‘The event has positioned itself as the province’s premier networking hub, where grassroots heroes rub shoulders with the elite, and business deals are sealed over champagne’

MARONDERA – Mashonaland East is set to ignite into a beacon of light, fashion, and triumph as the second edition of the Dungwiza Community Trailblazers Awards (DCTA) descends upon the Hope Fay Hotel and Conference Centre on Friday, 29 May 2026.

Forget the stiff formality of standard ceremonies. The DCTA is designed as a celebration where the grit of the streets meets the glamour of provincial success.

This is where Chitungwiza’s celebrated artists and sporting legends clink glasses with the agricultural and mining titans of Marondera.

According to the organisers, Perfection Media Pvt Ltd, the awards are a “strategic corridor” of excellence, a rare moment where the region’s most brilliant minds gather under one roof to rewrite the provincial narrative.

At the heart of this cultural movement is Albert Masaka, the visionary CEO whose passion for unearthing local heroes has become a national phenomenon. For Masaka, the 2026 edition is about more than just trophies; it is a regional revolution.

“This night is the ultimate stage for both the visible and invisible giants who carry our communities on their backs,” he said.

“By bringing the DCTA to Marondera, we are not just moving locations—we are expanding a legacy. We are proving that whether you are a tech-preneur in Chitungwiza or a visionary farmer in Mutoko, your brilliance deserves a standing ovation.”

The event has positioned itself as the province’s premier networking hub, where grassroots heroes rub shoulders with the elite, and business deals are sealed over champagne.

Masaka challenged residents and organisations in Chitungwiza and Mashonaland East to be part of the live experience rather than watching from the sidelines.

“Don’t wait for the highlights reel to trend on social media; be the highlight yourself,” he urged. “The road to excellence leads to Marondera this May. Will you be in the room when the trailblazers take flight?”

The evening’s entertainment is set to be a masterclass in local talent, aimed at bridging the gap between legendary heritage and modern urban fire.

However, the true soul of the night remains those breathtaking moments when a community leader, after decades of working in the shadows, finally walks into the spotlight to a deafening roar of approval.

From high-stakes Innovation and Tech awards to the prestigious Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Service, the emotional stakes are unparalleled.

“You won’t just be a spectator; you’ll be part of a collective surge of pride that can be felt in your very bones,” Masaka added.

“You cannot afford to miss this. When that curtain goes up on May 29, the energy will be transformative.”

#DCTA2026 #DungwizaTrailblazers #MashEastExcellence #CelebratingHeroes #MaronderaGala #AlbertMasaka #ZimCommunityAwards #TrailblazerNation

By ALBERT MASAKA

CHITUNGWIZA legislators on Tuesday grilled Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister, Benjamin Kabikira over service delivery challenges plaguing the town with the MPs demanding answers from government on how it will address the sewer, town clerk and Nyatsime crises, a thorn in the flesh of residents for years.

In response, Kabikira said the government plans to make Chitungwiza Council a water authority to improve the town’s water supply and alleviate the sewer challenges.

“The Central Government is working on making Chitungwiza a water authority, which would improve the supply of water to the town and ultimately, alleviate the sewer problem,” he said.

St Mary’s legislator, Brighton Mazhindu, had asked the government if it had any strategies to address the persistent sewer blockages, and associated public health risks in Zengeza 1 and St Mary’s

Mazhindu expressed concerns on whether the council will succeed as in the past similar sewer pipe replacement projects it was currently carrying out had not produced results due to the lack of a consistent supply of water.

Kabikira had attributed the perennial sewer challenges to the lack of reticulated water and announced that Chitungwiza is set to benefit from the Kunzvi Dam project, which will improve water supply.

 “Chitungwiza is also set to benefit from Kunzvi Dam whereby supply of water to the town is expected to improve,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also revealed that the government was exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address the sewer challenges.

However, Zengeza West MP, Innocent Zvaipa, raised concerns about effluent flowing into residents’ homes, making them uninhabitable.

“My question is, whilst the pipes are being fixed, how long is it going to take whilst people have this affluent flowing into their homes because homes have become inhabitable?” he asked.

Kabikira cited a lack of skilled workers and construction equipment as major challenges but promised to provide assistance.

“From the report that I am getting, I have been informed that we now have qualified staff and have enough staff. The other challenge that was there was that the construction equipment was not enough but as a Ministry, we bought yellow machines equipment which has been allocated to councils so that they solve the different challenges,” he said.

The MPs also grilled the Deputy Minister about the absence of a substantive Town Clerk in Chitungwiza for over a decade. Kabikira explained that due process must be followed, but Zvaipa disputed this, citing a court ruling that the Town Clerk and council cannot work together.

“So, for the Town Clerk to come back, it is not possible. It is now 10 years since the town clerk is not at work. As a Ministry, are there no other interventions that you can employ in order to assist the people so that another Town Clerk can be employed?” Zvaipa asked.

Kabikira said the Ministry has taken steps to resolve the issue and conclude the deliberations by asking Chitungwiza to avail all the communications between council and the Town Clerk.

“So, the Ministry wrote a letter to the council so that the council can furnish the Ministry with the severance package of the Town Clerk. So, we are still waiting for that communication and once we receive that letter, then we would expedite the successful completion of this issue,” he said.

Nyatsime Housing Scheme

Mazhindu also raised concerns about  the fate of thousands of beneficiaries of the Nyatsime Housing Scheme who purchased residential stands from Chitungwiza Municipality in 2007 but have yet to take occupation.

In response, Kabikira said that the scheme falls under the jurisdiction of both Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council.

However, he confirmed  that the Nyatsime Housing Scheme falls within Longlands and Braemer farms, allocated to Chitungwiza Municipality for urban development.

“However, Chitungwiza  when the Municipality proceeded to develop a layout and subsequently allocated stands arising from the layout to various beneficiaries, the scheme suffered setbacks arising from litigation by two A2 farmers who had been previously allocated farming plots in Braemer.

“The Ministry, in its wisdom, then decided to constitute a Manyame-Chitungwiza Joint Committee with the intention of bringing sanity to the area. This is because part of the Nyatsime area falls under the jurisdiction of the Manyame Rural District Council in Mashonaland East Province,” he said.

However, currently the Joint Committee was no not active. Notwithstanding the role of the Joint Committee, Chitungwiza Municipality has remained committed to administering the Nyatsime Housing Scheme as provided under Section 205 (1) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], he said

The Deputy Minister said the Ministry was seized with the issue and will do its best to resolve these challenges and urged beneficiaries to approach both councils for assistance.

“The Chitungwiza Municipality has since called for beneficiaries to visit Council offices with a view to verifying beneficiaries as part of the process of identifying property owners under the scheme. The two planning authorities, that is, Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council, are to address challenges relating to the land in question.

 “As the Ministry, it is also seized with the issue and will be assisting the Municipality of Chitungwiza to address all the outstanding challenges bedevilling the scheme. The legal functionaries within the Ministry, together with the Minister of Lands and the affected councils are working on navigating the legal hurdles in addressing the issues in Nyatsime.”

Zvaipa asked what will happen to those who bought the land that was now illegally occupied by others.

“The other issue that was raised by the Minister is that this is a joint programme between Manyame and Chitungwiza. I believe that this is not correct because the people bought from Chitungwiza Municipality without Manyame. However, if they are told to approach both Manyame and Chitungwiza, then they are being led astray. So, from the situation, the question is, do we have alternative land to allocate them?”

The deputy minister said government were seized that the issue, since it affected many people and has held several  meetings with the Chitungwiza and Manyame councils, to understand where the issue stands.

Flooding and Sewerage Issues

Mazhindu also asked about measures to address recurrent flooding in areas such as Manyame Park and the construction of houses along the Manyame River.

Kabikira said Chitungwiza is prosecuting those involved in illegal developments and plans to embark on regularization to remove settlements on riverbanks.

“Council is also planning to embark on regularisation, whereby those settled in areas that are not habitable, such as riverbanks will be removed. This will alleviate the problem caused by settlements on river banks,” he said.

Godfrey Sithole, Chitungwiza North MP, asked about a comprehensive report on addressing sewerage problems in Chitungwiza. Kabikira said the council is planning to embark on regularization and prosecution of those involved in illegal developments.

The government’s efforts to address the sewerage and flooding issues in Chitungwiza are ongoing, but the residents are eagerly awaiting tangible results. The parliamentary session served as a reminder of the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing the town.

By ALBERT MASAKA

IN  A bold move that is aimed at  seeking justice from Chitungwiza Municipality, thousands of  Nyatsime housing beneficiaries are mulling a class action lawsuit to demand formal allocation of their stands  16 years after paying for them, a situation that will heavily expose the cash-strapped council to bankruptcy.

A representative of the aggrieved persons, Bothwell Mahobele told Dungwiza News recently that the class lawsuit against Chitungwiza was aimed at seeking redress from the council over its failure to deliver residential stands to the beneficiaries who purchased them between 2006 and 2010.

“Despite receiving payment, the municipality has not fulfilled its obligations, leaving over thousands of individual home seekers without their rightful properties for 16 years. The municipality’s inaction and lack of accountability is the one compelling us to seek justice through legal action.”

 “After trying to engage with them in November 2023, we were met with complacency and excuses. There is lack of accountability and urgency with Chitungwiza Municipal Authorities.

He said they were in the process of engaging  a legal team consisting of experienced attorneys that specialise in property law and human rights.

“We anticipate filing the case within the next few weeks, once all necessary documentation which is already in progress is finalised except in the event that Chitungwiza Municipal authorities come forth with a meaningful response.”

He added that  thousands of individuals were affected, with total losses estimated at US$10 million.

“This figure accounts for the initial purchase prices at the prevailing or current price of land and land/stands development service charges from the same Council, interest, and opportunity costs incurred over the 16-year period.

“Our grievances include breach of contract, failure to deliver residential stands, lack of accountability, the municipal authorities’ inaction and complacency and financial losses incurred due to delayed or non-delivery.

“We seek delivery of our residential stands, allocation of stands to beneficiaries and compensation in the form of financial restitution for losses incurred.”

Chitungwiza public relations manager Tafadzwa Kachiko said the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works was  seized with this matter, and once a position was  set, members of the public will be notified.

Responding to questions sent by this publication, the chief director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Shingirai Mushamba said that government was aware of the complex challenges that exist with the Nyatsime Housing Scheme and that  efforts to resolve the matter have so far not  been successful.

“Further, government appreciates the fact that some stakeholders have  become impatient. It however, urges parties to dialogue and to find a lasting solution.

“The applicants for the land, Chitungwiza Municipality, Manyame Rural District Council  and government, together with other stakeholders will convene soon under the leadership of respective Ministers to find a permanent and win-win solution. All parties are encouraged to give dialogue a chance,” Mushamba said.

In 2005, Chitungwiza sold over 11 000 stands covering Braemer Farm (818 3586ha) and Longlands Farm (215,64ha) and due to overwhelming demand by beneficiaries, the municipality ended up subdiving the stands to create an additional 15 457 stands.

Through Statutory Instrument 211 of 2021, government later set up a six member joint committee, made up of three councillors each from Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council to manage the six farms located in Ward 9.

The committee, which has powers of an urban authority, managed Braemer, Longlands, Cawdor, Edinburg, Tantallon and Dunnottar farms situated in ward 9 in the district of Seke in between the area administered by Chitungwiza Municipality and that administered by Manyame Rural.

Along the way the joint committee stopped functioning after the then Local Government minister replaced it with Urdcorp after he felt that the joint committee was not equal to the task as some members were  pursuing self-interests.

The minister’s decision, which created an administrative vacuum on the six farms turned into residential areas, particularly Longlands and Bremer, is threatening to get out of hand if it is not urgently attended to.