BY MORRIS BISHI
CHIREDZI Central Member of Parliament Ropafadzo Makumire has voiced concern over the persistent lack of essential services in Chiredzi South, despite the area’s vast resources joining a growing chorus of discontent from residents of the marginalised community.
An investigation by The NewsHawks with support from Information for Development Trust last year, exposed the deep marginalisation of the Chiredzi South community, particularly the Shangaan community.
People in many parts of Chiredzi South depend on mobile networks and broadcasting services from neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa, which has left many convinced that the government has relegated them to the shadows as it perpetuates colonial practices.
A masterplan developed by Chiredzi Rural District Council in 2023, accessed as part of the investigation, revealed a total of 3 920 pupils dropped out of school due to various reasons, including the long walking distances, unavailability of secondary schools, non-payment of fees and lack of interest.
Eighty percent of the dropouts were secondary school learners. Of this number, 2 060 were girls. Seven wards within the district do not have secondary schools, with some learners forced to travel for more than 20kms to the nearest secondary school.
Chiredzi rural has 148 primary schools and only 48 secondary schools, indicating a shortage of secondary schools within the district. Seven wards within the district do not have a secondary school at all.
Of the 48 secondary schools in the area, only four offer Advanced Level studies.
The investigation revealed that government has failed to repair Chilonga Bridge which connects the people to Chiredzi Town forcing villagers to travel via Rutenga from areas such as Gezani, which is almost 300 kilometres. Chilonga Bridge was swept away in 2002.
Electricity at Malipati Business Centre developed a fault in 2020 but the is yet to be rectified.
The community has suffered severely from prolonged neglect, with poverty, hunger, and despair exacerbating the lack of access to basic necessities like healthcare, education, and clean water, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly, while widespread unemployment has forced many to migrate to nearby countries, disrupting family structures and community cohesion.
The perceived disregard for their welfare, despite repeated pleas, has eroded trust and fueled feelings of marginalisation, leaving residents wondering if they are truly part of the nation’s development agenda.
Makumire said the persistent lack of essential services in Chiredzi South was concerning.
“Despite being one of the richest districts, Chiredzi South remains woefully underdeveloped. The president’s promise of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’ rings hollow here,” Makumire said.
“Devolution, touted as a solution, remains an illusion. The district boasts of impressive resources: a giant sugar producer, vast coal deposits, and breathtaking tourist attractions like Malilangwe Trust, Gonarezhou National Park, and Save Valley Conservancy. Yet, its wealth is siphoned off to develop other areas, leaving Chiredzi mired in poverty. It’s time for Chiredzi to be prioritized, regardless of its socio-cultural and political leanings. We deserve well-equipped clinics and schools within walking distance, stable network connectivity and an end to this glaring neglect.”
Makumire said he had highlighted the marginalisation in parliament.
“I raised critical questions in parliament last December, pressing the Ministers of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, as well as Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, on the government’s plans to enhance radio communication and cellphone connectivity in Chiredzi South, particularly along the borders with Mozambique and South Africa. Unfortunately, I am still awaiting responses,” said Makumire.
According to votes and proceedings of the national assembly, second session of the tenth parliament of 18 December 2024, Makumire asked Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere to inform the house government’s plans to improve access to radio stations among Chiredzi rural communities in areas along Zimbabwe – Mozambique border.
He also asked Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister Tatenda Mavetera about the ministry’s plans to enhance mobile network connectivity in rural Chiredzi particularly in Chilotlela, Davata, Madzanda and surrounding areas near Sango Border Post.
Livison Chikutu, a community leader in Chilonga told The NewsHawks that government’s persistent neglect of their area appears to be a deliberate attempt to marginalise the Shangaan people, entrenching poverty and silencing their demands for equality and a fair share of national resources.
“It has become painfully clear that the government’s neglect of our area is a deliberate attempt to marginalise the Shangaan people, silencing our voices on the national stage. The current rainy season has only exacerbated our struggles, with the flooded Runde River cutting off our access to Chiredzi and the rest of the country. Shockingly, the government has failed to replace the bridge that was destroyed by floods in 2002 despite several promises, leaving our community isolated and disconnected,” said Chikutu.
Auspicious Ndlovu, founder of Community Initiatives for Sustainable Development Trust (CIFOSUDE) a community organisation based in Chiredzi South focusing on initiatives to promote sustainable development said Chiredzi South remains severely underdeveloped.
He said basic necessities like network connectivity, radio access, education, and healthcare are still unattainable. Ndlovu said poverty has forced fathers to seek better lives abroad, often through illegal border crossings into South Africa or Mozambique, leaving families fragmented and with little hope.
Thanksgiven Mabunda, a single mother from Gwaseche, shared her heartbreaking story with The NewsHawks, revealing that she returned home from South Africa, where she works on a farm, in December last year, hoping to stay. However, the dire situation in her community proved unbearable, forcing her to make the difficult decision to return to South Africa at the end of this month, braving the treacherous flooded Limpopo River.
“I came back home from South Africa in December last year, where I work on a farm, with the hope that I will not return, but the situation I found here in my community is unbearable, so I have made the difficult decision to go back to South Africa at the end of this month. It’s a risky journey, especially with the flooded Limpopo River, but I have no choice. Poverty is all over in Chiredzi South since the area received poor rainfall last year and government is struggling to assist people,” said Mabunda
Chief Chilonga cited hunger and the flooded Runde River, which currently blocks access to Chiredzi, as the community’s biggest challenges.
“Our biggest challenges are hunger, the flooded Runde River which currently blocks our access to Chiredzi. We hope the government will rebuild the bridge destroyed by Cyclone Eline in 2002 and address our other pressing needs,” said Chief Chilonga.
Chiredzi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Ailes Baloyi said his council has devised plans to upgrade healthcare, education, and other vital services in Chiredzi South, but implementation hinges on the availability of funds. He said the council’s approved Master Plan, crafted in consultation with all stakeholders, prioritises these pressing needs.