Zimbabwe makes a very bad case of state enterprises and parastatals that are in the habit of casually dismissing any financial obligations that accrue to them because of their negligence.

ZESA is a very bad case in point.

An alarming number of cases have arisen where Zimbabweans minding their own business have been left scarred for life after coming into contact with live electricity cables the victims say were very negligently left exposed by ZESA personnel.

A recent case is one of a 10-year old who is said to have been left badly disfigured after being electrocuted by live ZESA cables that had been left exposed.

The young lad who is said to have been an athlete, soccer player and a traditional dancer at school had his left hand amputated after the incident which occurred on October 30, 2011.

He also lost two toes on his left foot and four toes on his right foot.

He is claiming USD60,000 which I still think is paltry considering that he has been maimed for life.

In other highly litigious countries, he could have “easily” claimed millions, but what does Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) say?

“In response, ZETDC pleaded with the court to dismiss the application, arguing there was no link between Zesa cables and its firm. ZETDC is a separate and distinct legal persona; defendant on this basis denies any liability. Any assistance rendered was for an accident involving the defendant and was made on compassionate grounds,” ZETDC said,” according to the news report.

But this not the first such case and it has come to typify how our public enterprises deal with issues of compensation for their brazen negligence.

In early June of this year, it was again reported that a Banket farm worker who was electrocuted by naked ZESA cables in 2010 was still struggling to get her compensation.

The woman who had her left hand amputated and her eyesight affected by the electrocution told a local daily that “although she had approached the power utility seeking $30 000 compensation for her injuries, she had not yet been paid “a single cent”.”

A medical report says about the woman: “Long-term complications are post electrical burns syndrome, which include cataracts, seizures and chronic pain. Left below elbow amputation will result in permanent disability, phantom limb pain.”

And she is yet to get a cent?

In May this year, it was reported that a man who had been electrocuted in Zvishavane had sued ZESA subsidiary Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for USD80,000 after coming into contact with exposed ZESA cables in 2010.

A news report puts ZETDC’s response this way: “ZETDC, however, hit back on Mavenga’s claims and said it was not negligent in any way since its power lines are constantly maintained. ZETDC further said no report of a broken power line had been made. The Plaintiff (Mavenga) was negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout whilst using a footpath that was close to the power lines,” ZETDC said in its papers.”

Where is the responsible minister to stop all this nonsense?

And then when people boycott paying their bills, ZESA cries foul!

As Karl Max once said about the French revolution, “History repeats itself, the first time as a tragedy, then as a farce.” The month of June synonymous with tragedy for Zimbabwe this time has brought in a new dimension shaping the political discourse of Zimbabwe.  The farce, which many would have anticipated, is just another tragedy repeating itself. It is not farce when citizens prepare to run away from their homes and neither it is comedy when you hear threats of war when you decide to choose the leader of your choice. The past five years of has been a bag mixed fortunes with tears and joy. Shop shelves, which were once deserted all of a sudden became flooded with goods though most of them were imports but the nation managed to survive up to now. At least we managed to survive after the signing of the Global Peace Agreement (GPA) in 2008 to witness the unfolding of another tragedy. Well the GPA is now in its closing episode but it remains to be seen who will claim credit for bringing hope to this nation which was on the brick of collapsing. To some this proclamation of an election date is a farce but to those who suffered during the winter chills of June 2008 will tell you it’s a tragedy. If history is going to repeat itself let it not be in the form of another coalition government.

Calling all young African leaders: Mail & Guardian Newspaper
Deadline: 30 June 2013

Our continent is on the rise and it is Africa’s young leaders that will take us into the future.

To this end, the Mail & Guardian is sponsoring two dynamic young African leaders for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to attend the One Young World Summit 2013, taking place in Johannesburg this year.

The M&G is a South African-based news publication that prides itself on being Africa’s best read.

The M&G, as part of our commitment to developing young leaders on the continent, will fully sponsor two delegate places to this year’s summit. In addition, we will cover the travel cost for each delegate from his or her home cities to Johannesburg, if necessary.

We’re on the hunt for very special candidates to attend this leadership and development conference. One Young World generally looks for candidates with proven leadership ability, and a passion for volunteering and a concern for global issues. We want to sponsor two candidates who display that, and more.

As a news publication dedicated to online innovation, we want to sponsor two candidates doing interesting things in the digital and tech space.

The Mail & Guardian Online was the first internet-based news publication in Africa, and has repeatedly received awards for its digital innovation. We want to sponsor someone who shares this DNA with us.

Perhaps you have been involved in a project that uses digital tools to improve agriculture, social development or media freedom. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it.

Do you have what it takes? Check out the criteria for our candidates, then fill in the form below and you could be part of this amazing conference, and experience being mentored by world leaders.

Candidate criteria includes the following
-One Young World delegates are 18-30 years old at the time of the summit
-Demonstrate leadership potential and skills (many have already had an impact in their home countries on a range of issues)
-Teamwork
-Concern about global issues
-Ability to generate and articulate impactful ideas
-A commitment to volunteering or other extracurricular activity (evidence required)

In addition, the M&G requires the following for our two candidates
-Involved in some sort of leadership or community project involving digital tools and/or tech innovation
-Display an innovative approach to solving some of the problems facing the continent
-Candidates must be nationals of, and residing, in any African country

Apply for this opportunity

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Group facilitator: International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI)
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Summary
IBTCI is currently seeking a Zimbabwean national, Group Facilitator, for an Evaluation of USAID/Zimbabwe’s Agriculture Portfolio. The evaluation period of performance is about 10 weeks including about 5-6 weeks of fieldwork. This performance evaluation is a portfolio evaluation that will enable USAID/Zimbabwe Economic Growth Office to evaluate whether the portfolio design was appropriate and whether projects have and are achieving the desired results. It will also help inform the remaining implementation of on-going projects and future project design for follow-on activities.

Qualifications
-A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in marketing or communications
-At least five years’ experience in consumer market research or related fields
-At least two years’ experience in facilitating focus groups, conducting interviews, etc
-Individuals should be highly skilled in interviewing subjects from a lower socio economic background and drawing out information
-Knowledge of the social and cultural factors in agricultural development projects
-Prior experience on USAID activities or evaluations preferred
-Fluency in English and Shona and/or Ndebele required.

To apply
Please send an updated CV to: recruiting [at] ibtci [dot] com with the subject line “Zimbabwe Group Facilitator”.

No phone calls please. Only final candidates will be contacted.
IBTCI is an equal opportunity employer.

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Agronomist: Local CBO based in Bulawayo
Deadline: 21 June 2013

Designation: Agronomist
Area of operation: Bulawayo (Ward 1 to 29)
Position Code: zphca2-13

Job Summary
To undertake specific skilled support to work as an Agronomist for a nutritional organic garden for children with disabilities in Bulawayo.

Responsibilities
-To specialize in research and breeding of different horticultural products
-Find out the best methods of planting, cultivating, spraying and harvesting
-To have knowledge of producing, shipping and preservation of vegetables or ornamental plants
-To conduct workshops, trainings and prepare articles on best farming practices
-To provide professional advice on the selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of horticultural products
-To plan and design horticultural beds
-To maintain nurseries and keep records on the operations
-To train and supervise subordinates in greenhouse operations
-To teach proper methods and techniques of planting horticultural products
-To prepare orders for various types of plants
-Train ground personnel in the techniques of pruning, cabling and bracing of trees and shrubs
-Assists in the preparation of maintenance programs for the control of plant diseases and insects
-Prepares organic manure programs for various types of plants
-Performs related duties as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
-A diploma or Degree in Agriculture
-3 years working related experience
-Clean class 4 drivers license
-Legally responsible and accountable
-Able to work with minimum supervision
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills

To apply
Interested and qualified persons can send their Curriculum Vitae Applications Letters quoting the position code on the subject to email applications to: zphcabulawayo [at] gmail [dot] com and address it to the Branch Coordinator.

Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be responded to.