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TellZim News E-copy 10 -15 June 2023_compressed

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Published by TellZim News, 2023-06-12 04:38:03

TellZim News E-copy 10 -15 June 2023_compressed

TellZim News E-copy 10 -15 June 2023_compressed

TellZimbabwe To page 5 Keeping it real... committed to tell Zimbabwe Page 14 09 - 15 June 2023 www.tellzim.com 267 Simon Muzenda street, Trade Centre, Masvingo, Tel: (039) 2262 401, Email: [email protected] TellZimbabwe @TellZimbabwe TellZimbabwe tellzimnews TellZim News US$1 Mapombi No Polad for the losers this time To page 3 Confusion mars CCC candidates selection Brighton Chiseva MASVINGO – Confusion seems to be reigning supreme in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidates selection process as …no candidates names released one week before nomination court sits CCC Leader Nelson Chamisa they are yet to release the candidates list only a week before Nomination Court sits. Party deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba told TellZim in an interview that the candidate selection process will be over soon after which the party will announce its candidates. Though he could not give a specific date, Siziba said Brighton Chiseva MASVINGO – Angry Zanu PF supporters looted one truck of mealie meal after information came out that the mealie meal was not going to be distributed as had been promised during the rally at Hungry, angry Zanu PF supporters loot mealie-meal at Mnangagwa rally Mucheke stadium, Masvingo. A number of trucks loaded with mealie meal were on standby at the rally that was addressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa where he was said to be meeting first time voters. Addressing party supporters at the rally, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the President had brought mealie meal and everyone was going to get a share. Things went south just after Mnangagwa and his entourage left when people started queuing for the mealie meal and all of a sudden the trucks started driving off, leaving people stranded with some claiming that the trucks were going to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Masvingo and will be distributed from there. People then mobbed the last To page 2


Zanu PF primaries hangover still haunts Masvingo – Mnangagwa told 2 News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 POLITICS, ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE Beverly Bizeki The Chirumanzu South Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) members who were arrested last week for assault and malicious damage to property were granted bail by Gweru Magistrate Banda on June 7, 2023. The six members who include Chirumanzu South CCC aspiring member of parliament Patrick Cheza, Tinashe Moyo (47), Elias Madhuviko (26) , Tanyaradzwa Calisto Marimbe(23) Christopher Mutoboni and Alex Gamuchirai (37) will each pay ZWL$50 000 bail. The charges were that on May 31, 2023 at around 1100 hours the two accused persons arrived at Mazvimba Primary School gate where they saw the complainant Julius Kunodziya who resides at Gumbai Village Headman Manhovo Chief Chirumanzu and demanded to know what he was writing about. The accused persons then proceeded and grabbed books from Kunodziya and tore one counter book into two pieces before leaving the scene. In yet another incident, on the same day, Cheza proceeded to Govere Primary School where there was a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) voter’s roll inspection point together with Moyo, Madhuviko, Marimbe and Gamuchirai where they had an altercation with Phillimon Madzivanyika from Kombayi Village. It is reported that the accused persons approached Madzivanyika and asked what he was doing at the inspection station before grabbing him by the belt and smashing his Itel cellphone and throwing it to the ground breaking the back cover. The value of the damaged cover is US $3. In yet another incident, accused persons proceeded to Rupepwe Primary School where there was another voter inspection point where they assaulted Justice Dzaguma of Dzaguma Village Headman Govere in Chirumanzu. It is reported that the accused persons arrived at the school in a black Mitsubishi Colt vehicle and asked the complainant what he was doing at the inspection station centre before assaulting the latter with open hands and booted feet all over the body. At about 1630 hours the gang proceeded to another voter inspection centre, Shashe Primary school where they assaulted 64 year old Nhamo Chirumanzu South CCC members granted bail Brighton Chiseva MASVINGO – The hangover from Zanu PF chaotic primary elections that were held in March are still haunting Masvingo province despite healing processes by the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC), President Emmerson Mnangagwa was recently told. Addressing party supporters at Mucheke Stadium at an interface rally duped ‘Meeting first time voters’, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa told Mnangagwa that they were still facing challenges from other party members who were failing to accept the outcome of the elections. Mavhenyengwa singled out two cases, one from Mwenezi West where Tafadzwa Masvayamwando-Shumba allegedly lost to incumbent Priscilla Zindari Moyo and will stand as an independent candidate as well as Gutu East where the George Vhengere won the primaries but was later disqualified and replaced by Benjamin Ganyiwa. Mavhenyengwa said as a province they had done some healing processes to reconcile the losers and the winners “As Masvingo we are united, however, we are having some problems over the recent primary elections with some who are yet to grasp how things are done in Zanu PF. There are some members who still think that going to primaries means they are the ones who should win. Some win, some lose, now some who lost are behaving like they are bigger than the party,” “I say so because in Mwenezi West, one of our members who was in Central Committee and NCA is now standing as an independent candidate after losing. We however promise to show him that the power he had was because of Zanu PF and once you are no longer in the party, you no longer have people because they all belong to Zanu PF. “We also have some who do not want to accept the outcome, like in Gutu East, one losing candidate is still arguing that he is the winner like he doesn’t know that if the party has declared one as the winner that’s final and tomorrow shall come and has another chance to contest again. “However, in other areas they are accepting defeat and are coming back to work with the winners and if that continues, I want to assure you that we are going to give you all Masvingo’s 26 constituencies,” said Mavhenyengwa. Mavhenyengwa also told Mnangagwa that cotton and sugarcane farmers were complaining over delays in receiving payments after delivering their produce and appealed to Mnangagwa to intervene. “We have a complaint from cotton farmers in the province who are saying they are not getting payments in time from Cottco, as two months have passed now but they haven’t received their payments so we want you to know that your children are producing but there is a challenge in payments,” “Another challenge is the usual one where the sugar processing company Tongaart Hulletts is still delaying in paying famers after delivering their cane. We once tried to solve the issue together with the Minister of State but up to now they haven’t signed agreements with famers,” said Mavhenyengwa, who is also a sugarcane farmer. The interface was organized by Young Women for ED, one of the many forED affiliates, and was alleged to be a platform for the President to meet with first time voters who were drawn from across the country. Also present was Mnangagwa’s Deputy Kembo Mohadi and National Political Commissar Mike Bimha. Muzembi. It is alleged that the accused persons approached the complainant and grabbed Muzembi by the belt and struck him twice on the left leg with a knee while the other accused was holding bricks threatening to attack the complainant. The accused persons then allegedly took a wallet containing US $50, an Econet sim card, POSB bank card and a ZANU PF membership card before going away making the total value of goods stolen US $60. The accused persons further assaulted Abigail Madhabha on the same day at around 1650 hours at Mashamba Primary School at yet another voter inspection point. The accused persons approached the complainant and asked her what she was doing at the inspection point before slapping her twice on the neck and instructing her to leave the premises. The accused person sustained a swollen neck. Zanu PF Mucheke rally’s High table


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 3 From page 1 POLITICS, ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE Citizens Coalition Change (CCC) deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba truck and started looting the mealie meal, with the driver watching helplessly after efforts to scare people away by moving the truck proved futile. People were shouting that the president had said everyone should benefit but the local leadership was now diverting the mealie meal for their own benefit. Party supporters mainly youths went on top of the truck and removed the tent covering the mealie meal and started throwing the 10kg packets into the cheering crowd. A number of other supporters watched with envy as others looted the mealie meal. Those who spoke to TellZim News said the local leadership were doing a disservice to Mnangagwa and the 5 million votes target by angering voters. “These people are sabotaging the president. How will people vote for him when they are not getting what he promised them?” queried one supporter Another one said the local leadership was going to lie to Mnangagwa that they had distributed when no one has benefited. “The President had said everyone should benefit, now they have seen that he is gone they are now diverting the trucks to some location where they will distribute it among themselves and lie to the president that people have benefited. They are now saying the trucks are going to GMB, was the rally at GMB? This is just a ploy to divert the mealie meal,” said one supporter. Some social media users who commented on the issue on TellZim News Twitter account said the trucks were just a campaigning gimmick and they were not meant to be distributed saying the same happened at Chambuta Children’s Home in Chiredzi recently where the First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa was guest. Hungry, angry Zanu PF supporters loot mealie-meal at Mnangagwa rally party supporters should not worry as the party was on top of the situation trying to bring the best out of the process. People have been accusing the party of delaying the process, a development that could be detrimental to the candidates who would have no enough time to campaign especially in rural areas where Zanu PF dominates the voter base. “The process is almost done, we will announce the list of candidates soon, our members should not be worried at all,” said Siziba In Masvingo Urban and Chiredzi Town, aspiring councilors are holding their breath as their fate is going to be sealed by the party supporters on Saturday (09 June 2023). The elections will be held through the traditional Bereka Mwana method where party members will stand behind their preferred candidate and the presiding officers will manually count the people and the one with more people will become the winner. Sources however said winning the vote will not automatically mean candidate wins the chance to represent the party as other nomination stages will be taken into consideration. “Nominated candidates will have to go through another stage where people are going to be elected by party supporters. They will present their manifestos to the electorate before the election. After that they will then be ranked and the top three will go to the next which is probably the final stage,” said the source. Party insiders however said a number of candidates were preparing to go it the Zanu PF way of bussing supporters from other wards or even rural areas to vote for them. “A number of candidates are preparing to bus supporters from different wards and rural areas to beef up their numbers ahead of the watershed election which will be held a day after President Emerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Masvingo,” said the insider. He said the move was a ploy to oust CCC sitting councilors who are said to have lost favor from party president Nelson Chamisa who seems to have the keys as to who will represent the party in the upcoming elections. Chamisa openly said he is going to sign the nomination papers for the candidates to avoid double candidates as he no longer trust his lieutenants who in March 2022 signed for two candidates in ward 4 by elections. On Sunday CCC all nominated aspiring candidates will bring their papers to the cluster center where they will be taken to the independent commission which will determine who among the three top candidates is most suitable, taking into consideration scores from the four vetting stages. “All nominated aspiring candidates are to gather at the District Cluster centre on Sunday, 11 June at 10 am sharp. “Each Nominee should bring particulars that are required by ZEC at the nomination court. Even where more than one persons are vying for the same position they must all bring their particulars on the day,” read part of the statement that came from the election bureau. The statement also gave the age limits for each category with the minimum age for MPs and Councillors being 21 while for senators has been set at 40 years and above. From page 1 From page 1 Confusion mars CCC candidates selection Perpetua Murungweni President Emmerson Mnangagwa preached peace ahead of this year’s harmonized elections, urging young people not to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence as he addressed a rally at Mucheke Stadium Masvingo on Friday (June 9). Mnangagwa, who was the guest speaker at the rally organized by YoungWomen 4ED affiliate group, said he had come to the province to address first time voters. “As we approach to 2023 harmonized elections I call upon youth and all voters to guard the peace, unity, love and harmony prevailing in our country. ‘Kuvhota hakudi mhirizhonga’. (Voting does not need violence). Zimbabwe is a mature and peaceful democratic country,” said Mnangagwa. He urged youths not to abuse drugs and substances, but rather concentrate on developing the country. “Young boys and girls I challenge you to remain loyal to your country; stay closely connected to your families and do not indulge in reckless and harmful lifestyle, stay away from drugs ‘nyika inotorwa makastika’ (The country will be taken while you’re drunk). “As young people you should express your ideas and you should capacitate yourselves with life skills in keeping with the ever changing world. Also use ICTs to be innovative, to Mnangagwa preaches peace ahead of elections learn new skills and improve your ideas in developing the country,” said Mnangagwa. He also said the party is committed to groom young people as there is now a youth quota in the national assembly. “The party is advancing because of the youth and the constant conditions of youth development and employment both to create empowerment. The party is committed to grooming the young people of our country and for the first time in history we now have a youth quota in the national assembly under the Second Republic,” said Mnangagwa. Speaking at the same event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra ChaTo page 3 Hordes of Zanu PF supporters on top of a truck


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TellZimbabwe @TellZimbabwe TellZimbabwe tellzimnews TellZim News 4 Leader page TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 Curriculum issues need multi-sectoral approach With government embarking on a curriculum review process paying attention to the Competence Based Curriculum with Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALAs) taking centre stage, a lot has to be taken into consideration if ever the noble idea is to bear fruit. After government made it clear that they aim to produce learners who have the relevant skills that are useful in real life situations, there is need for that same government as a policy maker to ensure the input of every stakeholder in curriculum issues is taken into consideration. Thus the success of this whole competence-based education system will hinge on the incorporation of ideas from all key stakeholders unlike a situation whereby government will just impose itself over other key s t a k e h o l d e r s whose input is critical in implementation of curriculum issues. G o v e r n m e n t m u s t seriously revisit and consider its stance on the role of educators in the success of any curriculum and thus should make sure they shift from the use of force through imposition of directives on an already demotivated teacher. Initially government should have taken the input of teachers, their views and positions with regards to the issue of CALAs since they are the ones on the ground guiding the teaching and learning processes. Secondly, the role of parents in curriculum shows how key a stakeholder they are in any given curriculum implementation situation. Since parents are the ones who bear the brunt of the whole cost of the learning of their kids, government should have taken into consideration the role of parents instead of just taking them by surprise and expect them to foot the costs. After the realization that the old curriculum didn’t address the needs and demands of this contemporary society, government should thus have made sure that enough resources are availed in schools countrywide to ensure the intended goals of the updated curriculum can be realized and that entails making available of teaching and learning materials timeously as well as addressing such key issues like teacher-pupil ratio as well. Teachers especially those in service need to upgrade their knowledge bases to meet the demands of the new system and that means not only school administrators attend such upgrading workshops. Bearing in mind also that the content in other learning areas like ICT, a n d or Science and Technology is a bit too much for the young learners, the way to go will be for government to position the young learners to what suits them and thus making sure relevant content is imparted to them suiting their grade levels. By making sure that the content suit the grade level, enough resources are availed and teachers are motivated, only then can glimpses of success filter through the education system while at the same time avoiding overburdening parents and other stakeholders. Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education thus should act in sincerity even when it comes to judging how the updated curriculum has fared over the previous seven years and that will see them come back to the drawing board and avoid working with manipulated and doctored results. Teacher representatives unions should also be taken into consideration as they form an integral party in the whole success or failure of any given curriculum. dzamira said under the Second Republic Masvingo province has managed to complete most of its implemented projects. “Out of 677 projects implemented under the Second Republic Masvingo province has managed to complete 537, and we have never witnessed such in the old dispensation, we have also completed 170 projects which only awaits commissioning through the devolution funds,” said Chadzamira. Young Women for 4ED chairperson Tatenda Mavetera thanked the President for the support he gives women through various projects. “In the Second Republic women are being recognized through various projects, and women are given the equal chance to participate in leadership because this year there are 10 women who qualified to be MPs and also we thank you for the women’s quota,” said Mavetera. Most 4ED affiliates were represented at the rally, including Vapostori nemaZion4ED and a number of politburo members, including party Vice President Kembo Mohadi and National Commissar Dr Mike Bimha. Mnangagwa preaches peace ahead of elections From page 3


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023


5 News TellZim News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Beatific Gumbwanda CHIREDZI-More than 2000 Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) land applicants are facing a massive loss after both Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils stopped FLOAAI from selling stands, ordering for complete servicing of 350 hectares agreed on, handing the stands over to the two local authorities before sharing and sale. FLOAAI did a feasibility study for the 750 hectares on the remainder of Buffalo Range meant for urban expansion and was mandated to develop 350ha phase 1 and hand it over to Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils, who are currently on a joint venture on the piece of land. FLOAAI Director, Pastor Godfrey Nelson Madanyaya had allegedly seized the project and had been selling stands to desperate land seekers in Chiredzi while threatening the councils by name dropping President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name as well as Minister July Moyo to be the owners of the project, while allegedly defrauding people. Madanyaya, whose list had accrued to more than 1000 people as well as Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) affiliates, had been selling stands at the cost of US$20.61 per m2, with one supposed to deposit US$1500 and pay the remaining balance in instalments over a period of four years. A non-refundable fee of US$50 was requested in order to open a file with FLOAAI. Recently, ZIMTA affiliates were physically shown their stands, which they had been directly contributing to FLOAAI through the Salary Services Bureau (SSB) but were never given offer letters to indicate ownership of the stands. Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) filed a High Court Interdict to stop the activities of FLOAAI, with Chiredzi RDC having initiated a process to terminate their MOU with FLOAAI. Chiredzi Town Council also resolved to stop the selling and complete servicing of the 350ha as agreed. CHIRRA also petitioned the Parliament of Zimbabwe to investigate the corrupt practices of land barons on 750 hectares of land allocated to Chiredzi Town and RDC. The 35th ordinary Full council meeting that was chaired by Chiredzi Town Council Deputy Chairperson, Ropafadzo Makumire resolved that disposing of stands be halted. “Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (PVT) Ltd (FLOAAI) must stop forthwith from disposing stands without seeking authority from both councils through the 750ha Housing Scheme Joint Committee. Stands should be disposed after issuance of certificate of compliance and in agreement with the stand distribution amongst parts as stated in 750ha housing scheme MOU,” read the resolution “Furthermore, FLOAAI (Pvt) Limited is urged to complete servicing of 350 ha phase 1 project and handover the serviced project to both councils before sharing and sale thereof,” the minutes read. Chiredzi Councils stop FLOAAI from selling ‘unserviced’ stands FLOAAI Director, Pastor Nelson Godfrey Madandaya


6 News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Beverly Bizeki Masvingo City Council has resolved to dissolve the Charles Austin theatre committee following allegations that there is lack of activity at the theatre since the election of committee. The development was revealed in the Health and housing Committee minutes dated May 4, 2023 that the committee had been deemed incompetent and the need for a new committee at the theatre. “It was reported that there was no activity going on at the Charles Austin Theatre ever since the new committee was elected into office,” read part of the statement. The committee has been accused of pushing their political aspirations at the theatre at the expense of theatre of issues. “It was noted that the most of the office bearers seem to have had an interest in launching their political careers than theatre issues. Some of the members have chosen to contest as councilors while some have already resigned citing lack of activity,” reads the statement. It has also been reported the Ministry of Youth, arts, Sports, and culture together with the National Arts Council also expressed concern over lack of activities and council has resolved to dissolve the committee at the at Charles Austin Theatre committee to be dismissed over incompetence the expiry of their term of office. “The committee be dissolved at the expiry of their term of office end of May 2023 and an interim committee be appointed. “The committee will be made up of people with arts and culture background and are active participants in the industry,” reads the statement. Council has also proposed to ensure the appointment be done in consultation with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Arts and National Arts Council. Beverly Bizeki There is fear among employees at Bilcro Investments that the company could close shop due to economic hardships following various activities which have seen some employees being retrenched, allegedly without prior notice to their colleagues. BILCRO employees fret over company retrenchment … As company closes branches, sells properties To page 7


TellZim News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 News 7 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY BILCRO employees fret over company retrenchment From page 6 Beverly Bizeki The economic hardships prevailing in the country have reached yet another level with the monthly basket jumping to ZWL $1 million this month burdening most workers who are earning the Zimbabwean dollar forcing them to call for dollarization and paying salaries in United States Dollars. With prices of basic goods in local currency skyrocketing, the demand for foreign currency is on the peak as consumers are turning to informal traders to buy goods. 10 kg mealie meal is now costing an average of RTGS $22 000 while 1kg packet of sugar costs around RTGS $8 000. Cooking oil now cost RTGS $24 000 on average. For street vendors who seem to have stolen the limelight, cash crunched citizens are asked to pay US$2, 50 per 2kg sugar while cooking oil costs US $3, 50 per 2litre. The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe Director Rosemary Mpofu has revealed that the cost of living in Zimbabwe dollar terms rose by 62 percent between April and May resulting in increase of the monthly basket. “The consumer council of Zimbabwe low urban income earner monthly basket for a family of six stands currently at ZWL $1 015 961.This is sharp increase because the basket has moved from the month of April where it was ZWL $611 275 up to ZWL $1 015 962. “The low income earner is mainly earning in the Zimbabwean Dollar but the cost of living has really increased from the April figure to the May figure and it has constituted a percent increase of 62, 2 percent,” said Mpofu. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Dr Takavafira Zhou said there is need for government to restore sanity by not increasing the salary in RTGS but rather by paying workers’ salary in USD. “Any attempt to increase the RTGS is merely fueling inflation as prices of basic commodities will sky rocket and erode the buying power. Extra ordinary challenges need extra ordinary solutions. “As a stop gap measure, there is need to restore the purchasing power parity of workers' salaries by paying a basic salary of US$540 and maintaining the current allowances. We, therefore, need a political, economic and social hygiene in Zimbabwe in order to give workers, particularly teachers, a breathing space,” said Dr Zhou. Zhou also called for the stepping down of the Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube saying he is the chief architect of the economic challenges Zimbabwe is facing. “No wonder why Prof Mthuli Ncube must resign forthwith as the chief architect of the current economic challenges emanating from his so called austerity for prosperity, and US$1 = RTGS $1 that has turned out to be a diagnosis that tries to treat a patient by killing him/her,” said Zhou. The Zimbabwean dollar this week fell from US $1: ZWL $2 577 to US$1: ZWL $3 673. Price madness; calls for dollarisation mount …As monthly basket price reaches ZWL $1 million Some employees who spoke to TellZim News on condition of anonymity said they were worried that the company could close shop as it has been on record for closing branches and selling some of its properties. “Our concern is that we do not know what the future holds for us when the company is selling properties because this has been our security that we always have something to hold on to in the event that the company closes which is the company property. “The truck force has been sold leaving behind only a few T35 trucks, as well as some buildings. At times we only get to see adverts of buildings on sale on social media platforms,” said the source. The sources however said the company was not facing liquidation or viability challenges as the company always manages to sell available stock. “It is not a liquidity or viability problem that is haunting the company because we are always selling when there is stock available,” said the sources. Managing Director of Bilcro Investments Richard Billing denied allegations of the company closing shop amid concerns by employees that the company has been on the record for closing branches and unfairly dismissing employees since last year. In an interview with TellZim News, Billing said the company is only trying to consolidate in the prevailing economic conditions. “Nothing is changing really but the company is trying to consolidate and adjust in the prevailing economic conditions. We are moving forward. “We have always kept an open line of communication with our employees hence we would communicate if there is anything , the branches that are closing are the ones which are not performing well so they are rather being closed for purposes of consolidation,” said Billing.


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY Perpetua Murungweni The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Saturday (June 10) celebrated 13 years of operating as an independent institution in charge of justice administration affairs. The celebrations were held across the country under the theme, 'Enhancing justice delivery through improved overall employee'. In Masvingo, JSC members and other stakeholder had a march from Mucheke Hall to Masvingo CBD distributing fliers and inviting people to come to either the magistrates’ court or High Court to get more information on how JSC operates. Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume were among Masvingo’s top leadership who were part of the march. The JSC became an independent institution in charge of the affairs of the administration of justice on 10 June 2010, through the enactment of the Judicial Service Act [Chapter 7:18]. The functions of the JSC were broadly defined and entrenched by section 190 of the Constitution. JSC celebrates 13 years Some of the delegates during the march including Minister Ezra Chadzamira(in white cap) and Ass com Marume (in pink top)


TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 News 8 HUMAN RIGHTS Beverly Bizeki Describing his life changing moment, Robert Mapuvire is proud of the lesson he got on disability inclusive parenting which enabled him to treat his child differently after years of depriving his daughter, Delight of her rights as she is disabled. “It has been 23 years of abusing my daughter because of ignorance; we would always leave her out on many things, even house chores as we did not even see it fit to get her a birth certificate and national ID like our Inclusivity – bridging the gap on disability other children but through learning we have been conscientized on the rights of the children living with disabilities. “We would just ask her to sit in one place, never bothered on whether or not the weather will affect her because we thought she is disabled (akangoita muZIMCARE) and will not be affected by it,” said Mapuvire. The programme has however enabled Mapuvire and his family to understand their epileptic daughter’s condition which they had always thought was witchcraft. “Through meeting various stakeholders including health professionals and the Social Welfare Department who have taught us about disability we are now aware that it is not witchcraft as we had always thought because of ignorance (taingoti kana mwana akavhiringidzika toti kuroyewa uku). “I am most grateful to our teachers, my daughter’s wellbeing has improved a lot, she can sweep the yard and do the dishes as we have also learnt to take her along when doing other duties like farming and we have witnessed that there is a great improvement,” said Mapuvire. Tracy Mabhiza, the field officer for the project said there are instances of sexual abuse of children living with disabilities with most of the cases going unreported. “Parents usually do not to report cases of abuse because most of the perpetrators are not outsiders but family members, so they cannot report because at most these are breadwinners in the families where these children come from,” said Mabhiza. The project which is a brain child of Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social welfare in collaboration with UNICEF with funding from Government of Sweden, Government of Norway (Norad) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation working with implementing partner Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association, was implemented in August 2022 and is carried out in five wards in Chivi. Zimbabwe National Association of Mental Health (ZIMNAMH) National Director, Ignatius Murambidzi said the project was meant to capacitate parents of children living with disability. “The project was meant to build the capacity of the parents of children living with disabilities to be able to take care of their children and for children to promote their mental wellbeing which is why we have partnered Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association so as to be able to reach out to the children as both have so many unmet mental needs,” said Murambidzi. Robert Mapuvire


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 9 WOMEN & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Perpetua Murungweni Women seem to face a number of challenges in political participation than men. Due to economic hardships in Zimbabwe lack of economic empowerment seem to be a major drawback for women participating in politics. Women’s economic empowerment is widely regarded as the transformative process that helps women and girls move from limited power, voices, and choices at home and in the economy to having the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to compete equitably with man in markets control and benefit from economic gains. As economic empowerment is the ability to make and act on decisions that involve the control over and allocation of fiWomen's political participation remains a challenge File picture : Some of the women who attended an engagement meeting held by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) in April. nancial resources, it is prudent to give women access to income and assets which equip them with power to make decisions. According to experts, when women are able to make decisions they can pursue goals free from the threat of violence or revenge and it helps them to fully participate in politics without challenges. Statistics provided by the United Nations indicate that Zimbabwean women’s participation in leadership and politics remains low at 35percent in parliament, 16percent in local government and 11.5percent in Cabinet. This is due to lack of women empowerment, inadequate implementation of the Constitutional provisions and inadequate capacity of state institutions to mainstream gender in electoral and political processes. Tendeuka Matara, who said she was nominated to contest in the forthcoming elections in her party said women usually hesitate to take part in politics because of the economic empowerment gap between men and women, with most women being less capacitated than men in terms of education and employment. “The economic empowerment gap between men and women hinders us women from political participation; most women are less educated than men and fewer women are employed. This affects our campaigns because we do not afford resources needed to become effective leaders but if we become economically empowered we will be in a better position to compete with men in politics,” said Matara. Women Coalition of Zimbabwe Masvingo Chapter Coordinator Blessing Mombo said economic empowerment improves women's access to resources as they will be able to make decisions, giving them a sense of self-worth. “Economic empowerment improves women's access to resources. Lack of economic empowerment is a major setback for women to participate in politics. For instance lack of financial resources can limit women's political participation given the cost associated with elections and this is where most of women lose the game especially during primary elections when they do not have financial support from their political parties. “In primary elections women campaign using their own resources hence they cannot stand the competition as their male counterparts have a better economic base,” said Mombo. Leah Matavire, the information officer of Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD), said that economic empowerment signifies power in political discourse, and women need this power so that they effectively participate in leadership roles. “The economic muscle in every society represents power and especially when it comes to the political discourse. “For women to be able to effectively participate and get elected in politics there is need for them to be economically empowered, as financial resources aid the smooth flow of campaigning, mobilizing electorate and managing the hefty fees required by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for one to be registered as a candidate,” said Matavire.


10 TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 News WOMEN & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Beverly Bizeki Anna Nhenga (27) of Victoria Ranch recalls the events of 2021 when she almost lost her life after an open pit collapsed on her as she was trying to unearth what has been termed the ‘bluestone’ by quarry miners in one of Masvingo’s suburbs. “An open shaft collapsed whilst I was digging for stones underground and I almost lost my life which is why I have this scar on my ear (points at her ear). My workmates thought I was dead as half of my body had been trapped into the earth,” says Nhenga. The sad part however is that Nhenga has not been able to make much from the over 7 years that she has spent mining quarry stones and whenever she considers leaving the trade she always finds her way back as life has not given her many options when it comes to work. “I have five children, four of which are of school going age but I can only manage to send two of them to school and have no idea of when I will be able to send them to school,” says Nhenga. Nhenga is one of the women that have been pushed into hard labour by abject poverty faced by many owing to the worsening economic situation in the country. Becoming a mother at 16 with no parents or husband to support her, Nhenga says life has not given her too many options except to join others in breaking granite stones to create quarry, where she has been trading hard labour for a very few dollars. “We try to reach a target of coming up with at least 10 buckets a day so that we can have a cubic after three days which we sell at roughly US $10 to US $12 to make a meagre US $100 on a good month where sales would be better. “We can go for days or weeks without making any sales which is problematic as we have bills to pay every month, as we speak my landlord has given me a notice because I always pay my rentals very late,” says Nhenga. The US $100 that Nhenga makes from selling the stones has to pay US $50 for her children’s fees, US $30 rentals and the remaining US $20 is for foodstuffs and other basic commodities. Concilia Mugeji who has also spent the past seven years of her life breaking and selling stones for a living says motherhood in the prevailing economic conditions has pushed her to the sharp end of the stick forcing her to endure such a dangerous environment as she has to provide for her family. "Our line of work requires lots of strength in digging and extracting stones from the ground as sometimes we use 14 pound hammers which are very difficult to use but as a mother you have to endure the weight and work to make sales," she said. Mugeji who is a mother of four says her line of work is male dominated and considered illegal which brings about huge challenges to her as a woman. "Sometimes when we get clients, we ask men to help us load the quarry into the client's vehicle and they have to charge us for that, taking part of the little money we would have made. "Men also tend to take our loads and never pay or return the loads we would have given them," she added. For Mugeji, the job is heavy especially with the health challenHarsh economy pushes women to the sharp end of the stick …the tale of Masvingo female quarry miners ges taking a toll on her body but she has to do it for her children one of whom is set to re-write his Ordinary Level examinations this year. Asked why she has chosen this line of work, Mugeji said it requires little to no capital and records few losses as she can keep her 'stock' for as long as it takes before she gets a client. Mugeji also says lack of equipment places them at a disadvantage as contractors often choose more refined stones unlike the ones which they often produce because they use manual equipment like hammers. "We can go for about three weeks without making any sales because contractors often want finer products but we cannot produce such because of lack of equipment," said Mugeji. Because of the hard hitting economy, Mugeji who has always wished to purchase a residential stand has not been able to make much which has seen her only making enough to put food on the table for her children and hardly any to send them to school. "I had hopes of buying a residential stand but after all these years of trying I have nothing to show for it because it’s always hand-to-mouth. "My hopes are getting shattered now because I feel sick and I cannot continue working for long under these circumstances," said Mugeji. Mugeji however, wishes for better working conditions as they are exposed to all harsh weather conditions in the pits they extract the stones from. "We wish for helpers or well-wishers to assist us in starting projects that can help sustain us as women. We are often excluded from society as we are always working in the outskirts so we are often left out of community activities as well as opportunities," she added. Concilia Mugeji crushing quarry stones


TellZim News News > 09 - 15 june 2023 News 119 WOMEN & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Women's participation in driving competitions cardinal: TSCZ Branton Matondo The year's edition of Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) Driving Competitions was yet another male dominated scene as female numbers were meagre, a feat that has been labeled retrogressive in the drive for road safety. With TSCZ predicting that by 2030 road carnages will spike to 50 percent, women with class 2 drivers’ licenses have been urged to take part in bus and rigid trucks competitions as a way to curb the rising road accident tally. One of the female winners at this year’s Manicaland Driver of the year competitions held at Fountain Creek representing Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Herbert Chitepo 3 Brigade, Violet Mvundura said even though she scooped the second gong in the rigid truck driving competition women participation should increase in these competitions as they impart necessary driving safety measures. "It's a happy feeling altogether to win in such a competition because l was calm when l was driving. I told myself there is nothing to panic about but just standing up and represent women all over. However, my advice to other women in Manicaland is to register and participate. Most women have class 2 driver’s licenses but when you look at this year’s competition l was the only one in the rigid truck competition. We should compete with men and shun the stereotype that women are not good drivers," Mvundura said. She added that road safety signs and directions should be followed and it should be a priority amid current high accidents records. "I advise all drivers out there to prioritize safe driving, which means following all the road signs and directions. Over speeding is unwaranted. It's better to be late than to be the late. Meanwhile the rigid truck pool was dominated by ZNA which scooped two prizes; Steven Karira clinching the poll position (USD 500) with Violet Mvundura setting for second while Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Tobias Tangwena settled for third position. In the bus category Jacob Mangwe from Africa University scooped the first position bagging USD 500. Violet Mvundura receiving her award


12 News TELL ZIM News >> 10 - 15 june 2023 Brighton Chiseva RENCO MINE – Lessons had to be suspended at Nyabata High School in Renco Mine yesterday (June 08) after a number of learners collapsed in what is suspected to be a satanism attack. School authorities had to send all the learners home after the number of victims continued to rise which they felt they could fail to contain. The school head Boniface Chuma could neither confirm nor deny the incident saying he was not at the school at the moment. “I am not at the school at the moment, I am attending a meeting at another school so I cannot comment on the matter,” said Chuma. Sources however said the incident started in form 3 South where one learner fell unconscious before others followed suit. “One girl collapsed in form 3 South, she was taken outside and others began to collapse in the same class. A few minutes later, more were reported to have collapsed in the opposite class, form 3 West. “A few moments later more learners collapsed in other classes until authorities decided to send all learners home School suspended over Satanism as they could not cope with the increasing number of victims,” said the source. Another source claimed that a bigger number of affected learners are from a Zion Christian Church sect and said the incident had allegedly been prophesied by a local self-proclaimed prophet. “Most of the girls who collapsed are from ZCC Mbungo and they said they had been told about the incident earlier at church and were told that if it happened they had to sing and all satanists including teachers would reveal themselves but school authorities denied them permission to sing when the incident happened. “Church elders were called and prayed for the victims before taking them to the local church,” said the source. Another source said the incident started some few weeks ago with isolated cases until this week when the number increased to more than 10. Some sources who allegedly spoke to the victims said it started when they were given oranges by one learner and they started feeling cold marking the spate of collapses that had been recorded over a few weeks. Last year (2022) there were reports of satanism attacks at the Mining Compound with two children, one from Nyabata and two from Renco Mine Primarys School which are less than 500m apart being said to have been initiated by a teacher from Mashapa Primary School which is a kilometer from both schools. The teacher happened to stay next door with the victims in Renco Mine compound with the matter having been taken to Chief Nyajena’s court but the accused was denying the allegations. The victims would collapse, convulse and writhed in some incidences and narrated spine chilling accounts of how they do the practice. Perpetua Murungweni Akudziwe Chenjerai from Yekuai, who was a form three pupil at Victoria High School in Masvingo is said to have committed suicide by drinking poison on June 6, 2023. The School Head Engelbert Chimbwari confirmed the incident but said he was not yet sure of the circumstances. “It is true that one of our learners is said to have taken her life by consuming poison yesterday, and I'm not sure why she did that,” Chimbwari. Sources close to the matter however alleged that she took her life yesterday by drinking poison over a cheating boyfriend. “She drank poison because her boyfriend, who is also a student at Victoria High school had chosen another girlfriend over her,” said the source. Suicide among students has raised concerns about a mental health crisis that is destroying most children in Zimbabwe were most kids are taking their lives and suicide seems to be the second leading cause of death. In 2017 a Form 2 pupil at the Catholic-run Silveira Mission High School in Bikita committed suicide by hanging in a storeroom after allegedly being bullied by senior boys. Also in 2018 a 16-yearold boy from Rujeko C committed suicide after a misunderstanding with his sister over perfume by drinking a pesticide. Last year in March another 16-year-old girl from Hillside Extension Masvingo who was doing form four at a local high school took her life by consuming a cotton pesticide after an altercation with her mother. Victoria High pupil commits suicide Nyabata High School signage Victoria High School signage


TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 News 13 Mudha still kicking in Zanu PF No Polad for the losers this time Ladies and gentlemen, Mapombi comes to you with a heavy heart. I recently met someone kuno kuChitima whose RTGS salary has been reduced to only US$10. The devastation on that man’s face as he loitered in the stalls only to buy katsapo kemachunks would have moved Panonetsa and Mthuli’s hearts if only they had any. The thing manje is they do not have iya inonzi compassion. I saw Mthuli promising the people of Cowdray Park a ‘smart city’ kkkkkk, baba imi pengerai kwamaroiwa mazvinzwa. Smart City munoiziva imi, and you are clearly aware that you are lying, that’s why you stammer every time you speak about it. Nothing this man presides over succeeds; Barbican bank makauraya, now Zim economy naTrabablas wenyu murikuponda. I am only waiting to see how these people will spin the economy story in their campaigns. The horse has bolted nhaiwe Mthuli, Panonetsa naShefu wenyu wenyambo uyo. There’s nothing left in the stable, and once again you have managed to take us back to being the world’s laughing stock nezicurrency renyu rekupenga iri. If you watch or listen to Mthuli speaking, you can clearly see that the guy has no confidence in whatever he will be saying. Such a terrible liar, bva vachigoda here kutaura chokwadi. MaProfessor emunowo futi, kkkk. Mabook acho zvaanenge anotopusisa. Jonso is busy singing for his supper down there in a Kenyan village. Let’s see if Zanu readmits him, but those who know ED know that he always treads with caution nevanhu ava. He won’t take Jonso lightly kkkk, hanzi Jonso is someone who would even come at your funeral just to disturb you on your last day kkk. If you think I am lying ask Tyson. How many who defected from opposition has ED welcomed, yet there are those dismissed from Zanu whose voices have gone hoarse from shouting praises for him but vachingovapo pazhe. They say, if you are dining with the devil you have to have a very long spoon, unokuvara. Iye Saviour, Tyson WaBantu auya zvine mutsindo. Trust me ladies and gentlemen, there is serious panic in the corridors of power. Kasukuwere is bad news for these people because I can bet that the pain and humiliation of Operation Restore Regacy is still fresh in the minds of the so many G40s we have in the ruling party, who have been forced by circums- tances to go with the flow. Kasukuwere commands a big following, believe it or not. Don’t forget him and Mliswa were simbi dzebasa in yesteryear Zanu in Mashonaland. That guy had usurped so much power, that’s why you see murikuitwa midumbu muZanu at the mention of Saviour’s candidacy. Ndabva ndafunga hama dzangu dzepaBikita apo Jeppy Jaboon nechimupostora chedu Nhenjana vachiimba ‘kumagumo kune nyaya’ mazuva aDr Gire. Yainaka power paya. Where are these two asi kkkk, if anyone sees them muti hanzi sei sei naMapombi. Anyway, back to Saviour, muZanu mapinda mhepo varume. They are quacking in their boots as we speak, and the only card they are left to play is to block him from filing his papers kuNomination Court either by arresting him or by finding any technicality that can work to their advantage. They know that Saviour is going to divide the Zanu vote, and that is a nightmare they never anticipated. Zvakangonakira isu vanaMapombi who know that Zanu neZanulite zvakafanana, ndedzemudanga. We all know Saviour’s track record, but if I may remind you, ndovakuru veIndigenisation zve vaya. Iye mukati haasi kutaimira Polad iyeyu? Mwari ave nemi varume imi, muchandotsva kudenga nemapolicy enyu akatiurayira industry iwayo. But zvikafamba mushe ladies and gentlemen, ndaona 2 October tavhota futi. Not sure if Chamisa has a good strategy to counter the G40 effect, but haiwawo, Nero wacho is always busy saying ‘trinkets, trinkets’ kuTwitter uko, nothing more nothing less. He must have learnt the words recently because kungodai, ‘trinkets’ kkkk, bambo imika. On a serious note however, I don’t think taking this much time without revealing candidates is a good idea. People need to know their horses in time, because that instils confidence that indeed we are going somewhere. Remember you are working with protest vote here, and a large number of the people who will vote for you have no business following your internal party processes. All they want are the names, pachine time voitawo confidence kuti shuwa heino government in waiting. It begins to look like you are not yet ready to be in power. Iko muchitori ready here iyemi, because discord munoiwanzawo. Put your house in order, mazuva afamba. You can accuse Zanu of other things, but when it comes to preparing for elections they are far ahead. The other day mayouth were threatening rogue erements that are causing aram and dhispondency in the party vanaLunga, Mandebvu, Pindi Chakona nanaCharle Munyangaza, ah sorry Munganasa. Ungazoti ndivo vakatadza kuita maelections eyouth league vagwa paPoly apo gore riya, kkkk, kubudisirana rekeni kunge mafudzamombe. It’s called unity of purpose, even though the purpose is to continuously make people suffer for five more years’ munyika yaNehanda. The opposition used to have a very vibrant youth league, where did they go? What exactly is happening in the yellow party? I hope leadership is not frustrating vana to an extent where they feel like hapana chekufira, vakutochembera pasina chabuda. Even all the vocal young activists are no longer as vibrant. It’s like they just made a collective decision to withdraw into their shells. Murikuitana sei uko? Zvotiwo team racho is too prone to being infiltrated, takazongonzwa vanaZvorwadza vonzi vatenga dzimba, but at least akarohwerwa zviripo. Kunorwadza kurohwa, worse being beaten by a police officer atoriwo nezhara dzake, kkkk. I won’t be surprised to hear that even the current selection of candidates is heavily infiltrated, handiti makazadza vanhu vaMai Mujuru here? And where did Mai Mujuru come from? Do you think those people vakadzura nemidzi kuZanu? Zvipindurei mega. Mwonzora and his cronies’ kuti diii, mwiro zvavo vachidya yemarema. Makadya henyuka yenyika calling yourselves the main opposition muchiziva chokwadi. Izvezvi he is waiting for the disgruntled CCC members who are going to be booted out naChamisa when he announces a list of candidates who are loyal to him not the founding principles of the party kkkk. Chakavamirira chedu Togarasei, Dougie neIntegrity chikumbwe nembwambwambwa for those who grew up in the rural areas. Hazvionani. That goes for the Polad crew, this time no nhanzvi, kkk. Hamulume. There will be no crumbs for losers like what happened last time, VanaMadhuku zvamakadzingwa from your party kudai, hakusisina zvekudya nePolad. At least he has a good record in defending criminals so he is covered in that area. I never thought we would ever live to hear Madhuku being accused of failing to transform his movement into a political party. Mupolitics anything goes mufunge. At least vakamirira mamwe maPolad mabiyavo kuti mari dzidzikiswe neZEC. Ipapo bhoo. Mapombi is happy at least that this time around the double candidates issue has been resolved from the top. Yes, ZEC has called for submission of proper signatories on nomination of candidates, not zvekuti wese ane pen can sign for a candidate of his or her choice. Ehe, her choice, Mai Kore uko mazvinzwa here? Mai Muchuchuti varipikowo? Varova. Also before I forget, don’t oppress women mumisangano umo. Inclusion please in your policies ndapota. I was not happy nekushomeka kwemafemale candidates in both main parties. But again, handiti Chamisa promised last year that he will be the sole signatory for candidates? 21 June is not too far tozviona then, but listen, this time hatisi kuda madrama. This time, I’m sure we won’t see people defecting pacourt apo, vanaMichael Taderera, I hope you accepted defeat kunomination process yeCCC yawakada, not kuzotengwa nemari kuti uite candidate pacourt nhaika. Mapombi arikukuziva. ED came to Masvingo to meet first time voters, ivo vaya vaiunzwa nemalorry pamudzviti apo kuzotora zvitupa vozoregistiswa kuvhota maitirwe nyasha kkkk. At least you won’t have to worry about your meal kana vakuru vauya kudai, you’re given sadza, nyama nedoro. That’s what our young people have been reduced to. Our politics, power and elected leadership is all centred around kudya. MPs right now havanzwi munhu, even if they are to leave parliament tomorrow, they were greased enough; mota, maloans, mastands wozodei? Isu vanaMapombi tichikaura nawo mabanana akaora nechando chemuChimusana umu. At least this weekend I’m good, ED akauya ndakadyawo sadza rinopisa, asi imwi makarishaya? kkkk. Yandakashaya iicecream yaingopiwa everyone. apa ndanga ndaisuwa, ndakaiguma that day when Mahwende bought zvingoro zvese paChief’s Hall before primary elections. Anyway, regai ndinokanga maputi angu for lunch kusati kopisa. Mboko imboko! Beverly Bizeki A 77-year-old man from Mushagashe was sentenced to 12 months behind bars by a Masvingo magistrate after being found guilty of cultivating and being in found in possession of dagga on June 7, 2023. Aaron Pedzisai pleaded guilty and told magistrate Conceptor Ngwerume that the he was selling dagga to eke out a living so as to be able to take care of his grandchildren left behind by his deceased children. It was the state case as presented by Prosecutor P Tichava that on October 16, 2022 the accused was found in possession of dagga plants in his field as well as dagga twists in his fowl run. It is reported that on the given day, police officers patrolling in the Zimuto area received a tip off to the effect that the accused person was cultivating dagga in the garden at his homestead. The police officers visited the place and found 14 plants of dagga measuring between 32 centimeters and 132 centimeters planted in the garden weighing 1 kilogram. A further search by the police led to the team recovering two large twists of dagga stashed on the roof of a fowl run at his homestead leading to the arrest of the accused. 77-year old jailed for mbanje File picture of Mbanje plants Tinaani Nyabereka A Gweru man is battling for his life after he was severely attacked by an unknown assailant with a sharp object. The incident occurred on 2 June 2023 around 2330 hours at Woodlands Phase 2 Business Centre, Gweru. It is alleged that the complainant Tobaiwa Mafios and his friend Brian Chivanga were on their way home from a bar when they met the suspect in the company of his girlfriend. Tobaiwa asked the suspect’s girlfriend if she had seen her aunt only known as Chipo as Tobaiwa knew the suspect's girlfriend. The discussion did not go on well with the suspect who then stabbed Mafios several times with an unknown sharp object. Chivanga with the help of another man managed to ferry Mafios to hospital. Mafios sustained several stab wounds. His condition is serious and he is currently admitted at Gweru Provincial, where he is receiving treatment. Midlands Provincial Police,Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko is appealing to members of the public regarding the whereabouts of the suspects. "We appeal for information about the suspect behind this attack together with his girlfriend whose particulars are not yet known," he added. Unknown assailant leaves Gweru man battling for life


14 News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 Perpetua Murungweni There is need for communities and stakeholders to adopt a collective approach in a bid to preserve the environment, so as to create a more sustainable world for future generation. This was said during commemorations of World Environment Day hosted by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe Masvingo Chapter (WCOZ) on May 5 2023. The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Solution to plastic pollution’ and different stakeholders were invited to share their solutions. Speaking during proceedings, Upenyu Chaota of Enviropress urged communities and local authorities to adopt a collective approach and work hand in hand in trying to maintain a clean environment. “It is important for communities CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT Beverly Bizeki Masvingo province has revised its winter wheat target from the set 2000ha to 2100 ha following the review of the national target by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development from 85 000ha to 90 000 ha. Masvingo Province Agritex Acting Director Nobert Masiiwa confirmed the development and said the ministry was reviewing the target upwards. “As Masvingo province, we have planted 1238 ha as at June 2, 2023 which is 59 percent of the target, we are expecting the plantation to keep increasing as the plantation date has also been moved to June 15 2023,” said Masiiwa. “In terms of area planted by district, Bikita has a target of 150ha and 142 ha has already been planted, Chiredzi has a target of 220ha and they have planted 153ha, Chivi has a target of 100 ha and they have done 56ha. “Gutu’s target is 367 ha and they have done 243 ha, Masvingo’s target is 1 100ha and 533 ha have been planted, Mwenezi has a target of 13 ha and they are yet to plant and Zaka has a target of 150h and they have done 108ha,” said Masiiwa. Farmers have however experienced some challenges in terms of tillage services. “Most of our farmers need tractors for ploughing, disking and rolling but unfortunately our province does not have enough tractor power but we have had a lot of support from AFC bank leasing services private tillage operators but we still have a lot of farmers who are lagging behind in terms of tillage,” said Masiiwa. Masiiwa urged farmers with bigger farms to start registering with the ministry for leasing services. “Our farmers are urged to go to their respective extension officers and indicate the area put under winter wheat which they need services for in terms of combining to enable us to link them with service providers. Masiiwa also stated that they have had challenges with the quilia bird but there is now a department in the ministry responsible for migratory pests and bio security and farmers are implored to alert extension officers when they come across the pests for control. Zimbabwe last year recorded its highest wheat production since production of the cereal in the country after harvesting 375 000 tonnes of wheat from the 80 833 hectares planted. Winter wheat target reviewed to 2100ha File picture of a wheat field Collective approach important to environmental preservation and local authorities to adopt a collective approach which is shared behavior towards the betterment of our environment and stop playing the blame game. When local authorities fail to collect refuse, communities should try by all means to look for better waste management ways than dumping their refuse at inappropriate places. Council should always stop making excuses but collect refuse in time as this helps in maintaining a clean and safe environment,” said Chaota. Chaota also said, there was need for stiffer penalties to those who throw litter everywhere especially plastic because plastic takes a very long time to decompose. “The government should enforce strict laws and heavy penalties on those who throw litter everywhere so as to promote behavioral change towards keeping a safe environment which is free from waste pollution. People should try by all means to recycle plastics because they take a very long time to decompose hence damaging the environment,” said Chaota. Masvingo City Council Environmental Health Technician, Brian Madamombe urged residents to work hand in hand with council when it comes to waste management. “I urge residence to work hand in hand with the council when it comes to waste management because sometimes council encounters some challenges that affect refuse collection. When council fails I don’t urge you to fail as well but rather come up with better methods of waste management that help maintain a safe and clean environment. “I also urge you to have separate bins at home because it helps us manage our waste as we will be able recycle plastics and decompose that which is decomposable. This method will help keep our environment clean and reduce the burden on the council,” said Madamombe. Florence Chiwera, the chairperson of Apex, a group of women from health clubs also emphasized that plastic, if recycled could help communities with income generating opportunities. “We motivate and encourage women to recycle plastics so that we create income-generating opportunities for women and by doing so we will be creating a safe and clean environment in our communities,” said Chiwera. Attendants following proceedings


TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 News 15 CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT Tinaani Nyabereka GWERU-Dates for this year’s edition of the Midlands Agricultural Show are out as the event is set to kick start on 20 July 2023. This year's edition is expected to attract more than 150 exhibitors, with the show running under the theme; "collaborative, integrative solutions for economic development." Meanwhile the official opening of the show has been set for Saturday July 22, 2023. Speaking during a presser in Gweru recently, Midlands Show Society chairperson, Augustine Mpakurirwa said the show was crucial in giving exhibitors a rare opportunity to market their products and creating synergies. “The show is about bringing in business people to collaborate and interact as well as sharing ideas. As the show society, we would like to urge businesses and stakeholders to work together, creating linkages and developing the country. "We have invited music maestro, Sylvester Chizanga aka 'Freeman' as the guest artist at the Premier Provincial Annual Business Extravaganza alongside local artists," he said. This year’s edition was moved to July as the country is expected to hold harmonized elections on August 23, the dates which happened to be the traditional timeframe of the show. Midlands Agric Show on the cards File picture of products exhibited at the previous Midlands Agricultural show


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT Perpetua Murungweni Climate change negative effects which are experienced through natural hazards such as landslides, floods and hurricanes seem to burden women more, it has emerged. This came to light at the commemorations of World Environment Day organized by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo Chapter where different stakeholders were invited. Speaking at the event Ziso Piwayi from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Comuunity, Small and Medium Enterprises said women are more affected by environment pollution than men and gave reference to 2019 cyclone Idai which was a national disaster in Zimbabwe and neighboring countries. “Women are at risk of the negative effects of climate change which are due to environmental pollution. During Cyclone Idai most women were affected more than men. “During the disaster, agriculture suffered heavily and this affected women especially those from rural areas who depended more on agriculture. Women were greatly affected because they are the ones who bear the bigger burden in times of food insecurity. “Women were displaced during the disaster and they had to start from scratch. “During the time of displacement women were affected health wise, because they were displaced to places with poor health facilities and no water. This was difficult for women who were pregnant and those who had newly born babies to access health facilities,” said Piwai. Joyce Mhungu of WCoZ said women in rural areas are most Women carry a greater burden of environmental pollution exposed to the effects of climate change because they are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihood. “Women in rural areas are most vulnerable because they are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood. These women have the responsibility to secure water, food and firewood for cooking,” Mhungu said. Mhungu also said that there is need to consider availability of resources when displacing women after natural disasters because they are the most affected with the displacements. “After natural disasters that are caused by environmental pollution, most women are displaced to different places and in most cases these places lack water and better health facilities and there is need to consider these facilities to accommodate women who are pregnant and those who have special health needs,” said Mhungu. Masvingo City Council gender focal person Alice Mashinge said there is need to involve men in environmental awareness campaigns as much as women are involved because they are the ones who contribute more to environment pollution. “When it comes to climate change men are more involved in activities that cause environmental pollution such as illegal mining, cutting down of trees for firewood for selling and digging of river sand and pit sand. There is need to involve men in environmental awareness campaigns and teach them on the impact all these activities have on women,” said Mashinge.


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 To advertise contact Theresa on 071 741 0792 or Brighton on 077 735 5808 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 Bottle Store 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 Muvava Business Centre , Bikita trading as Denso 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 2nd DAY OF JUNE 2023. Calvin Nemaringa Muvava Business Centre Bikita Applicant 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 Bottle Store 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 Restaurant Special Liquor Licence in respect of premises situated at 730 Msasa Drive, Chiredzi trading as Club Infinity. 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 2nd DAY OF June 2023. Simbarashe Mudzimu 730 Msasa Drive Chiredzi Applicant 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 Bottle Store 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 Restaurant Special LIQUOR LICENCE in respect of premises situated at Chiredzi Showgrounds ,Chiredzi trading as Honolulu Restaurant. 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 9th DAY OF JUNE 2023. Shamiso Rushavashava Chiredzi Showgrounds Chiredzi Applicant NOTICE APPLICATION FOR CESSION Notice is hereby given that application will be made at Chiredzi Rural District Council for a Cession from Taibu Mislam(Cedant) ID No 14- 203709N14 of 666A Cheruwa Road, Tshovani, Chiredzi in favour of Bhungeni Lawrence(Cessionary) ID No. 14- 156137E14 in respect of Stand No. 1170 square metres located in the low density Urban Settlement, Chiredzi. Any Person claiming to have objections in connection with the issue of such cession are hereby required to lodge the same at Chiredzi Town Council offices within (124 days from the date of publication of this notice. Dated at Chiredzi this 8th day June 2023. Bhungeni Lawrence Nyangambe Village 3 Bag 7112 Chiredzi APPLICANT NOTICE APPLICATION FOR CESSION Notice is hereby given that application will be made at Chiredzi Rural District Council for a Cession from Gibson Hwende (Cedant) ID No 14-15004M16 of 10 Syringa Flats, Chiredzi in favour of Shupikai Chibaya (Cessionary) ID No. 63-1176253T12 in respect of Stand No 872, Buffalo Range, Chiredzi. Any Person claiming to have objections in connection with the issue of such cession are hereby required to lodge the same at Chiredzi Rural District Council offices within (124 days from the date of publication of this notice. Dated at Chiredzi this 8th day June 2023. Shupikai Chibaya 20, Eland Drive APPLICANT


News TELLZIM News >> 09 - 15 june 2023 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 Latest MPC Resolutions: Wholesale Auction for Banks as ZWL Plunges Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convened an ad hoc meeting on the 6th of June 2023 amid a deepening currency crisis. The MPC meeting comes after the Treasury had earlier announced a cocktail of policy measures to stabilize the local currency and prices. The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL) which was re-introduced in 2019 following a decade of full dollarization is again on the verge of collapse and total market rejection. The local unit of exchange which was trading at an average ZWL/USD 3600 in the alternative exchange markets as of the end of May 2023 has lost a staggering 40% of its value to ZWL/ USD 6 000 in only the first 8 days of June 2023. In year-todate (YTD) terms, the ZWL is down 85% in parallel markets. A granular analysis shows that largely driving ZWL price inflation haywire is the unsustainable growth of liquidity in the economy. The RBZ was massively engaging in quasi-fiscal activities (QFOs), buying forex from exporters. Also, the Treasury is overseeing elevated spending, for instance, paying for ongoing infrastructure projects, supporting the 2023 Agric marketing season purchasing grains from farmers through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), salary increments for public servants, and electioneering pressure from the ruling political party. There is a consensus among monetary economists that inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon. This is because too much money in circulation in an economy creates an imbalance between aggregate demand and aggregate supply of goods & services. Thus, forcing prices to keep rising, a case being faced by Zimbabwe. The figure shows an excessive growth of the ZWL component of high-powered money also known as central bank or reserve money (M0). Latest RBZ statistics show this monetary aggregate expanding at an unsustainable rate averaging 12% per month between October 2022 and April 2023. Generally, M0 holds the topmost position in monetary policymaking. Since it is injected at the discretion of a central bank and includes currency in circulation with the public, M0 decides the level of liquidity and price level in the economy. As such, prudent management of M0 is thus very important to manage liquidity and inflation. Apart from excess liquidity, local currency, and ZWL price instability are partly fuelled by increased velocity of money. When an economy is going through rising inflation, people tend to spend money at a faster rate increasing the velocity of circulation of money in the economy (Total Money Use = Money Supply × Velocity of Circulation). In addition, weak exchange rate management framework, adverse inflation expectations, structural rigidities like perpetual load-shedding, spillover effects from the Russia-Ukraine war, and rent-seeking are also exerting upward pressure on prices. The currency conundrum is disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens largely earning in ZWLs as shops are forced to adjust ZWL prices daily yet workers’ salaries are sticky. Officially, inflation (blended rate, that is, a weighted average of ZWL and USD) is estimated at 86.5% as of May 2023 while independent estimates show ZWL inflation at over 700%. This increased volatility of ZWL prices will greatly subdue consumer demand which is generally considered one of the key drivers of national output growth (GDP). Volatile prices are also affecting shop restocking, company profitability, and the predictability of business - the ability to predict forthcoming events and adapt operations to them. A lack thereof inhibits great business market fit and quality customer service while breeding waste and inefficiencies, a foundation of unsustainable enterprises. To clamp the increased ZWL volatility and contain galloping inflation, the MPC has resolved to introduce a wholesale forex auction where RBZ will be selling forex at a market-determined exchange rate through banks and the banks shall, in turn, sell that forex to their customers. According to the MPC, this move will help support and strengthen the interbank market to ensure that it is the primary source for forex needs in the economy. The policy shift comes after the May 29th announcement from the Treasury limiting forex auction envelope to a maximum of US$5 million per week. The inaugural wholesale forex auction for banks was conducted on the 7th of June 2023. About US$11.2 million was allotted as the ZWL plummeted by 24.5% to ZWL/USD 4868.52 from ZWL3673.77 a daily earlier (June 6th) when US$4.99 million was traded at the retail forex auction for importers. In the previous week, the ZWL plummeted significantly against the USD at the Dutch forex auction of 30 May 2023 as it erased about 26.7% of its value to settle at ZWL/USD 2577.06 from ZWL/USD 1888.01 realized on the 23rd of May 2023. All this shows that in only 6 days (30 May-7 June) the ZWL has lost about 47.1% of its value in the Dutch auction market. In year-todate (YTD) terms, the local unit is down 85.5% at the auction market. The foregoing massive decline of the ZWL in the official markets can be viewed as an exchange rate adjustment to recent Treasury policy shifts. When the forex auction was introduced on 23 June 2020, the ZWL lost 56.4% in the first trade. However, as authorities buttressed the new auction system with fiscal discipline and tight monetary targeting, the ZWL gained 20% in the alternative markets between July and September 2020. The average parallel rate sailed stable through November 2020 before it started to burgeon again in response to rising liquidity growth associated with spiking fiscal spending in the fourth quarter. So, I highly commend the MPC for the bold action it took toward increased liberalization of the exchange rate which if aided by other prudent policy actions like discontinuation of quasi-fiscal activities by RBZ, sustainable Treasury spending, and increased fiscal transparency will help arrest the ongoing ZWL instability. To allow the market to freely determine the true ZWL price, the MPC has also removed the 10% interbank trading margin to the auction and increased interbank maximum bids from US$100 000 to US$500 000. The 90-day forex liquidation requirement which was instituted earlier by Treasury was scrapped by the MPC. To me, this move will help reduce forex demand on the interbank market as many businesses will utilize their FCA balances to meet forex needs. More so, the MPC had resolved to increase the RBZ benchmark policy rate from 140% to 150%. This is meant to discourage speculative borrowing in the economy which fuels consumer and business spending, especially on big-ticket items. Rising interest rates tend to weigh on asset prices, reversing the wealth effect for individuals and making banks more cautious in lending decisions. Also, when the RBZ responds to elevated inflation risks by raising its benchmark policy rate, it effectively increases the level of risk-free reserves in the financial system, limiting the money supply available for purchases of riskier assets. Although the policy rate recently set by MPC is way below the prevailing ZWL inflation independently estimated at above 700% (inadequate to discourage speculation), rising interest rates signal the likelihood that RBZ will continue to tighten monetary policy, further tamping down inflation expectations. In addition, the MPC decided to increase the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) ratio on ZWL call and demand deposits to 15% from 10%. The SRR is an instrument used by central banks to manage the significant build-up of liquidity which may result in financial imbalances and create risks to financial stability. As such, increasing the SRR ratio has the effect of reducing the money available for lending by banks. The foregoing actions taken by the MPC this week complements stabilization measures previously announced by the Treasury such as promotion of ZWL use and sterilization of excess liquidity. If prudently implemented in full, these actions will go a long way in suppressing ZWL decline, ceteris paribus. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if there is adequate political will to allow the Treasury to thwart mounting spending pressure emanating from the upcoming harmonized elections. Generally, elections in developing nations like Zimbabwe fuel opportunistic political business cycles – volatile changes in fiscal spending and taxation - which worsen the already fragile macroeconomic environment. In other words, without political will to swiftly reform the economy and public institutions, the status quo (massive ZWL decline, rampant price growth, rising abject poverty, etc) will remain thus risking full market dollarization.


TellZim Sport 09 - 15 june 2023 Courage Dutiro There was grief last weekend in the Masvingo football fraternity after both Masvingo city-based Zifa Eastern Region Division 1 teams Masvingo United Football Club (FC) and FC Wangu Mazodze were humiliated home and away. The newly promoted Rusitu Tigers FC managed to collect maximum points at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo after they gained Masvingo United's home ground during the first half. In their 9th match in the Division 1 league, the Chimanimani-based team won 3-1 against Una Una (Masvingo United) on June 4, 2023, after they managed to contain Masvingo United. Rusitu Tigers President Innocent Mlilo said they were working hard with other stakeholders in Chimanimani and beyond to be among the top 4 when the season ends. "This is our first season in the D1 soccer league so it's a year of learning. We are targeting the top 4. "We are grooming younger players in the D2 soccer league around Chimanimani and Chipinge. We also have other teams in the social leagues around the same districts. Our aim is to mould our own players in the eastern side of the country. One of the Rusitu Tigers directors Alfred Ndima applauded the community for supporting the team. "We would like to appreciate those who are supporting the team, as you saw we had several supporters in the stadium we are thankful. "Chimanimani was affected by cyclone Idai in 2019 so football is now a form of entertainment that is comforting us. "We are anticipating to join the country's top football league at the end of next season. The team has much potential," said Ndima. Masvingo United which is battling financially lost some Masvingo United lose home ground to Rusitu Tigers ...FC Wangu Mazodze punished in Marondera of its senior players to its city rival Wangu Mazodze and other D1 teams in the province. Masvingo United FC manager Fidelicy Nyahwai said they have lost several senior players and they are still building the team. "In football you win and sometimes you lose, we have high hopes that the junior players are going to win in the next matches," said Nyahwai. Una Una city rival Wangu Mazodze also lost 1-0 against Surrey FC in Marondera. Wangu Mazodze's defeat did not go down well with the team's top management which threatened to shuffle the team. In a press statement, FC Wangu Mazodze Vice president Getrude Mazodze promised to make changes to the team. "The team has been struggling with very small teams which in normal circumstances should be walkovers! "In the next few days, I will be releasing a statement with regards to some changes which we believe will bring back happiness to the Zhalala Zhululu family," reads part of the press statement circulated by the team's spokesperson. The team last registered victory at Mucheke stadium against Midway FC when the Zhalala Zhululu fans invaded the pitch attacking the visiting team's goalkeeper. Rusitu Tigers FC players in Mucheke Studium before a match Rusitu Tigers FC fans in Mucheke stadium


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