommodating everyone but more of playing on standards than balancing ratios that every province gets a chunk in the league.
“For a team to be eligible for national league they must prove it in the pre-season play offs so if they do not come forward or if they are beaten, how do they expect to compete in the national league”, said Ndlovu.
This year’s volleyball national league has since closed with Railstars winning the competition. It ran under the theme, Get Involved, Keep The Ball Flying.

NBSZ gears up for festive season

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NBSZ gears up for festive season
 By Moses Ziyambi

Contingency measures have been put in place to meet the expected upsurge in blood demand this festive season, the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) Masvingo branch has revealed.
In an interview, NBSZ Public Relations Officer Mr Michael Chakoma told Tell Zimbabwe that his organisation anticipated a rise in the demand of blood this coming festive season and has since embarked on preparatory measures to keep up with the demand.
“We are expecting to meet all blood requirements in our hospitals during this coming festive season through a number of blood drives that have been lined up for the 4th to 17th of December. We are looking forward to significantly raise levels of our blood banks through those campaigns,” said Mr Chakoma.
“We will begin in Hippo Valley at Section 27 Clinic on the 4th of December and end on the 17th of December at St Lukes in Chivi,” he said.
Other areas including Masvingo, Chiredzi and Jerera will also be catered for on the dates in between.
He said that periodical shortages of blood are usually experienced during schools holidays when school donors are away.
“School children form part of our most reliable donor base and the “Pledge 25 Club” is mainly targeted at them,” he said.
Pledge 25 Club is a community of school-going blood donors who pledge to make at least 25 donations before they reach the age of 30.
“It’s a strategy which has worked so well in Zimbabwe that it has since been adopted by up to 64 countries across the world. We are proud of that achievement,” added Chakoma.
Membership of Pledge 25 in Masvingo province, said Chakoma, currently stands at 704 of which 525 are active members.
“We encourage members to bring their friends along,” said Chakoma.
On the planned blood drives, Chakoma said members of the public will be welcome to donate blood at designated areas of the province.
He however expressed dismay at the low numbers of irregular blood donors, saying people need to appreciate the important role that blood donations play in saving lives.



“We are still having some challenges in as far as community involvement is concerned. Our target is to have at least fifty walk-in donors every month. Sometimes we exceed that figure but we also fail to reach it at times,” said Chakoma.
He encouraged members of the public to come on board and play their part by contributing to the country’s blood banks, saying the success of any initiative depends on public participation.
“We are appealing for donors out there to come and donate blood so that the country won’t have shortages and to ensure that we will be able to help all those who will need it in the course of the festive season. We expect an increase in the number of walk- in donors.” he added.
The sole blood and blood products supplier in the country, NBSZ is a non-profit registered organisation that operates under the Ministry of Health and Child Care.local
   
      

Masvingo sitting on health time bomb

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Masvingo sitting on health time bomb
Tell Reporter
The people in Masvingo are living in perpetual fear of a serious disease outbreak! It has become an open secret that the Masvingo city council is failing to provide sanitary facilities at critical areas dotted around the city.
Whenever we talk about health issues in the city, places such as the popular Chitima market, Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle area, Exor Service station, Mucheke bus terminus and Runyararo West suburbs easily come to mind. These places need an urgent attention of the responsible authorities especially now when we are approaching the rainy season.
As it is today, one is tempted to think that the municipality does not have a health department. I want to believe that the council has since abolished a health department and therefore, there is need to plead with the responsible authority to urgently set up a department that deals with health issues in Masvingo. I don’t want to think that such a department exist at our council because that would be a big scandal downplayed.  Why would someone get paid to keep Masvingo dirty?
 If someone insist that there is health department at our council then I will be persuaded to think that whoever heads the department is sleeping on duty. This article should therefore come as a wakeup call to the responsible authorities to intervene and provide sanitary facilities at public places in Masvingo.

            Uncollected garbage now an eyesore in Masvingo
It is disturbing to realize that there are no public toilets at Chitima flea market and yet the responsible authorities collect money from vendors at the said flea market on daily basis.  I think its atrocious to collect money for nearly a decade now and ignore the concerns of the affected vendors? I am informed that the municipality collect money from the flea market on daily basis and I dont want to think that they are collecting over US$ 1000 from desperate vendors every day. Lets learn to do the right thing so that we remain respected. Can someone tell me that the council is failing to raise some money to erect even a blair toilet at Chitima.
The council is putting the health of both vendors and their clients at risk. Thousands of people flock to this market everyday but some people have decided to leave the place to operate without sanitary facilities. We just need to be more serious and make sure that we don’t take the people’s lives for granted.
Just recently, the outspoken Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) chairperson Prosper Tiringindi urged the council to consider changing its rubbish dumping site. I want to thank Tiringindi for fighting for the people’s rights.
 The council should not wait for Tiringindi to cry for them to take action. The people in Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch are sitting on a health time bomb. There are flies all over due to the rubbish being dumped a few meters away from their houses.
We don’t want to wait for either MRT or Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) to hold a demonstration over lack of sanitary facilities at the EXOR fuel service station for the council to take action. We must have a responsible council which can take action before pressure groups complain over certain issues.
I have just pointed at a few critical points that need urgent intervention but as I see it ladies and gentlemen, we just need  the council with its publics at heart. Let’s keep Masvingo clean to avoid Cholera outbreak. As it is today, Masvingo is sitting on health time bomb!!Local

Residents plead with council to improve roads

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Residents plead with council to improve roads
Tell Reporter

Residents in Masvingo’s Rujeko suburbs have urged the city council to prioritize the maintenance of roads in the residential areas.

Speaking at a heated budget consultative meeting held at Rujeko hall in ward 7 on Wednesday, people condemned the council for taking too long before attending to dilapidated roads.

“You are not serious, we want you to maintain our roads. We suspect that you are not even aware of the state of our roads,” said one the residents.

However, ward seven councillor Richard Musekiwa defended the council saying the local municipality was broke.

He added that the council was not getting adequate funding from the government arm responsible for road maintenance.

“Our funds don’t permit us to deal with the problem at hand. We have therefore, proposed to come up with $3 roads levy per house so that we improve the state of our roads,” said Musekiwa.

The meeting was attended by more than 40 people from ward 7.Local

Gandawa urges universities to prioritise student health

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Gandawa urges universities to prioritise student health
By Moses Ziyambi
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Dr Godfrey Gandawa has urged institutions of higher learning to prioritise student welfare and prepare for global pandemics by investing in their health facilities in order to meet student health needs.
Speaking at the official opening of the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s Mashava Students Medical Centre this week, Dr Gandawa challenged universities and colleges to improve their medical services to suit the growing health needs of students.
“Student health needs are more complex now than ever before. More students today come to campus with significant health needs including mental health challenges mainly in need of help to manage serious health challenges like asthma, chronic illnesses and even physical disabilities,” said Dr Gandawa.
He called for preparedness in light of the increasingly divergent health challenges that face students of higher learning.
“The growing numbers of international students and increased international travel by students, universities need to be prepared for global pandemics as well as to offer long distance medical, psychological and counselling to students travelling or studying off campus,” he said
He highlighted that the well-being of students should be of primary concern of leaders as students play a critical role in the existence of institutions of tertiary education.
“That the student is the biggest stakeholder of any institution of higher learning is no secret, and ignorance of this fact can hamper any institution’s growth and realisation of its mandate,” said Dr Gandawa.
“The realisation of the importance of student welfare by institutions drives them to cater adequately for student welfare inside and outside the classroom,” he added.

Dr Gandawa also encouraged universities to emulate GZU and look beyond the basics when providing medical services to their students.
“Gone are the days when most universities and colleges believed that their only responsibility in student health was to set up a clinic to treat minor ailments and injuries. Today, driven by a broader and better understanding of health and its impact on leaning, institutions of higher learning such as Great Zimbabwe University provide much more,” said Dr Gandawa, commenting the University for setting a good example.
“The establishment of this centre has placed Great Zimbabwe University steps ahead in the provision of quality student health services in the country and the region.”
The deputy minister had reserved some good words for First Mutual Life Insurance Company for its contribution to the success of the project.
“I am marvelled by the work that First Mutual has done. This is not only corporate social responsibility but you are leading in helping the government to achieve its objectives under difficult conditions,” he said.
Besides funding the renovations and equipment of the medical centre to the tune of 88 000 US Dollars, First Mutual also donated an ambulance worthy 35 000 US Dollars.
Group CEO Mr Douglas Hoto said his company was pleased to be involved in projects of that nature despite the challenging economic climate in the country.
“Difficult times call for good people. The challenges that we have are the source of inspiration,” said Mr Hoto.
“We believe in the higher education sector because we believe we are sowing a seed for future potential customers of our business and we want to catch them young,” he added.
The official opening of the medical centre was also attended by several dignitaries including GZU Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo, Reformed Church University (RCU) Chancellor Professor Wiseman Magwa and City of Masvingo Mayor Mr Hubert Fidze.Local
   
 

MURRA WELCOMES JAIL SENTENCE OF BABY KILLER COUNCIL COPS

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MURRA WELCOMES JAIL SENTENCE OF BABY KILLER COUNCIL COPS
MURRA Resident Reporter.
The province’s biggest residents representative body, Masvingo United Residents and Rate Payers Association (MURRA) on Monday welcomed the sentencing of city council killer cop to one year in jail.
The resident’s body in a statement said the passing of an effective 12 months jail sentence to Jacob Mugova Mutero (58) who crushed its member, Sinikiwe Mutezo’s three month old baby girl to death was fair.
“We would like to welcome the magistrate’s judgment. It was a fair judgment and sends a clear message to city council cops and other employees that no one has the right to take life,” read part of the statement.

The Baby killer municipal cop crushed to death Politie Mutezo while she was lying beside her mom’s vegetable stall during a crackdown on informal traders who sell their wares at undesignated points.


File Pic…Police holding crushed baby
Masvingo Magistrate, Oliver Mudzongachiso slapped Mutero with an effective one year jail after convicting him of culpable homicide and condemned him for negligence driving.
Mudzongachiso lambasted Mutero for taking the law in his hands by deliberately smashing vendors’ vegetables when the by-laws implore them to confiscate until the vendors pay a fine.
Mutero crushed the baby, Polite’s head and died on the spot while he was driving a council vehicle at high speed attempting to smash her mom’s vegetables.
The fateful incident sparked riots and protests by angry residents who eventually set alight the council vehicle he was driving.
A commuter omnibus which was parked nearby was caught in cross fire and set ablaze.
MURRA however hailed Mudzongachiso for being firm and sending the baby killer municipal cop to the galores.
“While we hail the magistrate for being firm and setting an example to rancorous council workers who are in the habit of abusing residents who sell their wares for a living, we call upon the judiciary to give stiffer sentences to such people who cause the loss of lives of innocent residents,” MURRA said.Local

Council amends strategic plan to incorporate ZimAsset

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Council amends strategic plan to incorporate ZimAsset
By Itai Muzondo
The Masvingo City Council (MCC) has ammended its five year strategic plan in order to incorporate some Zim Asset clusters, Tell Zimbabwe has learnt.
According to the documents seen by this publication, a week-long workshop was held in Beitbridge  – about 300 kilometers south of Masvingo last week with city fathers, council officials and some residents discussing on how they can come up with a strategic plan from 2015 – 2019 which aligns to the Zim Asset.
Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) chairperson, Prosper Tiringindi  who attended the workshop in Beitbridge however, welcomed the move by the council to involve residents on issues that affect them.
 “This is a positive step by our council to work with the community as stakeholder participation is critical and as M.R.T we welcome the development and will work towards implementation of such projects”, said Tiringindi.
      Part of Masvingo city’s CBD
The plan emphasis on service delivery by council. Specific areas that needed improvement include water supply from 24 to 60 mega liters, road networks from 10% to 15% and accessibility of maternity services from 34% to 99% by year ending 2019.
The City Mayor Hubert Fidze told Tell Zimbabwe that the council will work hard to implement the strategic plan. He however, said financial problems remained a major threat challenge.
“We promise residence that we will work hard to meet these goals though financial problems continue to haunt us”, said Fidze.
The strategic meeting came amid challenges that 90% of residents experience water rationing for 12 hours per day, 80% of the roads are potholed and there has been a delay in implementation of prepaid parking in C.B.D to curb congestion whereas 67% of expecting mothers do not have access to maternity services in their neighbourhood as there is lack of maternity services in new neighbourhoods.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayer’s Association coordinator Anoziva Muguti was not available for comment.Local

Zanu PF owes us an apology

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Zanu PF owes us an apology
Opinion by Golden Maunganidze
We have been talking about political developments in Zanu PF and MDC-T for a couple of weeks now. Some people were however saying that the chaos is our revolutionary party is a calculated move by veteran politicians in that party to divert our attention from bread, butter and jam issues!
I almost bought that idea but as I see it ladies and gentlemen, we have reached a climax in terms of divisions within the party. Some people are saying that we have interesting times ahead…referring to developments likely to take place just before and after Zanu PF congress pencilled for next month.
As I see it ladies and gentlemen, if indeed Zanu PF was trying to divert us from real challenges affecting us on daily basis, then someone should remind them that they are overdoing it. In fact all politicians in the revolutionary party certainly owe the nation an apology. Before or after the congress, sooner or later, I think that at some point, the noble minds in Zanu PF should come out and say sorry to the nation. When people voted for you last year, they never thought it would turn up to be this chaotic. However, as I see it nhambetambe inoregwa ichanaka, this is the time to sit down and see how you can convince the nation that you have people at heart otherwise since you were voted in to power, all you managed to show us is your selfishness –uku kurovana kuti mudye moga here nhai veduwe?
This reminds me of our own Garikai Sithole who tried to launch his political party here in Masvingo early this year. Sithole has been seen as a political joke by many and as a result his political party Zimbabwe Empowerment Movement (ZEM) might struggle to attract even two people to a rally but I like Sithole for one thing – at least he can open his mouth and tell the nation what he thinks. Get me right, I am not saying you just have to open your mouth and say something kungowawata for nothing. No. I am talking about people who can say a fact at least once in their life time. For those who do not know Sithole or Gari as his is affectionately known in his circles, he is an ex-soldier who claims to be the late hero Edison Sithole’s son. He sued Ian Smith 10 years ago. His political party’s motto is Ngatidye tose (Lets all benefit from national resources) He goes on to say that takarwa hondo tikahwina todyei? These are critical questions that are being ignored. I am not campaigning for this man and for a record, I am not interested in becoming anyone’s campaigning manager!
If you closely follow events taking place in our revolutionary party, surely you can say Sithole is justified.  Someone, I mean mumwewo munhu said “If you show me a politician who is not corrupt in Zimbabwe, I will show you a virgin prostitute”. I laughed my lungs out but upon thinking about the statement, I realised that as a nation we really have to rethink the way we play the game of politics. Some people maybe for reasons best known to them believe that they are clever than the whole country because they are politicians.
I did not want to talk about politics and sad developments in this country today but you know sometimes you are really forced to talk about things which are affecting every Tom, Dick and Marry.
Apart from the drama we are witnessing, there are other various issues that need our immediate attention. Last week I talked about the need for everyone in Masvingo to participate in budget formulation. However, I am shocked to discover that still people are not interested in attending these meetings. I am referring to a story carried by tellzim.com on Monday which highlighted that some meetings by the council were attracting less than seven people…ma1 chaiwo. We are talking of this very important exercise and still people dont want to participate, saka musazochema kana conzuru yoita zvayajaira. Dont plead with me to elaborate because your guess is as ‘bad’ as mine kkkk!!
Let me end here for now lest I be accused of yep yep or speaking too much or yep yepping if you like!!!!
Golden Maunganidze is a journalist and a media trainer. He writes in his own capacity. You can send feedback or comments to goldenmaunganidze37@gmail.com

Masvingo Residents Trust urges council to shift dumping site

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Masvingo Residents Trust urges council to shift dumping site
By Shingirirai Chinondo

Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) has urged Masvingo city council to shift the Runyararo West dumping site which has become a health hazard to people living in the area.
The dumping site was established sometime ago before the residential area expanded to the area.
MRT chairperson Prosper Tiringindi said it was high time for the city council value the health of the residents.
“People are sitting on a health time bomb.  The dumping site is now very close to the people thus why you see a swam of flies everywhere in Runyararo West suburb,” said Tiringindi.
The dumping area is about 100 meters away from the residential area.

Tiringindi said he was very angry because the council was ignoring a very critical feature. He also said the dumping site was also a threat to the environment.
“The council is burning radios and TVs at the dumping area which emit dangerous gases which are hazardous to our environment,” added Tiringindi.
Meanwhile, MRT is working on creating another organisation the Masvingo Recycling centre which will take care of all the dumped rubbish.
“Next year we will establish an organisation called Masvingo Recycling Centre… this organisation will provide empty bins for societies as well as collecting or empting the bins and above all the organisation will create job vacancies for about 80 people from the squatters since we saw that those people are well experienced in recycling  rubbish,” said Tiringindi.Local
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