The City of Masvingo has taken a significant step towards strengthening transparency and accountability after councillors and senior officials signed Integrity Pledges in the presence of ZAAC compliance officials and the Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioning officer in line with Chapter 12 of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which focuses on governance, peace and security.

The signing ceremony, held at the Civic Centre, reaffirmed the local authority’s commitment to upholding ethical standards, promoting good governance and enhancing public trust in council operations.

The Integrity Pledges were designed to enhance councillors’ and officials’ understanding of the council’s risk matrix and action plan, clearly outlining their responsibilities in preventing corruption and maladministration. Through this initiative, council leadership is expected to proactively identify institutional risks, implement mitigation measures and ensure adherence to established regulations and policies.

Speaking during the event, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa emphasized that the move is aligned with the broader national vision of building accountable public institutions that safeguard peace, security and sustainable development.

The pledge signing also seeks to strengthen institutional commitment to integrity and ethical conduct within council operations. By formally committing themselves, councillors and management have undertaken to report corrupt activities, avoid conflicts of interest and execute their duties with professionalism and impartiality.

This development comes at a time when public institutions across Zimbabwe are being called upon to reinforce governance systems that enhance service delivery and protect public resources.

By formalising integrity standards through the signing of the pledges, the City of Masvingo has set a clear tone for responsible leadership. The pledges commit office bearers to uphold regulations and champion ethical leadership as they carry out their day-to-day duties. This initiative is expected to foster a culture of accountability, improve internal controls and ultimately strengthen residents’ confidence in council operations.

As the city continues to implement its development agenda, the Integrity Pledges mark a decisive step toward building a transparent, ethical and service-oriented local authority anchored on the principles of NDS2 Chapter 12.

The City of Masvingo successfully hosted a vibrant Wellness Day event aimed at promoting health and well-being among residents, bringing together various organisations and community members in a powerful demonstration of unity and shared responsibility for public health.

The primary goal of the wellness day was to promote health and wellness among the people of Masvingo. 

However, beyond encouraging residents to prioritise their physical well-being, the event also sought to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration among local organisations. It provided a dynamic platform for networking, exchanging ideas and sharing best practices on health promotion and workplace wellness initiatives.

The event placed significant emphasis on raising awareness about lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart conditions, which continue to affect many communities. Mental health was also a key focus area, with stakeholders highlighting the importance of early intervention, open dialogue and access to psychosocial support services.

Residents were encouraged to adopt healthy habits and embrace active living through exercise sessions, health screenings and educational discussions. 

The atmosphere was energetic and inclusive, reflecting the City’s commitment to building a healthier and more resilient community.

A wide range of organisations participated in the Wellness Day, showcasing a strong spirit of partnership. These included Masvingo Teachers College, Masvingo Polytechnic College, Public Service representatives, Friendship Bench, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), TelOne, Municipal Council of Masvingo (MCC), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, and members of the wider community.

Through collaborative engagement and shared commitment, the wellness day underscored the importance of collective action in addressing both physical and mental health challenges. 

City of Masvingo reasseted dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for  residents and strengthen partnerships across sectors.

The event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when institutions and communities work together toward a common goal,  a healthier, more informed and more connected Masvingo.

The longstanding twinning relationship between the City of Masvingo and Germany’s Kernen im Remstal was further strengthened this week as a delegation from the Kernen–Masvingo Association paid a courtesy visit to Masvingo.

The delegation was led by the Association’s Chairperson, Christian Fleischer, accompanied by Astrid Fleischer, Kerstin Hemker, and Reinhard Hemker. 

The visit focused on touring key facilities and institutions that have benefited from the partnership’s support over the years.

One of the highlights of the visit was a tour of Runyararo Clinic, whose construction was made possible through the generous support of the Kernen–Masvingo partnership. The clinic has significantly improved access to primary health care services for residents in the Runyararo suburb and surrounding communities.

The delegation also visited Mucheke Clinic, where they inspected the autoclave machine donated through the association. The equipment has enhanced infection control and sterilization of medical instruments, contributing to improved service delivery standards at the health facility.

In addition, the team reviewed the ambulances donated under the twinning arrangement. The ambulances have strengthened the City’s emergency response capacity, ensuring quicker and more reliable patient transfers to health institutions.

Beyond health infrastructure, the delegation visited several welfare institutions that have received assistance from the association. 

At Alpha Cottages, the visitors engaged with children and staff, appreciating the impact of donations that have improved living conditions and supported child welfare programs.

The team also toured Mucheke Old People’s Home and Alfred Walter Home, where donations have gone towards improving the quality of life for elderly residents. The delegation interacted with beneficiaries and administrators, witnessing first-hand how the partnership continues to bring dignity and comfort to vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking during the visit, Christian Fleischer expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to sustaining and deepening cooperation with Masvingo. He emphasized that the partnership is built not only on development projects but also on friendship, solidarity, and shared humanity.

Masvingo – Kernen Association chairperson Mr Pascal Mudzikisi, commended the Kernen–Masvingo Association for its unwavering support, noting that the collaboration has played a pivotal role in enhancing health services and social welfare programmes within the city.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the strength of the twinning arrangement, which continues to transform lives through practical support and people-to-people exchanges. 

As the partnership evolves, both Kernen and Masvingo remain committed to fostering sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation for the benefit of their communities.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is conducted a three-day monitoring and evaluation exercise at the City of Masvingo to assess service delivery performance in line with the Minimum Service Delivery Standards.

The exercise aimed at:

* Evaluating compliance with national service delivery benchmarks

* Reviewing progress on water, sanitation, roads, housing, and waste management services

* Identifying gaps and areas requiring urgent intervention

* Strengthening accountability, efficiency, and good governance

The monitoring visit provides an opportunity for technical engagement between the Ministry officials and Council management to enhance service delivery systems and ensure residents receive quality, reliable municipal services.

City of Masvingo is very much committed to excellency and upholding the Minimum Service Delivery Standards, thus continuously improving service provision for the benefit of residents and ratepayers.

Today the City of Masvingo Gender Desk coordinated an awareness campaign on missing children cases aimed at educating the community on child safety measures and promoting heightened community vigilance.

The campaign brought together key stakeholders including MOPSE, BHASO, MY AGE AFRICA, VFU, MWACSMED, MARCFT, ZACH, Ministry of Youth, EFZ, BOMEFF, SGDZT, CBAP, NCDPZ, MOHCC, ZGC, ARC, FST, SFC, WCOZ, CWGH, ZNFPC, NAC URBAN, ZNNP+ to raise awareness on the increasing concerns surrounding missing children.

Through information dissemination, and community engagement activities, residents were equipped with practical knowledge on preventing child disappearances and responding effectively in the event a child goes missing.

Key safety measures shared during the campaign included:

• Encouraging parents and guardians to closely monitor children’s movements.
• Teaching children not to engage with strangers or accept gifts from unknown individuals.
• Ensuring children know important contact details and safe places to seek help.
• Promoting immediate reporting of missing children to authorities.
• Suggesting neighbourhood watch initiatives to enhance community surveillance.
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The Gender Desk emphasized that protecting children is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between families, community members, and relevant authorities. Residents were urged to remain alert, report suspicious activities, and support efforts aimed at safeguarding children within their communities.

The awareness campaign reaffirmed the City’s commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all children in Masvingo.

City of Masvingo in partnership with Mckingtorch Zimbabwe has introduced Masvingo Recycling Hub, an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable waste management and promoting a circular economy. 

This initiative aims to promote waste separation at source, strengthen recycling systems, create green jobs, and empower communities to actively participate in environmental stewardship.

This program was built on strong partnerships and recognised the critical role of residents, the private sector, informal waste collectors, educational institutions, and development partners in ensuring its success.

Council calls upon all households, businesses, and institutions to embrace responsible waste management practices, support recycling initiatives, and comply with municipal by-laws on environmental health and sanitation. This initiative also contributes to economic opportunities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.

Masvingo Recycling Hub is not just a project. It is a vision for the future of Masvingo city, a future where Masvingo is recognised as a model green city in Zimbabwe and a city where environmental responsibility, economic growth, and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

#Together, let us turn waste into wealth, challenges into opportunities, and vision into reality.

#Together, let us build a cleaner ,healthier, and more sustainable Masvingo

The City of Masvingo, in collaboration with Charles Austin Theatre, is holding a two-day drug and substance abuse awareness campaign aimed at educating and empowering school-going youths to make informed, healthy life choices.

The campaign brings together key stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), health personnel, educators, and community leaders, in a concerted effort to combat the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among young people.

Central to the program are compelling testimonials from former drug addicts, who share real-life experiences on the dangers of substance abuse, its impact on health, education, family life, and future prospects. Their stories are intended to discourage youths from experimenting with drugs and to inspire those already affected to seek help and rehabilitation.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting sensitisation sessions focusing on the legal implications of drug and substance abuse, trafficking, and possession, while health personnel are providing expert information on the physical, mental, and social consequences of drug use. Emphasis is also being placed on prevention, early intervention, and available support services for affected individuals.

Speaking at the event, organisers highlighted that the campaign seeks to promote positive values, responsible decision-making, and self-discipline among youths, while strengthening life skills such as resisting peer pressure and making informed choices.

The involvement of schools is critical, as young people are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to drug and substance abuse. By engaging them early, the aim is to prevent experimentation and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

Charles Austin Theatre has provided an interactive platform for dialogue and open discussions, allowing youths to actively participate and express their views on issues affecting them, making the campaign both educational and impactful.

The City of Masvingo reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to safeguard the well-being of young people and to create a supportive environment that promotes health, safety, and positive social development.

The two-day campaign forms part of broader efforts by City of Masvingo and its partners to address social challenges affecting the community and to build a resilient, informed, and drug-free generation.