Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi (Zanu-PF) has donated exercise books to orphans and vulnerable children at Dulibadzimu Primary School.
The donation last Friday was a follow-up to a pledge she made to the school during this year’s Heroes Day celebrations. The school has an enrolment of 1 400 pupils and is one of the biggest primaries in Beitbridge.
It caters for 200 orphaned children, most of whom can’t afford to buy exercise books and other essentials.
"We know that most of you would say politicians always make promises that they cannot deliver.
"This is meant to silence all the pessimists. As a local representative of the district in the Upper House, I have undertaken to work tirelessly towards assisting all educational institutions in my constituency.
"Currently, Government is faced with a number of challenges in revamping the economic sector including the education system, and hence we need to be innovative and complement each other. I also want to urge former students and other stakeholders to work together with school authorities in assisting each other where necessary."
She called for greater effort to be put into promoting local languages in schools.
"There is a need to promote indigenous languages in line with Government policy.
"Let me commend Dulibadzimu Primary School for the sterling work they are doing in promoting the local Venda culture through extra-curricular activities."
Cde Mohadi, who was attired in traditional Venda dress, was particularly impressed by Dulibadzimu Primary pupils who sung the national anthem in Venda.
She handed over US$100 to Mr Samuel Mulaudzi, the local Venda language co-ordinator, for his efforts in the development of the curriculum for schools in Beitbridge District.
Vice school development committee chair, Mr Mokibelo Makhurane, thanked Cde Mohadi for her donation, saying it would go a long way in addressing the plight of the underprivileged children at the school.
Published by the Herald 24 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Irrigation expansion nears completion
| Beitbridge Bureau Chief Work on the expansion of the River Ranch Irrigation Scheme in Beitbridge’s Ward 6 is nearing completion following a cash injection by Government. Councillor Joseph Itani Muleya on Tuesday said most of the equipment — including irrigation pipes, fencing and cement — had been bought. The project is being expanded from 10 hectares to 41,5 and will accommodate 80 plot holders. River Ranch Irrigation Scheme was established in the early 1970s and is owned by the community and run by Government through the Beitbridge Rural District Council. Clr Muleya said two blocks had been completed to accommodate 40 plot holders on the new extension and original project. Construction of a water reservoir and laying of pipes on 30ha are complete and engineers are working on fencing 1,5ha. A new pump has been mounted and draws water from Umzingwane River. "The plot holders are working with officials from the departments of Irrigation and Agriculture Extension in the project. "We hope that by the end of the farming season the project will be functioning to capacity," he said. Clr Muleya said maize and wheat were the major crops on the scheme and farmers would this year venture into horticulture. He said plans were afoot to erect an electric fence to protect crops from wildlife. The expansion started in September 2006 but was progressing at a snail’s pace due to an acute shortage of resources. An extension officer said the irrigation scheme was being funded through the Smallholder Micro-irrigation Develop-ment Support Programme, which is a bilateral agreement between the Euro-pean Commission and Government. The EC has contributed 125 000 euro so far while Government and the farmers should contribute 25 percent of the money needed to capacitate irrigation schemes in the province. It was not immediately clear how much money has gone into the River Ranch scheme. Published by the Herald 18 November 2010 www.herald.co.za |
Hut blaze claims 4 family members
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Four family members from the Madlambuzi area of Plumtree, among them toddlers aged three and one-and-a-half years-old, were on Monday night burnt to death when the bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire.
The incident occurred close to midnight in Maseha Village under Headman Senganyo.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said they were still investigating the matter.
He said a Plumtree magistrate had waived post-mortems.
Insp Dzirutwe identified the deceased as Agalucia (35), Polite (28), Gertrude (three) and Nkosinomusa Phiri (one-and-a-half).
"Preliminary investigations reveal that one of the huts at the homestead was undergoing repairs and some thatching grass was removed.
"It was put in the hut where the four were sleeping. The two adults were mentally challenged.
"They did not put out a cooking fire in the hut when they went to bed. We believe the grass caught fire and the hut was soon ablaze.
"A 66-year-old neighbour noticed the fire at around 6am and by then it was too late," he said.
Police took the charred bodies to Plumtree Government Mortu-ary. The incident comes a few months after an 84-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy were burnt to death when their bedroom hut caught fire in the same area.
Published by Herald , 5 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Four family members from the Madlambuzi area of Plumtree, among them toddlers aged three and one-and-a-half years-old, were on Monday night burnt to death when the bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire.
The incident occurred close to midnight in Maseha Village under Headman Senganyo.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said they were still investigating the matter.
He said a Plumtree magistrate had waived post-mortems.
Insp Dzirutwe identified the deceased as Agalucia (35), Polite (28), Gertrude (three) and Nkosinomusa Phiri (one-and-a-half).
"Preliminary investigations reveal that one of the huts at the homestead was undergoing repairs and some thatching grass was removed.
"It was put in the hut where the four were sleeping. The two adults were mentally challenged.
"They did not put out a cooking fire in the hut when they went to bed. We believe the grass caught fire and the hut was soon ablaze.
"A 66-year-old neighbour noticed the fire at around 6am and by then it was too late," he said.
Police took the charred bodies to Plumtree Government Mortu-ary. The incident comes a few months after an 84-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy were burnt to death when their bedroom hut caught fire in the same area.
Published by Herald , 5 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Veteran educationist Muleya retires
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Veteran educationist Mr Nixon Muleya (65) has retired from the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture after serving for a continuous 45 years in Beitbridge.
Mr Muleya has indicated he will be available for consultancy services.
He started as a teacher at Chamnangana Primary School on January 1, 1965 where he taught for 22 years.
He was promoted to the post of district staff officer in 1987 — a position he held until his retirement.
He will leave the ministry on December 31 this year.
Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly of Mr Muleya at a party held in his honour at Beitbridge District Club last week.
In his farewell speech, Mr Muleya said: "I am extremely gratified with everyone’s support during my years of service in the Ministry of Education.
"Your co-operation has indeed been my strength. Let me take this opportunity to urge you to continue working tirelessly towards the successful revamping of our country’s education sector.
"Working with teachers and school children has made me feel young, but now I am old enough to call it a day. I promise all stakeholders that I will be readily available for consultancy on issues concerning education because I have a strong passion for this sector."
Matabeleland South provincial education director, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, who was taught by Mr Muleya, described him as a hard working individual who had a burning desire to achieve quality results even in difficult situations.
She challenged him and other retired educators in the district to work as capacity builders.
Published by the Herald 22 November 2010
www.herald.co.za
Veteran educationist Mr Nixon Muleya (65) has retired from the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture after serving for a continuous 45 years in Beitbridge.
Mr Muleya has indicated he will be available for consultancy services.
He started as a teacher at Chamnangana Primary School on January 1, 1965 where he taught for 22 years.
He was promoted to the post of district staff officer in 1987 — a position he held until his retirement.
He will leave the ministry on December 31 this year.
Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly of Mr Muleya at a party held in his honour at Beitbridge District Club last week.
In his farewell speech, Mr Muleya said: "I am extremely gratified with everyone’s support during my years of service in the Ministry of Education.
"Your co-operation has indeed been my strength. Let me take this opportunity to urge you to continue working tirelessly towards the successful revamping of our country’s education sector.
"Working with teachers and school children has made me feel young, but now I am old enough to call it a day. I promise all stakeholders that I will be readily available for consultancy on issues concerning education because I have a strong passion for this sector."
Matabeleland South provincial education director, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, who was taught by Mr Muleya, described him as a hard working individual who had a burning desire to achieve quality results even in difficult situations.
She challenged him and other retired educators in the district to work as capacity builders.
Published by the Herald 22 November 2010
www.herald.co.za
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Congolese fined US$5 000 for evading duty
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
A Congolese man has been fined US$5 000 for evading paying duty for a vehicle he imported from South Africa.
Fani Fani Ageronga Lisamba of number 67 Learoyd Street in Braeside, Harare was arrested at his home at the weekend in connection with smuggling a Nissan Cefiro worth US$4 000 from Durban, South Africa.
He had lied to Zimra officials that the vehicle was destined for the DRC but instead sold the car in Zimbabwe.
Cars in transit are not charged duty in Zimbabwe.
Lisamba is reportedly part of a syndicate involved in the importation of vehicles from South Africa, which they claim are in transit, but are actually destined for the local market.
According to a senior police officer in the border town, four cars — including the Cefiro — have been recovered in Harare and forfeited to the State, while the other suspects are still at large.
Lisamba was on Wednesday convicted on his own plea of guilty to smuggling when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mr Carrington Karidzagundi.
If he fails to pay the fine, he will spend a year in jail.
A one-year prison term was also set aside on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that in September this year, Lisamba imported a 1994 Nissan Cefiro from South Africa.
At Beitbridge Border Post, he indicated to Zimra that the car was destined for the DRC.
However, he sold it in Harare for US$2 550.
The Police Border Control Unit, following a tip-off, arrested Lisamba in Harare and recovered the car.
Herald 12 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
A Congolese man has been fined US$5 000 for evading paying duty for a vehicle he imported from South Africa.
Fani Fani Ageronga Lisamba of number 67 Learoyd Street in Braeside, Harare was arrested at his home at the weekend in connection with smuggling a Nissan Cefiro worth US$4 000 from Durban, South Africa.
He had lied to Zimra officials that the vehicle was destined for the DRC but instead sold the car in Zimbabwe.
Cars in transit are not charged duty in Zimbabwe.
Lisamba is reportedly part of a syndicate involved in the importation of vehicles from South Africa, which they claim are in transit, but are actually destined for the local market.
According to a senior police officer in the border town, four cars — including the Cefiro — have been recovered in Harare and forfeited to the State, while the other suspects are still at large.
Lisamba was on Wednesday convicted on his own plea of guilty to smuggling when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mr Carrington Karidzagundi.
If he fails to pay the fine, he will spend a year in jail.
A one-year prison term was also set aside on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that in September this year, Lisamba imported a 1994 Nissan Cefiro from South Africa.
At Beitbridge Border Post, he indicated to Zimra that the car was destined for the DRC.
However, he sold it in Harare for US$2 550.
The Police Border Control Unit, following a tip-off, arrested Lisamba in Harare and recovered the car.
Herald 12 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Deal seeks to rehabilitate Shashe Irrigation Scheme
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Beitbridge Rural District Council and the Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources have struck a deal, in which, the NGO will provide US$200 000 to rehabilitate Shashe Irrigation Scheme, some 120km west of Beitbridge Town.
The rehabilitation programme is expected to be in two phases implemented over six months.
Shashe irrigation scheme, which was founded by in 1975, covers 120 hectares and is a source of livelihood for 184 plot holders though at full capacity it can cater for 800 families.
However, only five hectares are being tilled at the moment due to an acute shortage of water and other inputs. Safire is a local NGO mainly involved in community-based resources management, livelihood improvement, food security and relief for disadvantaged communities.
The organisation’s director, Mr Gladman Kundhlande, said: "We are working on refurbishing the Shashe Irrigation Scheme following the breakdown of the engine pumps, pipes and the canals. These were destroyed by Cyclone Eline-induced rains. We will also equip irrigation farmers with skills to maintain and manage their projects as well as link them with markets for their produce."
Beitbridge Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Albert Mbedzi, yesterday said work had already started.
He said the Shashe scheme had for the past few years malfunctioned due to aged infrastructure.Only one of four installed pumps is working full-time. "The Shashe project will be used as a barometer for future funding of other schemes in the district. Preliminary work has already been completed and we expect civil works to begin any time soon," Mr Mbedzi said.
He said they were also working on rehabilitation of Bili Irrigation Scheme with assistance from the European Union.
Mr Mbedzi said that they had approached Care International to assist in rehabilitating the 63ha Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme, located 135km east of the border town.
Herald 12 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Beitbridge Rural District Council and the Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources have struck a deal, in which, the NGO will provide US$200 000 to rehabilitate Shashe Irrigation Scheme, some 120km west of Beitbridge Town.
The rehabilitation programme is expected to be in two phases implemented over six months.
Shashe irrigation scheme, which was founded by in 1975, covers 120 hectares and is a source of livelihood for 184 plot holders though at full capacity it can cater for 800 families.
However, only five hectares are being tilled at the moment due to an acute shortage of water and other inputs. Safire is a local NGO mainly involved in community-based resources management, livelihood improvement, food security and relief for disadvantaged communities.
The organisation’s director, Mr Gladman Kundhlande, said: "We are working on refurbishing the Shashe Irrigation Scheme following the breakdown of the engine pumps, pipes and the canals. These were destroyed by Cyclone Eline-induced rains. We will also equip irrigation farmers with skills to maintain and manage their projects as well as link them with markets for their produce."
Beitbridge Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Albert Mbedzi, yesterday said work had already started.
He said the Shashe scheme had for the past few years malfunctioned due to aged infrastructure.Only one of four installed pumps is working full-time. "The Shashe project will be used as a barometer for future funding of other schemes in the district. Preliminary work has already been completed and we expect civil works to begin any time soon," Mr Mbedzi said.
He said they were also working on rehabilitation of Bili Irrigation Scheme with assistance from the European Union.
Mr Mbedzi said that they had approached Care International to assist in rehabilitating the 63ha Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme, located 135km east of the border town.
Herald 12 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Cops nab nine suspects, recover R30 000 goods
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Police in Beitbridge have busted a theft racket, which saw nine suspects being arrested and goods worth R30 000 recovered.
Arnold Chipato (23) and Moses Mhande (19) were the first to be arrested on Sunday morning at Beitbridge Border Post. The other suspects in custody are Antony Dube (23), Godfrey Moyana (22), Patrick Mulisi (20), Hassan Magan’a (19) and three juveniles aged between 15 and 17.
Chipato and Mhande reportedly stole two generators and a bag containing R2 000 from a haulage truck. They also allegedly stole the driver’s travel and customs documents at the border. The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero, said the suspects would soon appear in court facing theft charges.
"We have arrested nine suspects linked to a notorious theft syndicate operating at the border. Soon after getting a tip-off we deployed our teams in the early hours of Sunday morning and they arrested the two main suspects.
"Our officers had to set dogs on them as they attempted to flee. They then led us to their safe houses where seven members of the gang were arrested. We then recovered several electrical gadgets, including; stoves, refrigerators, television sets, radios and a computer monitor.
"We also recovered a bicycle, car batteries, umbrellas, pots, bed linen and ladies body cream," Chief Supt Mukombero said.
He said the syndicate had been targeting truckers and they were taking advantage of poor lighting around the border post.
Herald 11 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Police in Beitbridge have busted a theft racket, which saw nine suspects being arrested and goods worth R30 000 recovered.
Arnold Chipato (23) and Moses Mhande (19) were the first to be arrested on Sunday morning at Beitbridge Border Post. The other suspects in custody are Antony Dube (23), Godfrey Moyana (22), Patrick Mulisi (20), Hassan Magan’a (19) and three juveniles aged between 15 and 17.
Chipato and Mhande reportedly stole two generators and a bag containing R2 000 from a haulage truck. They also allegedly stole the driver’s travel and customs documents at the border. The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero, said the suspects would soon appear in court facing theft charges.
"We have arrested nine suspects linked to a notorious theft syndicate operating at the border. Soon after getting a tip-off we deployed our teams in the early hours of Sunday morning and they arrested the two main suspects.
"Our officers had to set dogs on them as they attempted to flee. They then led us to their safe houses where seven members of the gang were arrested. We then recovered several electrical gadgets, including; stoves, refrigerators, television sets, radios and a computer monitor.
"We also recovered a bicycle, car batteries, umbrellas, pots, bed linen and ladies body cream," Chief Supt Mukombero said.
He said the syndicate had been targeting truckers and they were taking advantage of poor lighting around the border post.
Herald 11 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
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