National

1 281 pupils infected as Covid-19 outbreaks hit Zimbabwean schools

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A number of schools across Zimbabwe are battling Covid-19 outbreaks with 1 281 children and 131 teachers testing positive for the virus since schools re-opened on August 30, the government said on Friday.

The Health and Child Care ministry said the majority of the cases were being recorded at boarding schools.

“As of the 23th September 2021, there are 1 281 school children and 131 teachers, who have tested positive for Covid-19 across the country,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The bulk of the cases are being reported mainly from boarding secondary schools across the country through the enhanced surveillance mounted by the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education using the Joint Operational Plan for the Coordinated Prevention and Management of the Covid-19 pandemic at all learning institutions in the country.”

The ministry said most of the cases recorded so far did not require hospitalisation.

“Most of the reported cases have been mild and not requiring hospitalisation and no fatalities have been reported,” it added.

“The ministry wishes to assure the nation and the affected parents that measures are being taken to safeguard the safety and health of the affected learners.”

The mitigation measures which have been put in place to ensure total safety of learners, include increased Covid-19 testing of all suspected cases on-site, isolation and management of all positive cases at the affected schools, quarantine of the all learners that have been exposed at their schools and restriction of movement into and out of the affected learning institutions.

“The ministry urges the affected schools and communities to continue practising strict hygiene, sanitization, hand washing, physical distancing and proper wearing of masks,” the ministry said.

“Those suspecting Covid -19 must seek medical attention from the nearest health facility.

“Furthermore, eligible people should go for vaccination offered at the nearest health facility.”

On Thursday, the Health ministry said 69 percent of the new cases were recorded in schools Mashonaland East (26), Midlands (28), Manicaland (14), Masvingo (48), Matabaleland North (23), Bulawayo (one) and Mashonaland Central (89).

In June the government was forced to suspend the re-opening of schools by two months as the country battled the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.