National

Govt slammed for schools re-opening after lockdown extension

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The government has been criticised for ordering the re-opening of schools less than 24 hours after extending the lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid-19 by another two weeks.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa on Wednesday told journalists in Harare that schools, which were closed two months ago, would start re-opening on August 30 with examination classes.

Non examination classes will re-open on September 6.

The current school term was supposed to start on June 28 but was delayed by the onset of the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education met with teacher organisations and deliberated on the safe re-opening of schools, among many other issues,” Mutsvangwa said.

“Noting with satisfaction, the preparations for the resumption of classes in schools, Cabinet is advising that schools will re-open on the 30th of August 2021 for examination classes and on the 6th of September 2021 for non-examination classes.”

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), however, accused the government of ambushing teachers, parents and learners with the announcement.

“Parents, teachers and learners have all been ambushed,” PTUZ said on Thursday.

“Who has a stash of money just lying around to be used for fees or bus fare back to work?

“Government may be ready, but no-one else is. The so-called salary was used up around pay day for everyone.”

Harrison Mudzuri, the PTUZ coordinator, said by ordering schools to open a day after extending the lockdown by two weeks, the government was sending mixed signals.

“What is means is that there is no more lockdown in Zimbabwe,” Mudzuri said.

The Zimbabwe Senior Hospitals Doctors Association said the extension of the lockdown was unscientific.

“Data from the Ministry of Health clearly shows Covid-19 infections well below resurgence threshold,” the doctors said in a brief statement on Wednesday.

“Most hospitals countrywide have significantly reduced admissions,” they added.

“Lockdown has achieved its aims. If we are basing decision on stats and science, what’s the justification for the extension?”

The government also announced that restaurants will now be allowed sit-in customers, but only if they are vaccinated.

Intercity travel will only be allowed for the re-opening of schools.

Mutsvangwa said the government had also extended the Covid-19 vaccination programme to the 14-to-17-year age group.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 month 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

2 months 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

4 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.