Zimbabwe Updates

Tag: Albert Mavunga

  • Chiefs Key to Development: Minister Garwe

    Chiefs Key to Development: Minister Garwe

    Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has commended traditional leaders for supporting government programmes aimed at tackling child marriages, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence and drug abuse in communities.

    Speaking through Deputy Minister Albert Mavunga at the Mashonaland Central Provincial Chiefs Council Assembly meeting in Mazowe on Thursday, Garwe said chiefs remained critical partners in promoting social development and protecting vulnerable groups.

    Traditional leaders attend the Mashonaland Central Provincial Chiefs Council Assembly meeting in Mazowe, where they were commended for their role in promoting social cohesion, protecting children and supporting community development programmes.

    “Chiefs occupy a unique constitutional position as custodians of our culture, traditions, customs and heritage. The Constitution entrusts you with the responsibility of preserving our values, promoting social cohesion, resolving community disputes, protecting communal resources and supporting Government programmes at the grassroots level,” Garwe said.

    The minister urged traditional leaders to ensure villages become safe environments for children and young people.

    “These are not merely Government programmes, but national responsibilities that require the continued leadership and influence of traditional leaders,” he said.

    Garwe also applauded chiefs in Mashonaland Central for their role in facilitating the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 public outreach meetings.

    “The peaceful, orderly and inclusive manner in which the outreach meetings were conducted is testimony to your leadership, wisdom and commitment to democratic governance,” he said.

    He urged chiefs to strengthen the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Not in My Village campaign by intensifying efforts to eliminate harmful social practices and promote girls’ education.

    Mashonaland Central Provincial Chiefs Council chairperson Chief Matsiwo encouraged chiefs to raise development concerns affecting their communities and propose solutions aimed at improving service delivery.

    The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo, Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira, senior government officials and traditional leaders from across the province.

  • Harare Mayor Mafume Says Budiriro Sewage Works Near Completion, Vows Improved Public Safety

    Harare Mayor Mafume Says Budiriro Sewage Works Near Completion, Vows Improved Public Safety

    Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume says the City of Harare is making steady progress in the rehabilitation of the Budiriro sewage system following a tragic incident that claimed three lives earlier this month.

    Speaking during a site inspection of the ongoing works, Mayor Mafume said the council moved in to urgently address the situation after the incident, and the project is now at an advanced stage with completion expected soon.

    Ongoing rehabilitation works in Budiriro as the City of Harare accelerates repairs on the sewage system following the recent tragedy. Officials say the project is now at an advanced stage and aimed at improving sanitation and public safety for residents.

    ALSO READ: Mayor orders immediate probe into deaths of 3 in Budiriro

    “We promised residents that we would act decisively, and we are fulfilling that commitment.

    The works are progressing well, and we are confident that the area will soon be fully restored,” said Mafume.

    He added that the rehabilitation programme is part of wider efforts by the city to improve sanitation infrastructure across high-density suburbs, stressing that maintaining a safe environment remains a top priority for the local authority.

    According to the mayor, the upgraded system will significantly improve wastewater management, reduce blockages, and minimize the risk of future accidents.

    “We want to assure the people of Budiriro and Harare at large that safety is our priority. These works are aimed at ensuring that such tragedies do not happen again. Once completed, this system will serve the community more efficiently and safely,” he said.

    Mayor Mafume also told Hurumende News Hub that the city is committed to completing the works within the expected timeframe and ensuring that residents begin to benefit from improved service delivery as soon as possible.

    He emphasized that the council is also strengthening monitoring mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.

    Present at the inspection were Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon. Albert Mavunga, Councillor Charles “Chicago” (Ward 30), Councillor Jane Bhingari (Ward 25 and Chairperson of the City of Harare Health and Disaster Committee), along with other senior council officials.

    The delegation toured the site to assess progress and evaluate the quality of ongoing rehabilitation works.

    Officials on site expressed cautious optimism over the pace of progress, noting that while significant work has been completed, final touches and system testing are still underway before full commissioning.

    The inspection comes in the wake of growing public concern following the fatal sewage incident in Budiriro, which exposed serious infrastructure challenges in some of the city’s high-density.

    Residents have since called for faster interventions and long-term solutions to prevent similar tragedies.

    City officials say continuous monitoring will be conducted after completion to ensure the system remains functional and safe for the community, while further upgrades across other suburbs are also being considered as part of broader urban renewal efforts.