The ManicaPost
Nyore Madzianike Senior Reporter
MUTARE West constituency has hailed Cde Chris Mushohwe (Zanu PF) for working hard to spread development across the diamond rich constituency.
Cde Mushohwe has engaged diamond mining companies at Chiadzwa to plough back and assist to develop the area.
This has resulted in the transformation of some schools and health facilities, rehabilitation of some roads and amelioration of rural livelihoods.
He has initiated about 15 schools since 2013 and also facilitated the renovation of a science laboratory at Gandauta Secondary School.
About 30 computers were also donated to improve ICT skills of pupils at the school.
“I have built 15 schools since 2013, and these are at different stages across the constituency,” he said.
Cde Mushohwe said he was also working on five clinics and a girls’ dormitory at Mt Makomwe Primary School.
“I sourced an ambulance and built a mortuary at Marange Clinic. I also sourced materials for the construction of numerous clinics in the constituency,” said Cde Mushohwe.
He also facilitated the erection of 128 tombstones at Chitangazuva burial site.
The cemetery was also fenced.
ZCDC and Mutare Rural District Council compliment his effort through rehabilitation of roads to improve accessibility.
Some sponsorship programmes to assist local underprivileged students with school fees and related educational assistance are in place.
Market gardening, bee keeping, poultry and livestock projects have been initiated to boost rural livelihoods while efforts are underway to set up a vocational training centre and a sewing factory in the constituency.
Cde Mushohwe said he engaged the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Cde Winstone Chitando and the Zimbabwe Consolidated Mining Company (ZCDC) to employ locals.
He instructed headmen from his constituency to have a register of unemployed people for consideration by ZCDC.
“Some companies went without paying workers their dues. I said since Government had 50 percent shares in those companies, it had an obligation to settle those debts. I also said ZCDC should reinstate those employed by ejected mining companies. I understand the equipment, which was at Mbada and other companies was auctioned and massive machinery was bought,” he said.
Cde Mushohwe said he had done projects for youths, citing the Mushohwe tournament.
Mutare Rural District Council chairperson, Clr Booker Mudede said the MP had acquitted himself well.
“The MP is visible and we are happy with his work rate. He has facilitated a lot of developmental projects in the constituency. He has engaged and lured a number of Government departments, NGOs and diamond companies to develop various aspects of the constituency,” said Clr Mudede.
Clr Mudede said the MP contributed towards the construction of Chinyamazizi, Rakanwa, Marewo, Muperere Matiza, Makireshi clinics.
He said Cde Mushohwe also initiated some dip tanks at Kasiisii (Mafararikwa) and Maramba Kutongwa in Ward 28.
He contributed to the creation of weir dams at Chapungu and Mapfunde.
“Cde Mushohwe also facilitated the transmission of electricity from Buwerimwe to Mapfunde, Mt Tsatse, Chapeyama, Mavhizha Primary Schools Mavhiza and Chinyamazizi clinics.
“Mutare West is largely a drought prone area, and the MP engaged officials from the Ministry of Water to drill boreholes at Chinyamazizi Clinic, Gonora Secondary, Matiza Clinic, Matanda Clinic, Pakanwa Clinic, Marewo Clinic and at community centre in wards 19 and 25. Feasibility studies have been completed for additional boreholes at Chakaza Business Centre, Chapeyama dip tank, Marambakufunga and Hute Primary,” said Clr Mutete.
Cde Mushohwe has donated dairy cows to Marange Dairy Association and Marange High School. He has helped with the establishment and sustenance of Masvaure irrigation scheme.
“He has done his best under very difficult circumstances, and more projects are going to be implemented with the disbursement of the Community Development Fund. Several dip tanks, clinics, weir dams have been earmarked, and as we speak work is in progress on the electrification of Karirwi and Maponde Primary and Secondary schools,” said Clr Mudede.
However, not everyone is impressed by the MP’s performance.
Mr Ernest Marange, of Nyika Village, under Chief Marange said Cde Mushohwe has done little to improve roads in the constituency.
Mr Marange said some roads in the constituency were impassable, forcing people to use alternative routes in other constituencies to get to their destinations.
“The road stretching from Riverside (Odzi) to Nyika, where I stay, is impassible. We now use the other route which is about 120km due to the bad state of that road. It is only 40km from Odzi to Nyika. Another example is the bridge near Marange clinic that has not been repaired for years. I am not sure how he fared in Parliament, but what worries me is the fact that he has failed to develop the constituency given the amount of resources at its disposal,” he said.
Cde Mushohwe responded: “Grading of roads has since stopped because of rains, but once the rains stop work will then resume”.
Mr Noah Guma Muchadya, of Ward 16, said Cde Mushohwe was concentrating on his own political survival at the expense of the people he represents.
“Diamonds are mined from his constituency and we expected him to push for development of the whole constituency. Development is not balanced; it is concentrated in his Gomorefu home area. By now Marange business centre should be the cradle for development in the province. We have very little to show for its diamonds,” he said.
“The area has some of the poorest roads. We all know that good roads are the drivers of economic growth. Investors look at that; so how do you lure them when you do not have good roads. I remember at one point there was a developer who had pledged to put tarmac on the Odzi-Marange road, but politics came into play and the pledge fell away. As we speak Marange business centre should have grown into one of the biggest growth points in the province, but if you go there you will feel very sorry,” he said.
Cde Mushohwe denied any involvement in the Marange chieftainship wrangle, which has spilled into the court.
Nyasha Marange has accused the MP of fighting his father and the incumbent Chief Marange (born Bernard Murwira).
Cde Mushohwe said Nyasha Marange was a bitter loser whose father once tried opposition politics.
“He thinks I am the one who influenced the judiciary to dethrone his father. His father was the late Jonathan Kadzura’s campaign manager. Unfortunately Kadzura lost to me. He then promised to do everything under the sun to denounce me. I know a lot about him and his father Bernard Murwira once campaigned for MDC in 2008,” he said. Cde Mushohwe gets a 7/10.
