Hwange

Hwange Local Board and ZINWA reach agreement on water management

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2024

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

After a two-day sit-in at Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA offices), Hwange Local Board management and ZINWA have reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the handing over of Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II water management.

This breakthrough comes as a huge relief to the residents of Empumalanga, who have been without water for eight long months.

“This serves to inform you that yesterday (27 September 2024) Hwange Local Board management held a meeting with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Hwange to deliberate on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties on the handing over of Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II water management,” said Dumisani Nsingo, Public Relations Officer.

The disconnection, which occurred in February, was due to a standoff between the Hwange Local Board and ZINWA over arrears.

“ZINWA requested for the removal of certain financially related clauses of which Hwange Local Board obliged to. Thereafter, Acting Town Secretary Mr Paulos Mabhureni signed the MoU on behalf on Hwange Local Board and handed it over to ZINWA Hwange officials who advised that the document will be sent to their head office in Harare for signing by their Chief Executive Officer, most probably on Monday (30 September 2024).”Nsingo said.

But the impact was felt most keenly by the residents, who were forced to resort to drinking unclean water from ponds near sewer lines.

This has not only been an inconvenience, but also a health risk, as the water is also consumed by wild animals.

According to Irene Shangwa, vice chairman of Phase 4 residents, “For the past eight months, we have been drinking water from underground. We do not even know where that water is coming from, whether it’s sewer water or just dirty water. We just drink it.”

Some residents have been asking relatives for water, while others are selling water for $1 for four or five buckets.

The situation has been particularly dire for women and children, who are the ones who fetch water from the ponds, exposing them to other diseases. Last year, they also went for eleven months without water, drinking from the ponds.

This is despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the UN Human Rights Council, which recognizes the right to safe, clean, and potable water.

The signing of the MOU is a significant step forward, and is expected to pave the way for the reconnection of water at Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II.

While there is still work to be done to address the underlying issues, the residents of Empumalanga can finally see a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

As one resident noted, “We are relieved that something is finally being done. We just hope that the water is turned back on soon.”

Hwange

Hwange man sentenced to 18 years for rape of 12-year-old niece

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Hwange court has sentenced a 31-year-old man to 18 years in prison for the rape of his 12-year-old niece following a New Year’s Eve assault, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence after hearing how the man lured the child to his residence in Dingani Village, Dete, on the 31st of December, last year.

The court heard that at approximately 12:00 hours, the offender used a false pretext to get the victim into his room, instructing her to bring her mother’s mobile phone to help him with a WhatsApp application. Once inside, he forcibly pushed the girl onto a bed and raped her.

Following the assault, the man ordered the child into silence, but the crime was discovered immediately when the girl returned home in tears and narrated the ordeal to her mother. The victim’s family confronted the man and reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

In a statement regarding the conviction, the NPAZ described the case as a profound betrayal of trust within a family unit.

The authority noted that the 18-year term was intended to send a clear message that the law would serve as a shield for our children, particularly against those responsible for their protection [1]. Prosecutors also commended the family for their swift action in reporting the crime to authorities.

Binga

ZPCS reports 104 HIV-positive inmates across Matabeleland North prisons

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A total of 104 inmates are living with HIV across eight correctional facilities in Matabeleland North, according to data from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

The figures, which were first reported by the Chronicle, were presented by ZPCS Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Godknows Ncube during a National Aids Council stakeholder meeting in Bulawayo.

Of the inmates recorded as positive, 98 are aged 25 and older, while six are under the age of 25. The affected facilities include Victoria Falls Prison, Hwange Prison, Ntabazinduna Satellite Prison, Anju Farm Prison, Tsholotsho Prison, Lupane Prison, and Binga Prison .

During the most recent quarter, 144 inmates underwent testing for HIV, resulting in one positive diagnosis .

While correctional facilities received 900 male condoms, officials reported that no female condoms were provided. Ncube noted the need to address this gender bias and ensure that female protectors are available for inmates.

The prison service is also facing challenges with medication adherence. Ncube emphasized that there is a high number of defaulters, particularly among younger inmates who were aware of their HIV status before entering the system.

He called for the integration of HIV services with other health programs and stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring and reporting within the prisons. Currently, some facilities in the region are not yet accredited to provide antiretroviral therapy services, highlighting a need for further staff training and equipment

Hwange

Three-year-old girl killed in crocodile attack near Matetsi River Bridge

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A three-year-old girl from Matetsi in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, was killed by a crocodile on Tuesday evening while playing near the Matetsi River Bridge along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway.

According to ZBC, the toddler was with her five-year-old brother as their mother, Tariro Tsondzowore, was fishing nearby when the attack occurred. Authorities said the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the children close to the riverbank, when a crocodile suddenly emerged from the water, struck and dragged the girl into the river.

People who were nearby reportedly attempted to scare the reptile away but were unsuccessful.

The child, who was from Masikili Village under Chief Shana in Hwange District, was taken before help could arrive.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers responded to the scene and shot one crocodile. Authorities confirmed that partial human remains have since been recovered, while efforts to retrieve additional remains are continuing.

Additional details of the incident were widely shared on social media platforms, where images from the scene show a sombre gathering along the riverbank. In the footage, several community members stand watching as uniformed personnel are seen in the water. A ZimParks vehicle is parked close to the river, while small groups of people look on from the grassy embankment, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The tragedy has once again brought into focus the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, particularly in communities located near rivers and wildlife corridors.

Local authorities have urged residents, especially those living near riverbanks, to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against the dangers posed by crocodiles and other wild animals.

VicFallsLive will continue to follow developments on this story.