National

“CSOs need an enabling environment to thrive

Published

5 months ago

November 7, 2024

Arts Secretary Nicholas Moyo (second from left) flanked by East Africa Philanthropy Network Director, Evans Okinyi (left), Stigmata Tenga APN Director, Tendai Murisa of Sivio Institute and Justice Rutenga APN Board Chair

BY STAFF REPORTER

Civic society organizations (CSOs) need enabling policies to thrive and effectively partner government for development and colloborations on initiatives that address Africa’s pressing needs, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts, Sports and Culture Nicholas Moyo has said.

Moyo made these remarks while officially opening the African Philanthropy Network (APN) Assembly in Victoria Falls. The APN Assembly, which brings together over two hundred African philanthropy and grant making organizations from over twenty (20) countries is running from the 4th to the 8th of November in the resort town.

“This Assembly provides us with a platform to explore innovative ideas and solutions that work best for our people – as Africans,” said Moyo.

“Our challenges – be they economic inequalities, social injustices, or environmental concerns are interconnected. We must work together to confront these issues head-on, prioritizing the most vulnerable among us.”

“In achieving this, you require enabling policies and operating environments that the African governments are committed to provide through the implementation of the Agenda 263,” he said.

Moyo’s remarks come at a time that the Zimbabwe’s parliament has just passed amendments to the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Act setting out a new regulatory framework for CSOs in Zimbabwe, a concern raised by Tendai Murisa the Executive Director of Sivio Institute, one of the Assembly’s organizers.

“Some organizations working within the civic space are facing closure should the Bill become law. It is our hope that the new law will not affect philanthropy work in Zimbabwe as these organizations merely compliment the government’s development agenda,” he said.

The Executive Director of APN Stigma Tenga said the Assembly’s objectives are to examine the relationship between philanthropy policy and practice.

“Our deliberations will reflect on African philanthropy’s potential to drive systemic change, and examine how actors could work together to celebrate and own indigenous practices as distinctly African and thus relevant to reshaping future philanthropy, as well as reimagine practices for contemporary application,” she said.

The 2024 APN Assembly is running under the theme collective freedom from collective struggles.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 day 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

2 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.