BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Deep in the dry plains of Hwange-Mabale, villagers say life has become a daily battle for survival — not only against the long distances they walk to fetch water, but also against the wildlife that roams the same paths their children must use to reach school.

During a visit by VicFallsLive, Chief Nelukoba- Dingani of Mabale painted a dire picture of a community caught between environmental hardship and the realities of living inside a wildlife corridor.

“We have no water up to Gwayi — we are suffering.”

Standing beside a recently drilled, but completely dry borehole shaft at his homestead, Chief Nelukoba said the area’s water table has drastically dropped, leaving families without reliable access to drinking water.

“We have tried drilling many times. The latest borehole went down almost 100 metres — still, nothing,” he said.

“People here are suffering. To get water, some walk more than five kilometres every day.”

The chief said several homesteads have abandoned shallow wells that dried up as temperatures soared and rainfall patterns shifted.

The water crisis is compounded by the fact that the community sits directly along a wildlife corridor used by elephants, lions and hyenas moving between protected areas.

Behind some homesteads, fresh elephant dung and large footprints are a daily reminder of how close danger is.

“These animals are always here,” said Chief Nelukoba. “Elephants are killing people, hyenas are killing livestock, and lions are hunting in our villages.”

He recalled a particularly devastating attack at his own homestead.

“In one night, I lost eight cattle and 16 goats. They were all taken from the kraal. This is what my people face often.”

Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the chief’s concerns is the danger faced by school-going children.

Learners from the area walk between 5 and 10 kilometres to reach Nabushome High School.

“Children meet lions on the way. Sometimes they have to run back home,” he said.

“How can they learn in fear? How can they grow when they are not safe?”

“Conservation must benefit the people living with wildlife.”

Chief Nelukoba stressed that communities bearing the burden of wildlife presence should also receive the most support.

He urged conservation authorities and organisations to prioritise basic needs such as water, safe routes to school, and security for villagers and livestock.

“We support conservation. But conservation must also support us,” he said.

“We need water sources. We need protection from these animals. Rural people living with wildlife must not be forgotten.”

For Chief Nelukoba, the message is simple but urgent:

“Let conservation policies bring safety and dignity to our people.”

BY STAFF REPORTER

Eunice Ngwenya, a 32-year-old woman from Makwika Village, has appeared in the Hwange Regional Court, facing charges of attempted murder following a domestic dispute that left her boyfriend, Mbekezeli Sibanda, in serious condition.

The incident, which occurred on the 18th of August, began when Ngwenya, Sibanda, and Ngwenya’s sister were walking together. According to reports, the disagreement erupted over Sibanda’s inner garment, which Ngwenya allegedly refused to return despite his repeated requests.

Following a brief separation, Ngwenya returned to the scene with the garment in hand. However, she had concealed a kitchen knife within it.

As Sibanda reached to reclaim his clothing, Ngwenya allegedly pulled out the knife and stabbed him twice—once in the right arm and once in the right side of his chest.

Witness accounts indicated that Sibanda sustained serious bleeding injuries as a result of the stabbings.

In a state of distress, he attempted to seek help from a workmate but was unsuccessful. Despite his injuries, he managed to return home, where a friend assisted him in reporting the matter to the police and obtaining medical treatment.

A medical report confirming the wounds has been compiled and will serve as evidence in this case.

Following the incident, Ngwenya was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

She was remanded in custody today, with the court setting her next appearance for on the 5th of September, pending the finalization of investigations.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Last week, the City of Victoria Falls held an important stakeholder consultation at Chinotimba Clinic, gathering insights from the junior council and youth representatives. The meeting aimed to discuss the progress made in the city over the past year and identify key areas for improvement as the council prepares for the 2026 budget.

Progress Reports: Successes and Challenges

The council highlighted several community service projects in progress. Mosi Oa Tunya School’s hall construction is currently at 25% completion, with work hampered by late disbursements of Devolution funds.

Similarly, the construction of Mosi 2 Secondary School has seen minimal progress, aligning with other initiatives that encountered budgetary delays.

Significant achievements in public health included the completion of a Drug Rehabilitation Center, established in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Additionally, the Chinotimba Stadium upgrade continues, with newly trenched dressing rooms and extended toilet facilities now accommodating persons living with disabilities.

In water management, the council reported substantial advancements, such as the completion of a 0.75 million-litre elevated tank and significant progress on a 5 million-litre ground reservoir, which is now 94% complete. Other water systems upgrades include an 810-meter access road to a new helipad site, enhancing both emergency response capabilities and community services.

Key Statistics and Observations

The council shared key performance statistics showing improvements in several areas:

• Employee satisfaction increased from 52% to 65%.

• Per capita water supply improved from 100 to 120 liters.

• Refuse collection efficiency rose significantly from 65% to 90%.

However, several challenges were also noted, including:

• Limited disbursements from Devolution funds.

• Economic constraints affecting suppliers and procurement processes.

• A liquidity crunch that has limited the council’s borrowing capabilities.

During the meeting, youth representatives expressed concerns about equitable access to project opportunities. Ndabiqondile Zwelinjani urged the council to engage directly with communities when distributing resources, suggesting an open application process to ensure transparency and fairness.

Moving Forward

Kholwani Mangena, the council’s chamber secretary, responded to these concerns by emphasizing the commitment to detailed discussions ahead of finalizing the 2026 budget. He suggested scheduling another meeting to clarify goals and resolve outstanding issues from previous years.