BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Concerns are mounting in Victoria Falls over a reported rise in sudden deaths, with local legislator Vusumuzi Moyo, Member of Parliament for Hwange West, calling for an official probe into what he described as an “alarming trend” of people collapsing and dying unexpectedly.

During a Parliamentary session on 1 October, Moyo asked the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, whether the ministry had conducted any research into the increase in such cases. In his response, the Minister said no study had been carried out and that the government had no statistical evidence supporting the reports.

However, speaking to VicFallsLive, Moyo said he raised the issue in Parliament after witnessing and hearing of multiple sudden deaths within the resort city.

“We’ve seen several people who were perfectly fine suddenly collapse and die,” said Moyo. “Two of them were in the tourism industry, and another was a council worker who had just come from night duty. She swept her yard, suddenly felt unwell, and passed away soon after. These are just some of the cases we’ve encountered.”

Moyo expressed disappointment that the Ministry did not show intent to investigate further, saying he had hoped the Minister would direct provincial or district offices to look into the issue.

“Unfortunately, when the question came up, I was not in the House to follow up,” he said. “But I believe this needs to be pursued. The media and health authorities must take it up so that the executive can act. We cannot be silent when people are dying in such an unusual fashion.”

Moyo also revealed that he had spoken with a local private medical officer, who expressed willingness to support any research effort aimed at uncovering the causes behind the deaths.

“He told me this might not just be confined to Victoria Falls—it could be a national issue. We’re hearing of similar incidents across the country,” Moyo said.

Local health practitioners and residents have echoed similar concerns, citing an apparent rise in cases of people collapsing at workplaces or at home. While no conclusive evidence has linked the deaths to any particular health condition or environmental factor, the trend has prompted renewed calls for community health surveillance and public awareness on preventive care and early health checkups.

As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with strained health infrastructure and limited diagnostic capacity, Moyo says the issue underscores the need for stronger public health data collection.

“Without statistics, we cannot know what’s really happening,” he said. “This is a matter of life and death, and the Ministry should be proactive.”

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), in partnership with technology-driven organisation Uncommon, is set to establish a free coding school at Gwai Valley Primary in Lupane District, marking a new chapter in community empowerment and education.

Speaking during an interview with VicFallsLive, PDC operations director, David Kuvawoga said the initiative stems from the organisation’s long-term work with local schools through its children’s bush camps.

“In our quest to find solutions to the poaching crisis, and building on the work we’ve done with schools over the years, we identified Gwai Primary as a good location to start a coding school,” he explained. “We partnered with Uncommon, which already runs facilities in Harare and Victoria Falls, to bring this opportunity closer to rural communities.”

The school will be housed in container units equipped with computers and other necessary technology. According to PDC, the project will be led by youths from the Gwai community who underwent year-long training in Victoria Falls and are now prepared to teach children — and adults — the fundamentals of coding.

“This is not just for schoolchildren,” the operations director said. “Anyone in the community with the passion to learn can join. What matters is the interest and commitment, not formal qualifications.”

Importantly, the programme will be free of charge. Both organisations confirmed that tuition, equipment, and running costs are fully covered through fundraising efforts.

“No one is going to pay a cent,” he said. “Just like our bush camps, which host over a thousand children every year without charge, this coding school is fully funded. All the community needs to do is embrace it.”

PDC has previously supported communities through projects such as boreholes and gardens, but this marks its first major investment in technology. The director said the initiative has the potential to address unemployment, improve education, and give local youth world-class digital skills.

“Coding is a highly sought-after skill across the world,” he noted. “If young people here can learn it, they can secure jobs or even create employment for others. This is a brick in the foundation of uplifting Lupane, Hwange, and beyond.”

The coding school is expected to open in December at Gwai Valley Primary.