National

ZINARA allocates $3.2 billion for roads maintainance in Matabeleland land

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

The Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara) has allocated $3.2 billion for maintenance of roads in Matabeleland region between January and April this year.

Just over $700 million of this has been disbursed to local authorities, department of roads and Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.

Large parts of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway roa has been left exposed due to multiple potholes, none repairs and old age.

Nationally, Zinara allocated $41 billion to various roads authorities for maintenance of roads infrastructure countrywide, with over $11 billion disbursed between so far this year.

In a statement, Zinara said the disbursements and allocations are for the period January 2, 2023 to April 30, 2023.

Zinara allocated $899 million to the seven rural local authorities namely Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Kusile, Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Umguza in Matabeleland North province, and $224 million has been disbursed in the first quarter.

Hwange Local Board which got $22 million against its allocation of $112 million, Lupane Local Board which has received $18 million against an allocation of $94 million and Victoria Falls City which was allocated $161 million and has received $57 million.

The province was allocated a total of $1, 2 billion for both urban and rural local authorities.

Bulawayo metropolitan province was allocated $817 million and $163 million has been disbursed.

Matabeleland South was allocated $1.1 billion and has received $303 million.

Beitbridge Rural District Council received $21,5 million, Bulilima $21,5 million, Gwanda Rural

The country’s road network is in a sorry state and various organisations have expressed concern about it, with tourism sector players saying this was affecting tourism.

Government programme the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2) which was launched three years ago is in its final year this year and critics have said little success has been recorded as many roads are hardly trafficable.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

5 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.