Rujeko Isolation Centre has received its first 8 OxERA oxygen equipment worthy US$ 2000, a donation from partner (Kufema Zimbabwe) in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

The consignment of 8 Oxygen Efficient Respiratory Aids for COVID response was handed over to the City of Masvingo’s Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa on Wednesday the 22nd of July 2021 at Town House.

‘I would like to express gratitude to our partners (Kufema Zimbabwe) for the donation that has been extended and also for considering Rujeko Isolation Centre in Masvingo out of all the 10 provinces in the country. The donation will go a long way in assisting patients at the provincial COVID 19 Isolation Facility which serves patients from other districts within the province’, he said.

An oxygen efficient respiratory aid regulates oxygen from the cylinder according to weight from patient and priority will be given to oxygen dependent patients.

The City of Masvingo wishes to announce the appointment by Local Government Board of Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa as the substantive Town Clerk. The appointment is with effect from 09 June 2021.

Engineer Mukaratirwa is an Engineer and Administrator par excellence who has vast experience in Local Governance, which dates back as 2001. He held the position of District Engineer for Vungu Rural District Council from 2001 to 2002 before moving to Gutu Rural District Council on a similar position up to September 2006. He was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer for Gutu Rural District Council in October 2006 a position he held until he joined Masvingo City Council in March 2011 to date. Engineer Mukaratirwa joined Masvingo City Council as Deputy City Engineer and was later appointed as Acting Town Clerk in September 2019 a position he held until his confirmation as substantive Town Clerk.

He is a holder of the following qualifications:
Master of Business Administration (MBA) –Great Zimbabwe University
BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering- University of Zimbabwe

He is a dedicated Engineer who commands tremendous respect in the field. He sits in several boards he is the current Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers Masvingo Area Chairman, Runde Catchment Council Vice Chairman (2014), Mutirikwi Sub-Catchment Council Chairman (2014 & 2020) and Mutirikwi Sub-Catchment Vice Council Chairman (2013 & 2019) and a member of the Masvingo Polytechnic College Advisory Board (2021).
Adding to that he holds professional membership to Engineering Profession bodies both locally and regionally. He is Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, a Corporate Member of Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers and member of Water Institute of Southern Africa.

Engineer Mukaratirwa possesses extensive experience and technical expertise in design and construction of water, waste water and road infrastructure. He was the Project Engineer for Bradburn Extension Road Construction (March 2019-August 2019), Mucheke D Infill Stands Servicing (November 2017- August 2019), Rujeko Footbridge (November 2018-August 2019), Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme-Masvingo City (2017-2018), Target Kopje & Hillside Extension Roads Surfacing (February 2018-August 2019), Resident Engineer for Mucheke Sewer Trunk Line Construction (March 2015-May 2016), Beneficiary Representative for Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation (June 2014-January 2016), Resident Engineer for Bushmead Pumping Main Replacement (April 2011-February 2013), Resident Engineer for PSIP Roads Rehabilitation (March 2012-November 2012), and Resident Engineer for Hillside Infrastructure Development (September 2011-October 2012).

His Worship the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, Management and Staff have the pleasure to express warmest congratulations to Engineer Mukaratirwa on his new appointment and wish him success in office. We are confident that your appointment is an endorsement of your visionary and indigenous leadership and we wish to pledge our unwavering support and commitment as you lead the City of Masvingo.
We look forward to your insightful leadership as we continue in our endeavour to be An Industrialised World Class Metropolitan by 2030.

Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlope.

The construction of a new and first Council owned secondary school in the high-density suburb of Rujeko is set to commence soon.
Late last month, Full Council gave its approval for construction of the new secondary school in Rujeko Suburb under the local authority’s ambitious development plan.
Council approved the establishment of a secondary school in Rujeko suburb to pave way for the registration processes to be done with the relevant authorities.
The Local authority has already started mobilising for funding required to start construction work of the council’s ambitious project. The project will not only benefit residents within the suburb but other locations within its zone. Currently, Ndarama High School is servicing the zone and establishment of a new school will decongest the government owned secondary school.
The Full council gave its nod to the new secondary school project, following the request and recommendation by the Department of Housing and Social Services to seek prior approval from the panel before starting construction work.
According to the plan, the project will kick start as soon as possible once funding is available.

The City of Masvingo prides itself in producing women par excellence, and as testimony to its proclamation, Finance Director, Mrs Thandiwe Dube scooped a Gold in the Megafest Female Executive category.
The award is in recognition of Mrs. Dube’s unwavering commitment to the provision of excellent service delivery to the City of Masvingo’s stakeholders through provision of strategic and financial commitments as well as developing all necessary policies and procedures to ensure the sound financial management and control of the organization.
As the local authority continues to invest and promote effectiveness in the finance department, great strides have been made by the institution under her supervision of the department.
Mrs Dube has 31 years working experience in private and public sector. Started off as graduate trainee at ZESA and rose to Systems Accountant (1990 – 1997), moved to Delta Beverages (1997 – 2004) as Cost Accountant, Management Accountant, Financial Controller. Joined
City of Masvingo in 2005 to date as Deputy City Treasurer (2005 – October 2010), promoted to the position of City Treasurer/ Finance Director in November 2010, a position she is currently holding.

Mrs. Dube is the Secretary Masvingo Municipal Medical Aid Society.

Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlope!

Another one in the bag for City of Masvingo as Acting Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, scoops the Megafest Strategic Leader of the Year (Platinum) award.

Engineer Mukaratirwa is an engineer and administrator par excellence who has vast experience in Local Governance, which dates back as 2001. He held the position of District Engineer for Vungu Rural District Council from that period to 2002, before moving to Gutu Rural District Council on a similar position up to 2006. He was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer in October 2006 for Gutu Rural District Council, a position he held before joining Masvingo City Council in 2011 to date. Engineer Mukaratirwa joined Masvingo City Council as Deputy City Engineer and was later appointed as Acting Town Clerk in September 2019 a position he is currently holding.
He is a holder of the following qualifications:
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) –Great Zimbabwe University
• BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering- University of Zimbabwe
He is a dedicated engineer who commands tremendous respect in the field. He sits in several boards; he is the current Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers Masvingo Area Chairman, Runde Catchment Council Vice Chairman (2014), Mutirikwi Sub-Catchment Council Chairman (2014) and Mutirikwi Sub-Catchment Vice Council Chairman (2013 & 2019).
Adding to that he holds professional membership to Engineering Councils both locally and regionally. He is Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, a Corporate Member of Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers and Water Institute of Southern Africa.
Engineer Mukaratirwa possess extensive experience in technical expertise in design and construction of water, waste water and road infrastructure. He was the Project Engineer for Bradburn Extension Road Construction (March 2019-August 2019), Mucheke D Infill Stands Servicing (November 2017- August 2019), Rujeko Footbridge (November 2018-August 2019), Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme-Masvingo City (2017-2018), Target Kopje & Hillside Extension Roads Surfacing (February 2018-August 2019), Resident Engineer for Mucheke Sewer Trunk Line Construction (March 2015-May 2016), Beneficiary Representative for Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation (June 2014-January 2016), Resident Engineer for Bushmead Pumping Main Replacement (April 2011-February 2013), Resident Engineer for PSIP Roads Rehabilitation (March 2012-November 2012), and Resident Engineer for Hillside Infrastructure Development (September 2011-October 2012).
Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlope!

Friday the 26th of March 2021 witnessed Masvingo City Council signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Environmental Management Agency for the development of harmonious and cooperative relations with the purpose of ensuring the protection and cleanliness of the environment within the city as well as enforcement of all environmental laws and regulations within Masvingo City Council’s jurisdiction.
The partnership seeks to ensure that Masvingo City transforms itself and becomes a centre of environmental excellence, establishing an Environmental Inspectorate Unit (EIU) manned by Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) who will be charged with the duty to enforce environmental by-laws in Masvingo City Council’s area of jurisdiction. The partnership includes reviewing of existing Council environmental by-laws and capacitation of the EIU.
True to its vision, ‘An Industrialised World-Class Metropolitan City by 2030’, the MoU reaffirms the Council’s commitment to keeping environments clean. The MoU is therefore aimed at improving the environmental law-enforcement framework for Masvingo City Council hence a committee comprised of Masvingo City Council, EMA, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, ZINWA, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was formed to review and update existing Council by-laws. This resulted in the production of the draft City of Masvingo Environment (Noise and Nuisance) By-laws.
Over and above all this, the MoU saw the creation of a unit made up of 35 members drawn from all the relevant departments of Council, and also EMA handing over 3 motorcycles to the City of Masvingo to carry out environmental inspections, licensing for environmental pollution and prosecuting where there are environmental offenses.
Apart from the creation of the unit, the team was trained on national environmental law, carrying out environmental inspections, prosecution procedure and the draft by-law. The unit was also trained on how to conduct field inspections and prosecutions.
Present during the signing ceremony were District Development Coordinator’s Office, The Mayor, Cllr C Maboke, Deputy Mayor, Cllr W Mawende, Alderman S Maridza, Councillors, Acting Town Clerk, Eng E Mukaratirwa, Management, Croco Motors Manager, Mr Chawonza, Provincial Environmental Management Agency, Mr M Muusha, EMA officials, members from the Health Department, Transport office, municipal police, procurement, audit, human resources as well as members of the media.

The City of Masvingo, has added 12 vehicles to its existing fleet. The new vehicles comprise of 1 refuse compactor, 1 Toyota minibus, 5 Toyota Sedan vehicles, and 5 Nissan pick-up trucks. The vehicles which were purchased using revenue raised from the ratepayers are expected to enhance service delivery.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Friday 26 March 2021, His Worship, The Mayor, Cllr C Maboke said the vehicles will improve efficiency of the local authority in service delivery.

‘The City of Masvingo is fully committed to excellent service delivery through procurement of latest ideal state of the art equipment/vehicles to ensure we attain our vision to be an Industrialised Metropolitan City By 2030. Today we commission our refuse compactor and a fleet of operational vehicles that will be used by our different departments to enhance efficient and effective service delivery.

These vehicles were bought using revenue raised from the ratepayers and we thank the residents and ratepayers and at the same time encouraging them to continue paying their bills in order to capacitate us to provide services. We will be purchasing more equipment this year that includes a Refuse Compactor and a Tipper. We continue to value the support of our various stakeholders and the Central Government in this service delivery journey’ he said.

Among those who attended the commissioning ceremony were the District Development Coordinator’s Office, Deputy Mayor, Cllr W Mawende, Alderman S Maridza, Councillors, Acting Town Clerk, Eng E Mukaratirwa, Management, Croco Motors Manager, Mr Chawonza, EMA officials, members from the Health Department, Transport office, municipal police, procurement, audit, human resources as well as members of the media.

The City of Masvingo has held a two-day Departmental Integrated Performance Agreement workshop from the 25^th to the 26^th of February 2021 aimed at mapping strategies and set targets for the year 2021, in line with the local authority’s vision, to be an industrialised metropolitan city by 2030.

In his welcome and closing remarks, City of Masvingo Acting Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa urged all departments and Councillors to successfully achieve the targeted goals for the year 2021.

‘Let’s deal with the major issues, let’s achieve so that when we also leave the system, we can be able to leave some legacy so that when we look  back, we would be proud of what we would have done and probably done more that we have set up now. Failure to set and understand our goals means our performance monitoring and DIPA are out of sync,’ said Eng Mukaratirwa.

The Acting Town Clerk also emphasised the importance of teamwork, noting that there was a need for members to work together and be able to leave a legacy.

The workshop afforded the Councillors and Council’s senior administration with a platform to set targets that will provide for the impetus for the efficient administration of Council as well as plan for the 2021 calendar year in order to create a road-map that will ensure the success of the local authority.

The two-day workshop focused on key major result areas that of Infrastructure development and maintenance, Social service provision, Good corporate governance, Investment promotion and Environmental management services

The workshop was attended by the Councillors and Council Management and ended on a high note with participants geared for the year 2021.

True to its vision of becoming a world class metropolitan city by 2030, the City of Masvingo is set to roll out water augmentation phase 2 at an estimated budget of ZWL 270 000. 000, as the local authority intensifies its commitment to ensure excellent service delivery.

The much long-awaited project is aimed at improving the water situation in the city which is currently in a pathetic state due to a series of electrical faults at Bushmead Waterworks. The project will see acquisition of high-tech equipment to support the waterworks plant. This initiative is part of the City’s commitment to ensure residents get clean and safe water.

The increasing demand due to ballooning population as a result of population and property growth, coupled with pressures from new developments for connections onto the existing constrained water system as well as the depreciating equipment of the plant of the oldest city in the country has caused Masvingo to be a water stressed city.

The plant which was commissioned in the early 70s, and was later expanded twice in 1984 and 2003 now has depreciating equipment. Hence, rolling out of the programme comes with it the benefits of an expanded plant and abundant water supply.

Currently, water supply capacity is at 30 megalitres per day against an estimated demand of 50 megalitres, thus a deficit of 20 megalitres.

To manage the deficit, the City has instituted a programme to close off valves to the town overnight while building up head in the reservoirs. This ensures that the residents get water at the critical time of the morning before they embark on their daily chores.

Lately, the City entered into partnerships for cooperation with the donor community, DFID, UNICEF, Christian Care Zimbabwe and DWSSC in installation of solar powered water systems in the high density suburb of Mucheke to ensure availability of water all the time.

Masvingo City Council is moving forward to achieve its vision of being a world class metropolitan city by 2030 guided by a national strategic intent as pronounced by the desire to attain upper-middle-class income status by 2030 as expounded by President E. D Mnangagwa.