National

ZRA ups Kariba electricity generation capacity for Zimbabwe and Zambia

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has increased its water allocation for power generation operations at Kariba Dam for 2021 by three billion cubic meters following indications that the region will receive normal rainfall this season.

In June ZRA had given Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power companies Zesco Limited Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), respectively, an additional 12 billion cubic meters of water to ease electricity shortages in both countries.

“Consequently, the 2021 allocation increased from the initial combined allocation of 30BCM granted at the commencement of 2021 to 42 BCM,” ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said in a press statement on Friday.

“As a result of this decision, the two utilities have effectively been allocated a combined total of 45 BCM of water for 2021, with each utility expected to utilise a total of 22.5BCM for its respective power generation operations at Kariba for the year.”

Munodawafa said the authority’s decision to increase the 2021 water allocation was premised on the provisions of the ZRA Act, which provides for the regulation of the Kariba reservoir in liaison with the two power generation utilities.

He said the provisions of the ZRA Act had been operationalised under a tripartite Water Purchase Agreement (WPA) signed between the two utilities and the authority.

“The WPA made provision for quarterly reviews of the hydrological outlook at Kariba to inform on the continued availability of water and the need, if any, for adjustments in the amount allocated for power generation at Kariba,” Munodawafa said.

“The quarterly reviews may result in a downward or upward adjustment in the allocation made to Kariba North and South Bank power stations for their respective generation operations.

“Accordingly, the 3BCM increase in water allocation was informed by hydrological simulations carried out by the authority that considered the obtaining stored usable water and power generation levels at the two Kariba power stations, as well as the normal to above normal rainfall projections made by the respective meteorological departments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe for the 2021/2022 rainfall season.”

Kariba is designed to operate between levels of 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.

As of November 1, the authority said the lake levels had been dropping steadily, closing the period under review at 497.97m (31.59% usable storage) compared to 479.11m (25.35% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.

Munodawafa said the authority will continue to closely monitor the hydrological outlook at Kariba and make necessary adjustments, where necessary, to ensure the sustainable operation of the Kariba reservoir going into 2022.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

4 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.