Mutare, PSMAS in $1m land swap deal

CASH-STRAPPED Mutare City Council last week resolved to settle its more than $1 million debt to Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) through a land swap deal as revenue collections in the eastern border town continue to shrink.

The local authority owes its workers salaries for seven months.

Last week, police were called in after some contract workers stormed Civic Centre demanding their dues.

In a full council meeting on Tuesday last week, the council resolved to offset its $1 180 698 debt to PSMAS through a swap of land measuring 18 500 square metres.

Town clerk Obert Muzawazi told the council meeting that at the rate at which they were collecting revenue, the local authority would not be able to settle the debt hence the proposal for a land swap.

He said PSMAS was agreeable to the land swap deal.

The local authority said the move was the only solution to the difficult financial situation.

“In line with the litigation that council has with PSMAS for an outstanding fee for services rendered to its employees, the parties came up with an out-of-court settlement wherein the council offered land namely sub-division A of stand 7212 of Mutare Township, subdivision B of stand 7212 Mutare Township, subdivision C of stand 7212 Mutare Township,” the council minutes read in part.

“The piece of land measures in total 18 500 square metres.

“This is in full and final settlement of the debt of $1 180 698 owed by council to PSMAS.”  Manica Post

Mutare Shelves Plans to Destroy Illegal Structures

CITY authorities in Mutare have temporarily shelved their plans to demolish hundreds of illegal structures that have been mushrooming in the border city's high density suburbs and the CBD. The demolitions were targeted at tuckshops and some buildings illegally constructed on undesignated areas.

Before the new development, the local authority had informed residents of its plans to destroy illegal structures. Mutare mayor, Tatenda Nhemarare confirmed the local authority has decided to shelve its plans for now while they sought alternative places to accommodate the affected families.

"We have halted the exercise as the local authority is trying to locate alternative areas for the residents to carry out their operations," said Nhemarare. The local authority's decision could also be associated with a petition from United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (UMRRA) asking city fathers to first consider the humanitarian element to their unpopular decision, before the demolitions.

UMRRA Executive Director, Dr Sebastian Bakare, confirmed his association had written a petition against the demolitions and thanked the council for heeding to their call. "We wrote a petition to the council and they heeded our call. The petition was purely on humanitarian grounds," said Bakare.

UMRRF had argued that proceeding with the exercise was going to severely disadvantage poor residents in Mutare. "It is our view that the owners of these illegal structures are innocent residents who are trying to eke out a decent living through honest means," said Bakare.

"Unemployment rate is around 90 percent. We kindly ask you to provide alternative designated working areas in consultation with them before demolition." Due to economic hardships and job scarcity, residents have resorted to constructing tuckshops and salons in their backyards to raise funds to survive.

Sex-Starved Guard Up for Raping Mentally Ill Victim

A SEX starved security, who was guarding the Provincial Medical Director's Offices in Mutare weekend, was arrested after being caught red-handed while having unprotected sex with a 40-year-old mentally challenged woman.

It is reported that Kudakwashe Matapure, 26, of Chikanga Phase 2 in the border city, was on duty Saturday night when he saw the complainant loitering near the premises. He lured the woman into the premises where he allegedly raped her once.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda, confirmed the incident. Chananda said on the day in question, a passer-by and now witness in the criminal case, reports having heard some strange noises coming from the premises.

His suspicions were confirmed when he quickly informed one Simbarashe Nyatondo, a motor mechanic at the premises, who was not very far from the place. The two immediately visited the premises where they found Matapauke allegedly forcing himself on the woman.

A report was made at Sakubva police station leading to Matapauke's arrest. The complainant was taken to Mutare Provincial hospital for medical examination. "At the moment, the complainant cannot narrate what really transpired on the day in question because of her mental status," said Chananda.

He said it was a serious offence to take advantage of the mentally challenged in the society.

Gwekwerere Joins Buffaloes

Mutare — BUFFALOES coach Luke Masomere yesterday made public his 29-member squad that includes former Dynamos and CAPS United striker Evans Gwekwerere.Masomere's final squad was announced ahead of the PSL deadline for clubs to submit provisional lists of their players by tomorrow.

The deadline for transfers, however, remains March 26. PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said he expects clubs to submit their squads by today, but they can still make adjustments.

Masomere believes he has assembled a competitive outfit that also includes forgotten striker, Gwekwerere, who will be on a mission to revive his fading career.

"We will definitely compete well with other teams in the league. I think we have managed to assemble a squad that can compete with even the best in this league.

"Remember we are building a new squad and we naturally need everyone's support, especially here in Mutare. I was impressed by the support in the friendly match against Dynamos and the fans were with us all the way. That was really impressive and I hope the spirit will continue even when we face the perceived smaller opposition.

"I also want to urge the team executive to support the team even when the chips are down. We need to learn from big teams like Manchester United who are going through a rough patch.

There were no surprises on the former Shabanie Mine coach's list of goalkeepers as injured Chengetai Tandadzai is yet to recover and he has brought in former Gunners player Prosper Chigumba.

Judging by the team's performance in recent friendly matches, Themba Ndlovu's absence will certainly be felt in defence as the replacements seem not to be fitting well into the system.

Wonder Sithole's exit was duly solved by the arrival of Warriors' fringe player Frankson Bushiri, Mike Nyamukasa and Tafadzwa Mombeshora while the presence of talented Roy Mwenga, Philip Thembani and lanky Prosper Matizanadzo provides quality for that department.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Hopeful Bere, Blessing Mandimutsira and Prosper Chigumba.

Defenders

Liberty Chakoroma; Simon Choenda; Phillip Chandisaita; Shepherd Nkata; Moses Gutu; Kelvin Thembani; Bruce Puso:

Midfielders

Tafadzwa Mombeshora; Frankson Bushiri; Mike Nyamukasa; Philip Thembani; Eria Phiri; Roy Mwenga; Prosper Matizanadzo; Marshal Machazana

Strikers

Jacob Muzokomba; Malvin Senyeka; Lloyd Katongomara; Takunda Jeffrey; Evans Gwekwerere:

Under-20s

Leeroy Chawira; Derby Duri; Kudzai Myambo; Tafadzwa Mkahlera; Nigel Gezani:

It's Official: Col Muammar Gaddafi Is In Zimbabwe

It official; Col Muammar Gaddafi is now a guest of Zimbabwean despot Robert Mugabe in Harare, but activists of the Movement for Democratic Change, the MDC Veterans Activists Association (VAA) have called on Zimbabweans to storm the house in the Gunhill suburb of Harare to effect a mass citizens' arrest.

In a statement today the VAA said Gaddafi staged a nocturnal entry into Zimbabwe aboard a Zimbabwe Air force jet that landed at Suri-Suri Airbase in Chegutu at 01:07am on Wednesday morning.

“He was quickly whisked to a sprawling mansion in Harare’s Gunhill suburb under the cover of darkness with members of MDC VAA in a secret pursuit. 

“We kept a hawk’s eye on the house since Wednesday until this morning (Friday) and we don’t doubt even for a second that the fallen despot is now a ‘unique guest’ to Robert Mugabe.

"The house is encircled by uniformed army personnel of the Zimbabwe National Army and is swarming with plain clothes policemen and dreaded CIO operatives.”

They said all indications were confirming what they saw, including heavily armed female blonde body guards of Libyan origin patrolling around the house where the former despot is holed up.

                       Gaddafi and his female bodyguards

They also have clear video footages to back our claims. The suspicious female imposters in military attire are patrolling the vicinity with fingers on the trigger.   

There has been a hive of activities since the arrival of Gaddafi in the Gunhill house as luxurious government vehicles speed in and out of ‘brother leader’s new compound’.

All roads passing near the house were blocked since Wednesday morning, literally slapping the neighbor with a curfew.

MDC VAA National Chairman Solomon Sox Chikohwero said they were giving Gaddafi a week to leave Zimbabwe from today (Friday). 

“This country is not a haven for dictators.  We have two so far, who we cannot afford even for one day, and the third one is obviously an additional encumber to our burden.

“If he fails to do so we shall be storming t hat house in our thousands and effect a mass citizen arrest and hand him over to the ICC (International Criminal Court) in Hague.

“No sane Zimbabwe security personnel will arrest or shoot us in defense of a dejected and rejected dictator,” he said.







Written by Makusha Mugabe   

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