TellZimbabwe To page 5 Keeping it real... committed to tell Zimbabwe Page 13 3 - 9 Mar 2023 US$1 Mapombi www.tellzim.com 267 Simon Muzenda street, Trade Centre, Masvingo, Tel: (039) 2262 401, Email: [email protected] TellZimbabwe @TellZimbabwe TellZimbabwe tellzimnews TellZim News …Challenges Minister to come clean on 750 ha ...Blames corruption for Zanu PF’s poor outing in 2018 council elections US $14 million for village heads To page 3 If you want to win, work with village heads, they are the ones who know the number of households in their respective areas, they know everyone who is eligible to vote. That is why I am here, I have come to urge you (the Chief) to work with Zanu PF, see that you come from Zanu PF and you have already been working with them. as Zanu PF ‘bribes’ traditional leaders ahead of elections dangles medical aid to each traditional leader Brighton Chiseva ZAKA–Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo has promised a lump sum of US$50 each to 26 000 village heads dotted across the country backdated to May 2022, a figure that will amount to over US$14 million, among other pecks in what could be frantic efforts to pacify the rural electorate ahead of this year’s harmonized elections. Moyo made the remarks in Zaka at the installation ceremony of Chief Bota (real name Tafirenyika Bwazvo) at Bota Primary School on March 2, 2023, where he told the gathering that village heads were to be given US$550 each to cover the last 11 months, by end of March 2023, after which they will continue to get their US$50 monthly payouts starting April 2023. He said they had been left Declare war on corruption not January Disease Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo (Right) raising the Chief's staff during the installation of Chief Bota (left) born Tafirenyika Bwazvo.
2 News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 POLITICS, ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE To page 4 Yeukai Munetsi Kwekwe-The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance has recalled three Kwekwe City councillors for allegedly dumping the party and joining the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The recalled trio are Deputy Mayor and ward 3 councillor Pikirai Msipa, ward 7 Charles Juta and Ward 13’s Betty Ndlovu. Kwekwe Town Clerk Lucia Mnkandla confirmed the development after receiving an official communication from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. “It’s true, I have received the communication from the parent ministry that’s all I can say for now,” she said. Last year Mwonzora recalled then Mayor Angeline Kasipo (Ward 5), her deputy Melody Chingarande (Ward 10) and Washington Moyo (Ward 12) after they ditched his party for the newly formed CCC. Meanwhile the three recalled councillors who were recalled earlier have since bounced back into council chambers after winning by-elections. Cephas Shava Mwenezi -A group of self-styled traditional healers (n'angas) who had been housed at former Zanu PF heavyweight and Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti's orphanage before their symbiotic relationship turned sour have accused the latter of using and dumping them following their eviction Bhasikiti evicts traditional healers from orphanage …stranded N'angas accuse former minister of using and dumping them from the facility a few weeks ago. The group of 28 comprising of men, women and children are accusing Bhasikiti of backtracking on his initial pledges to them. The n'angas, led by one Sinibio Kakono also known as Gunjeremhute, were a few weeks ago evicted from the orphanage after Bhasikiti successfully applied for a court order at the Mwenezi Magistrate Court which necessitated the ultimate removal of his former consultants. With their belongings strewn all over an open space in the bush along the Masvingo-Beitbridge road, Tellzim News came faceto-face with the worst nomadic life style which for weeks now had become the group’s everyday life. Gunjeremhute who claims to be on a mission of fasting for the country blamed Bhasikiti for Mwonzora recalls Kwekwe deputy mayor, 2 councillors Douglas Mwonzora Former Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti Emmanuel Chitsika Masvingo- Z a n u PF on March 3, 2023 hijacked the official opening of Masvingo City Council (MCC) run and recently completed medical facility North West Medical Clinic which saw the ruling party’s Vice President and Second Secretary Kembo Mohadi turning up as the official guest. The decision to have Mohadi as the guest-of-honour stood despite fierce protests by the majority of the local authority’s councillors, with seven Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors boycotting the event stating that they did not want Mohadi to officiate at the event as he was no longer a government official but was only invited on partisan grounds. A source who was in the official briefing at the Civic Centre prior to the main event in Runyararo West suburb said Mohadi openly acknowledged receiving information of the Zanu PF hijacks council clinic opening …7 CCC councillors boycott event boycott by the councillors who stood firmly against his invitation. The source at Town House said the situation was so difficult as management could not decline Mohadi’s being invited and said the official opening was likely to be repeated. “The situation was so difficult and there was no way council management could turn Mohadi down from coming to the event. Initially, council arrangement To page 5 Zanu PF vice President Kembo Mohadi (With scarf) officially opens North West Clinic while Masvingo Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira (is on his right) while MCC Chamber secretary Vitalis Shonhayi and Health Director Suzzane Madamombe look on
News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 3 POLITICS, ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE US $14 million for village heads From page 1 out when government ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) were given packages and will, on top of that get free medical insurance for themselves, their spouses and three children under 18. “The President asked Chiduwa (Deputy Minister of Finance) to release funds to give to village heads after MPs and Ministers were given, Chiefs were given so the President said give the village heads and because we delayed the payouts, we are backdating to May last year. So all the 26 000 village heads under government pay roll will get to be paid a lump sum. “Some of the Chiefs are old and they get sick regularly, so each Chief will be given a medical aid, government will pay 80 percent and they will pay US$ 3, while headmen and village heads will be paying US$ 2 and $ 1 respectively. That is what President Mnangagwa is doing for you,” said Moyo. He said village heads were important to the party because they are the ones who know people who are eligible to vote in their villages. “If you want to win, work with village heads, they are the ones who know the number of households in their respective areas, they know everyone who is eligible to vote. That is why I am here, I have come to urge you (the Chief) to work with Zanu PF, see that you come from Zanu PF and you have already been working with the party. “If you see a Chief being greeted traditionally (Kuuchira mambo) by a DCC member, it shows that Chief belongs to Zanu PF,” said Moyo. He also acknowledged the presence of Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa saying he had come to see if the people of Bota will vote for Zanu PF. “The Chairman you chose to be the leader of Zanu PF in the province is here, I think he has come to see that since you have been given the chieftaincy, will you vote for the person who gave you the crown,” said Moyo. He said Masvingo had a number of acting chiefs and at some point there were 26 chiefs who were on acting basis and said he was on a spree to install substantive chiefs. Last year Zanu PF Vice President Kembo Mohadi toured the province meeting traditional leaders in a move that was seen as a way of getting assurance of loyalty from them. Substantive Chief Bota installed after 7 years and Charuka. The first recorded Chief was from Chimbwembwe’s Chipumho who reigned from 1937 to 1957 and Mawadze from the same house took over 1958 and acted until 1967. The throne went to Bwazvo house and the Chief, Mujena, reigned until from 1967 and because of his age, he appointed his son Wilson to reign in his stead. Wilson was later appointed acting chief in 1971 following his father’s death until his own death in 1977. Mawadze house took over in area has a ward councilor, so chiefs should work with councilors, Zanu PF leadership, his headmen and village heads. The headman should work with the ruling party and if you do, your area develops. “The Chief works with District Coordinating Committee (DCC) and provincial chairpersons, and if he does that, his area develops so I have come to urge you to work with Zanu PF because I have seen you are from Zanu PF. I was told that all your subjects are Zanu PF,” said Moyo. Tafirenyika, a 46 year-old staunch supporter of Zanu PF, is among the then youth who were allegedly notorious for causing a reign of terror in 2008. Bota has two main houses namely Mutatavikwa and Chimbwembwe. Mutatavikwa has two houses, Bwazvo and Nhenjana while Chimbwembwe has three namely Mawadze, Chipumo 1977 to 1980 and Chirikure Mawadze acted from 1980. The throne went back to Mutatavikwa under Chafa who reigned from 1984 to 1994 and his son Lazarus took over on acting basis. Charuka house took over with Chiyo Mugabe as the reigning Chief in 1995 until his death in 2016. Brighton Chiseva ZAKA - Substantive Chief Bota born Tafirenyika Bwazvo was finally installed after seven years, five years past the stipulated time of two years for an acting Chief. Bwazvo was installed at a ceremony officiated by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo. The last substantive Chief Bota (Chiyo Mugabe) died in 2016 and his son Peter Mugabe, who was reigning on his behalf since he was old, continued but was later removed after allegations of abuse of office. Speaking during the installation ceremony, Minister Moyo said the chief was mandated to work with the councilors and Zanu PF local leadership to develop the area. “We appreciate the development that each Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo hands over Chieftainship staff to the new Chief while senator Chief Chitanga (Felani Chauke) of Mwenezi (Left) looks on Chief Bota Tafirenyika Bwazvo (in royal robes) sits with family members during his installation at Bota Primary School Minister Moyo ready to cap the new Chief Bota at Bota Primary School recently
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Government moved in with a raft of measures among them provision of transport to flood-prone areas in the provinces the Cyclone was set to reach in case of the need for evacuation while school learners were advised to stay home up until a time when it was deemed safe to go to school. But due to a seemingly delayed landfall of the Tropical Cyclone, people began expressing different sentiments on the decision especially for learners to stay home ignoring the need for safety for those very learners. What could have been wrong with government being pro-active than reactive (just in case the cyclone turned violent)? Bearing in mind the disaster that ravaged the country with wounds yet to heal in form of the destruction caused by Cyclon e I d a i in 2019, who could have ignored employing measures to ensure history does not repeat itself? Considering the poor state in which most educational facilities find themselves in around the country, the decision for learners to stay home was good if not the best on offer. It may sound absurd and queer for a whole sane person to complain that Freddy has delayed or even not shown any form of destruction after landing as if w h e n t h e destruction is reported, it would bring anything positive. People should learn to be patient and trust the systems at play instead of playing the blame game after all for no meaningful gains. These future leaders need safety before one can talk of them losing one, two or three days of learning at the expense of their well-being. Even if the cyclone would divert and even fail to land in Zimbabwe, whose fault was it going to be as if it’s something driven by man or within the means of the Met department. There is need to act in a way that in case of disaster ravaging, then measures are employed to compensate or retrieve dead people from the waters at what and whose expense. People thus should constructively use these social media platforms to constructively criticize certain issues instead of abusing it that is by using it to drive false narratives in societies. Now that the cyclone finally landed, it may be safe for the responsible authority to decide on the course the academic calendar should follow and learners resume their lessons. Bhasikiti evicts traditional healers from orphanage the group's current predicament saying it was Bhasikiti himself who convinced him and his group to leave Seke (Chitungwiza) where they were based before even harvesting their crops. Gunjeremhute further confirms that it was indeed Bhasikiti who promised to accommodate them at his orphanage but had now dumped them using the Magistrates Court. "We were in Seke when Bhasikiti visited our shrine and he consulted us and we helped him to make a fortune out of his gold mines. After visiting us twice, Bhasikiti was impressed by what we did for him and he later on came back with his truck and he carried all of us free of charge to be here in Mwenezi. He himself is the one who volunteered to house us at his orphanage because we worked on a number of his problems. “Bhasikiti is the one who allowed us to clear and grow crops at the same orphanage but now given that our crops are mid-way for harvesting, owing to the court order, we are being barred from attending to them. We had initially agreed with Bhasikiti that we were going to stay at the orphanage as we please, that’s why we had begun some serious farming activities there," said Gunjeremhute. However, in a telephone interview Bhasikiti who admitted having at one point consulted one of the n'angas said the healers later on came From page 2 on their own to Mwenezi and he only accommodated them after they promised that they were going to stay for only two months. "I am not the one who brought them here but rather they came on their own. What is correct is that at one point in time I sought the assistance of one of them after one of my surveyors advised that there was need for traditional rites to be performed first for our mining activities to succeed. “After one of them visited my mine, they later on approached me saying that they have got some prayers for the country which they want to perform here in Mwenezi. They approached me sometime in June last year and I decided to temporarily accommodate them at the orphanage after they promised to stay for only two months. When the two months lapsed, they began to give excuses and that is when we decided to seek an eviction order from the courts," said Bhasikiti. The former minister who further opened up on the rapes charges which he is facing said the allegations only surfaced after he served the healers with the eviction order. He said he was the first person to raise a red flag after he suspected that the minor (who later turned out to be his alleged victim) was sexually abused by one of the traditional leaders. "Though the rape case is now before the Magistrate Courts, I can safely tell you that the same healers are the ones who framed me after I served them with the eviction order," he added. Bhasikiti who was arrested end of December last year over allegations of raping a minor who was based at his orphanage was released on bail pending trial. Soon after his release from remand he immediately initiated the eviction of the n'angas from the orphanage. The healer's group which had completely nothing to cover themselves and their loads of belongings from the current incessant rains which Mwenezi district are still stuck in the area. Following their eviction from the orphanage, the stranded group is now camping in a secluded bush just a few meters from where they were evicted, along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway just less than three kilometres from Rutenga Growth Point. Gunjeremhute sitting on a chair flanked by his colleagues
5 News TellZim News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 POLITICS, ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE Zanu PF hijacks council clinic opening …7 CCC councillors boycott event was that the clinic be officially opened at provincial level by Minister of State for Devolution and Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira but maybe the invited guest went on to invite his own guest as well and that is why Mohadi turned up. It was not as per council arrangement,” said the source. CCC councillors including the Mayor Collen Maboke, councillors Selina Maridza, Alec Tabe, Rocky Kamuzonda, Daniel Mberikunashe, Richard Musekiwa and Babylon Beta all did not turn up to the event that saw Zanu PF bussing supporters from peri-urban areas and some from Mashava, Bhuka and other surrounding rural communities. The aggrieved councillors on March 2 addressed a press conference on their decision to shun the official opening as they felt Mohadi was not the right candidate to do so. Deputy Mayor Wellington Mahwende, Against Chiteme and Sengerayi Manyanga, all from Zanu PF were the only councillors who turned up for the event. Mohadi at the health facility said the clinic was a product of devolution which he claimed was all from Zanu PF and its leadership. “Budiriro yese inouya nani? Inouya nehurumende inotungamirirwa navaMnangagwa (Who is responsible for presiding over developmental projects? The government led by Mnangagwa is responsible). “Nyika ino inotungamirirwa nevakomana vatatu nemudzimai mumwe chete (This country is led by three men and one lady and do you know them?( referring to Emmerson Mnangagwa, his deputies Constantine Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi and Oppah Muchinguri). The four have brought about development and this clinic is part of it. May you please take good care of the facility for it now belongs to you and it serves you,” said Mohadi. He had earlier officially led the routine monthly clean up exercise where he addressed scores of Zanu PF supporters at the Civic Centre emphasizing that ‘blood was shed’ for independence while the latter erupted into party songs and slogans. “Blood was shed for the liberation of this country. Let me remind you that the country is going to have elections either in the first or second half of this year and we are looking forward to Zanu PF victory. Nyika ndeyeropa uye vatungamiriri varipo ndevamwe vakarasikirwa neupenyu (This country saw blood shed and the current leaders are among those who lost their lives during the liberation war). “Zvinoita here kuti munhu asina kuvhima ouya paurawa mhuka achida kutora chiropa kana chirovadhibha pamhuka yaasina kuuraya (Is it possible for one to come and claim a share of the carcas’s liver or even brisket when he did not participate in its killing). Remember you promised us 5 million votes. We have chanted the slogan for quite some time, now we want it to happen practically “Someone was talking about good roads and boreholes drilled and I told him that it is Zanu PF doing that work. If the MDC fails to run councils which are smaller as compared to the whole country, how then would they be able to rule the country,” added Mohadi. The naming of the clinic has also been a subject of debate with Manyanga who chairs the Public Works Committee trying in vain on a number of occasions to name the clinic after national heroes or even the country’s President when he suggested it being named Hlupeko/Dambudzo (Mnangagwa’s second name). The plaque for the official opening had Mohadi’s name already written suggesting the public works department could From page 2 have been behind the move. North West Clinic Plaque that was unveiled by Zanu PF Vice President Kembo Mohadi during the official opening of the health centre
6 News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Emmanuel Chitsika Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has once again reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption which the authority says is a non-tariff barrier that downgrades Zimbabwean products competitiveness on the international market while at the same time eroding investor confidence in the country. Addressing journalists at Chevron Hotel in Masvingo last week, ZIMRA Corporate Affairs Director Gladman Njanji (speaking on behalf of Commissioner General Regina Chinamasa) urged the media to help the ‘taxman’ by joining the fight against corruption. “Ladies and gentlemen, I call upon each and every one of us not only to shun corruption but to use our positions in the media to highlight, condemn and write about corruption. Corruption is one of the biggest non-tariff barriers that makes our (Zimbabwean) products non-competitive on the international market and erodes investor confidence. “Zimra has put in place several measures to fight corruption which among them include whistleblower facility, anti-corruption hotline as Corruption-a non-tariff barrier eroding investor well as disciplining non-comp confidence-ZIMRA - liant staff in accordance with the laws of the land and the authority’s code of conduct, asset declarations and other means of justifying any cases of unjust enrichment as a way of curbing corruption. We have done this asset declaration on a number of occasions and we are not going to stop as we aim to ensure our members of staff live within their means otherwise we end up having a scenario that erode the trust that we want to maintain,” said Njanji. He also urged the media to continue working in partnership with the authority in the fight against graft. “Currently we have been running a campaign where we engage various stakeholders in the fight against corruption and fortunately quite a number of media practitioners participated on the launch. May the media continue supporting us and let us use this partnership to our advantage, join hands and build our nation together while at the same time continuing with the networking even after this event,” added Njanji. He also urged the media to disseminate information that help the general public to understand how tax systems operate and their importance towards national development. “This engagement is considered of utmost importance in terms of generating constructive debate and exchanging ideas on issues affecting both ZIMRA and the media fraternity. We openly admit the role of the media in setting public agendas and even in sustaining them over periods of time. As a revenue administration, we rely on your strategic placement within society to disseminate information about importance of tax payment in terms of sustainable development of our nation. TellZim Reporter The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Tuesday arrested Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer over allegations of corruption emanating from the purchase of seven vehicles using council funds in 2022. Reports coming from Bikita are that Peter Chibhi spent Tuesday night (February 28) in police cells after which he made an initial court appearance in “At the same time, you as media require our input as you generate stories which touch on tax policy pronouncement and how they impart on livelihoods and general economic performances. As such, this engagement presents an opportunity for us to discuss, introspect and reflect as well as finding areas we can leverage on for the very performance of our operations through sharing of relevant information on taxation and customs,” he added. The engagement meeting was being run under the theme-‘ZIMRA transformation-The past, present and future’. Bikita RDC CEO arrested over graft allegations, granted bail before Bikita magistrate Takura Mugabe on March 1 (today). Magistrate Mugabe is said to have granted Chibhi ZW$ 50 000 bail, asked the accused not to interfere with State witnesses and reporting to police once a week. ZACC also reportedly took keys to the seven vehicles which include six Toyota Hilux GD6 bought for Head of Departments (HoDs) and the seventh a Prado Land Cruiser meant for the CEO and some reports are that the vehicles are supposed to be driven to ZACC offices in Masvingo (though yet to be verified). Registration books to the vehicles were reportedly taken by ZACC late last year during the investigations into the allegations. The said vehicles were bought after the RDC sought for a loan and went on to purchase the vehicles without the approval or knowledge of Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo. Contacted for comment resident lobby group Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) spokesperson Mark Mutengani said they welcome the move by ZACC and feel that will ensure sanity in the area. “We really appreciate the action by ZACC to our council and arrest the CEO over misuse of public funds. We raised the issue last year when they bought GD6 vehicles in the name of managers. We hope justice and restitution will take course at the end of the day. “We are expecting ZACC to dig further in search of more rot in our local authority. As residents, this is just but one of the many issues we raised the flag about,” said Mutengani. TellZim News was one of the first media outlets to report on the corruption allegations after publishing a story titled ‘Bikita residents petition authorities over poor service delivery’ on April 30, 2022 before pursuing the story with another article titled ‘Government investigates Bikita RDC car scandal on May 9, 2022. Other follow up articles were done including ‘Local government finally visits Bikita RDC’ on July 20, 2022, Bikita RDC vehicle purchase scandal-ZACC yet to act (July 23, 2022), Bikita RDC scandal needs parliamentary debate-MP Musakwa (June 11, 2022), Bikita RDC-residents on collision course (October 10, 2022) and lastly Bikita RDC squanders US$ 36 000 on four boreholes (June 4, 2022). Bikita RDC CEO Peter Chibhi ZIMRA Corporate Affairs Director Gladman Njanji
TellZim News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News 7 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Tinaani Nyabereka Gweru- W o r k e r s through their representative body, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) have taken a bold step towards action over poor wages. The decision was announced by ZCTU Acting Secretary General Kudakwashe Munengiwa during a presser last week in Gweru while highlighting that the harassment of vendors which took place recently is greatly condemned as innocent people are being victimized at the hands of police. “As labour, we have given government room to improve our conditions but nothing is coming out. We are considering other measures which can be heard in the corridors of powers. "We strongly stand to denounce acts of harassment on vendors which took place last week in Bulawayo. We understand vendors are people who want to earn a living just like any other person. We also denounce that same act here at home (Gweru). We recently engaged authorities in Gweru and we want our vendors to conduct their business without fear. "So we are saying our issue is not dwelling much on vendors but rather we are looking on the welfare of workers, as workers we are struggling. We demand decent wages to sustain our lives. "It is clear that as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union we are a workers body and we represent all workers, informal and formal ones. So we are saying as we are nonpartisan, we need to clearly get the position of who gets what, where and when. We feel some decisions being made by government are negatively impacting innocent people and depriving them their rights as workers," he added. Munengiwa said in 2022 there was an agreement between government and workers that government was going to review workers’ wages. "We once engaged with the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima to say let’s dollarize for the workers to be able to survive. "We were then promised during Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) that government was going to have a review in the first quarter of 2022 to review the salaries of workers but up to date nothing has been done, workers are struggling to make ends meet to survive, hyperinflation continues to erode the value of our currency day and night. We need a stable currency to drive the economy. "We are saying the RBZ Governor, Dr Mangudya should resign just as he promised because his monetary policies have failed. In 2019 ZW$ rate to US$ was 1:1 but now it is at US$ 1: ZW$ 1 500. we are in need of one monetary system , if we are moving to adopt foreign currency in totality let go that way ,if not let’s make sure our rate is stable and conducive for business." he added Munengiwa further said as enshrined in Section 65 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, workers were supposed to get fair and reasonable wages. "Section 65 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides as follows: "Every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices, standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable wage. If these are not honoured, we have a right to go for an industrial action or withdraw our services,” added Munengiwa. ZCTU threatens action over poor wages With inflation reportedly at 229.8 percent in January 2023 and the highest in the world, Zimbabwean workers, whose average wages are US$ 85 per month, are finding it difficult to make ends meet. This resulted in health-care, energy and mine workers going on seat in and strikes last year to demand living wages and timely payment of wages. Tinaani Nyabereka Gweru-ZB Financial Holdings recently opened a new banking hall with an all-inclusive service provision model placing all its services under one roof. The new model houses ZB Bank, ZB Building Society, ZB Life Assurance, ZB Reinsurance, ZB Capital, ZB Transfer ZB launches Gweru ‘One Stop’ Service Centre Secretaries, and Barcelona and Qupa at a one stop shop. Speaking at the official opening of the new centre on February 27, ZB Group Chief Executive Officer Shepherd Fungura said the institution has adopted a holistic transformation approach of all services including online banking services to promote effective engagements. “As part of our journey, we are transforming both our in-person and our online channels to better serve you. “We are converting branches to sales and customer service centres and replicating the sales and service centres and the new my ZB mobile app, online and virtually to allow you to interact with us from the comfort of your homes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “We have learnt a lot during this transformational journey and our most important lessons have come from you, our customers. As ZB, we recognize the investment and growth opportunities in Gweru and the Midlands region arising from the fact that it’s the mineral hub of the country," said Fungura. Also speaking at the same occasion Minister for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Larry Mavhima congratulated ZB for achieving a milestone development. "I am impressed and so is the market I believe, considering the fact that you have intentionally made your entity customer-centric. "You have moved to a bigger and better site and remodelled from the old branch type to this new concept of the customer service centre where you are offering all financial services including Banking Services, Insurance Services and Investment under one roof. “I can see you now also have a smile on your logo. This is really a bold move and I am looking forward to your team putting smiles on the people not only of Gweru but of the entire Midlands province,” he said. The development comes as the financial institution continues to operationalize its ZB smile brand across the 10 provinces and the new business model was also adopted as part of efforts to improve customer service. So far about 36 branches have been modified into Services Centres out of the institution's 46 branches. ZCTU Acting Secretary General Kudakwashe Munengiwa Officials paying attention at the launch
TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News 8 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Emmanuel Chitsika Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Masvingo office has urged business community and other tax payers to make full use of the tax Kiosks to obtain relevant tax payment information as the authority seeks to ensure full migration from manual tax returns for the convenience of doing business. The call was made by ZIMRA Masvingo-Zvishavane Acting Station manager Godfrey Ziwumburu during a recently-held ZIMRA-media engagement meeting in Masvingo at Chevron Hotel where the former called upon the latter to help conscentise stakeholders on the need for adopting the new tax paying system as with time the manual system will be phased out. “On issues to do with income tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as Pay As You Earn (PAYE) returns, we encourage our stakeholders and clients to visit our Kiosk at Zimre building on the third floor. On top of that kiosk, the E-tax payment system can be accessed on Google and that where one can launch his/her returns whilst in the comfort of your workplace, business or even at home. “So we encourage our clients to visit the Kiosk first so that they are taken through on how to go about the payment system by our personnel before posting the returns on their own later. The system will ensure efficiency in as far as tax payments are concerned. ZIMRA urges business community, taxpayers to use tax Kiosks “Though we are taking these manual tax returns, in the near future we will not accept the manual way of doing business as we expect all returns to be submitted electronically. We urge our whole clientele to embrace the system which is simple, straightforward and reliable,” said Ziwumburu. He also urged the media to disseminate information to tax payers on the importance of ensuring their Electronic mail (e-mail) addresses are always up to date for the reception of mail from the authority. “Can you (the media) help inform our clients through information dissemination that their tax clearances are posted to their e-mail addresses, so they should update their information with ZIMRA so that when we (ZIMRA) generate their tax information, we will simply post it on their addresses much to their convenience. “We no longer use the old system whereby a client will have to go to ZIMRA to apply for tax clearances unless when the situation is peculiar and would require that attention, that’s when one can visit the offices. If everything like tax returns and related payments are up to date and have no outstanding issues with ZIMRA, your tax clearance will be generated automatically and posted to your e-mail address,” he added. He said the new system will help alleviate the past situation whereby volumes of clients would visit ZIMRA offices to address tax issues. ZIMRA Director Corporate Affairs Gladman Njanji also weighed in saying the use of Kiosks (of which four are operational nationwide). “Recently we launched four self-service Kiosks that is one in Masvingo, Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare as part of creating the easy of doing business. At ZIMRA, our stance is ‘Leaving no one, no place behind’ as we take our services to communities and stakeholders and in this case we are looking forward to reach out to small and medium scale enterprises. “Small and medium scale business are benefiting from this self-service which is making tax compliance easy and our achievement of our mandate is anchored on a strong client-stakeholder engagement. Going forward we will collectively endeavor to build and sustain linkages and collaborations with the media fraternity to enhance synergies with players in revenue generation,” said Njanji. Courage Dutiro The country's tax collector, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has joined the nation in fighting drug and substance abuse in the country through tightening the porous border lines where they are allegedly smuggled into the country. Addressing journalists at Chevron Hotel on February 24, 2023, ZIMRA region 3 enforcement Manager Tomeyi Sona said the revenue authority is going to use drone system to monitor the border lines where smuggling is rife. "Some of our border lines have no physical boundaries so when it comes to smuggling; the drone system is going to assist in detecting any illegal border movements in such areas. "The drones have so far been acquired and a team that is going to operate the system is under training. The system will be in place by April," said Tomeyi. ZIMRA region 3 covers Masvingo and Midlands provinces. He also said on the designated ports of entry the revenue authority's scanners and sniffer dogs are assisting in curbing the illegal importation of dangerous substances and drugs into the country. "When drugs come through our legal ports of entry, scanners and sniffer dogs that are already in use can detect those drugs," he said. The country is struggling with drug and substance abuse. On February 21, 2023, a tout was found lying lifeless at a bar in Mucheke, Masvingo after he allegedly took an over dose of an illicit substance. Recently Masvingo police intercepted 60kgs of mbanje, and other illegal substances during its Anti-drug abuse blitz in Masvingo. Drones, scanners, sniffers to tame drug smuggling –ZIMRA File picture of a camera drone
News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 9 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY TellZim Reporter After recording successive water losses, Masvingo City Council has resolved to embark on a compulsory replacement of non-functional water meters as a way of putting the losses to a halt. According to minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee held on February 23, 2023, council resolved that the Finance Director send communication to residents urging them to replace such meters. “It was reported that non-revenue water for January was 31.78percent which translated to ZW$ 170 093 757. Clarity was sought on the classification of non-revenue water; the Acting Director of Engineering Services explained that it includes water losses from leaks and non-functional meters. He (the Director of Engineering Services) added that council procured 250 meters and only 30 had been replaced. Committee members proposed that, council should make replacement of non-functional meters compulsory, replace the meters and charge residents the cost of the meter. “The representative from the District Development Coordinator’s office advised that council should advise residents to replace non-functional meters and failure would lead to water disconnection. The Finance Director reported that the bulk Short Message Service system communication channel would be utilized to disseminate the information. The committee resolved that the Finance Director being instructed to send out communication to residents to urge them to replace non-functional water meters and water disconnection to debtors,” read the minutes. The minutes also added that during the month of January, 40 burst pipes were reported while there were 29 water connections, 53 water meter replacements and 24 sewer connections. Council has continuously recorded water losses especially through transmission in Rujeko area while also burst pipes and non-working meters were as well pointed towards as the major causes behind the losses. Masvingo City to make water taps replacement compulsory Deputy Director Engineering Services Engineer Kudzai Mbetu NOTICE LIQUOR LICENCE First scheduled (Section 2) FORMS PART 1 LIQUOR ACT (CHAPTER 14:12) Application for the issue of a part II liquor licence for LIQUOR LICENCE. Notice is hereby given that an application in terms of Section 53 of the Liquor Act (Chapter 14:12) will be made to Liquor Licensing Board, Harare, for the issue of a Bottle store LIQUOR LICENCE in respect of premises situated at Silviera Mission Business center trading as L. T. M. Bottle store. All persons who have any objections to the application may lodge their objections in writing with the Secretary of the Liquor Licensing Board, Harare, not later than 14 days from the day of publication. DATED AT MASVINGO THIS 24th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023. Takarindwa Lawrence Manyama Silviera Mission bag 100 Nyika APPLICANT
10 TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News WOMEN & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Tinaani Nyabereka Gweru- Over 2 000 young people across Africa have undergone leadership training under the African Rebirth Organisation. African Rebirth is a Pan-African organization that is empowering young African leaders to be next frontiers of excellence and prosperity in Africa. The organisation also strives to defy mediocrity by empowering young African leaders through cultivating a mindset of peace, unity and prosperity Speaking to TellZim News on the sidelines of the exercise, African Rebirth Founder and Director, Enoch Tumwine said as it stands today over 2000 young leaders had been trained across Africa both virtually and in person. "In the Southern region we have had an incredible mentees and senior government leaders including Members of Parliament and Ministers who have joined the movement as mentees and speakers respectively. "Basically we train young leaders in four areas, that is in Diplomacy, Leadership, EntreOver 2000 youth trained under the African Rebirth leadership program preneurship, Peace building. "Aside the four areas of our focus; we give a platform for networking within the young leaders themselves with high profile leaders like Ministers, MPs and other business and civil society leaders," he said. He further added that as an institution they were moving with the principle of promoting cultural diplomacy. "We connect young leaders from different African countries to discuss their cultures, norms and values of their societies. This has enhanced cultural appreciation which eliminates bias hence cementing peace and harmony. "We don’t get involved in any internal politics of the country at all. Our mission is to transform young leaders into change agents and become very active in the affairs of their countries. "However, we strongly encourage young people to participate in electoral politics either as voters or candidates. The only message we can tell our young Zimbabwean Alumni is go out there and vote any leader they deem fit to lead the Great Zimbabwe into new frontiers of prosperity," he added. Tumwine however said changing the mind set was still the biggest challenge in young people "Nothing changes until your mind is changed. The spirit of excellence, work ethic accountability and time management is still a challenge but there is hope in many young leaders. "If young people are indeed oriented for success and transformation you will see a great deal for Africa," he said African Rebirth Founder and Director, Enoch Tumwine
News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT Courage Dutiro As the country joined other African countries in commemorating Africa Environment Day, the plight of environmental arteries which are rivers and streams that meander through both urban and rural areas has become increasingly worrying. Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Nqobizita Mangaliso Ndhlovu in his speech commemorating Africa Environment Day said the day was set aside in recognition of environmental challenges that the continent is facing and the need to bring nature-based solutions to the challenges. "The day was designated in 2002, on recognition of the numerous environmental challenges confronting the African continent and the need to establish lasting, innovative nature-based solutions to these challenges," read the statement. As rivers meander and cascade from the source to the mouth, they provide life to biodiversity and ecosystems during the process. Rivers and their tributaries are the arteries and veins of the environment, lifeblood and the cradle of human civilization. Communities, plants and animals that live in and along rivers depend on them for a living, they are a critical component of the ecosystem. The continuous suffocation of rivers through unsustainable human activities pose threat to the ecosystems. Siltation of the great Save River that winds its way from the South-Western part of Marondera to Mahenye is a sign that the environmental arteries are under the strain. Save River Restoration Trust project coordinator Joseph Mutsvaidzwa said people are suffering from a huge burden of the siltation of Save River. "Save River on its 400km stretch from Wedza to Mahenye as a perennial river was home to many amphibians, wildlife and a source of livelihood for surrounding communities. "People are facing deadly effects of climate change and siltation of Save River," said Mutsvaidzwa. About 20 km up from the iconic Birchenough Bridge, Save swallows Odzi River which pushes brownish water allegedly polluted by Chinese mining activities in Chiadzwa Diamond fields 15 km up from the confluence. Matsvaidzwa said in conserving the river, Save Restoration Trust members are planting trees to restore forests lost due to unsustainable wood harvesting along the river. "Lower Save East and West Members are planting trees in their individual capacities until resources become available for other programmes," Matsvaidzwa said. On September 7, 2021, Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu raised a motion in parliament asking the August house to set aside a day that can be dubbed 'Anti-siltation' day. "I rise on a point of national interest, having noted that as a nation we need to set aside an anti-siltation day. Our water bodies are choking up at an alarming rate of siltation. In view of climate change our food security as a nation is progressively going to be underpinned by irrigation," read part of the September 7 2021 Hansard. Anti-siltation day will help in sensitizing members of the public and policymakers on the importance of rivers, dams and waterways in both urban and rural areas. Rivers that meander through urban areas are not spared as they are being choked with pollutants from residential, industrial, and farming areas and also from other effects of land degradation. Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province Ezra Chadzamira in October 2022 during the Global Environment Fund (Gef-7) launch in Masvingo said about 130 kilometres of rivers are affected by stream bank cultivation. "Human activities such as illegal mining, wetlands cultivation, stream bank cultivation, deforestation and invasive alien species are largely to blame for land degradation in the province. "Assessments in the province reveal that approximately 131.6 kilometres are affected by stream bank cultivation and 716 hectares under wetland cultivation," he said. As if that is enough rivers are also facing another challenge from alien plant species such as the water hyacinth. Mucheke river in Masvingo Urban is among some of the rivers that are being choked by the results of both unsustainable human activities and alien plant species. In 2022 Masvingo City Council acknowledged the discharge of raw sewerage into Mucheke and Shagashe rivers which coincidentally met with the death of various amphibians and other Marine life in the rivers. The global SDG 6 targets to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. Following the discharge Masvingo Provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued a statement encouraging people to live in hygienic environments. "Let us all uphold our rights to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment," read the party of the statement. Masvingo City Council statement on pollution of Mucheke River However, 3 weeks after releasing the statement EMA fined Masvingo city council and a beverage manufacturing company (Delta beverages) for polluting the rivers. Mucheke is a tributary of Shagashe River which feeds into Lake Mutirikwi the sole source of water for Masvingo urban residents. The pollution of rivers and water is also worsened by the disruption of Wetlands by also unsustainable human activities. During the year 2022, Bikita Residents association (BIRRA) was up in arms with Bikita Rural District Council for allocating commercial stands at Wetlands in the District. It was reported that Bikita RDC was allegedly allocating stands in a wetland at Mushanduri Business centre as well as at Makuvaza Business centre. In some cases, wetlands are the sources/headwater of rivers and streams in the country, if disturbed the health of rivers and streams deteriorate. The fate of Save and Mucheke river is a reflection of what is happening in many rivers that meander around the country. Environmental arteries poisoned, choked: reality of local rivers
News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023
TellZim News News > 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News 119 Zimbabwe officially ditched its local currency in 2009 and adopted a multicurrency regime dominated by the United States dollar (US$) -dollarization reform. Dollarization is a generic term used by economists when a country substitutes its currency with foreign currency as a legal tender. In 2019, authorities reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL) as legal tender. However, by end of 2022, the economy had largely re-dollarized (entrenched US$ use) despite government de-dollarization efforts. This piece, the first of a series to come, seek to highlight the causes, the good and the bad of dollarization for Zimbabwe. Status Quo The official statistics show that the economy has largely re-dollarized. RBZ revealed that of the total banking sector deposits, 64.2% are foreign currency accounts (FCA) deposits. Also, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency’s (ZimStat) estimates at the Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) division show that in 2022 , about 76.56% of transactions were done in US$ with a balance of 23.44% done in ZWL. The surveys by CZI, a manufacturing industry body, also established that on average domestic foreign currency sales contributed about 66% of private sector businesses' forex earnings. By taking into account the unbanked informal sector transacting largely in cash, it is clear that Zimbabwe is now back in a multicurrency regime with the US$ at the epicenter. Drivers of dollarization Dollarization can be by a de facto market process or through an official government decree. Historically, nations have dollarized as part of economic reforms to infuse macroeconomic stability -the case for Zimbabwe. During the height of 2008 hyperinflation, it became so difficult to gauge market prices to an extent that the government stopped publishing official inflation statistics with independent estimates showing monthly inflation hovering above a billion percent. Again, re-dollarization being experienced in the market now is a response to ZWL fragility and skyrocketing inflation. When there is economic instability and high inflation, economic agents (agents hereafter) are forced to diversify and protect their assets from domestic currency devaluation risks. There are two (2) main reasons behind agents’ demand for foreign currency assets: currency substitution and asset substitution. Currency substitution means that foreign money is essentially used as both a medium of exchange and a unit of account. Since high inflation or hyperinflation increases the cost of using the domestic currency for transacting purposes, agents will be prompted to be on the lookout for cheap alternatives. Asset substitution entails agents’ risk and return considerations between domestic and foreign currency-denominated assets. Generally, forex-denominated assets provide insurance against macroeconomic risks. Benefits of dollarization Zimbabwe is experiencing debt distress. Debt distress is when a country faces challenges in paying its creditors and a debt restructuring is required. With over 80% of public debt in foreign currency, the fragility of ZWL increases debt servicing costs and propensity to default. Economic literature posits that the immediate benefit from the elimination of devaluation risk by dollarization is the reduction in the country's risk premium on foreign borrowing. In other words, with dollarization, interest premiums owing to currency devaluation risk will likely disappear. The elimination of the currency risks, however, does not guarantee a substantial reduction in the default risk premium on foreign currency-denominated debt. Apart from raising borrowing costs, a currency crisis can also wreak havoc on the domestic economy. In theory, the exchange rate affects inflation, that is, a massive ZWL depreciation is likely to cause inflation to increase. Hard data shows that when the ZWL plunged by 12% on average per month in both the official and parallel markets between February 2019 and December 2022, annual headline and monthly inflation averaged 306% and 12% respectively. While it is conceivable that dollarization won’t eliminate risks of external crises, it indeed holds the promise of steadier market sentiment. This is because the elimination of currency risk tends to limit the incidence and size of contagion episodes. Durable price stability offered by dollarization also helps clamp deepening poverty and widening income inequalities. According to the latest World Bank estimates, the unaffordable prices of basic goods in 2022 plunged about 40% of the population into abject poverty. More so, although dollarization Re-dollarization: Is this the right path forward for Zimbabwe? Talking Economics Zvikomborero Sibanda With Zvikomborero Sibanda is an economic analyst and an astute researcher. He writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted via email: [email protected] Twitter: @bravon96 may make it difficult to insulate the domestic financial sector, it helps establish a sound financial sector while making economic integration of the domestic economy into the global economy much easier. The use of a common currency propels market integration as it lowers transaction costs and trade restrictions -the use of widely accepted currency reduces volatilities. All else constant, dollarization encourages foreign companies to invest for the long-term taking advantage of stable currency which gives them a stable income stream that is not subject to frequent exchange rate fluctuations. Risks of Dollarization The biggest risk posed by dollarization is the loss of autonomy as the country’s monetary policy will now be dictated by a foreign country. A monetary policy is key as it helps the government manage inflation, currency exchange rates, and financial market stability. As such, losing this policy arm will constrain the government in delivering a goldilocks economy which is key in the improvement of living standards. The relegation of monetary policy also means loss of seigniorage revenues. This is a profit a government can earn by issuing currency, especially the difference between the face value of notes and coins and their production costs. Seigniorage revenue can also relate to the interest rate central bank charges from lending commercial banks money. Furthermore, although dollarization can eliminate the banking sector's vulnerability to devaluation risk, it cannot avoid all sources of the banking crisis. In case of such crises, dollarization largely impairs the government’s lender-oflast-resort function thus inhibiting RBZ to respond to financial emergencies. Typically, a central bank is the ultimate guarantor of the stability of payments and financial systems in case of a systemic bank run. While RBZ may be able to provide short-term liquidity to individual banks in distress, dollarization can make it lose the ability to deal with a sudden run-on deposit throughout the banking system. A central bank can only undoubtfully guarantee all claims under any circumstance when it can print currency as needed. So, once this ability ceases to hold, the lender of last resort function becomes too limited. Moreover, dollarization hurts small open developing economies like Zimbabwe by rendering their domestic companies uncompetitive. The use of a strong currency like the US$ increases the domestic cost of production since factors of production are priced in the foreign currency against regional counterparts pricing in their relatively weak currency. The huge exchange rate differentials also make locally manufactured goods expensive in the eyes of foreigners while making foreign-produced goods cheap in the eyes of locals. This may lead to the importation of non-essential imports leading to unsustainable trade deficits. For instance, ZimStat shows that between 2009-2018, Zimbabwe experienced a huge deficit averaging US$2.5 billion per year. In addition, dollarization in a developing country set up promotes the dumping of cheap foreign goods and the externalization of forex. Over time, this leads to acute forex shortages in the official channels and loss of employment. Way Forward The balance of benefits and costs of dollarization is usually two-handed. However, by reflecting on the status quo and distinguishing between short-run and long-run periods, one may establish that both dollarization and a mono-currency regime (de-dollarization) may be part of the policy package that is needed by Zimbabwe to attain durable stability. Which proposal then best suits the short-run? Which best suits the long run? This becomes the gist of next week’s column.
12 News TELL ZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 Jacob Ngwenya On Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life and live it with dignity and free from discrimination. Discrimination is the negative treatment of a person or group of people on the basis of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, social class, age, marital status, family responsibilities, etc. Discrimination discourages people from accessing health-care services, including HIV prevention methods, learning their HIV status, enrolling in care and adhering to treatment. Women with disabilities face discrimination when accessing sexual and reproductive health services as society and some healthcare service providers falsely presume that people with disabilities are asexual as if disability renders them sexually inactive. Some people with disabilities will not receive treatment on time as the possibility of them having asexual related ailment is excluded. More than a billion people live with some form of disability and about 10 percent of the Zimbabweans are people with disabilities. People with disabilities are four times more likely to report being treated badly by healthcare staff and nearly three times more likely to be denied health care. As vulnerable groups that include people with disabilities, people living with chronic diseases, we call upon all individuals to treat people with respect and don’t discriminate them based on their race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or their disease. Individuals should also stand up for the rights of people left behind, including people with disabilities, people living with non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders as well as people living with HIV. To make an impact everyone should denounce discrimination through social media and other platforms of communication. We furthermore call upon government to address discrimination in healthcare settings by strengthening and implementing policies, regulations and standards for the prohibition of discrimination on all grounds in connection with health-care settings, ensure that everyone enjoys the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, review and repeal punitive laws that have negative health impact and guarantee that access to justice is made available to everyone including the most marginalized. Jacob Ngwenya (Pictured above) is a Disability advocate and writes in his own capacity. Celebrating The Zero Discrimination Day
TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News 13 Mudha still kicking in Zanu PF Tinaani Nyabereka Zhombe-Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with robbery, malicious damage to property and unlawful entry. The cases occurred in and around Zhombe during the period stretching from December 2022 to date. Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the development. "The four suspects were arrested and are set to appear in court soon. So far the suspects have been linked to five cases including robbery and malicious damage to property as investigations are still in progress," he said. Circumstances are that on February 20, 2023 at around 0300 hours, Brighton Dhlodhlo (28) of Ndabenkulu village, Chief Gwesela in Zhombe was asleep in his house when four suspects started breaking the door in order to force entry into the house. Before they could gain entry into the house, Dhlodhlo took a bottle containing sulphuric acid and sprinkled it on the suspects’ faces through the hole which the suspects had created on the door. Upon realising that the substance which they had Four nabbed for MDP, robbery, theft been sprayed was itchy, they all fled from the scene before the matter was reported at ZRP Zhombe. On February 25, 2023 information was received to the effect that one of the suspects was admitted at Kadoma General Hospital due to acid burns. Police reacted swiftly and arrested the suspect Tatenda Bhebhe (23) of KMP Mbizo Kwekwe who then implicated the other suspects Mollen Banda (27) of house number 4331 Ascot Gweru, Tafadzwa Moyo (21) of Kesani village under Chief Gwesela in Zhombe and Learnmore Masaga (22) of Ndabenkulu village under Chief Gwesela in Zhombe. Mollen was arrested whilst admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital while Learmore and Tafadzwa were arrested at their homesteads. File picture Declare war on corruption not January Disease Mapombi is always praying for this beloved motherland called Zimbabwe, as we drift towards 2023 elections, I can see Zanu PF haisi kurara everyday trying to do all sorts of gimmicks. They are busy trying to make sure they manipulate voters, 2023 is not easy maCdes I can see kkkk. Yes some may say Zanu PF benefits from the delimitation report but kune zvimwe zvikara zviri kunyura nayo iyi kkkkk wait and see. It may be beneficial to the party as a whole but imwe mikono iri kuwa apa and their teeth are already gnashing as we speak. You can see from what they are doing whole ministers are officially opening useless things that even a head boy cannot afford to, but neZanu munotokuenda chete. I heard our very own Minister will be in Chivi at a dip tank to declare war on January Disease. Sure minister kufambira kunoona mombe dzichitiva kkkk. While that’s a noble cause, but madii kuzvisiira vana Provincial vet officers to declare war on ticks. We have many other issues that we need our ministers to declare war on. Declare on corruption, war against human rights abuses, war against incarceration of opposition politicians, war against drug abuse, war against violation of human rights, war against hunger, and war against child marriages, not zveJanuary disease izvo. Our challenge is mainly corruption and everything else is a result of that. Kkkkkk, todiiko nevanhu veMasvingo kkkkk, haa regai nditange zvangu nekuseka, shuwa I really don’t know what to do with vana Wezhira zvakarebwa naMbuya vaGivas paya. That old lady reminds me of gogo Mahofa Chikoforo, chaiva chakaoma chimai chiya. One Munhu who could tell the army to take over from Mugabe saying he was surrounded by thieves, true to her word, the army took over a few months after her death kkk. I think mapfupa avo akamuka kunge ambuya Nehanda. I just pray dai amuka futi aite zvaakamboita ipapo pacho coz mmm, the situation we are in is worse than that time when the army stepped in. Zvino Masvingo is at it again, busy abusing our old gogos and madalas who should be resting at home. I heard mbuya vaGivas saying they only know China and Russia. Hanzi Zanu yakauya neropa not nepencil kkkkk. Imi vana Pande siyai chembere dzedu dzizorore zvakanaka musavapinza mupolitics. Zuro ndizuro Masvingo forced the Sexmorehardy to of- ficially open a clinic, a whole old and sick Zanu PF Second Secretary kuuya kuzovhura clinic, is he a government official? Why not ask our Dr Shamhu to open it? Apa they had forced him kunonga marara mutown and to plant trees. Seiko musina moyo imi vanhu veZanu ko iko kukotsira shasha yakati zete muchair. Kushungurudza harahwa yevanhu kudaro hamunyari. Zanu PF should learn to distinguish party from State events. But chimusangano chinonzi Zanu PF chinojairira vanhu sure, they want to hijack everything yet they don’t want to give rivalries even a small chance to exercise their constitutional rights. Tosvikepi with that kind of leadership. Itai henyu, asi let me warn you. You won’t be in the ballot box, vanhu vangwara, you can bribe them all you want but come election, umwe neumwe anomira nezvake kkk. Zvabva zvandifungidza zvangu kuchurch tichiimba umwe neumwe anondomira nezvake kudenga kuma Mwari baba. Mmm I miss those days vanhu vachanamata chaiko not zvava kuitwa mazuva ano where comedians are church leaders. Sure kutoti tina prophet kubvira Panganai Java. Ukuwo we have ana Hebert Mudzanire vekuzvichinja Zita Hanzi Hubert Angel, ndozvakaita Angel zviya, nxaa. Manje I hear the so called angel was filmed neAljazeera achiroodza kutaura how they do it, yes how corruption is being done. Let me tell you this today, Mwari haasi chidhori, haatambwe naye, on that note ndapedza nemi. I hear Zanu PF is having its primary elections very soon so tichaonerera zvedu especially here in Masvingo, I can’t wait for the drama. So ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you this, fasten your seat belts because we are in for a bumpy joyride kkk. Hazvisi KuZanu chete, even kuChamisa Chete Chete or Citizens Coalition of Comedians hameno kkkk, I just know kuti at the end its triple C. Yes triple C has its own drams and tichaonerera zvedu, I just know that Lawyers will battle it out to represent Masvingo Urban in the house of assembly. Kkkk, Zanu yagara hailumi, hezvino ndiri pano. Asi never say never kkkk, Zanu PF is capable of anything, since they have manipulated the delimitation process, gore rino tichadzidza zvakawanda sure. They offloaded three wards from Masvingo Urban kwaakukuturira kumaruzevha kkkk. But Zanuka, haipererwi kkkk. Imi vanhu veCCC, please itai maprimary elections not imposition yamoda kuita. There is no consensus whatsoever. Take it or leave it but ndatofira kureva zvangu. Zanu PF is now full of sick people, used to think it’s only Kedha and Sexmorehardy zvigulani but I was shocked to hear someone who looks healthy like Larry Mavhima achikosora ari kuPoly zvainzwika kuchitima uko. He was addressing youths while coughing like hell. Ko kana munhu achirwara kuzorora kunodii? Kuda allowance or kuda basa? If anyone sees Whitehead please tell July Moyo please kuti akawana time akwane, I heard he was forcing all traditional lead to swear allegiance to Zanu PF, asi havasi vanhu? In this era vanhu vachaita zvekuvhundusirwa here kuti support Zanu PF because ndoyakupai ushe. Chete vanhu vangwara like I told you, they benefit from you but will vote for their choice. Apa while teachers are struggling, they are busy preparing to give masabhuku mari, after all vanoripisa vanhu vachidya, vamwe zvavo vanodya kuviri. Iwo anotonga, especially those from Zaka and Chivi kkkk. Before I go hangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, let me take this opportunity to congratulate our fellows from our sister country of Nigeria. Yes kwaana Oga ikoko they did it so we will also do it. They chose their own old man just like the Americans. Tinubu inenge itori nhubu zvayo, how can people with senses vote for such an old man who looks like he has just been resurrected. Ours is old but this is the only time I can be proud of him, achiri nani zvake kkkkk. But I am sure as Zimbabweans we will copy a few notes from Nigeria. What happened in Nigeria is how not to vote kkkk. Let’s not vote for old people vafana varipo. Kana musingadi Nero better vote for Linda Masarira kkkk. Let’s thank the almighty for giving us the boy or man this time around, this guy called Freddy is as soft as wool. I hear he has a few casualties but it’s not devastating as Idai. However, while you are all celebrating, ini ndanzwa nechando. Moto wemapaper hauveseki kuchinaya kudai. This is when I think of Mphoko and the incubators kkkk. Maybe aidai aakutondipawo imwe kkkk. Iye akazodiiko naWelshman Ncube neChoppies issue iya. Kubva ati zii kudaro. Is Ncube still VP weCCC? He is also quiet just like Mphoko. Chete zvikomo zviri pedo napedo zvopakurirana mhute kkk. Mboko Imboko!!!!
News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 By Noah Marima Rejoice Gundura, a Masvingo businesswoman, has expanded the number of dining options in the historic city by opening a traditional foods eatery at Junior Complex. The new restaurant, Eland, opened its doors on January 18 2023. Apart from traditional dishes, the outlet also serves western dishes and platters. Depending on the dish, a plate of food at the eatery can cost anywhere from US$2 to US$10. The eatery is the third outlet of the Rejos Kitchen brand. Before the launch of the latest branch Rejos kitchen had two outlets, one in the western side of Masvingo city and another in the eastern side along Masvingo Beitbridge road at Wimpy centre. The third offshoot is Eland. Gundura says her vision is to see the brand expand throughout the southern region as she continues to promote consumption of traditional foods. “I will be opening more food outlets throughout the province. “My new food outlet is testament that the vision is taking shape. I am convinced that the new branch is going to make a positive impact on the market,” she said. Gundura says the successful opening of the new branch has energized her vision. “Everything is going according to plan. We will be opening another branch next year,” she said. Born at St Theresa Mission in Chirumhanzu, the 30-yearold mother of three started cooking while in grade 3. New traditional food outlet for Masvingo Before venturing into professional business, she worked as an entrepreneur selling food in the city. As her business grew, she opened a formal outlet at Reflections in Masvingo’s industrial area. Gundura’s story is one of the success stories of entrepreneurs who have worked to formalize their businesses. She strives to provide services to different customers scattered around the city. “We want to make sure that people who work in the CBD are served in town while those in the industrial area are served at the Reflections branch,” Gundura said. The restaurant is classic and reserved, and the place is suitable for couples and families’ outings. The setup is marvelous. One of the regular clients at Eland, Junior Wita said Eland restaurant is offering mouthwatering dishes adding that the place was nice and unique. “I loved the atmosphere at Eland Restaurant,” Wita said. Now Masvingo boasts of seven food outlets - Continental restaurant, Ivory-industries out door), Wintok restaurant, Maworesa restaurant, Granez restaurant, Chakalaka restaurant and Reflections restaurant. All the restaurants are offering close to the same menu although they differ on pricing. Rejos Kitchen Inside Eland Restaurant
14 News TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 Lecturer killed in suspected hit and run TellZim Reporter MASVINGO – A lecturer at Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) owned Morgenster Teachers College was found dead about a kilometer from the tertiary learning institution in what the police suspect to be a hit and run incident. The 48 year-old was found in the early hours of February 25, 2023 lying in the middle of the road by a passerby. Acting Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Lorraine Ndlovu confirmed the incident and said the deceased’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for postmortem and investigations were underway. “We received a report where Nicodemous Munetsi Mhembere from Morgenster Teachers College staff quarters’ lifeless body was found lying in the middle of the road at one kilometer peg along Nemamwa-Morgenster road around 5am. “The report was made by Patrick Mugaviri (57) from Great Zimbabwe Monuments who was travelling along that road after a fellow motorist had tipped him that there was a lifeless body in the road,” said Ndlovu. She went on to say Mugaviri reported the matter to Masvingo traffic police who attended the scene and said the deceased had several bruises on his body and that prompted the police to a suspect hit and run. “The deceased had bruises on the right shoulder, right hip, left arm, buttocks and side of his stomach as well as a fractured left leg,” said Ndlovu. Other sources said Mhembere could have been coming from Nemamwa when the mishap took place. Tinaani Nyabereka Zvishavane- Police are investigating two serious road traffic accidents where four people were injured which occurred in the mining town. Both incidents occurred on February 24, 2023 at 0630 hours and 1440 hours respectively. In the first incident, it is reported Piasone Maradzike (40) of Highlands, Zvishavane was driving a white Hino truck along R.G Mugabe road near Redan garage in Zvishavane town when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a pedestrian Reason Hove of Zvishavane who resultantly sustained injuries on the knees. In another case, it is also reported that Blessing Zhou (28) of Mpopoma Bulawayo was driving a Mercedes Benz along Mbalabala-Masvingo Road with four passengers on board. Upon approaching the 79 km peg, he tried to avoid a running donkey which was crossing the road and the vehicle veered off the road to the left, overturned several times and landed on its wheels. As a result, Zhou and two other passengers were injured. Both scenes were attended by the police and the injured were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital for treatment. Midlands Police Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the accidents and urged motorist to exercise caution on the roads. "Once again, we urge motorist to drive within the speed limits of the road and also to be cautious and appreciate the situation of the road and its environs." he said. Truck driver hits, injures pedestrian Tinaani Nyabereka Silobela-A six member gang of armed robbers yesterday (February 28) pounced on a Mukuru money transfer agent booth at Crossroads Business Centre where they got away US$ 1 800 richer. The robbers brandishing three pistols stole cash amounting to US$ 1 800, R 7 800 and two cell phones. Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said police are appealing for assistance to locate the suspects. "We are appealing to members of the public with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects to contact any nearest police station," he said. Circumstances are that the robbers pounced on the booth which was manned by one teller and a security guard, while it was open for business and serving customers who were in a queue. The six unknown men arrived and joined the queue pretending to be in need of services. Suddenly, three of the men entered the booth before they produced pistols and instructed all clients in the booth to lie down. They also instructed the teller to surrender all the cash in the shop. One of them pushed the two workers to each other and handcuffed them using the security guard’s handcuffs. After ransacking the booth, they took away the money and cell phones. The robbers then left the shop, got into an unregistered silver Toyota wish and drove away towards Nkayi along Silobela-Nkayi road. A report was made at Silobela Police Station and the case is under investigation. Armed robbers raid Mukuru booth, steal US$ 1.8 k Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko File picture The late Nicodemous Munetsi Mhembere
TELLZIM News >> 3 - 9 Mar 2023 News 15 Emmanuel Chitsika Masvingo-Popular entertainment spot Caravan Park is set to play host to a novel outdoor event code-named ‘The Big Dig’ on March 18, 2023 where prominent artists Killer T, Enzo Ishal and Alchemy are set to thrill the revellers. According to the organizers, the edition of this newer event will run under the theme ‘Celebrating the diversity of Food, Music and Dance’. Admission is US$ 10. “The ‘Big Dig’ is an annual outdoor event taking place at Caravan Park, Masvingo on Saturday 18 March 2023 from 12 pm till late. This is the first edition and the theme is ‘celebrating food, music and dance’. “The event will have three different sections (small digs) with each playing different music genres. Dig 1 for Old Skul and Rhumba music will be popular with the mature and older generation. Digs 2 and 3 for Amapiano, House, Nija and Afrobeats will be popular with the young and adventurous. Dig 2 will also cater for Dancehall music and Marasta. Each dig will have all services from music to food, drinks, braai and general entertainment,” said the organizers. The event is set to develop into a one main show later on after the closure of the small digs and that will be after 2000 hours. “These digs (small) will operate between 12-8 pm, thereafter the small digs close and everyone converges to the main stage. The ‘Big Dig’ for live performances by Killer T, Enzo Ishal, Alchemy and other supporting local artists,” added the organizers. The event is also set to offer marketing opportunities for various players or the corporate sector. “The tourism sectors will benefit by providing services such as accommodation, food, fuel and other related services to tourists attending the event. “This event also provides corporates with branding and marketing opportunities at very affordable prices. It also provides the general public with business opportunities in the following areas: main stage branding (US$ 300), Dig branding (US$ 100 per dig), corporate tents (US$ 50), corporate branding (US$ 25), food stalls (US$ 30), photo booth (US$ 30), 360 (US$ 50) and Shisha stall (US$ 25),” added the organizers. Caravan Park hosts ‘The Big Dig’ Perpetua Murungweni Clothes believed to belong to a 27 year-old man from Mupfungami village under Chief Zimuto who went missing while herding cattle were recently found in the grazing area the man was last seen. The discovery of the deceased, Leopold Mamhofa’s clothes have led to people now suspecting that he could be dead. Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the missing person case and said police attended the scene but could not find Leopold's body and they are still investigating the case. "The police attended the scene and could not find Leopold's body and they are still investigating what transpired," said Dhewa. Sources said on the day in question, Mamhofa went to herd cattle as usual; at around 3 pm on that particular day a woman named Joyce Kwavatini went to Mamhofa’s home with his cattle claiming that they had destroyed her crops. Lazarus Mamhofa who is Leopold's father went to the grazing lands in search of his son and on his way he met a villager who told him that he saw his son's clothes covered in blood in the bush a few metres from Pokoteke River. After seeing his son's clothes, Lazarus then went and reported to Zimuto police camp and the police attended the scene. Missing man’s clothes found soaked in blood
TellZim Sport 3 - 9 Mar 2023 Troutbeck 2023 edition gathers momentum is already underway with more than 20 elite athletes from across the world. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are 30 days away from the event but we already have 25 elite athletes and 6 juniors who have already registered for the event to participate in the elite section. The 25 players come from 15 countries. The start of the event is very exciting. I think it's going to be a big year and we will see big numbers. There is already cooperation with Triathlon South Africa and Namibian Triathlon Federation because these national bodies carry out subsequent events 2 or 3 weeks prior to Troutbeck," added. The launch was also graced by Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Thabani Gonye, Triathlon Association Zimbabwe President David Ellis’s (representative) and representatives from sponsorship partners led by the main sponsor Coca Cola also represented by Faith Nehanda. Coca Cola Franchise, Marketing Portfolio Activations Manager in Zimbabwe Faith Nehanda hailed the relations. "We are proud of our nine-year relationship with the triathlon Branton Matondo The much anticipated 2023 edition of Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Cup which will be held in Nyanga come the start of April 2023 has already started to take shape as more than 20 elite athletes from across the world have already registered for the competition. Dubbed the most longevous Triathlon competition on the African continent, this year’s edition will be nothing but a double bite of celebration as Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Cup commemorates its 15th anniversary. Addressing to media practitioners during the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union Cup Media Workshop held in Harare on February 27, Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup (ATU) Organiser Rick Fulton said the planning process has been intense but finally all is set for this year’s competition. "The Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup Troutbeck 2023 will be held on the 1st of April which is just about a month away now. The planning process has been intense over the past six months. We didn't have much of a break because the last edition was done in the later parts of 2022. This is the 15th edition of the event but we have held other Triathlon competitions before that," said Fulton. He added that registration sport in Zimbabwe. We have sponsored the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup that takes place at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga for three years with Schweppes water and are in the sixth year with Bonaqua, making it at the prestigious event on more than 60 percent of the times since its inception 17 years ago. We have been together for nine consecutive years. Our sponsorship and association continue to grow such that putting a monetary value may not do our partnership justice. We love the triathlete’s essence as they compete with the spirit of enthusiasm, fairness and sportsmanship," said Nehanda. Gonye said the competition is a great Olympic trek for Triathlon Zimbabwe. "Triathlon is one of our 34 member federations that affiliated to Zimbabwe Olympic Committee. It is a growing sport. The sound structures in administration have made Triathlon what it is now. I have no doubt that Triathlon Zimbabwe is one of the best managed federations in the country. We already have qualified athletes for Paris 2024 and competitions like Troutbeck are a great platform to showcase talent," said Gonye. Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup has been used as a development pathway by athletes from across the globe. In the last Olympics held in 2021 ten male and 6 female participants who took part in the competition had been part of Troutbeck 2020. Fulton added that Troutbeck in Nyanga has for long been the destination of choice because all the necessary and standard facilities needed to carry out such a competition are present at Troutbeck. The event was also graced by Cimas Digital Communication and Public Relations Specialist Tapfumaneyi Mugari, African Sun Sales Manager Thamary Reppoh and representatives from Ecocash, Rooney (in absentia), and CFAO Motors. Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup organiser Rick Fulton Stakeholders listening to a presentation