Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
A ZANU-PF win in Bulilima Constituency will ensure all unfinished development projects in the communities are completed with legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti reaffirming his commitment to continue working the people.
Zanu PF Presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa got 7023 votes where he beat CCC candidate Nelson Chamisa who garnered 6489 votes while parliamentary candidate Cde Phuti managed to 7185 votes against CCC candidate Bekezela Maplanka who polled 6660 votes.
A jubilant Cde Phuti said he had set targets in his previous five-year tenure where he was pursuing five pillars in his development programmes.
“Four of the pillars namely access to health care services, ICT infrastructure development, education and water and sanitation were achieved. The only remaining pillar is that of road rehabilitation. We worked closely with the local community, the diaspora community, the Bulilima Rural District Council and other Government departments and managed to ensure three clinics were officially opened in a record six days this year in August,” said Cde Phuti.
He said the first clinic to be commissioned was Mbimba Clinic which was now easing pressure at Lady Baring Hospital, Madlambudzi and Hingwe which are at over 15 kilometres radius.
“We then opened Malalume Clinic which also took away some pressure from Madlambudzi Clinic and Dombodema Clinic. Zimnyama Clinic which was pegged in 1956 finally opened its doors a week ago and stands out as one of the best health care facilities and most equipped in Matabeleland South province as a whole,” said Cde Phuti.
He said other clinics that were under construction include Tjehanga, Nyele, Mambo, Nopemano, Makumbi and Luvuluma Clinics.
“The most recent ones that have been pegged are Jutshume and Dupute Clinics. All the clinics are a sign of the efforts in ensuring that people do not walk long distances to access health care services, a critical human right.
“In ICT infrastructure development, we constructed two base stations at Nopemano and Nswazi areas and all cover a radius of 40 kilometres. The base station at Bhagani was uplifted as there was an inclusion of another telecommunications service provider, Netone, from the previously available Econet,” he said.
Cde Phuti said Netone also managed to set up a temporary base station at Madlambudzi with school computer laboratories also being set up.
“Over 30 school computer laboratories were set up in Bulilima district as a whole and there are equipped with 30 laptops, a projector and internet access each. In terms of education, Zompata Primary School was officially opened and is expected to start its first enrolment on the opening of the schools third term.
“Mafa Primary School also opened its doors sometime in June with its first enrolment having started in mid second term. A number of schools are currently undergoing renovations from painting and fixing of dilapidated structures,” said Cde Phuti.
He said Mazwaligwe Secondary School now boasts of an additional classroom block while a cottage was constructed at Himagu Secondary School.
“Tsukuru Primary School also benefitted from a classroom block after one was demolished due to deteriorating conditions.”
Cde Phuti said they managed to sink over 50 boreholes in Bulilima West Constituency.
“The boreholes vary from bush pumps to solar powered system with water storage facilities that range from 5000 litres to 20 000 litres. All this was done through great assistance from the Presidential Rural Borehole Scheme, the corporate sponsors and Government oriented NGOs like China Aid. The water and sanitation scheme also extended its reach to ensure horticulture gardens are set up so as to create a nutritional environment for the communities,” he said.
Cde Phuti is the outgoing Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
“I am happy to have been voted into office once again for a second term and l believe this emanated from the fact that we followed advise from His Excellency Dr Mnangagwa of pushing development in our constituencies in order to better the lives of our people. l promise to continue working hard in the whole of Bulilima to make sure that our people’s lives are transformed for the better,” said Cde Phuti. – @mthabisi_mthire
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