Hloniphani Ngwenya

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
TWO BancABC tellers who were arrested for allegedly stealing $60 000 from their employer yesterday appeared in court.

Hloniphani Ngwenya (33) of Emganwini and Progress Moyo (26) from the Central Business district appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya charged with theft.

Moyo pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a wholly suspended sentence.

In sentencing Moyo, Mr Tashaya said a non-custodial sentence was appropriate as the stolen money had been recovered. “Assessing what your lawyer submitted, a non-custodial sentence is most appropriate. Your employer was not prejudiced in any way as the money has been recovered and that you did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty.

Progress Moyo

“Incarceration would harden you as you would meet hardcore criminals in prison. Losing your job in this economy is punishment enough as your chances of getting another one are very slim particularly in the banking sector,” he said.

Mr Tashaya ordered Moyo to pay a fine of $400 or 90 days imprisonment coupled with a nine months suspended sentence on condition that he does not within five years commit a similar offence.

Agreed facts are that on October 17 at about 8AM, Moyo reported for work as usual and during the course of his duties he received two deposits — one of $2 106,25 and another of $3 554,20.

Moyo failed to post the two deposits worth $5 660, 45.

The court heard that Moyo stole the money and the Branch Team Leader Mr Tigere Maswera discovered the offence during routine checks.

A report was made to the police and investigations led to the recovery of the money from Moyo’s vehicle which was parked at the back of the bank premises.

Ngwenya also appeared before the same magistrate and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He applied for bail through his lawyers Mr Hlabezulu Malinga, Mr Nozithelo Mpofu of Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners and Mr Mehluli Tshuma of Chinamasa, Mudimu and Maguranyanga Legal Practitioners.

Mr Tashaya released Ngwenya on $400 bail, ordered him to reside at the given address, surrender his passport, not interfere with state witnesses and report twice a week at Tshabalala Police Station.

He was remanded to November 2 for commencement of trial.

The magistrate said the value of the stolen money or presumption that the accused would interfere with state witnesses was not a valid reason for denying one bail.

“Bail is a constitutional right and the reasons given by the state cannot be used to deny one bail,” said Mr Tashaya.

Prosecuting, Miss Leean Nkomo told the court that on October 17 this year, Mr Maswera carried out an end of day check on all tellers to verify business transactions on the computer system and collate them with cash held by tellers.

“During the process, he discovered that Ngwenya made false entries in the system to facilitate balancing. Upon verification, Mr Maswera discovered that Ngwenya was out of balance,” said Ms Nkomo.

The court heard that Ngwenya could not account or accounted incorrectly for $55 000 and R10 540.

Mr Maswera immediately advised his superiors and a report was made to the police.

Nothing has been recovered.

Minister Kasukuwere

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE country is headed for a serious environmental disaster and councils must work to save wetlands and stop discharging raw sewage into water bodies, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said this during the Local Government Investment (Logic) conference in Victoria Falls.

The three day inaugural conference, attended by town clerks, mayors, and town secretaries among others from 32 urban local authorities as well as rural district councils, ended yesterday.  It was held under the theme: “Repositioning urban local authorities as agents for industrialisation, investment promotion, and socio-economic development.”

Minister Kasukuwere said the country’s urban centres were littered and an eyesore.

“We have a serious problem in all local authorities where most sewer plants are not working. As a result we are dumping raw sewer in water bodies and we seem to be headed towards a rough patch,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

He singled out Bulawayo, Harare and Chitungwiza for having the worst sewer disposal strategies.

The Minister blamed the environment disaster on the decision by councils to encroach on wetlands.

“Talk of Chitungwiza, Harare, Norton and Bulawayo, let’s stop allocating land on wetlands because they are critical. All Harare wetlands have been sold.

‘‘Such open spaces were left to allow cities to breathe but we are selling them and compromising our environment…can we look after our environment as local authorities,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

“Let’s think about people downstream. For Bulawayo, Umguza River is no longer habitable for water life down to Zambezi River. All frogs, fish and crocodiles have died and you can’t do fishing anymore in Umguza River. This is dangerous.”

The Minister however, commended Mutare City Council for taking notable steps in preserving the environment.

He said the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management and Environment Management Agency were failing to monitor environment degradation.

“Environment departments seem to have collapsed because the amount of litter thrown around is unbelievable. Cities are dirty while water bodies are polluted willy nilly. Underground water bodies are all affected and are poisonous. This is a national call to all of you because there is really a challenge across the country,” he said.

The Minister said there is a need for a concerted campaign against littering. — @ncubeleon

Elita Chikwati, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday conferred degrees on 347 graduates at the Harare Institute of Technology’s seventh graduation ceremony.

The number of graduates this year increased from 320 last yeast year.

Of the 347, 112 successfully completed their undergraduate degrees in Information Science and Technology, 57 in Business and Management Sciences, 119 Engineering Technology and 59 in Industrial Sciences and Technology.

In his address, HIT vice chancellor, Engineer Quinton Kanhukamwe said the institution developed and incubated technopreneurs that are expected to play a vital role in the knowledge economy that Zimbabwe is growing.

He said HIT required business and industrial partners and other organisations both private and public to commercialise innovative technologies.

“We believe that critical to the research initiatives of our students and staff, is the need to protect our intellectual property both for the benefit of innovators, the university and the nation.

“We have successfully filed seven patents, six utility models, four industrial designs and 72 copyright application packages,” he said.

A part IV student also designed hybrid solar, electricity and gas powered vapour absorption refrigeration systems, the university also designed and installed a smart meter, developed a canning machine, and is in the process of constructing a bio-digester as a way of promoting use of alternative energy sources.

“One of our students in software engineering again was recognised by Google and invited to attend the Google Developer Community Summit in San Francisco in May 2016.

“HIT was awarded the International Socrates awards for the Best Enterprise at the Europe Business Assembly European Awards and Forum in canes, France,” he said.

Eng Kanhukamwe paid tribute to countries that support the institution in research and skills development that include India, Turkey, Iran, China and Korea.

HIT now enrolls students from Namibia, Angola DRC and South Sudan as the institution embraced the regional integration thrust.

Eng Kanhukamwe said HIT worked with various ministries to ensure national development.

The institute is working with the central bank in ensuring financial inclusion strategy comes to life.

“Our school has come in hand by developing systems and applications that encourage use of technology in remote parts of the country,” he said.

He applauded President Mugabe for introducing the Psycho-motor ministry which he said was important in skills development and technoprenurial skills required to drive reverse engineering and design elements in polytechnics.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to our ministry and Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo for granting us the funding for the upscaling and commercialisation of some of the projects and purchasing machinery and laboratory equipment.

“More should be done to respond to STEM initiative. If we do not invest in equipment tools, platforms and infrastructure we run the risk of frustrating these academics which is detrimental to national development,” he said.

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
THE water level in Masvingo City’s main supply dam, Lake Mutirikwi, has dropped to nine percent amid fears that if the rains do not fall by December, supplies to sugarcane estates in Chiredzi will be cut.

Lake Mutirikwi supplies Masvingo City, the Lowveld and Renco Mine in Masvingo South.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer Mr Tsungirirai Shoriwa said people must preserve water.

“As at October 14, 2016, Lake Mutirikwi was 8,9 percent full. In terms of water supply to the City of Masvingo, the water still satisfies the 21-month cardinal rule, which means the lake can supply for more than 21 months at its present capacity.

“However, there is an agreement that water supplies to the Lowveld can be stopped in December if the situation does not improve,” said Mr Shoriwa.

He said the timing of the stoppage was agreed to between sugar estates and Zinwa as at that time, the cane will not be prone to damage.

Mr Shoriwa said the authority was closely monitoring the release of water to the Lowveld and Masvingo.

“At any given moment, when there is water distress, priority is given to human life, meaning that when the situation deteriorates further, Masvingo City gets first preference. Zinwa is working closely with the users and other stakeholders in the Lowveld to see how the situation can be mitigated,” he said.

He said the situation in all the five major dams in Masvingo is not encouraging and precautionary measures need to be taken to avert a disaster in case the rains do not fall as expected.

Lake Mutirikwi in Masvingo District has the least water at 8,9 percent, with Muzhwi Dam in Mashava standing at 10,1 percent, Manjirenji in Chiredzi 11,9 percent; Bangala in Masvingo South, 12,6 percent while Siya Dam in Bikita District is 28,2 percent. — @walterbmswazie2

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE family of the late national hero, Cde Cephas Geroge Msipa, has said it is honoured to have him buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare tomorrow.

Addressing mourners at the family homestead at Siboza Village in Zvishavane yesterday, the late nationalist’s brother, Mr Obert Msipa, said while there were areas of disagreement regarding the burial of his brother, President Mugabe had convinced the family to have him interred at the national shrine.

“We thank the Government for the honour bestowed on our brother. We are happy that he will be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare on Saturday (tomorrow). Yes you might have read in the papers of some disagreements that were there but President Mugabe showed us the way.

President Mugabe said it was not possible for Cde Msipa to be buried away from his fellow comrades,” he said.

“President Mugabe said his fellow comrade; his former roommate when they were still bachelors, could not be buried “mubako” (in a cave)”.Mr Obert Msipa said Cde Msipa, Cde Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa shared a house in Zvishavane when they were still young.

He said they were very close and that connection could not be severed by death.

“Thus Cde Msipa would be buried at the Heroes’ Acre with other national heroes.

“Yes we had our views, yes we thought he could be buried in Gweru but that is not the case now and we are happy with what President Mugabe said.

So I thank you all for coming in numbers to see our brother off to the National Heroes’ Acre,” Obert said.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands province, Cde Jason Machaya, said he had been tasked by President Mugabe to take Cde Msipa’s body to the province for the people to say their farewells.

Cde Mugabe, the provincial minister said, declared that even if Cde Msipa was declared a national hero, his body was supposed to come to Zvishavane so that his people would say goodbye.

“President Mugabe said we should bring him here so that you bid him farewell. At the same time we are giving the family members an opportunity to do their traditions, if any, before his body is buried in Harare,” Cde Machaya said.

Speakers described the late trade unionist as a unifier, a hard worker and a man of the people who had a passion for developing members of the community.

The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cde Larry Mavhima, said the CG Msipa scholarship would go on assisting the less-privileged students in the country.

“Let me assure you that the CG Msipa scholarship will not stop paying fees for its beneficiaries. It is a registered trust and will continue supporting pupils throughout the country,” he said.

Zanu-PF Midlands Province deputy chairperson, Cde Daniel Ncube, said the province had been honoured to have the national hero status bestowed on Cde Msipa.

Politburo member Cde July Moyo said the first independence celebrations in the country were organised by Cde Msipa.

He said Cde Msipa — a hard worker of repute — was determined to see progress in the country.

“This is a great day for us as we come together to honour our gallant son. We will forever be grateful for the work he did for the community and country at large,” Cde Moyo said.

After a church service at his homestead in Siboza and at Mandava Stadium — there was time for body viewing.

The body was later flown to Gweru where his body was to lie in state at his house at number 57 Kopje suburb.

Martin Moyo

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A HIGH Court judge has dismissed an application by 12 Bulawayo City Council bosses who were challenging the slashing of their salaries and allowances by the Government, saying the reduction was in the national interest.

The slashing of the salaries and perks follows a Ministerial directive which sought to rationalise the remuneration of top council managers by 40 percent of their total package.

The senior council management under a grouping called “The Executive Group of the Staff” and through its lawyers Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners, recently filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court citing Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and the Bulawayo City Council as the respondents.

The council bosses who went to court are Kimpton Zenzo Ndimande (finance director), Simela Dube (director of engineering services), Spekiwa Mugiya (legal officer), Dictor Khumalo (assistant director of housing and community services), Makhosi Tshalebwa (human resources manager) and Richard Peterson (chief fire officer).

The other bosses include Masocha Mtshena (assistant director of health services), Tennyson Mpunzi (chief internal auditor), Thabani Ncube (city valuer) and Mpazamiso Ndebele (information and technology manager).

Bulawayo Mayor, Mr Martin Moyo, through a letter dated July 13, 2016, instructed the then acting town clerk to implement the council resolution.

The council bosses, through the Executive Group of the Staff chairperson, Mr Mackenzie Widzani Moyo, sought an order interdicting their employer from implementing the resolution for the reduction of allowances payable to them pending the determination and finalisation of a case before the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

But Justice Maxwell Takuva, in a ruling delivered yesterday, said the Ministerial directive was in the national interest after a realisation by the Government that local authorities were paying unsustainable salaries and allowances at the expense of basic service delivery.

“I take the view that the balance of convenience does not favour the granting of an interim order. It appears that the Ministerial directive was made in the national interest after a realisation that local authorities were paying unsustainable salaries and allowances at the expense of basic service delivery,” said Justice Takuva.

The judge said service delivery was more important than individual interests.

“What is at stake therefore is effective service delivery to Bulawayo residents in their totality as opposed to the allowances of the executive group which can be compensated through non-monetary benefits. In my view, national interest should prevail over individual interest,” Justice Takuva.

The judge said the Minister predicated the approval of the budget on the rationalisation of salaries.

“It is common cause that currently the Bulawayo City Council budget has not been approved, meaning that in terms of section 47 of Public Finance Management Act, all current expenditure of the city is irregular including the payment of salaries to applicants,” said Justice Takuva.

He said council bosses have alternative satisfactory remedy since they had filed a complaint with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

“In the circumstances, the application is unmerited and is hereby dismissed and each party to bear its own costs,” ruled Justice Takuva.
Mr Moyo, who is also the council’s assistant director of housing and community services, in his founding affidavit, argued that there was no legal basis upon which the Ministerial directive was premised.

“It is our contention that while the Minister’s powers in terms of the Urban Councils Act may be wide in terms of him regulating the activities of local authorities they, however, do not allow him to take away rights the local authorities would have lawfully bestowed upon third parties,” he argued.

He further contended that the actions of their employer and the Minister were a violation of their rights in terms of the Labour Act.

“We believe these are rights that may not be taken away from us on the basis of powers of the Minister given to him by the Urban Councils Act.

Clearly if on the basis of any other law someone were to say that they are entitled to take away fundamental rights of employees protected by the Labour Act, there would be a conflict between the Labour Act and any other such law that the person would be seeking to rely upon,” said Mr Moyo.

— @mashnets

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Jonathan Moyo

In today’s issue of The Chronicle in a story entitled,  “Parliament summons Professor Moyo to explain Zimdef abuse allegations”, we reported that the Minister had been asked to explain allegations that he and his deputy Dr Godfrey Gandawa siphoned more than more than half a billion dollars from Zimdef. The correct amount is half a million dollars. 

The error is is sincerely regretted – Editor.

South Africa is pulling out of the international criminal court (ICC) because its obligations are inconsistent with domestic laws giving sitting leaders diplomatic immunity, the country’s justice minister, Michael Masutha, has said.

Pretoria said last year it planned to leave the ICC after receiving criticism for ignoring a court order to arrest the visiting Sudanese president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is accused of genocide and war crimes. Bashir has denied the accusations.

On Friday at a press conference in the capital, Masutha said: “The implementation of the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court Act 2002 is in conflict and inconsistent with the provisions of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act 2001.”

Any move to leave would take effect one year after notice is formally received by the United Nations secretary general, currently Ban Ki-moon.

Earlier on Friday the public broadcaster SABC published a document outlining the withdrawal plan.

The document was signed by South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and dated 19 October.

“The Republic of South Africa has found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts at times are incompatible with the interpretation given by the international criminal court,” the document states.

The international criminal court opened in July 2002 and has 124 member states. It was the first legal body with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Burundi appeared set to become first state to withdraw from the Rome statute, the 1998 treaty establishing the global court, after its parliament voted last week to leave. The president, Pierre Nkurunziza, signed a decree on Tuesday, but the UN has not yet been officially notified.

Several African countries have expressed concern that the focus of the Hague-based court has been on Africa rather than elsewhere in the world. – online reports

Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 23-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man beat up his wife for taking a nap in the afternoon resulting in her suffering a miscarriage, a court has heard.

Happymore Sibanda of Nketa 7 suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube charged with three counts of physical abuse.

Sibanda pleaded guilty to all the charges of physically abusing his 20-year-old wife Ms Paidamoyo Khuphe whom he accused of being too lazy.  Ms Dube remanded him to Monday for sentence.

For the state, Mr Mufaro Mageza said sometime in July this year, Sibanda found the complainant sleeping in the afternoon at their Nketa 7 suburb rented home.

“In July 2016, on a date not known to the prosecutor, the accused person went home and found his wife who was three months pregnant at the time, sleeping since she was ill,” said the prosecutor.

“The accused person ordered her to wake up claiming that she was faking the sickness and accused her of being a lazy woman. This did not go down well with the complainant and as such a misunderstanding arose.”

The court heard that the misunderstanding resulted in Sibanda punching his wife and battering her with a stick several times all over the body.

At around 4PM, on the same day, Khuphe started bleeding and went to the hospital the following day where she was told she had suffered a miscarriage.

The court heard that Sibanda had earlier assaulted his wife after she failed to enter a recharge pin for electricity. He had allegedly instructed her to go and seek tutoring from their fellow tenant but she had refused as she felt too embarrassed to ask for assistance.

Mr Mageza also narrated to the court that on the third count, Sibanda assaulted Ms Khuphe last month after he found her sleeping and accused her of being lazy.

He allegedly assaulted her with his shoes several times on the head. — @andile_tshuma

Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO vendor has been ordered to pay $80 maintenance per month for the upkeep of his two minor children.

Ian Tsirare of Njube suburb appeared before Maintenance Court Magistrate Mr Manasa Musiiwa yesterday after his ex-wife Nothando Moyo reported that he was neglecting his two children aged 14 and 12 years.

Ms Moyo demanded $200 from the vendor saying the money would cater for school fees, clothes and food for the children. “I’m unemployed and I am struggling to take care of our children. The first born is doing Form Two and the other one is at primary school.

“I failed to pay school fees for last term and both of them are in arrears of more than $100,” she said.

Tsirare told the court that he cannot afford to pay the money that was being claimed by his ex-wife.

“Your worship I sell vegetables and cigarettes at TM Pick and Pay supermarket and I make less than $60 per month. I have a lot of responsibilities including taking care of my other two children and my wife who is also unemployed,” he said.

Mr Musiiwa ordered Tsirare to pay $80 per month for the upkeep of his two children until they reach the age of 18 or become self-supportive.  Tsirare told the court that he cannot afford to pay $80 as he was also paying $55 per month for rent.

He said he was also supposed to buy food and clothes for his other children.The magistrate advised him to appeal against the order if he had any issues with it. — @cynthiamthembo1

Florence Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
A MAN from Victoria Falls who beat up his friend and robbed him of $20 as they walked from a beer drink thinking he was too drunk to identify him, has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

Herstings Mudenda, (20) of Mkhosana suburb initially blamed the robbery on someone else, but later owned up in court.

He pleaded guilty to a robbery charge when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.

He will, however, serve an effective six months after the magistrate suspended three months for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The magistrate said the court was baffled that Mudenda tried to implicate a person who wasn’t anywhere near the crime scene.

Prosecuting, Mr Listen Nare said:

“On October 13, the accused was drinking with a friend, Mpumelelo Tshuma, in Mkhosana before the latter asked him to accompany him to a house in the suburb.”

The court heard that Mudenda, who assumed his friend was too drunk to identify him, started punching him and took away his wallet.

The court heard that Mr Tshuma sought help from a security guard who witnessed the incident and they tracked Mudenda down.

“The accused initially denied having robbed his friend and implicated a neighbour Mr Cryson Ncube claiming he was the one who handed him the wallet for safekeeping. The neighbour was, however, exonerated as all evidence pointed to the accused,” said Mr Nare.

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
THREE men armed with a gun held a businesswoman hostage at her home in Beitbridge before robbing her of R9 000, $100 and seven cellphones on Thursday.

The gunmen attacked Ms Chifumulo Moyo (80) while she was relaxing with two workers at her house along Arcacia Avenue at around 5PM.

A source who preferred anonymity said the three robbers knocked at the gate and asked for water.

“Ms Moyo was sitting at the veranda with her maid called MaMoyo and her gardener Mr Shakemore Makono.”

“Shakemore opened the gate for the   three men and offered them seats on the veranda.

“One of them produced a small gun and pointed at the three. One grabbed Ms Moyo and twisted her arm, the other grabbed the gardener by the collar and the third one dragged the maid into the house,” said the source.

The source said the robbers force marched Ms Moyo and Mr Makono into the house, where they threatened to shoot them if they did not hand over cash.

Fearing for her life, Ms Moyo is said to have ordered her maid to takeout the safe keys from the wardrobe.

“MaMoyo took out the keys and handed them over to one of the robbers who unlocked the safe and took R9 000 that Ms Moyo had collected from her food outlet and her truck stop.”

“The robbers also got away with seven cell phones that were in her bedroom and $100 cash. The seven phones that include Samsung Galaxy smart phones, are worth R 5 400,” said the source.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said he had                    not yet received the report. — @winnie_masara

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
SIMBUMBUMBU Ward Seven in Gwanda has become the second area in the country to be declared an open defecation-free zone with 720 Blair toilets having been built under a national water and sanitation programme.

The water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme is funded by Unicef, working in collaboration with Government.

No one from Simbumbumbu’s six villages is expected to resort to the bush as every household now has a toilet.

In a speech at a ceremony to declare the area an open defecation-free zone held at Simbumbumbu business centre, the head of the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, Mr Coster Nkala, who was the guest of honour, said the programme will go a long way in fighting water -borne diseases.

“The absence of Blair toilets and clean water brings diseases such as diarrhoea and dysentery which have caused a lot of deaths in children in the country. In Zimbabwe about 4 000 children die of diarrhoea every year.

“Bringing clean water to the people and building toilets are the only ways of fighting this scourge and save lives,” said Mr Nkala.

He said the toilets project in Ward Seven was part of a nation-wide project in which 33 districts are participating.

“In Gwanda 13 wards are benefiting. The programme has seen a number of boreholes being built in different areas and schools including here at Simbumbumbu Primary School where six toilets were built including the drilling of a borehole.

“Three schools have also benefited in this regard in this area.

“There are also villagers who were helped by Dabani Trust in building toilets while others were helped by the government.

“I am happy to tell you that Ward Seven is the first area in Gwanda to be an open defecation-free zone and second in the country after one in Lupane,” he said.

The Government working in collaboration with Unicef and World Vision has embarked on a number of water and sanitation programmes in Gwanda district which have seen several boreholes being drilled in villages and schools — @richardmuponde.

Francis Zimuto aka Black Jesus

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
LIBERATION war hero Francis Zimuto who was popularly known as Black Jesus is expected to be buried tomorrow at his rural home in Gutu.

Cde Zimuto (62) died on Wednesday at his rural home in Mugoni Village under Chief Makore’s area following a long illness.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association provincial chairman Cde Tendeukai Chinooneka said the late Cde Zimuto was supposed to be buried at Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre but his family requested that he be buried at his rural home.

He said senior Government officials are expected to attend the burial. Chinooneka said Black Jesus played a pivotal role during and after the liberation struggle. He challenged war veterans to emulate the late Cde Zimuto who remained steadfast and resolute in defending the gains of independence in the face of adversity.

“We are going to lay to rest one of our former gallant fighters, Black Jesus on Sunday at his rural home in Mugoni Village under Chief Makore in Gutu. We are happy that he has been accorded the liberation war hero status,” said Cde Chinooneka.

He said the late Cde Zimuto, who was also Masvingo national youth service provincial commandant as well as national secretary for environment in the war veterans association, always wanted to be buried beside his late father at his rural home.

“Nationally, Cde Zimuto was known because he is the pioneer of land reform after he became the first former freedom fighter to take a farm belonging to a white man,” he said. Cde Zimuto is survived by five children — @walterbmswazie2.

Mr Christopher Dube

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) will submit a response to Government by month-end following the emergence of corruption allegations at the local authority, a development that saw five councillors, including the Deputy Mayor councillor Gift Banda being suspended last month.

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing suspended the city fathers after an audit established that some councillors were grabbing land, while in some instances tender procedures were not being followed.

The suspended councillors are yet to appear before a tribunal over the corruption allegations. The city’s Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said BCC is compelled to respond to Government following the corruption allegations.

Mr Dube said by month-end, council will have submitted the response. “By month-end I would have made my observations and would be able to respond to the report from the Ministry of Local Government,” said Mr Dube.

He said the country’s laws allow councils to respond to audit reports as a way of explaining the paths they took. He said some of the issues that the council will be responding to include the alleged land grabbing by councillors, flouting of tender procedures, among other irregularities cited in the report.

Mr Dube urged residents to be patient and wait for due processes to be conducted instead of making conclusions on matters that are still being investigated.

His remarks follow a recent decision by some Zanu-PF youths to stage a demonstration against Clr Banda.The town Clerk said he would only comment about the council’s administrative issues not the conduct of councillors as they were his employers — @nqotshili.

Dr Parirenyatwa

Paidamoyo Chipunza, Harare Bureau
ERRATIC water supply in Harare and other cities poses a serious danger of an outbreak of water-borne diseases, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said yesterday as he issued a Cholera and Typhoid alert.

Harare has confirmed 60 cases of typhoid so far. The National Microbiology Reference Laboratory has also confirmed three other typhoid cases in Mutare and Masvingo.

Harare City Council recently introduced a five-day water rationing schedule forcing residents to turn to the bush. Some are digging shallow wells as taps are dry.

“This is an emergency because once you do not have enough water it impacts on sanitation and once you have poor sanitation you are already inviting water borne diseases,” said Dr Parirenyatwa. He warned of a potential outbreak of diseases like Cholera and Typhoid.

“The impact might not be serious now but when it rains and there are flash floods, all this dirt will be washed away into shallow and unprotected water sources. This is when you see an increase in water borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said his Ministry engaged experts from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate to try and find workable solutions. Dr Parirenyatwa said they were told that drilling boreholes was not a solution.

“I understand from the Ministry of Water that if we continue to sink more boreholes, the water table is also depleted even more. We just hope that there would be rains soon and when we finally receive the rains, please do not drink water from shallow wells and treat water from unprotected sources at the point of use,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said Government was on high alert and health teams have been activated. “We are very alert. We want our people to know that now is the time to be very careful of the water they drink otherwise we will have a severe outbreak of typhoid, cholera or diarrhoea.

“Our people must be very alert. If the water is suspicious let us boil it at the point of use,” said Dr Parirenyatwa. According to Harare’s rationing schedule, middle and low-density suburbs are enduring up to five days a week without water. Supplies to Chitungwiza have also been reduced from 27 to 15 mega litres a day.

This has worsened the already bad situation in the dormitory town.

Minister Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo has blasted some Government departments for failing to come up with solutions to end the city’s water problems.

Her statement follows a decision by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to implement a water shedding programme starting from next month if water levels in the city’s dams do not improve.

Minister Moyo said some Government departments have not been sincere when it comes to addressing Bulawayo’s water woes.

She said the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate among other responsible Ministries, should come out in the open and explain when and how the city’s water problems will be addressed.

“Definitely I’m not happy. There are people who belong to those ministries who are charged with such responsibilities. My responsibility as the Minister of State in Bulawayo is to coordinate activities, you can coordinate something that is there but when there is nothing happening, there is nothing to coordinate,” she said.

Minister Moyo said those responsible for water, finance and economic development and other such ministries were supposed to find solutions to water shortage challenges facing Bulawayo.

She said Bulawayo residents have the right to complain when they are subjected to water rationing.

“We’re waiting and we will keep on waiting. Let people talk about it. Let our MPs                          talk about the water shortages facing the               city. We’ve many institutions that can talk  and lobby authorities to act,” said Minister Moyo.

She said the failure to implement the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project reflects lack of commitment on the part of responsible authorities.

“The Zambezi project, that was a project people in Matabeleland initiated, and somewhere along the way people started doing certain things that are not supposed to be done. In terms of following procedures and protocols and also pushing the programme,” she said.

“Where did that programme end?                             We haven’t received any feedback from                                                                                                  those we selected to lead us in the programme.”

Minister Moyo said Bulawayo residents were committed to the project and were even ready to pay rates for it but up to now there is nothing tangible on the ground. — @nqotshili

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday conferred degrees on 642 graduands at Lupane State University’s seventh graduation ceremony.

Twenty five graduates were from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, 372 from Humanities and Social Sciences who included 20 students who graduated with Masters of Social Science degrees in Development Studies and 245 were from the Faculty of Commerce.

In his address LSU Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kusaziwa Kuipa said the university had launched its 2016 to 2020 strategic development plan in line with Zim-Asset.

“The process of developing the Strategic Development Plan was also coordinated by a strategic planning committee which conducted both internal and external stakeholder consultations. The formulation of the Strategic Development Plan was also informed by the country’s economic development blue print — Zim-Asset and President’s 10 point plan for economic growth,” said Prof Kuipa.

He said the Strategic Development Plan has seven strategic directions that shall                           guide operations during the five-year                                                                     period.

“The plan’s emphasis reflects a desire by the university to raise its profile in research, teaching, community service and resources mobilisation,” said Prof Kuipa.

The Vice Chancellor said the university had begun relocating 145 students and 95 staff members from Bulawayo to Lupane.

“We have had to make painful sacrifices such as outsourcing the catering services since our kitchen and dining hall are not yet usable.

Secondly, we have had to ask staff members to share the hostel accommodation with students as staff apartments are not yet complete,” he said.

Prof Kuipa appealed to the Government to allow the university to recruit more staff  to enable it to introduce more programmes.

“The Government staff recruitment freeze has made it difficult for the university to either introduce new programmes or recruit senior academics to strengthen the quality of teaching, learning and research. May I take this opportunity to appeal to Government to allow us to recruit new staff to enable us to introduce more programmes,” said Prof Kuipa.

He appealed to the Government and other well-wishers for financial support to complete the students’ hostels and staff accommodation.
Prof Kuipa said the females constituted 60 percent of yesterday’s graduates.

Among the graduates were Chief Khulumani Mathema from Matabeleland South who graduated with a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Development Studies and former Chronicle general manager Mrs Sithembile Ncube who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce honours degree in Enterpreneurship.

Present at the graduation ceremony were Vice President Cde Phelekezela Mphoko, Higher and Tertiary, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, his deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa, permanent secretary Ambassador Machivenyika Mapuranga, Matabeleland North Minister of State, Cde Cain Mathema and Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Cde Obert Mpofu and his wife Senator Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu among others.

Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
INGUTSHENI Central Hospital is hunting for a chief executive officer to take over from Mr Leonard Mabhandi who has been appointed as the substantive CEO for Mpilo Central Hospital.

Mr Mabhandi had been acting CEO at Mpilo Central Hospital since last year.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the Government is looking for a suitable candidate with leadership qualities and a strategic vision for Ingutsheni Central Hospital.

The Ministry said the CEO should have between three to five years as an administrator.

“The CEO should provide a leadership environment which encourages initiative, enterprise, research as well as delivery of clinical and supporting services,” reads the statement.

The hunt for a new CEO comes at a time when Ingutsheni Central Hospital is facing serious drug shortages, a development that has seen some patients attacking the hospital staff.

Meanwhile, Dr Solwayo Ngwenya has been appointed the substantive clinical director for Mpilo Central Hospital.

Dr Ngwenya takes over from Dr Wedu Ndebele who resigned last year.

The hospital’s board chairperson Mrs Sichelesile Moyo-Ncube said the appointments come at a time when the hospital needs stability in leadership.-@nqotshili

Minister Kasukuwere

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Hwange Local Board has approached Government for permission to take over the administration of Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) properties while the struggling coal mine concentrates on mining activities.

If successful, the development will see thousands of Hwange residents, most of whom are workers and ex-employees in some suburbs administered and subsidised by the mine, paying rates and rentals like everyone else in the country.

Cash strapped HCCL manages its own properties such as housing and office infrastructure, sporting and social amenities despite being located within the jurisdiction of the Local Board.

Most of the properties are ageing and not well maintained while the road infrastructure in some suburbs managed by the mine is not comparable with that in Empumalanga which is under the Local Board.

Hwange Ward 15 Councillor Pius Shumba told Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere at the recent Local Government Investment Conference (Logic) here about the local authority’s plans as he appealed for Government intervention following a series of unfruitful engagements.

“As a local authority we have been engaging Hwange Colliery Company so it comes under administration of the Local Board. It seems we have been failing to understand each other and we wonder how you can assist us,” said Cllr Shumba.

He told The Chronicle on the sidelines of the conference that the idea was conceived to ensure HCCL concentrates on mining while developmental projects and administration are done by the Local Board.

“We have had several meetings, the idea being that the mine should concentrate on mining and the local authority focuses on administration,” Cllr Shumba said.

The Colliery Estates manages buildings most of which are rented out for offices and houses which the company mostly subsidises for its workers in terms of rentals, water and electricity.

In response, Minister Kasukuwere said he would engage Minister Walter Chidhakwa (Mines and Mining Development) over the issue.

He said there would be a need to consider the plight of workers who are owed salaries for several months and may not be able to pay rentals.

“Hwange Colliery hasn’t been doing well and that has been discussed in Cabinet,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

“The problem however, is that workers haven’t been paid for many months and if we do that, will they afford? We are going to have a meeting with Minister Chidhakwa to see if the two can work together”.

The inaugural Logic meeting was held under the theme: “Repositioning urban local authorities for industrialisation, investment promotion and socio-economic development” and sought to strategise how local authorities can collectively attract investors and position themselves in the country’s economy. — @ncubeleon