The Republic

22/11/2023

Drug Abuse Leaves A Trail of Mentally Re****ed Youths In Gwanda.



As the clampdown against drug abuse continues, in Gwanda, illegal substance abuse among the youth has burdened the Matabeleland South capital with mental health cases.



BY MELODY MPANDE | | [email protected] |



GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — It is a typical morning in Jahunda, Gwanda where a steady flow of unappealing young men in their 20s and early 30s roam around the streets begging for money to buy drugs to quench their addiction.



Susan Dube* spends most of her time hanging around with this gang.



“My buddies make sure I'm supplied always…my eyes become clearer when I'm high,” says Dube giggling away.



The need to finance her drug use reinforces her dependency and involvement with the gang.



But drug abuse has made Dube vulnerable to s*xual violations as she is unable to protect herself.



“I usually have no control of what happens when l get high. I even do not know the father of my daughter,” says Dube, who has lost her memory to drugs.



An investigation by The Citizen Bulletin revealed that rampant drug abuse has mentally destroyed and devastated youths in Gwanda.



The level of drug abuse by youths is negatively impacting the development of future generations, says Gwanda Residents Association representative Wellington Nare.



“We are losing our future generation to mental health problems due to drug abuse,” says Nare.

In Gwanda, The Citizen Bulletin observed that the most abused drugs are mbanje, crystal methamphetamine, cough syrups such as BronCleer (bronco) and an illicit alcohol brew composed of diluted ethanol or methanol

A study on the link between substance abuse and mental health shows that abusing substances such as ma*****na or methamphetamine can cause prolonged psychotic reactions.



Sixty percent of mental health admissions are due to substance abuse and of those, 80% of them are between 16 and 35 years of age, according to a research on substance use and co-occurring mental disorders by National Institute of Mental Health.

“Individuals who experience a substance use disorder during their lives may also experience a co-occurring mental disorder and vice versa,” says Brighton Mufakwadziya, Ministry of Health and Child Care National Mental Health Occupational Therapist.



Apart from mental health challenges, research on effects of smoking drugs shows that lungs can be damaged by any drug that is smoked, causing diseases like emphysema, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis.

Opioids depress breathing, which can worsen asthma.

Many drugs can cause long-term kidney damage, including kidney failure, which is life threatening.



Gwanda among other mining communities in Matabeleland has become a victim of an influx of drug peddlers.



With joblessness owing to the poor performance of the economy, many are idle and see no economic opportunity.



For some, that leads to problems with alcohol and drugs.



Reports say youths are also susceptible to peer pressure and can easily gain access to drugs.



“We have a very serious crisis,” says Gwanda Mayor, Njabulo Siziba.



Siziba says police must intensify their operations against drug dealers and abusers.



He says law enforcement agents have to take stern measures against those who sell drugs to young people and school going children.



“There has to be stiffer penalties or sentences to the suppliers of those drugs,” says Siziba.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration says it is reviewing existing laws to punish offenders with stiffer sentences.

Zimbabwe launched an anti-drug campaign in February, 2023.

According to police, at-least 3000 people have been arrested since police launched the ongoing national operation, code named “No to illicit drugs and substances.”

Arthur Maphosa, a headmaster at Gwanda High School told parents at an end of year 2022 general meeting that substance abuse was rife at the school.



“We have, among many things, confiscated alcohol, ci******es, mbanje, matches and okapi-knives from pupils,” the head of the school said at the time.



Matabeleland South police spokesperson Loveness Mangena, says police are also conducting awareness campaigns against drug abuse.



“We arrest those found in possession, selling or smoking drugs,” says Mangena.



“I appeal to the public to report bases which sell drugs. By doing so we can minimize cases of drug abuse and mental health challenges.”

Source : The Citizen Bulletin

21/11/2023

Gwanda Women Revolutionise Diaper Disposal With Eco-Conscious Solution

Local women in Gwanda are transforming the way diapers are disposed of by introducing an innovative and eco-conscious method. Through washing and repurposing used diapers, they tackle health risks and contribute to waste management.

BY LYNNIA NGWENYA | | [email protected] | JUL 3, 2023

GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — Disposable diapers, known for their convenience, pose a significant challenge when it comes to disposal. The harmful chemicals they contain, detrimental to humans and animals, make them a concern for many councils. Additionally, their slow decomposition leads to the rapid filling of landfills, posing severe health hazards.

According to a comprehensive report by Stacker, disposable diapers contain a multitude of harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds and phthalates. These chemicals, present in adhesives, synthetic dyes, and perfumes used in diapers, can be released into the air when exposed to heat. Studies indicate that phthalates, specifically, are associated with reproductive health problems and early puberty in animal lab experiments. In humans, they may affect brain development in children.

Shockingly, diapers can take up to 500 years to decompose fully. This alarming statistic implies that diapers used in the early 21st century will persist until approximately 2500, exacerbating waste management challenges.

One of the prominent hurdles in managing disposable diapers is their non-recyclable nature. The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) highlights the difficulties in recycling diapers due to their complex composition and contamination with human waste. Consequently, recycling initiatives for diapers have seen limited success, and these items cannot be effectively processed through organic waste composting systems.

In Gwanda, Matabeleland South, local women have emerged as pioneers in addressing the health and environmental risks associated with reckless diaper disposal. Their innovative solution involves washing used diapers, removing the inner material, and allowing them to dry. In some cases, the inner cotton material finds a new purpose as stuffing for reusable sanitary pads.

Doris Ncube, a resident of Spitzkop North in Gwanda, says she learned this method from her rural-living mother and has since dedicated herself to educating other nursing women.

“My mother taught me this method, and I feel compelled to pass on the knowledge whenever I encounter a nursing mother. It significantly mitigates the problems associated with disposable diapers,” Ncube explains.

Susan Tshabalala, a tenant at Ncube's house, shares her sentiment.

“I had my second child while I was renting at Ncube's house. She doesn't want to see diapers thrown in the refuse bin without being washed. She taught me to wash them first so that they will not be scattered all over, especially in our area where refuse collection is not regular.”

Susan Tshabalala

The disposable diapers, constructed from synthetic plastics, have a high absorbency rate. However, they take longer to reach maximum absorbency compared to their cotton counterparts. Once used, they do not decompose and become an unsightly presence in uncollected rubbish dumps, quickly attracting fleas due to the strong stench of human waste.

The introduction of this innovative diaper disposal method has captured the attention of Gwanda residents, unveiling new skills to combat the issue of indiscriminate dumping of disposable diapers.

“We realized that the inner cotton material, when washed and left to dry, can also be used to stuff in the reusable sanitary pads,” says Suku Nkomo*, a Spitzkop resident.

However, this method of separation faces resistance from some women who find the work disgusting.

“The reason why we no longer use traditional cloth diapers is that we don't want to be touching faeces and wet baby diapers,” says Nqobile Dube*.

Beliefs and myths surrounding the handling of used baby diapers also pose obstacles to the adoption of this solution. Some women hold the belief that touching a baby's diapers can bewitch the child.

Despite these challenges, Ncube and her team remain determined, using alternative means to convince and educate nursing women.

“I sometimes offer to wash a nursing mother's baby diaper and then discuss the observations. This hands-on approach helps to persuade some women,” says Ncube.

Decent Ndlovu, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Matabeleland South Provincial Director, commends the work of these women and encourages every nursing woman to adopt the skills.

“Washing and separating the disposable diapers is good as it will prevent dogs from eating them. We are happy about these new methods as EMA. These skills should be adopted by the whole town; it will be a milestone in keeping a clean environment.”

Decent Ndlovu

EMA urges the importance of widespread adoption of the method of washing and separating disposable diapers, citing its positive impact on waste management and environmental preservation. Additionally, the repurposing of the inner cotton material, once dried, as stuffing for reusable sanitary pads enhances the sustainability of the process.

The innovative approach taken by Gwanda women in transforming diaper disposal has become a symbol of hope for a more environmentally conscious future. Their actions are gaining momentum, as more women recognize the significant impact this method can have on waste reduction and long-term sustainability.

Editor’s Note: Some names marked with * have been changed to protect the identity of sources.

20/11/2023

Artisanal Miners' Cohabitation Tendencies Blamed for HIV Prevalence in Mat. South

Matabeleland South province that has been reported as having one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country. Some of the major contributions to the increase emanate from artisanal mining communities. The migratory patterns of miners in search of the greenstone belts is cited as one of the major contributors

BY LYNNIA NGWENYA | | [email protected]

GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) - In gold rich districts, little compounds have emerged providing a source of income for some, and temporary marriages for others.

Doris Moyo* narrates how she became first an informal trader and later a ‘wife’ to one gold panner at a local mining site in Gwanda nicknamed “FM”.

“At first I was selling commodities like food and clothes,” Moyo says. “Due to the mine business nature, sometimes we would spend nights there.

“As time went on, I found a male ‘friend’ from Mutoko and we built a shack and cohabited.”

In artisanal mining, most men will be away from families for extended periods of time, resulting in many cohabitating with local women.

“At the mine ‘compound’ we don’t worry much about a person's marital status, what is important is the current agreement we would have made,” Moyo explains.

“We need men to cohabit with at the site so that our businesses move. Also we need them for protection, mine sites are risky sometimes, violence is of high prevalence.”

According to Research Gate, men who stay away from their s*xual partners due to migration from their hometowns to the mines are more likely to have additional s*xual partners.

This exposes many to s*xually transmitted diseases and HIV.

“Illegal mining areas often do not provide accommodation for spouses or families, and most illegal mine workers migrate alone. As a result, and because these miners earn higher incomes than the average male in the area, they may choose to have, and be able to support their wives and girlfriends, or may interact with female s*x workers in the areas surrounding the mine,” reads the report.

Moses Rocha* from Masvingo recalls how he almost killed his wife after he silently infected her with Syphilis and HIV.

“I have stayed in many different mines in the country, and in all those mines, I had s*xual partners,” Rocha says.

“On a certain year, I fell sick whilst residing at a mine in Esigodini. I got diagnosed and tested positive for Syphilis and HIV, but did not finish the medication I was given. I went back to Masvingo. Upon arrival I didn't disclose my health status to my wife…” says Rocha*, artisanal miner from Masvingo.

“She got very sick and also tested positive for HIV and Syphilis. We were both counselled and given medication.”

According to the National Aids Council (NAC), as of 2022, Matabeleland South had the highest HIV prevalence rate at 17.1 percent followed by Matabeleland North and Bulawayo at 14.5% and 13.7%.

Mashonaland Central had the lowest at 0.2% followed by Manicaland at 10.2%.

Some of the drivers of cases of STIs among artisanal miners as reported are poor s*xual health knowledge or resistance to condom use, substance misuse, stigma, lack of entertainment, and poor s*xual health services.

According to Cosmopolitan without open discussions about s*xual health, many people feel ashamed and stigmatised.

“They believe they don’t owe a partner any kind of explanation about their s*xual past, habits or health status,” reports Cosmopolitan.

“Sometimes as men we are too proud to disclose crucial information that can save us and our spouses,” Rocha.

Souce: The Citizen Bulletin

15/11/2023

Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust Offers Lessons to Hospitalised Pupils and Pregnant Women

With the understanding that sickness in children should not mean the end of their academic career, Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust is conducting hospital visits offering lessons to students admitted at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.

BY LYNNIA NGWENYA | | [email protected] |

GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — Doris Moyo*, a fourteen year old who was admitted at a local hospital recalls how she was forced to repeat her classes after missing out on lessons.

“I was admitted for a long time for stomach problems. When I went back to school, I had to repeat two grades to compensate for the lost time,” Moyo says.

“The unfortunate incident dragged my academic journey behind as I still haven't completed primary level and have become a 'big sister ' of the school.”

Doris Moyo*, 14-year-old pupil

According to BMJ, children hospitalised with a chronic condition were more likely to underperform in various literacy/numeracy domains at primary and secondary grades.

“Additionally, the more hospital admissions or bed-days, the poorer the academic performance.”

“Health and educational support are needed to improve these children’s academic outcomes,” the report reads.

Children admitted at hospital over extended periods of time often lose out on their school work as they recover from illness and disease.

The time spent in hospital varies from a few days to months.

In this period, children face challenges in catching up with their peers. Extended hospitalisation at times leads to repeating classes for those affected as a means of addressing lost time.

However, nine year old Moses Ncube* is lucky not to have missed lessons when he was hospitalised at Gwanda Provincial Hospital in 2022, thanks to an intervention by the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust.

The Trust is conducting reading and learning sessions every Thursday to admitted children at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.

They have also set up a micro library at the hospital and named it the ‘Healing cabinet’.

“I was admitted for a broken leg in 2022. I stayed in the hospital for six months. The Trust would visit us at the wards, read stories to us and revise exercises and tests with us.”

Moses Ncube*, a school pupil.

“We were motivated to read more, write exercises like we were in class. No one wanted to be found with no reading record on the Trust's visits.”

Trust Librarian, Given Mwale, says they have reached as many as 200 children in visits conducted this year alone.

“Our hospital program targets three groups which are the admitted children, expecting mothers and infants that come for vaccinations at the children's clinic. We believe in the 'catch them young' policy and want every child to be introduced to reading at a very tender age,” Mwale says.

“To our admitted targets, we bridge the academic gap created by unfortunate times. In our Healing cabinet, children find many reading and academic books.”

“Also, we read stories to pregnant women. Our aim is to impart reading interests to the mother and motivate her to pass it to the unborn baby.”

Science has shown that reading to a baby in the womb promotes brain activity and can promote early literacy skills and language development as reported by Terracentre.

“Literacy skills continue to develop while reading to your baby after they are born. Even though a baby is not able to talk, they are learning about the world around them.”

“When you read to them, you are helping them understand concepts such as numbers, letters, colours and shapes; they are learning how to communicate and building their vocabulary,” reads the report.

The Trust's activities are sometimes crippled by funding shortfalls, Mwale reveals.

“We wish to reach out to all clinics in both rural and urban facilities, but we are highly limited by funds.”

However, even in the midst of limited resources, the Trust still conducts reading activities and gets positive responses from the children and mothers.

“Some of the children become our long term members at the Library, they share a lot of stories and testimonies,” Mwale.

A mother who identified herself as NaMbuso could not hide her joy when she learnt that her son would not miss lessons when he was admitted at the hospital.

“My son benefited a lot when he was admitted to the hospital. He could do his school work there assisted by the Trust's members. Due to the services he received during his hospitalisation, he wanted to be a permanent member at the Library,” she says.

“We wish such services could be accessible at every clinic and hospital, so that no child is left behind.”

Susan Tshili, an expecting mother, is one of the beneficiaries of the programme.

“At first I was sceptical about the initiative, but as time went by, I understood the importance of reading to my unborn baby. I now enjoy it and I think the baby enjoys it too because I hear him move wherever I read to him,” says Tshili. Source: The Citizen Bulletin

13/11/2023

Clay Work Transforms Lives, Combats Deforestation in Bulilima

In Bulilima, women are finding hope and transforming their lives through the art of clay work. With the utilization of clay-made stoves and diversified income sources, these women are not only securing sustainable livelihoods but also making a positive impact in reducing deforestation in their communities.

BY LYNNIA NGWENYA | | [email protected]

BULILIMA (The Citizen Bulletin) — In rural communities, where viable means of living can be scarce, many villagers rely on agricultural pursuits to sustain their families.

According to the World Bank Group, food poverty in Zimbabwe predominantly affects rural communities that rely on agrarian livelihoods.

“Rural areas are four to five times poorer than urban areas, accounting for about 90% of the poor. Communal areas are at a particular disadvantage, with the food poverty rate more than 10 times that in urban areas,” says the report.

In Bulilima, the viability of farming as a means of survival is severely hindered by recurring droughts, with periods of consistent rainfall shortage lasting up to five years. As a result, farming has become an unreliable source of income, leading many women to seek alternative survival projects such as pottery and baking.

Sithule Moyo, a villager of Ntunungwe in Ward 3 under Bulilima Rural District Council, reflects on the hardships she endured before embarking on her clay work journey for survival. Despite her academic journey concluding at Grade seven, Moyo's life took a positive turn as she delved into the world of clay work.

“Rains are few in our area, so we would plant but harvest a few or nothing for many years.”

“I remember an instance when we had to walk for hours, with three children, to a relative who resides in Diba, after she had offered food and clothes if we manage to do some work in her homestead,” says Moyo.

While high unemployment threatens urban areas in Zimbabwe, it is the rural communities that bear the brunt of poverty and food scarcity. In these regions, some individuals resort to gathering firewood and trading it for food, a precarious undertaking that poses a significant threat to local forests and ecosystems.

Esnat Nleya*, a villager of Siyephi, vividly recounts the anguish she experienced when she had a mishap while cutting firewood and fell onto a tree. On that particular day, she was alone in the forest as her grandchildren were occupied with piece work, making it a challenging ordeal to seek assistance.

“We used to pile firewood in heaps to secure it for winter and sell it sometimes. After I injured my back, I couldn't do much for my family,” says Nleya.

However, the trajectory of these women's stories dramatically shifted when they crossed paths with OXFAM.

“Oxfam taught us how to survive on clay work. They taught us to make clay cupboards, stoves, sofas and tables. We mix clay, water and colorful soil or ashes so as to produce a good looking product,” says Moyo.

“We offer these services at a fee. The items start from R500 going upwards, depending on the size. Some of our products are exported to South Africa and Botswana.”

“Since I started the clay work business, I have managed to take three children to school. The eldest has completed her Ordinary Level; she is now in college. We have groups of three or five, where we share skills and make certain products. The group income is then shared after six months,” Moyo says.

With the availability of local resources for clay products, Nleya has been able to secure a livelihood, ensuring she can now provide for her grandchildren.

“I make stoves and sell them. I sometimes make plates for selling shows or competitions. My grandchildren now go to school, they are well fed, they have clothes from clay works,” Nleya.

The clay handwork business, despite its benefits, encounters certain challenges. One of the main hurdles is the constant need to seek out new customers, sometimes even in distant districts. Success in this field heavily relies on building a strong reputation and cultivating goodwill among clients.

“Sometimes we travel for customers in other districts. I have gone as far as Gwanda, Esigodini and Mangwe in this business.”

“It's a challenge to leave a family for days and go to a place with people whom you would have met on the phone. It's a risk that we take on many instances, but it's worth taking.”

“Sometimes we make products and people fail to pay on time or not pay at all,” adds Moyo.

To thrive in the market and cater to the diverse needs of customers, it is crucial to diversify the product range. By offering a wider variety of clay products, artisans can attract a larger customer base and stay attuned to evolving market demands.

09/05/2023

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27/04/2023

Binga RDC Boss Underfire Over Gross Mismanagement, Obstructing Graft Probe

Binga Rural District Council boss, Joshua Muzamba, is embroiled in a scandal that includes accusations of gross mismanagement, nepotism, and obstructing anti-corruption investigations.

By NHAU MANGIRAZI | Published on Apr 27, 2023 at 10:03

MATABELELAND NORTH — Binga Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joshua Muzamba, has been accused of gross mismanagement, abuse of office, as well as nepotism.

Muzamba was appointed Binga RDC boss in 2011 and was charged with turning around the fortunes of the forgotten Matabeleland North district.

An investigation by The Republic reveals how Muzamba has turned the RDC into his personal fiefdom, threatening or transferring co-workers at will and replacing them with his relatives and close associates.

This has resulted in a sour working relationship between Muzamba and the Council chairperson, Wilson Siampolomba, The Republic has established.

This has also fuelled tension between the executive and policymakers, a situation that has reportedly thrown the operations of the rural local authority into disarray.

Muzamba’s time as head of the Binga RDC has been tumultuous, marked by a string of controversies. In the past, he has faced criminal charges for abusing his office, but was ultimately acquitted. Despite the legal victory, questions remain about his leadership and his ability to effectively serve the community.

The Republic recently reported on a graft scandal that implicates Muzamba and several high-ranking government officials. The allegations relate to fishing rigs that were donated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and include accusations of financial looting, dishonesty, and abuse of office.

In a series of letters obtained exclusively by The Republic, Siampolomba sensationally reveals how Muzamba has rundown the RDC through misgovernance and nepotism.

According to the documents examined by The Republic, Muzamba has blocked attempts to allow Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigations at the RDC.

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19/04/2023

Tugwi Mukosi Dam's failure to provide irrigation water for sugarcane plantations and support drought-affected areas is a reminder of the challenges facing Zimbabwe's infrastructure development and the need for effective management and utilization of resources.

Zimbabwe's largest dam, Tugwi Mukosi, has failed to relieve Masvingo from a severe drought. Despite its massive capacity, the dam remains mostly empty due to poor planning and management.

19/04/2023

Climate change intensifies, and rainfall patterns become increasingly unpredictable, leaving Zimbabwe's water security more pressing than ever. Despite an investment of $300 million, Tugwi Mukosi Dam has failed to deliver relief and support to Masvingo's severe drought.

Zimbabwe's largest dam, Tugwi Mukosi, has failed to relieve Masvingo from a severe drought. Despite its massive capacity, the dam remains mostly empty due to poor planning and management.

19/04/2023

Zimbabwe's largest inland water reservoir, Tugwi Mukosi Dam, remains mostly empty despite its massive capacity due to poor planning and management. The dam's promise of irrigating farmland, providing hydroelectric power, and relieving drought-stricken areas remains unfulfilled, leaving villagers frustrated and dissatisfied.

Masvingo Province

Zimbabwe's largest dam, Tugwi Mukosi, has failed to relieve Masvingo from a severe drought. Despite its massive capacity, the dam remains mostly empty due to poor planning and management.

17/04/2023

It's time for the Zimbabwean government to prioritize the needs of its citizens over the luxurious lifestyles of politicians. Zimbabwean taxpayers are fed up with their money being misused on extravagant expenses and luxurious items for political allies. Citizens demand accountability and an end to the blatant misuse of taxpayer money.
Read More:https://therepublicnews.org/zimbabweans-bear-the-burden-of-politicians-extravagant-lifestyles/

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As Zimbabwean taxpayers struggle to make ends meet, their frustration grows as they foot the bill for their politicians' lavish lifestyles and expensive cars. With little to show for their taxes, Zimbabweans are outraged and questioning the government's priorities.

17/04/2023

While Zimbabwean taxpayers struggle to make ends meet, their politicians spend extravagantly on foreign trips, private jets rentals and other luxuries. Its high time for the government to prioritise its citizens.




Read More: https://therepublicnews.org/zimbabweans-bear-the-burden-of-politicians-extravagant-lifestyles/

Sign up to receive our accountability stories via WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HVXur13kpLQ6TLQt5henza

As Zimbabwean taxpayers struggle to make ends meet, their frustration grows as they foot the bill for their politicians' lavish lifestyles and expensive cars. With little to show for their taxes, Zimbabweans are outraged and questioning the government's priorities.