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‘It’s a nightmare’: Victoria Falls residents endure two months without water  

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Some Victoria Falls residents are resorting to recycling water for household chores due to prolonged water shortages that started worsening two months ago.

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Victoria Falls, which lies on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, has been experiencing perennial water shortages due to the local authority’s limited pumping and reticulation system.

The most affected areas are high density suburbs of Mfelandawonye, Garikai, BC847, Mkhosana and Chinotimba.

“To flush the toilets, we now use water that would’ve been used to wash the plates or for laundry and at times we bath once a day or never because we have no other means of getting water,” said a Mfelandawonye.

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Residents said the situation has forced them to forego daily bathing even for school going children.

“We spend days without bathing and even our children go to school without bathing yet the bill for water continues to go up,” the resident added.

“Our tapes are always open and we risk our lives every night to check for water at night as elephants will be roaming around our houses while hyenas will also be scavenging for food in the bins.

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“It is not safe and the council seems not to understand our plea.”

Another resident from the same area said what made her situation worse was that she had a burden of looking after young children and a disabled person.

“We have gone for two months without water, at times the water comes at night for a short while and that allows us to fill one bucket before the taps run dry again,”she said.

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“As women, the challenge that we face is that of failing to clean our houses, washing clothes and even looking after the children.

“I live with a disabled elderly person, and he can’t relieve himself in the bush so all the water that we use after washing the plates or clothes we use to flush the toilet and that has made our living a nightmare.”

Another disabled resident, who identified himself as Chipepura, said the water shortages had seriously affected his way of life.

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“With my condition I cannot go and relieve myself in the bush and I have no means to get drinking water,” Chipepura said.

“I rely on my neighbours to assist me. So our plea is for council to consider disabled people like us and they should treat Mfelandawonye residents the same way as other people are being treated.”

Council blamed the prolonged water shortages on rising demand in summer.

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“During the dry season water demand rises above supply hence there are critical water shortages,” council said.

“The council has a water sanitation and hygiene programme to address (the problems) holistically.”

However, the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association blamed the water crisis on alleged mismanagement of funds and corruption in the local authority.

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Residents recently submitted a petition to government ministries and speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda asking them to investigate the corruption allegations against council.

Victoria Falls ratepayers also boycotted council’s recent 2023 budget consultations in protest against the alleged corruption.

 

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National

RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

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The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

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The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

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New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

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Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

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Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

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The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

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The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

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