National

Children dominate Victoria Falls anti-sanctions march

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2022

BY AWAKHIWE KHUMALO

The government’s much taunted anti-sanctions public march turned to be a damp squib on Tuesday after a few elderly people turned out in Victoria Falls, leaving the stage for school children to protest against the western embargo.

President Emmerson Mnangwagwa’s government is blaming the devastating economic crisis in Zimbabwe on years of sanctions.

The economic crisis is characterised by g galloping inflation and service delivery failures, but western countries their measures are limited to travel restrictions and targeted asset freezes as well as travel bans against top security commanders and ruling party officials.

Government organised marches in different parts of country to protest against the sanctions.

The march in Victoria Falls saw children from primary and secondary government owned schools marching in the city carrying placards saying: “We Want Jobs, We Want Money, Sanctions You Have Crippled Our Economy. “

They marched from Chinotimba Bus Terminus Rank up to Chinotimba Primary School where the main event was held.

On the way, songs were sung, while police and teachers ushered the children.

Only a few community leaders showed their faces and then disappeared into thin air as the march continued.

Throughout the four hour programme, the children were given roles for various performances which included plays, songs, poems and speeches about the occasion.

A Mosi –Oa-Tunya High School student pleaded with the western countries to let Zimbabwe be free in a poem..

“They say they were not meant to hate people, how is that supposed to work?” the student quizzed as he read the poem from printed paper.

“It’s our land, we are also people.

“We did our best to survive, is it because of our heritage that we suffer?

You took what you wanted, left us with nothing and sanctioned us, economy left squashed.

“No trade freedom, we were looking for something, a tiny tea pot…you are suffocating us, why?

Another student took to the podium and said: “My fellow Zimbabweans, let’s stand against sanctions, let’s unite and have a voice to say no sanctions.”

Upcoming gospel singer Andrea the Vocalist was among school children sent to march and perform songs.

Andrea’s Uhambo, whose lyrics were changed to suit the occasion and also denounced the sanctions saying they were hampering the development.

After all the schools had performed, the Sadc national anthem was sung to close the event.

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.