In the community

Gwayi-Shangani dam further pushed to 2023 for completion

Published

3 years ago

January 12, 2023

BY STAFF REPORTER

The government has once again shifted the deadline for completion of construction of Lake Gwayi Shangani in Mabale, Hwange District to end of the year.

The project was first mooted in 1912 and successive governments failed to implement it as it missed several deadlines.

Last year the government had said the project would be completed mid-year before shifting the deadline to end of the year.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka visited the project site on Tuesday to have an appreciation of progress made so far, and said it will be completed ahead of the 2023/24 summer cropping season.

“We are working hard to see what works need to be done and resources required so that the project is completed ahead of the 2023-2024 cropping season,” said Masuka.

The dam wall is now 20 metres high, against a target of over 40 metres.

This makes 73 percent towards completion of the wall.

“I am here to assess progress at Lake Gwayi Shangani and plan for 2023 as indicated by the President that this project must be completed this year. ” said Masuka.

The dam is at the confluence of Gwayi and Shangani rivers.

It is being constructed by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zimra) through a Chinese contractor, China Water and Electric Corporation and will have a capacity of 650 million cubic metres.

The dam project is part of a century-old National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP),

It is touted as a permanent solution to Bulawayo water challenges.

The construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani is the first phase of the project which also involves the laying of a 245 kilometers pipeline from the dam to Bulawayo.

According to Zimra officials, there will be water offtake sites to various irrigation projects for communities along the pipeline.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised concern over the state of health services in Binga District, questioning delays in upgrading key facilities.

Binga South MP, Fanuel Cumanzala asked the Minister of Health and Child Care:

“Whether there are any plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to make it suitable for a nursing school, as earlier announced by the government.”

He further queried:

“Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time.”

In a follow-up question, the legislator pressed government on broader service delivery gaps:

“What measures are being taken to improve healthcare services in Binga District, particularly in rural areas.”

“What measures are being implemented to reduce incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.”

“Whether there are any plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga District in light of population growth and increased economic activity.”

No response was recorded in the proceedings

In the community

Hwange residents invited to constitutional amendment public hearing

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents in Hwange are set to have their say on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law as the Parliament of Zimbabwe rolls out public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill.

The outreach programme will reach the coal-mining town on Tuesday, 31 March, with the hearing scheduled for 10am at Edmund Davies Hall, located at the No.1 Colliery Club near Thomas Coulter Primary School.

Attendance is free, and members of the public are being encouraged to participate and express their views on the proposed amendment.

According to Parliament, the hearings are part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering citizens’ input before the bill is finalised. The proposed legislation—Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026)—seeks to introduce changes to key governance provisions.

The Matabeleland North outreach will begin in Tsholotsho on Monday, 30 March, before moving to Hwange, then to Binga on Wednesday, 1 April, and concluding in Lupane on Thursday, 2 April.

Parliament has also opened channels for written submissions, which can be sent to the Clerk of Parliament or via email.

However, authorities have warned that individuals wearing military uniforms, political party regalia, or carrying flags and badges will not be allowed into the hearings.

Residents in and around Hwange are urged to attend in numbers and make their voices heard.

In the community

Free dental outreach treats over 700 in Victoria Falls

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

More than 700 residents in Victoria Falls have received free dental care following a three-day outreach programme held at Mkhosana Clinic.

The initiative, led by global charity SmileStar in partnership with CIMAS, saw 705 patients treated between 9 and 11 March. The programme builds on previous outreach efforts in the region and is expanding this year to include Matobo.

A team of 16 volunteer dental professionals—many from Dentex—provided urgent treatment, pain relief, and oral health education, while also sharing skills with local healthcare workers.

Team leader Dr Mitesh Badiani said tooth decay linked to high sugar consumption, particularly among children, was the most common issue encountered.

“Many of these dental problems are preventable, and education plays a key role in helping to avoid such problems in the future,” he said.

The outreach received support from Africa Albida Tourism, with the team hosted at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Africa Albida Tourism managing director Nigel Frost said the initiative would have lasting benefits for the community.

“This initiative provides vital dental care and education that will continue to benefit the residents of Victoria Falls long after the clinics have ended,” he said.

Mark Cockburn added that the programme highlighted the impact of volunteerism in addressing healthcare gaps.

Following the Victoria Falls outreach, SmileStar continued its programme in Hwange, before moving to Matobo today and tomorrow at Ethandweni Children’s Home, with a target of treating more than 1 000 patients across the three regions.