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Director General (Harare)

The government could be forced to impose a localised lockdown on Chiredzi District lockdown following a surge in coronavirus cases in the past few days.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s situational reports for Masvingo Province on 17 June, out of 316 tests done in the province, 77 were positive with Chiredzi accounting for 56 cases.
Most of those who tested positive were not vaccinated, while one had received all the two doses of the COVID-19 jab. Six were still to receive the second dose.
The spike in COVID-19 infections has led to the closure of several businesses in Chiredzi town, including the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe and Chingwanga Supermarket, one of the largest grocery shops in the district.
Shandai Chingwanga, the owner of the supermarket, said that they closed one of the shops to allow for fumigation after a staff member tested positive.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/18/karoi-town-engineer-succumbs-to-covid-19/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Karoi Town Engineer Succumbs To COVID-19</a>
Masvingo provincial COVID-19 taskforce spokesperson Rodgers Irimayi said the COVID-19 situation in Chiredzi was getting out of control. He said:
<blockquote>The situation is slowly getting out of hand following a surge in cases in the past week or two. Although Chiredzi has been classified as one of the hotspots in the country, I think stiffer measures need to be put in place.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Masvingo provincial medical director Amadeus Shamu said they were waiting for a report on what could be driving the infections, before making recommendations to the Ministry of Health. Said Shamu:
<blockquote>Right now, we are waiting for the report from Chiredzi. In the past week, they were carrying out investigations to ascertain the cause of the increase in positive COVID-19 cases. We can only decide or recommend if we receive a detailed report.</blockquote>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/12/kariba-hurungwe-placed-under-lockdown/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Kariba, Hurungwe Placed Under Lockdown</a>
To date, Kwekwe in the Midlands Province, Kariba, Hurungwe and Makonde, all in Mashonaland West Province have been placed under lockdown following a rise in coronavirus infections.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/06/localised-lockdown-looms-in-chiredzi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Pindula News

Localised Lockdown In Chiredzi Probable

ZANU PF councillors at Chiredzi Rural District Council are absconding meetings whenever there are no allowances.
Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu (ZANU PF) reported the issue to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira during a meeting at Chitsanga Hall in Chiredzi recently.
Musikavanhu lamented the councillors’ absenteeism saying it caused headaches for the local authority as some meetings were cancelled because of lack of quorum.
Chadzamira sternly warned the said councillors to refrain from the behaviour and ordered them to focus on winning the 2023 elections. Said Musikavanhu:
<blockquote>Boss (Chadzamira) we are having problems with councillors who don’t attend meetings whenever there are no allowances.
CEO Baloyi is complaining that the council is unable to hold some meetings because councillors insist on payment of T and S for every meeting.</blockquote>
Chadzamira reminded the councillors that this was not the first time that they have been accused of absconding from meetings over allowances.
He warned the councillors that they will be in trouble if they continued with their behaviour.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/zanu-pf-councilors-abscond-meetings-over-allowances/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Masvingo Mirror</a></h4>

ZANU PF Councillors Shun Meetings Over Allowances

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement has transferred Chiredzi lands officer Honest Mapfumo to Harare in a move viewed as victimisation for his role in exposing corruption in allocation of land in Chiredzi.
Mapfumo is a key witness in a case in which the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is investigating corrupt allocation of land including sugarcane plots in Chiredzi.
The allocations were spearheaded by the Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira and acting provincial lands officer Tendai Mumera.
Last month, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga ordered the scrapping of a land allocation schedule which would have benefitted over 40 people who were set to get sugarcane plots under the Kilimanjaro sugarcane project.
He cited corruption and the sidelining of locals in the selection process.
Mapfumo’s re-assignment letter dated 19 May 2021 and signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary John Basera, stated he should report for work at the ministry’s head office on 31 May. Reads part of the letter:
<blockquote>_The ministry has received reports concerning administrative challenges on your performance in Chiredzi district. In light of this development, l have decided that you be recalled from Chiredzi District office re-assigned to new duties at head office in Harare. You are therefore requested to assume duty in Harare with effect from 31 May 2021._</blockquote>
Mapfumo told The NewsHawks that re-assignments within the ministry are normal, but his transfer was unprocedural since he was not informed of the allegations levelled against him, neither were they proven.
A group of Chiredzi locals wrote to Zacc on 21 January this year accusing Chadzamira and Mumera of abuse of office after the two delayed allocating them a piece of land in Hippo Valley North measuring 2385 hectares which they had identified and was approved by the late Lands minister Perrance Shiri.
Chadzamira and Mumera allegedly allocated the land to other people without following the set rules.
A top government official in Masvingo told The NewsHawks that Chadzamira may not be arrested given that he is one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top allies.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/02/govt-identifies-20k-hectares-for-irrigation-in-chiredzi/">Govt Identifies 20k Hectares For Irrigation In Chiredzi</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/21/chilonga-evictions-no-one-will-be-displaced-chiredzi-rdc-chair/">Chilonga Evictions: No One Will Be Displaced – Chiredzi RDC Chair</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/10/former-zanu-pf-bigwig-alarmed-by-chiredzi-mps-comments-on-chilonga-grass-project/">Former ZANU PF Bigwig Alarmed By Chiredzi MP’s Comments On Chilonga Grass Projec</a>t</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/lands-officer-transferred-after-exposing-corruption/?fbclid=IwAR20XNHNFEI9Z4XeKLdcVyVm3VgHdylUPPe8WR-UqwPm5wyJCVhE0jv8g_M">TheNewsHawks</a>

Lands Officer Transferred After Exposing Corruption

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed that the list of beneficiaries for the US$40 million Kilimanjaro Sugar Cane project be drawn afresh so that local people are the main beneficiaries.
The project, dubbed “Kilimanjaro”, is being developed by Tongaat Huletts Zimbabwe (THZ) in Chiredzi and will develop virgin land into sugar cane plantations at Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates.
On Sunday, Mnangagwa dispatched his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, to Chiredzi to “communicate key decisions of government to chiefs, headmen, councillors and MPs in Chiredzi, ahead of a massive irrigation project planned for the district.”
Yesterday, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba tweeted:
<blockquote>Through the Vice-President (Constantino Chiwenga), President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa directed that the list of beneficiaries for the giant Kilimanjaro sugarcane covering 4 000 hectares be drawn anew to ensure beneficiaries are locals in the main.
The President has taken a poignant interest in who is who on the list to ensure that government policy of local empowerment is not defeated by land barons from elsewhere intent on displacing locals, as happened during the colonial era when commercial cane agriculture took form through international finance capital.</blockquote>
Charamba said contrary to some claims that thousands of people will be pushed off their ancestral land, the project will bring development to the country’s marginalised communities. He said:
<blockquote>Development of Chiredzi falls within a broader national plan targeting for development of all marginal areas of Zimbabwe, principally Binga, Gwai-Shangani, Beitbridge, Chiredzi itself, Middle Sabi, Nyashanu, Rwenya and Kanyemba.
The key word is development, not displacement as claimed by detractors. At the heart of this national master plan for depressed areas is community empowerment through diversified irrigated agriculture, mining and eco-tourism.
Development of communication infrastructure, principally road networks, telecommunication broadcasting services is a key enabler in the matrix, as is also the intensification and upgrading of livestock in these zones which lend themselves eminently to animal husbandry.</blockquote>
Charamba said during the same visit by Chiwenga, a new water policy was unveiled at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which would meet the water requirements of commercial agriculture in the Chiredzi district.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/04/ed-moves-to-douse-chilonga-flames/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

List Of Kilimanjaro Sugarcane Project Beneficiaries To Be Drawn Anew - Charamba

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a Chiredzi man in connection with the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chiredzi-security-guard-murdered-and-burnt/">murder of a 60-year-old security</a> guard whose headless body was discovered early this week.
The head was later discovered the chopped head of Lazawa Salani of Buffalo Range wrapped in a sack and buried in a small shallow pit about 1.5km from an open space near the Chiredzi Magistrates’ Court where the deceased guarded.
Police reportedly discovered blood-stained clothes of the accused, William Simango (24), who was said to have earlier in the day threatened to kill Salani for taking away his job.
Sources said William Simango was replaced as a guard at the scrap camp by the deceased.
Masvingo Police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the arrest of William Simango. He was arrested in Chisumbanje. Dehwa said:
<blockquote>Police have arrested a suspect in connection with this case. I cannot give you full details at the moment because I am not in the office.</blockquote>
The deceased was employed at Maria Mabasa Plastic Scrap Collection Company in the town and police recovered his blood-stained uniforms and trails of blood on some bales of plastic scrap he guarded.
More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/suspect-who-killed-and-burnt-chiredzi-guard-arrested/">The Mirror</a>

ZRP Arrest Man Over Murder Of Chiredzi Security Guard

A sixty-year-old Chiredzi security guard was allegedly murdered by unknown assailants who proceeded to throw his body into a fire.
The Herald reports that a search team comprising the police and ordinary people found the chopped head of Lazawa Salani of Buffalo Range buried in a small shallow pit about 1.5km from an open space near the Chiredzi Magistrates’ Court where the deceased guarded.
The deceased was employed at Maria Mabasa Plastic Scrap Collection Company in the town and police recovered his blood-stained uniforms and trails of blood on some bales of plastic scrap he guarded.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident adding that investigations were underway to establish the motive and suspects behind the alleged murder.
Dhewa also said police investigators found some of Salawi’s remains burning in a smouldering bonfire that had been set by his suspected killers at his workplace.
His remains were taken to Chiredzi District Hospital for a postmortem.
This comes amid a spike in the cases of armed robberies across the country.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chiredzi-security-guard-murdered-body-burnt/">The Herald</a>

Chiredzi Security Guard Murdered And Burnt

Charismatic preacher Uebert Mudzanire, popularly known as Prophet Uebert Angel, recently visited Chiredzi where he promised locals that he will bring investors to the Lowveld.
Angel, a British-Zimbabwean preacher and the founder of Good News Church, formerly Spirit Embassy, was last week appointed Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large to Europe and the Americas by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
He travelled to Chiredzi District in Masvingo Province a day after his appointment where he met a group of businesspeople.
Angel was accompanied by the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
Techmag TV reported a source saying Angel met several business people in the district where he pledged to lure 20 investors. The source said:
<blockquote>Yes, it’s true the ambassador was here and met business people in this community. He promised to revive this area by luring investors to come to Chiredzi. He said he will lure 20 investors.</blockquote>
The lanky preacher’s visit to Chiredzi may raise a few eyebrows after the district recently made headlines over the government’s mooted effort to displace more than 12 500 families in Chilonga.
The government allocated thousands of hectares of land that belongs to the local Shangaan community to Dendairy, a Midlands-based dairy company to grow grass for its cows.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.techmag.tv/angel-in-controversial-chiredzi-visit/">Techmag TV</a></h4>

Uebert Angel Visits Chiredzi, Pledges To Bring Investors

Locusts have reportedly caused massive damage in Mwenezi and Chiredzi in Masvingo after they reportedly destroyed close to 8000 hectares of crops in the area, The Herald reports.
The locusts reportedly devoured the area’s sorghum, sugarcane, millet, beans, cowpeas, and maize and the destruction could leave families in the affected communities food insecure.
The unfortunate incident was confirmed by the head of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Shingirai Nyamutukwa who told the publication that over 4000 families will be food insecure due to the damage done by the infamous insects:
<blockquote>
Crop damage ranged from 3-92% depending on crop. Sorghum is the worst affected crop and it constituted the greater part of the affected 7853,2 hectares of crop land in Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
Sugarcane damage was minimal at less than 5%. Sugarcane usually recovers quickly unlike damage on sorghum, millet and maize which is directly on the yield. Small grains are the most affected and if the pests are uncontrolled, more than 4 800 households will be food insecure in the two districts. Our teams are on the ground assisting farmers. We have provided resources to assist farmers in pest management.
</blockquote>
Nyamukutwa spoke briefly about the locusts and said they do not migrate and they have so far identified 3 types of locusts:
<blockquote>
So far we have identified three types of locust species  the Ruspolia differens, commonly known as “madhumbudya,” the Cytacanthacris (green locusts) and the Cataloipus oberthuli known locally as ‘njeru’ which are all edible.
These do not migrate over long distances like the African migratory locusts. These are localised and often consumed by local communities.
</blockquote>
Last year locusts were spotted in Gonarezhou and parts of <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/07/01/migratory-locusts-spotted-in-gonarezhou-national-park-spark-locust-attack-fears/">Chiredzi and they sparked fear of a locust attack. </a>
More:<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/locusts-destroy-nearly-8-000-hectares-of-crops/"> The Herald </a>

Locust Massively Destroy Crops In Chiredzi And Mwenezi

Rueben Mbofana writing for the Zimbabwean has said the government’s decision to remove people from their ancestral land shows they have not departed from the actions of the colonialists who would do the same when they came to Africa.
Mbofana was commenting after it <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/01/govt-approves-eviction-of-over-1000-chiredzi-families/">emerged the government approved the displacement of 1000 families</a> in Chiredzi to pave way for grass to grow to feed Dendairy cattle in the area.
Opined Mbofana:
<blockquote>It has never been in doubt to most of us that, the 1980 government, that came into power in Zimbabwe, was nothing more than a British project, which had been created to hijack the genuine and gallant people’s revolution, in order to establish a system that would continue colonial interests in the country (once known as Rhodesia), and protect the erstwhile masters’ interests – since, the real liberation struggle Sons and Daughters of the Soil were regarded as a potential threat to this order.
Those who bother taking the time to study how the elections of 1980 were conducted by the British, under governor Lord Soames, would know how the hijacked and betrayed ZANU party was permitted to commit some of the most horrendous and barbaric pre-election atrocities with impunity, in the run-up to their disputed ‘victory’ – signalling the genesis of a troubling violent tendency characterizing all subsequent elections in the country, as the ruling elite knew within their hearts of hearts (or, whatever they call the place their cruelty emanates from), that they never attained the true trust, love, and support of the majority of Zimbabweans……
<h3>A charade that is still ongoing</h3>
Yet, what we still witness today, is a ruling party still willing to please their ‘real’ masters, as they have just gazetted a legal instrument paving the way for the eviction of over 12,500 villagers from their ancestoral homes in Chilonga, Chiredzi, so as to make way for the growing of Lucerne grass to feed cattle owned by Dendairy company.
Does this sound familiar? It most certainly does, as this brings back memories of the atrocious evictions of villagers under Chief Rekai Tangwena, of Nyanga in Manicaland province, on 29 October 1970 by the colonial regime, under the Land Apportionment Act something the Harare establishment always megaphones as the highlight of the Rhodesians’ cruelty, in spite of repeating the very same in a post-independent Zimbabwe.
If what the Zimbabwe government is doing to these Chiredzi villagers had been orchestrated at the hands of the Rhodesians, we would have never heard the last of it  as we would have been loudly and repeatedly told by the post-independence authorities, how “cruel colonists displaced Chiredzi villagers from land they had been on for hundreds of years, in order to grow grass”.
In fact, this Chiredzi displacement of people off their ancestoral land “to grow grass”, is by no means an isolated case, as removing people from their land, and leaving them virtually destitute, to make room for capital, has been the hallmark of both the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe regimes – however, the latter has even taken this a step further, by demolishing people’s homes, and abandoning them to the caprices of the weather, under the pretext of ‘sanitizing’ or ‘cleansing’ urban areas.
We, the people, then ask, “What difference to colonialism did this post-independence regime bring” – considering that the majority of the country’s citizenry have never experienced the difference – if anything, most urban dwellers, and the working class, might sense that the economic situation has actually worsened under this incompetent, corrupt, and murderous tyranny, whose only purpose appears to be to steal, kill, and destroy.</blockquote>
Source: <a href="https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2021/03/displacement-of-indigenous-people-from-their-ancestoral-land-proves-zimbabwe-regime-a-continuation-of-colonialism/">The Zimbabwean </a>

OPINION: Displacement Of Indigenous People From Their Ancestral Land Proves Zimbabwe Regime A Continuation Of Colonialism - The Zimbabwean

The government has gazetted Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 which approves the eviction of over 1 000 families from the Sengwe Communal lands in Chiredzi <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/06/16/chiredzi-villagers-threaten-to-drag-govt-to-court-over-eviction/">paving way for the multi-million dollar lucerne grass project by Dendairy company. </a>
The SI titled Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice was issued by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in terms of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20: 04]. Reads the SI:
<blockquote>Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice, 2021 THE Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development and in terms of section 10 of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20:041. hereby makes the following notice:-
<ol>
<li>This notice may be cited as the Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice, 2021.</li>
<li>The area of land described hereunder in terms of the Schedule shall be set aside with effect from the date of publication of this notice for the purpose of lurcene production.</li>
<li>Any person occupying or using the land specified in the Schedule, otherwise than by virtue of a right held in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:051, is ordered to depart permanently with all of his or her property from the said land by the date of publication of this notice, unless he or she acquires rights of use or occupation to the said land in terms of section (9)(1) of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20:041.</li>
</ol>
SCHEDULE
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
An area of land approximately 12 940 hectares in extent, in the administrative district of Chiredzi as shown by the inner edge of the black line on plan M.O.E. XXXX which can be inspected, free of charge. at the following offices:
Secretary for Local Government, Urban and Rural Development, Makombe Building, Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare.
The Provincial Administrator for Masvingo.
District Administrator for Chiredzi.</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvYR6pEXUAA32sI?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900"/>

Govt Approves Eviction Of Over 1000 Chiredzi Families

Police in Masvingo have confirmed the arrest of two men from Chiredzi for allegedly smuggling a corpse into the country from Mozambique.
Tsengai Shate (34) of Section 6, Triangle and Jacob Mutanda (45) of Mapanza farm were arrested last week for smuggling a corpse through an illegal point at Chisuma along the border in Chipinge.
The two are facing charges of violating laws of repatriation of bodies.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident. She said:
<blockquote>Sometime in 2014 Shate and his wife had relocated to Mozambique where they had acquired a piece of land but however, Shate later got a job at Triangle and would visit his family in Mozambique.
On 19 February Shate received a message alerting him that his wife had died. Shate told Mutanda and other relatives who agreed on repatriating the body through the illegal crossing point.
On 21 February at around 2 pm the relatives went to Mozambique to collect the body using a Toyota Land cruiser.
In Chiredzi the duo sought to put the corpse in the mortuary and it was in narrating their story that it was discovered that they had illegally repatriated the body.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/men-arrested-for-smuggling-corpse/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Two Men Arrested For Smuggling Corpse From Mozambique

A police officer from Chiredzi was arrested after he was found in possession of 190 kilograms of marijuana(mbanje). Newsday reports. According to the publication, the police officer, Sergeant Luckdon Munhukwaye was arrested after ZRP received a tip-off that Munhukwaye’s alleged accomplice Phylis Mufandaedza was planning to do a drug deal.
It is the state’s case that:
<blockquote>On February 1, 2021 at around 3pm, Assistant Inspector Etwell Ngara received a tip-off that there was contraband of dagga at certain premises at Masekesa Business Centre.
On the same day at around 11pm, the police stormed the house, leading to the recovery of a packet of loose dagga which was on top of the wardrobe in one of the rooms.
They interrogated Cynthia Mhuriro after finding her inside the house, and she implicated Mufandaedza.
She told the police that Mufandaedza had been taken by some men who identified themselves as detectives from Chiredzi, who were driving a Toyota Hilux GD-6 Revo, who then seized the recovered dagga.</blockquote>
ZRP on their way home reportedly intercepted a car that Munhukwaye was driving, and after searching the vehicle, they found some bags of cannabis inside. Munhukwaye reportedly tried to flee the scene but was cornered by ZRP officers and was arrested. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday.
Last week ZRP arrested people who were <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chisumbanje-trio-caught-with-2-3t-of-mbanje-cannabis/">found in possession of 2.3 tonnes</a> of Mbanje.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/02/chiredzi-cop-nabbed-over-190kg-dagga/">Newsday</a>

ZRP Officer Caught With 190Kgs of Mbanje

A total of eight people are said to have drowned while trying to cross flooded rivers in Chiredzi District, Masvingo.
The number was confirmed by Chiredzi District Development Coordinator, Mr. Lovemore Chisema who warned members of the public against attempting at flooded rivers.
Chisema who is also the chairperson of the District’s Civil Protection Department said more than 20 houses have been destroyed due to floods. He said:
<blockquote>We are imploring citizens to be cautious and exercise patience by avoiding crossing flooded rivers.
Many of our rivers are currently flooded and the most affected area is Chiredzi South where all economic activities have been cut down as they cannot cross Runde River to access Chiredzi town.
At the same time, here we are having challenges to ensure service delivery because the area is not accessible.</blockquote>
The number of people who have drowned countrywide this rain season has worryingly continued to rise.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police recently indicated that drowning cases countrywide were at 483 cases in 2020 compared to 411 cases in 2019.
The police added that of the 483 cases recorded in the year 2020, 26 cases were recorded in Harare, 7 in Bulawayo, 54 in Midlands, 55 in Manicaland, 55 in Masvingo, 30 in Mat North, 31 in Mat South, 58 in Mash East, 70 in Mash Central and 97 in Mash West.
More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/warning-issued-as-eight-drown-trying-to-cross-flooded-rivers-in-chiredzi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZBC News</a>

Eight Drown Trying To Cross Flooded Rivers In Chiredzi

A humongous crocodile caused panic at Chiredzi District Hospital on Monday morning after it was spotted in a storm drain at the health facility.
Acting Chiredzi District Hospital medical superintendent Dr David Tarumbwa confirmed the incident but said the reptile did not attack anyone from the time it was spotted at around 4 AM until it was captured and translocated by a team from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority(Zimparks). He said:
<blockquote>It was just a crocodile that was seen within the hospital area around 4 am but it did not attack anyone. No one was injured.
The situation was managed very well and the crocodile was taken by Zimparks and deposited in Chiredzi River.
We thank God that the situation was managed bit a crocodile is dangerous even to a beast(cow) what more to a human being.
I think there’s a need to improve security at institutions like hospitals because there is a lot of movement caused by heavy rains that have been falling.</blockquote>
The development was substantiated by Chiredzi District Administrator and Civil Protection Unit chair Lovemore Chisema.
Chisema refuted claims that huge reptile might be the work of juju, saying it could have strayed from a canal because of rising water levels. He said:
<blockquote>Yes, we woke up this morning(Monday) to a scare over a crocodile that was in a storm drain at Chiredzi Hospital but it didn’t attack anyone until it was removed from the place by a team from Zimparks.
The good thing is that authorities at the hospital managed to make sure the crocodile remained at the same place(storm drain) until it was removed by guys from parks who tool it to Chiredzi River about 16km from the hospital.
Heavy rains have been falling here for days and these animals(crocodiles) even also get confused sometimes so maybe it just strayed from a canal because of rising water levels. I don’t think there is more to it.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-crocodile-causes-stir-at-chiredzi-hospital/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Crocodile Causes Panic At Chiredzi District Hospital

A 56-year-old prominent Chiredzi medical doctor allegedly ran amok on Sunday and knifed his two children to death in Mkwasine Estates before seriously injuring two others following a quarrel with his wife.
Dr William Phiri then tried to commit suicide by torching his house after locking himself and his four children inside.
He was however pulled out of his burning house unconscious but stark naked by neighbours and relatives.
They also retrieved Phiri’s four children two of whom had already died after being allegedly knifed and repeatedly crashed to the ground.
Phiri later regained consciousness and fled while armed with a firearm and hid in a nearby cane field.
He tried to shoot himself but the firearm reportedly jammed.
Phiri tried suicide once more by stabbing himself with a knife on the chest several times.
Phiri and his two other injured children, a girl aged six and a boy aged four are reportedly in a critical condition at Chiredzi District Hospital.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development saying police are still investigating full circumstances behind the incident.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-doctor-butchers-kids-attempts-to-kill-self/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Doctor Attempts Suicide After Killing Two Of His Children

Anti-riot police on Saturday accidentally struck a baby with a truncheon at Tshovani Stadium in Chiredzi.
The 11-month-old baby was struck by the police while strapped on its mother’s back. The mother was trying to gain entry into Tshovani Stadium to attend a wedding when the incident occurred.
The woman, whose baby was beaten, was whisked away by the police.
Chiredzi ZRP Chief Superintendent Shengedzani Muleya condemned the deplorable behaviour by police officers and urged them to act professionally. He said:
<blockquote>As police in Chiredzi, we have a good working relationship with journalists and such overzealous behaviour should be condemned.</blockquote>
Thousands of people thronged the stadium to witness the wedding of Chiredzi-born self-styled comedian Douglas Zvarevashe, who tied the knot with Noria Mutepfu.
The wedding was organised by ZANU PF bigwigs, including Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu, and was sponsored by businessman James Charumbira.
However, the large number of people who turned up for the wedding was in violation of COVID-19 regulations which stipulate that a wedding should not be attended by people exceeding 100.
There was pandemonium and throwing of stones at police officers by angry crowds after officers had bashed the infant.
Several people were left nursing injuries from the ensuing melee.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/overzealous-riot-police-bashes-11-month-baby/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Police Officer Bashes 11-month-old Baby With Baton

One person died when lightning struck a kitchen hut 3 local social footballers had taken shelter from the rain in, in Mahusekwa, Newsday reports.
Villagers had to pull out the body of 19-year-old Ian Mashinge of Sadza village under Chief Nenguwo and rescue his colleagues from the burning hut before they were sent to Mahusekwa Hospital to be treated for burns.
The incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza when he said:
<blockquote>On December 10, at around 6pm, the deceased was playing soccer with his friends aged 21 and 31 at an open space in Kundishora village. It started raining and the trio took refuge in a kitchen hut. It is reported that the hut was struck by a bolt of lightning, caught fire and Ian Mashinge got burnt in the process. The other two escaped unhurt. Some villagers tried to rescue Mashinge but their efforts were in vain</blockquote>
Lighting also <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/11/23/five-people-struck-by-lightning-in-chiredzi/">struck a group of 4 people and left one dead i</a>n Chiredzi who were walking when it started raining.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/footballers-struck-by-lightning-one-dead/">Newsday </a>

One Dead As Lightining Strikes 3 Footballers In Mahusekwa

Sugar manufacturing giant, Tongaat Hulett has closed 22 of its schools as <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/06/govt-concerned-with-zimbabwes-covid-19-second-wave/">COVID-19 cases soar</a>, The Sunday News reports. According to the publication, a source told them that at Mufakose High School In Triangle, 7 teachers, the head, and other non-teaching staff tested positive for Covid-19 last week.
One of the none teaching staff at Mufakose is believed to have been the primary source of the infections according to a memo seen by the publication which stated that:
<blockquote>…Of the 66 primary contacts that have been investigated so far, 15 were tested and 11 turned out to be positive. A total of 51 secondary contacts were tested, six of the 14 ran tests were positive. Other 37 results are not yet out</blockquote>
Speaking to the publication, Tongaat Hulett spokesperson Ms. Adelite Chikunguru said:
<blockquote>It is unfortunate that one of our schools reported cases of Covid-19. We have closed all schools that are being run by Tongaat Hulett in the Lowveld so that we try and minimise the possible spread of the pandemic. We had stringent protocols that we have been following since the schools opened in September and we had not had any case of Covid-19.
The new cases at one of our schools are unfortunate and we have made sure that the affected people receive best health care. We have state of the art healthcare facilities at Tongaat Hulett and we are also working with the Rapid Response Team and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure that the situation is under control. We continue to follow Government guidelines on Covid-19,</blockquote>
The schools are still open to writing classes only.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/company-closes-22-schools-over-covid-19/">The Sunday News </a>

Tongaat Hulett Close Schools Due To COVID-19

Heavy rains, strong winds, lightning to be expected in many parts of the country starting today 29 November 2020 until Thursday and they will in some instances cause flash flooding, according to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD).
According to ZTN, MSD in a statement released yesterday said:
<blockquote>From Sunday 29 November, scattered thunderstorms are expected across the country with heavy rainfall (in excess of 30 mm; 24 hours) in some places.
The storms will first hit Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Masvingo and Bulawayo and then spread to Mashonaland and Harare from Tuesday.</blockquote>
Since the onset of the rain season, heavy rains have been <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/11/27/heavy-rains-destroy-30-homes-in-binga/">received in Binga which flooded the Lusulu area</a> in Binga and left over 200 people homeless after the heavy rains destroyed their houses. Some schools were destroyed by the strong winds while lighting killed one in Chiredzi and injured 4 people and destroyed a farmer in Ntabazinduna’s 1000 chickens.
More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2020/11/danger-storms-lighting-and-hails-on-the-way/?fbclid=IwAR3CWw5fUqVL_pyF3K2LPXQHaQoRfZQ1k6CtDDmJQRMjKzuElABwVPqGK_g">ZTN</a>

Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Expected In The Country This Week

A Chiredzi woman Violet Chauke has filed a complaint against a local magistrate and the prosecutor who worked on her case accusing them of being lenient to the soldier who bit off part of her nose, New Zimbabwe reports.
Chauke, the Chiredzi woman who filed the complaint through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is accusing the Magistrate Rodgers Mawarire and prosecutor Doubt Phiri of being lenient to Godfrey Chiwara who bit off her nose during a heated domestic dispute.
The development was confirmed by Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi who told the publication that:
<blockquote>I can confirm receiving that complaint. We are going to investigate the matter and appropriate action will be taken.</blockquote>
According to the publication:
<blockquote>Godfrey Chiwara (32), a member of the Zimbabwe National Army attached to the demining regiment in Dumisa in Chikombedzi, bit off Chauke’s nose during a heated domestic dispute, according to court papers.
Mawarire, who was transferred to Tsholotsho from Chiredzi following a number of almost similar complaints, sentenced Chiwara to 24 months in prison and suspended six months on condition he did not commit a similar offence in three years.
The remaining 18 months was suspended on condition that he performed 630 hours of community service at Nyabira police station.
The matter has been dragging for almost two years until she approached police spokesperson Paul Nyathi complaining her rights were being grossly violated.
She also had to approach the late Zimbabwe National Army’s Colonel Overson Mugwisi and Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore in Harare leading to Chiwara’s court appearance July 29, 2020.
When he was asked why he was not attending court, Chiwara threw blame towards prosecutor Phiri whom he said had told him (Chiwara) not to come to court.
Chiwara was remanded out of custody to September 30, 2020, a day which Mawarire passed a ‘dubious” ruling.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/light-sentence-lands-magistrate-prosecutor-in-soup/">New Zimbabwe </a>

Chiredzi Woman Files Complaint Against A Magistrate And A Prosecutor Over Lenient Sentence

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has urged Zimbabweans to choose dialogue rather than confrontation whenever they reach a deadlock.
Chiwenga made the plea last week while addressing delegates during an official tour of the winter maize project at Hippo Valley’s Kilimanjaro project in Chiredzi. He said:
<blockquote>We have plenty of land, so let’s open it. Let’s create and give our people jobs here. There is no other country which will be created. God did his job and finished it.
He is not going to create another world. Let’s forget about it. So our small teapot, let’s treasure it.
Let’s work together. Let’s not be confrontational. If there is any problem in the country, let’s sit down and resolve it amicably.</blockquote>
Chiwenga’s call for dialogue comes at a time when the government has rejected South Africa’s offer to intervene to help solve the country’s unending crises.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also refused to talk to MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa one on one, saying the opposition leader should join the discredited political actors dialogue (POLAD) platform.
Meanwhile, the government recently clashed with the Shangaan community over the impending displacement of over 1 000 families in Chilonga to pave way for lucerne (grass) farming.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/08/chiwenga-pleads-for-dialogue/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

VP Chiwenga Prefers Dialogue Over Confrontation

Worrisome reports have said a swarm of locusts was seen in Gonarezhou National Park and other parts in the Lowveld skies sparking fears that the destructive insects might attack Zimbabwe, The Herald reports.
The report was confirmed by Dr Cames Mguni, director of the Department of Research and Specialist Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement who spoke to the publication and said:
<blockquote>
Swarms of locusts were first spotted at Gonarezhou National Park on June 22 and 23 before they flew in different directions in and around Chiredzi.
Our plant protection teams are on the ground now trying to locate their breeding grounds and raising awareness among local communities to be on the lookout for them. There was no damage on the crops and what they saw was the last stages of the locusts.
Had it been during the summer cropping season the damage could have been extensive on crops.</blockquote>
Dr Mguni shed light on the government’s response to a possible locust attack:
<blockquote>
We now have locust swarms surveillance and control teams on the ground. We are still hunting them down. Apart from this, we are also conducting campaigns in and around Chiredzi to raise awareness among local communities.
</blockquote>
Locusts attacked east African countries like Uganda this year and destroyed crops in what has deemed the worst locust attacks in 70 years.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/locust-swarms-spotted-in-gonarezhou-national-park/">The Herald </a>

Migratory Locusts Spotted In Gonarezhou National Park, Spark Locust Attack Fears

Villagers in Chilonga, Chiredzi in Masvingo Province have threatened to drag the government to court over the planned eviction meant to allow Dendairy to embark on a lucerne grass project.
Through lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the villagers wrote a letter a fortnight ago to Local Government minister July Moyo challenging the planned ejection. Reads the letter in part:
<blockquote>We have been instructed to request your office to furnish us with information in your custody and control, which our clients are entitled to in terms of Section 62 of the Constitution within 14 days of your receipt of this letter, which relates to the following: confirmation of whether or not villagers in Chilonga Communal Area will be displaced to pave way for a lucerne production project, government relocation plan for the Chilonga community and issues of compensation in case of displacements, how the government is going to engage the local community over the ancestral land (and) copies of all documents relating to the transaction between the ministry of Local Government and the Lucerne investor.</blockquote>
The villagers said that they were not consulted, they were not informed of where they will be relocated and how they will benefit from the project adding that the move ejects them from their ancestral lands.
They are also worried that the government will leave them stranded as was the case with victims of Tokwe-Mukorsi floods.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/chiredzi-villagers-threaten-to-sue-govt/">Daily News</a>

Chiredzi Villagers Threaten To Drag Govt To Court Over Eviction

In a development The Herald called “a massive boost for the country’s economy“, huge diamond and gold deposits have reportedly been discovered in Mwenezi District in Masvingo and Chiredzi.
The deposits were discovered in the Chingwizi area at Nuanetsi Ranch and northern parts of Chikombedzi after the Mines Ministry commissioned an aero-magnetic survey which was conducted by  Aero Surv Zimbabwe in partnership with a South African firm Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics.
The discovery was confirmed by Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira who said:
<blockquote>Huge diamond deposits were discovered around the Chingwizi area in Mwenezi while gold was found in northern Chikombedzi following an aero-magnetic survey commissioned by the Government.
The Ministry of Mines will outline the next course of action after this discovery, but we are excited as a province because this will help grow our provincial Gross Domestic Product and also help the nation achieve its target to make mining a US$12 billion industry by 2023</blockquote>
According to the publication, the surveyed block for diamonds covered approximately 8 800km stretching over Ngundu, Rutenga and other parts of Mwenezi
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/huge-diamonds-gold-deposits-in-masvingo/">The Herald</a>

Huge Diamond & Gold Deposits Discovered In Chiredzi And Mwenezi - Report

More than 1000 Chiredzi East and South families are set to be evicted to pave way for lucerne production project by private milk producer, Dendairy.
Lucerne is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop. NewsDay was told by sources privy to the matter that Dendairy targeted about 10 000 hectares of arable land for the project.
Villagers are reportedly resisting the move arguing that the government has in the past failed to cater for the welfare of residents that were evicted to pave way for the construction of Tugwi-Mukosi dam. NewsDay was told:
<blockquote>People are afraid that they will be evicted to areas where there is no infrastructure which includes schools and clinics. We are not going to allow that to happen. We 
have seen that in Chingwizi and Chisumbanje. We cannot let that happen to us. </blockquote>
Villagers are also saying that instead of contracting Dendairy, the government was supposed to empower them so that they implement the lucerne project themselves.
Victims of Tugwi-Mukosi floods, which villagers are using as reference, had to endure hardships at Chingwizi Transit Camp before they were eventually given a one-hectare piece of land each.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/">NewsDay</a>

Over 1K Families Face Eviction To Pave Way For Grass Project

Four Ghanaians who came to Zimbabwe to play football for Division One side Lowveld Pirates are stuck in the country due to the 21-day national lockdown that is premised at curbing the spread of coronavirus. 
The players, Peter Tibila (24), Francis Adjetey (23), John Adu Poku (22) and Nelson Adenyo (23), are confined in the Makondo area of Tshovani high-density suburb in Chiredzi.
Lowvwld Pirates, however, could not agree on a deal with either of the players, who now need to return home. The development was confirmed by Zifa Eastern Region vice-chairperson Energy Zava who referred questions to the agent who brought them into the country. He said:
<blockquote>All I know is they came in from Accra. They have an agent there who deals with an agent here. The agent here is the one who knows every detail.</blockquote>
Their agent in Zimbabwe, Tinashe Gomba, said that they will be sent back after the lockdown. He said:
<blockquote>The problem with those boys is they do not want to process their work permits. They are also demanding US$400 salaries, which the owner of the team cannot afford. </blockquote>
He also said that the players were not stranded adding that they are well taken care of.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/04/ghana-footballers-stuck-in-chiredzi/">NewsDay</a>

Ghanaian Footballers Stuck In Zimbabwe

A brave Chiredzi woman recently rescued her three-year-old son from the jaws of a crocodile, literally, in a river near Gonarezhou National Park.
Maurina Musisinyana (30) of Chihosi Village told ZBC News that the attack took place while she was fishing in the crocodile-infested river with her sister while the child and his brother were playing on the riverbank.
Watch the video below:
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 544px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="306" id="video-159252-1" preload="metadata" width="544"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WhatsApp-Video-2020-04-16-at-14.40.38.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WhatsApp-Video-2020-04-16-at-14.40.38.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WhatsApp-Video-2020-04-16-at-14.40.38.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: Mother Narrates Rescuing 3-Year Old Son From Crocodile Jaws

A brave Chiredzi woman recently rescued her three-year-old son from the jaws of a crocodile, literally, in a river near Gonarezhou National Park.
Maurina Musisinyana (30) of Chihosi Village told ZBC News that she was fishing in the crocodile-infested Runde River while her son Gideon was playing with his brother on the riverbank.
Musisinyana said she was alerted of the crocodile attack by her screams from her sister-in-law. She told ZBC News:
<blockquote>We only realised this when the crocodile was already dragging the baby into the river.
I immediately rushed to the scene. My son had been shielding himself from the sun with an umbrella, so upon arrival at the scene, I noticed the umbrella floating in the river and went straight there to locate him and the crocodile.
Upon finding the crocodile, I pressed its nose hard — a tip I learnt from the elders long back that if you suffocate a crocodile from its nose, it loses its strength and that is exactly what I did.
The crocodile lost its strength and I used my other arm to free my baby’s head from its jaws. It then let him loose, but the crocodile bit my hand in the process.</blockquote>
The child was eventually taken to a hospital for treatment and was said to be in a stable condition.
He had sustained injuries to his face resulting in a lot of bleeding, which was making it difficult for him to breath.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/mom-rescues-son-from-crocs-jaws/amp/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a>

Chiredzi Mom Narrates How She Rescued Son From Crocodile's Jaws

Residents of Chiredzi town have accused soldiers patrolling the streets late at night to enforce compliance with the 21-day national lockdown of brutality.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Jonathan Mupamombe told the NewsDay Weekender that the soldiers are targeting tuckshop owners and vegetable vendors. He said:
<blockquote>Soldiers are beating up people at night. We have one tuck-shop owner whose whereabouts are not yet known after she was taken by soldiers around 10 pm yesterday. Some vegetable vendors are still nursing injuries after they were severely beaten in the early hours of the day.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Army Masvingo provincial spokesperson Sergeant Shelon Mudhara could not give the publication an accurate account of what transpired when reached for comment. He, however, suggested that some of the alleged victims could be lying about military brutality.
Recently, a TellZim reporter was detained by police in Chiredzi at the instigation of a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) district official soon after visiting Chiredzi General Hospital.
The journalist was detained for going to the hospital to verify reports that nurses at the hospital had refused to handle the body of a woman who was suspected to have succumbed to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/04/residents-squeal-over-army-torture/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Chiredzi Residents Lament Military Brutality On Lockdown Violators

ZANU PF officials on Saturday took turns to verbally attack journalists for reporting on a possible coronavirus case in Chiredzi recently.
Journalists had reported the case of a 30-year-old woman from Mkwasine Estates who reportedly arrived at <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chiredzi_Hospital" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chiredzi District Hospital</a> on Tuesday suffering from respiratory problems and died the following day.
Nurses at the hospital refused to handle the body, saying they did not have protective clothing.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chiredzi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chiredzi</a> North MP Roy Bhila (Zanu PF) argued that journalists should not be allowed to report on the disease because they will “mislead” members of the public. Said Bhila:
<blockquote>We have lost trust in these journalists. They are writing that we have a suspected COVID-19 case here in Chiredzi. Why should they be allowed to come here? If they cannot write, they should not come here. People are now living in fear.</blockquote>
Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ezra_Chadzamira" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ezra Chadzamira</a>, who is also Zanu PF provincial chairperson, urged reporters to approach officials for information so that they would be told what to write.
Meanwhile, Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe national chairperson Golden Maunganidze called on government officials and politicians to allow the media to do its work.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/04/zanu-pf-attacks-journos-for-reporting-on-covid-19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

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