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Alarm over Victoria Falls pollution

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A prominent environmentalist has raised alarm over the worsening illegal dumping of waste around Victoria Falls, which she says has become a threat to the city’s wildlife heritage.

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Victoria Falls is within the Zambezi National Park, which is home to a variety of game species.

Charlene Herwatt from Greenline Africa, an environment watchdog based in the resort city, said residents were dumping all sorts of waste along main roads, trenches, parks and other undesignated areas.

“The increase in indiscriminate dumping of waste is not acceptable,” Herwatt said.

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“Why pollute our Victoria Falls?

“People are dumping all sorts of waste, including diapers.

“This is illegal and people should get heavy fines for dumping.”

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A tour around the city by VicFallsLive showed that the Kazungula main road, which is used mainly by tourists who enter Zimbabwe through the Kazungula border post from Botswana, was heavily polluted.

Diapers, empty cans, old clothes, and plastic papers, among other waste, were strewn on the roadside near Victoria Falls Primary School.

The pollution is worsening despite the fact the local authority regularly collects waste from residents’ doorsteps.

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Herwatt expressed frustration that offenders were not being punished.

“We encourage the city council police to take action and put a stop to this,” she said.

“Plastics are eaten by wild animals, including elephants, and this can cause death.

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“We cannot continue picking up after these culprits and they have to be caught and heavily fined.”

Researchers say that plastic litter is the most common killer of animals, and marine life.

Studies have also proven that if litter is not properly disposed, it can be the breeding ground for bacteria and diseases.

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Lupane

Conductor killed in bus accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo road

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BY STAFF REPORTER

A bus conductor lost his life in a tragic accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo Road in Lupane after being run over by the bus he was working on.

The incident occurred on November 17, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

According to the police report, the conductor was hanging precariously on the moving bus and unfortunately slipped and fell, resulting in fatal injuries.

The police are now urging bus operators and crew members to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety protocols to avoid such devastating accidents.

They specifically warn against allowing loaders or conductors to hang dangerously on moving vehicles, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety on the roads.

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Bubi

Inyathi man handed community service for burning wife’s belongings

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

A 39-year-old man from Inyathi Township has been convicted of malicious damage to property after a disagreement with his wife

The accused recently appeared before the Inyathi Magistrates’ Court for malicious damage to property.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, sometime in September, the accused person had a misunderstanding with the complainant, his wife over the welfare of the family.

He forced the complainant and their children out of the house.

While the complainant was away, the accused person burnt the complainant’s belongings.

The destroyed property was valued at $140.

The accused person was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 3 months were suspended for 5 years.

A further 18 months were suspended on condition that he completes 630 hours of community service.

The remaining 3 months were suspended on condition of restitution.

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Hwange

Victoria Falls residents at odds with roaming buffaloes, Zimparks maintains they belong

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents of Victoria Falls are struggling to coexist with a large number of buffaloes that have taken over the streets of both high-density urban areas and low-residential areas.

The buffaloes seem to be everywhere, leaving residents frustrated and desperate.

Videos taken by residents and VicFallsLive, our media organization, show people trying to chase them away using sticks and rocks, but the buffaloes are undeterred.

This morning, three buffaloes blocked the road on Jakaranda Street, eating leaves from the trees and grass.

Despite the distress calls from residents, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) maintains that the buffaloes are within their habitat.

“I think we need to understand who is is saying there has been a growing trend of buffalos in Victoria Falls for an example, l think the numbers we have in Victoria Falls we don’t have much problems with them and this is what attracts tourists,”said Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson.

“It’s a tourist town and one of the major draw-cuts for tourists is those buffalos. It is definitely their habitat that’s where they stay in the wild.”

However, residents disagree. They say the buffaloes are causing a nuisance and pose a danger to humans.

“We are working hard to make a living, and now we have to deal with these wild animals in our streets,” said Khulani Ncube.

In one incident, about 40 buffaloes blocked the road on Mkhosana Street near Kazungula Road, eating vegetables. “It’s like they own the place,” said Trymore Ndolo who witnessed the scene, adding that they might cause a casualty if action is not taken.

While the Zimparks says that the buffaloes are a tourist attraction, residents argue that their safety should come first.

“We understand that tourism is important, but what about our lives?” asked a resident.

 

 

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