…as Minister Chadzamira Commissions Petronella Clinic
By Centre News Hub
MWENEZI-Residents of Mwenezi have commended their local authority for driving sustained development and improving service delivery across the arid lowveld district.
The commendations came during the official commissioning of Petronella Clinic in Ward 6 under Chief Chitanga, a milestone project expected to ease pressure on the district’s overstretched health facilities.
Villagers applauded Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) for prioritizing health, water, sanitation, and road infrastructure in an area that has long struggled with inadequate services.
“Our Council is doing well in fostering development in our communities. This clinic is another milestone. It will serve over 24,000 villagers who have been suffering due to lack of adequate health facilities in our wards,” said Amon Chauke.
Another resident, Lucia Mululeke, praised the council for improving access to clean water and rehabilitating roads.
“We now have boreholes in our communities for clean water, and the progress in graveling our roads is welcome. It makes movement of goods and people much easier,” she said.
Minister Commends “Leaving No One Behind” Drive
Guest of honour, Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Hon. Ezra Chadzamira, commended Mwenezi RDC for aligning with the Second Republic’s development agenda under *President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s mantra, _“Leaving No One and No Place Behind.”_
“I had the honour of commissioning Petronella Clinic, handing over Mwenezi RDC operational vehicles, and presenting motorcycles to councillors in Ward 6, Chief Chitanga’s area, Mwenezi North Constituency,” Chadzamira said.
“These milestones demonstrate government’s unwavering commitment to decentralizing development, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and equipping local authorities to deliver efficient services.”
RDC: “We Are Delivering on a Promise”
Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officer, Albert Chivanga, said the clinic will extend primary healthcare to more than 25,000 residents in Ward 6 and will also benefit neighboring communities in Chivi District.
“The impact of this clinic is far-reaching. We are not just opening doors; we are delivering on a promise of health, dignity, and development for our people,” Chivanga said.
He thanked government for devolution funds that continue to support council projects, and acknowledged donor VNE for funding electrification and borehole drilling, facilitated by Mr. Kotze.
The council also committed USD $274,000 to complete the facility.
Bridging the Health Infrastructure Gap
With a population of 209,000 according to the 2022 Census, Mwenezi requires 49 health facilities based on the national standard of 1 clinic per 10,000 people. The district currently has 24 facilities.
“The inauguration of Petronella Clinic is a decisive step in bridging that gap,” Chivanga added.
Other Development Milestones
Mwenezi RDC has also recorded progress in other sectors, including:
Education: 18 primary school classroom blocks, 18 secondary classroom blocks, 1 staff house, and 3 administration blocks constructed
Service Delivery Equipment: 15 x 15-cubic tipper trucks, 1 motorized grader, 1 backhoe loader, and 1 fire tender acquired
Health: 3 new clinics constructed
Roads: 10km graveling, 0.615km surfacing, and 17km routine maintenance completed
Water: Multiple boreholes drilled across wards
Council officials said the new vehicles and motorcycles will improve supervision, mobility, and response times across the district’s 18 wards, which are represented by 23 councillors, including 5 women quota councillors.
