As the nation strives towards realising NDS 1 and Vision 2030, infrastructural development anchored on the Devolution Philosophy remains a key success factor, with local authorities being the main catalyst.

To this end, over and above its service delivery function, the City of Masvingo was hailed at the just ended two-day Provincial Economic Status Workshop which was held in the city from the 22nd to the 23rd of February 2023 for successfully completing projects intended on enhancing communities and improving on service delivery.

Among the projects which were successfully developed in the City are:
Cambria Landfill which is at 98% physical completion awaiting commissioning.
Rujeko Secondary School which boasts of Form One and Two enrollment after successful completion of four classroom blocks. The school has an enrolment of 261 pupils.
The now functional and yet to be officially opened state-of-the-art Runyararo North West Medical Center with an expected beneficiary of 30 000 residents.
Garikai Fruits and Vegetables Market, Leopold Takawira Flea Market with around 1100 traders.

In keeping with its mission of providing adequate and sustainable municipal services to clients and diverse socio-economic development opportunities to all stakeholders, Council continues to provide the best services to Masvingo residents.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Legal Department is facilitating an eight-day By – Law Drafting and Training workshop for the City of Masvingo at Management Training Bureau (MTB) Council Management and Technical Team from 12 to 19 February 2023 in Harare.

The workshop’s main objective is to train participants to draft by – laws as they are the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of activities in the City.

Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa said the seriousness of this workshop can not be re – emphasised as it is the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of different activities in the City.

‘These by – laws are important as they form the basis for revenue collection and also for maintenance of law and order in the area under the Council’s jurisdiction’, he said.

He further highlighted that the exercise is set to benefit residents and ratepayers of Masvingo.

Speaking on the first day of the workshop, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma called on workshop participants to draft by – laws in the best interest of the residents and ratepayers in line with the principles of good corporate governance.

Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma commended City of Masvingo for the successful crafting of by – laws in the year 2022 and also for its diverse composition, noting that collective experience of participants and success in the local governance is essential to the growth of cities in line with the Vision 2030.

Compliance and drafting of by – laws is in line with the Urban Councils Act.

Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa, reiterated and reaffirmed the City of Masvingo’s commitment to delivering on its mandate as enunciated by the parent ministry and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

By – Laws on discussion include; Air Pollution, Informal Trading, Regulation of derelict unoccupied and dangerous buildings, encroachment and projections on properties, prohibition of use of commercial shop and industrial properties for residential use.

Among those who are attending the workshop are officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, Chamber Secretary, Mr Vitalis Shonhai, Acting Director of Housing and Social Services, Mr Simbarashe Mandishona, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Suzanne Madamombe, Finance Director, Mr Danister Jori, Deputy Director Engineering Services, Eng Kudzai Mbetu, Chief Internal Auditor, Mrs Dorcas Makusha and the City of Masvingo By – Law drafting technical team.

Eng Kudzaishe Mbetu has been appointed as the City of Masvingo substantive Deputy Director Engineering Services effective 3 January 2023.

Eng Mbetu joined City of Masvingo in 2020 as the Operations Engineer from City of Gweru where he was Water and Sewer Engineer. Eng Mbetu was subsequently promoted to the position of Acting Director Engineering Services at the absence of a substantive Director, a role which he served with diligence and dedication.

Eng Mbetu played a significant role in the successful completion of Runyararo South West Clinic, construction of Cambria Landfill, Mucheke Sewer Trunk Line, ERRP Rujeko Secondary School as the engineer in 2021 and 2022.

Eng Mbetu who has 10 years of experience in the Engineering field has a Master of Business Administration Degree (Great Zimbabwe University), Bachelor of science Honors Degree in Engineering (University of Zimbabwe), Certificate of Training in Geographic Information Systems and GPS Survey (SIRDC), Certificate in Rapid Gravity and Sand Filter (University of Zimbabwe) and Postgraduate Diploma in Water Supply and Sanitation (Institute of Water and Sanitation Development).

We wish Eng. Kudzaishe Mbetu success in his new role at City of Masvingo.

Mr Danister Jori has been appointed the new substantive Finance Director for City of Masvingo after an illustrious career in finance, following the retirement of his predecessor Mrs Thandiwe Dube on the 5^th of August 2021.

His appointment is with effect from January 3 2023.

Mr Jori studied Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Economics with University of Zimbabwe in 2001.

He did his Master of Commerce Degree (Applied Accounting) with Great Zimbabwe University in 2016.

Part of his long resume is that he worked for Gweru City Council, Go-Beer Breweries and City of Masvingo.

Mr. Jori joined City of Masvingo in 2010 as a Senior Accountant, rising a year later to become Deputy Finance Director.

He remained in this position until his latest appointment.

Mr. Jori represented Zimbabwe at the 2022 World Congress of Accounting in Mumbai India

His Worship, the Mayor, Councillors, Management and Staff congratulate Danister on his new appointment and wish him all the best in his new role.

By Oder of Council

The City of Masvingo in conjunction with the Masvingo Business Community joined the rest of the country in undertaking a massive clean up exercise early this morning in the Central Business District, Metro Peech area to create an awareness on litter menace and inculcating the habit of cleanliness in the city.
The exercise which was led by Ward 5 Cllr. R. Kamuzonda and the Acting Director of Housing and Social Services, Mr. S. Mandishona was done to rid the City’s Business District of filth and to complement His Excellency the president’s vision and efforts to make Zimbabwe the cleanest country in Africa.
The clean-up exercise attracted a large number of people who participated in weeding and sweeping of the environment.

Masvingo City Council in conjunction with the Masvingo Business Community joined the rest of the country in undertaking a massive clean up exercise early this morning in Rujeko Suburb creating an awareness on litter menace, inculcating the habit of cleanliness and planted more trees at Rujeko Secondary School.

The exercise which was led by His Worship, the Mayor, Cllr C. Maboke and Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, was done to rid the residential suburb of filth and to complement His Excellency the President’s vision and efforts to make Zimbabwe the cleanest country in Africa.

The clean-up exercise which attracted a large number of people who participated in weeding and sweeping of the environment saw all the councillors plant trees at the school.

In his address at the close of the clean-up exercise, His Worship, the Mayor thanked all participants for coming in their numbers to support such a good cause, he mentioned that cleanliness promotes investment to the city and for that it was necessary to keep the environments clean. He said a clean environment breeds healthy people and healthy people become productive in the socio-economic life in a nation and urged all not to make the exercise a one-day wonder.

Participants were advised against dumping of refuse indiscriminately  and were also urged all and sundry to be regular participants in all clean up exercises.

The City of Masvingo on Thursday, the 1st of December 2022 partnered with Nyaradzo Funeral Services’ subsidiary (Friends of the Environment), Forestry Commission, EMA, Schools and various stakeholders in planting 100 trees at Rujeko Secondary School as part of the greening of the environment and commemorating the 2022 National Tree Planting Day.
This year, the National Tree Planting Day is being held under the theme “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods”,
City of Masvingo Mayor, Cllr. C. Maboke, Ward 7 Cllr. R. Musekiwa, Town Clerk, Eng. E. Mukaratirwa together with other stakeholders planted trees at Rujeko Secondary School.
They were joined by students of Rujeko Secondary School and residents of ward 7 of Rujeko Suburb the event.
Speaking during the exercise, His Worship the Mayor Cllr. C. Maboke said trees were important to create sustainable communities, preserve the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.
He encouraged all in attendance to have the culture of planting and nurturing trees.

The City of Masvingo received a donation of 250 trees from Nyaradzo Funeral Services under the Friends of the Environment initiative on Tuesday the 22nd of November 2022.

Nyaradzo project manager, Mr Dodzo handed over the donation to the Acting Director for Housing and Social Services, Mr Mandishona and Parks Superintendent, Mr Zhura.

Part of the greening shade trees, shrubs (golden Jurandas), decorative trees, fruits trees, and ornamental trees were planted at Kernen Park, islands and Rujeko Secondary School orchard.

Nyaradzo Funeral Services under the Friends of the Environment initiative is donating and planting trees around the country.

The City is very grateful for this generous donation and it will go a long way in greening the environment in and around town.

Thank you Sahwira Mukuru !