BY VANESSA GONYE

Health experts have expressed growing concern over the emergence of illegal herbal creams and unregulated drug sales on the streets of Harare and throughout Zimbabwe.

A disturbing increase in the presence and sale of unregulated medicines is bedeviling the country, with worry rising over the dangerous outcomes associated with these products.

In recent years, the capital has witnessed a sharp rise in informal drug outlets commonly referred to as “backyard pharmacies”.

 These unlicensed operations are often run from residential homes, tuckshops, market stalls, or simply from blankets laid on busy pavements.

In recent years, the capital has witnessed a sharp rise in informal drug outlets commonly referred to as “backyard pharmacies”.

 These unlicensed operations are often run from residential homes, tuckshops, market stalls, or simply from blankets laid on busy pavements.

Surveys reveal that these backyard pharmacies operate without any quality control, cold chain storage, or professional oversight.

Some of the drugs may be counterfeit, expired, adulterated, or incorrectly labelled.

Itai Rusike, the executive director of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), expressed alarm over the proliferation of these vendors, noting the trend puts patients’ health and safety at serious risk.

“The challenge is and has always been the gap in communicating the dosage schedule and indication for treatment,” Rusike said.

“There is no accreditation or regulation of the practitioners, their practice, nor their premises, as is done for registered pharmacists trained in conventional medicine”.

Rusike also highlighted a dangerous lack of scientific data: “There is generally a lack of clinical trials, scientific data and evidence to support the efficacy of street medicines, despite some claims from treated individuals”.

He called for widespread health and treatment literacy programmes to stop citizens from “taking wild gambles” with their health.

Rusike urged that: “the regulatory authorities should also be seen to effectively apply the laws regulating the sale of medicines in the country and protecting the health and safety of the general public without fear or favour”.

Johannes Marisa, president of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe, echoed these concerns, stating that selling drugs from unregulated places is a major threat to public health.

“When we are talking of public health, we become very worried when we see drugs being sold everywhere,” Marisa said.

He warned that counterfeit drugs can create a “false belief that you are recovering from something, yet you are taking a counterfeit drug, which does not work”.

He added that such practices prolong infections and increase both morbidity and mortality.

The trend is largely driven by economic hardships that have made formal healthcare unaffordable for many, alongside high unemployment that has pushed individuals into pharmaceuticals as a lucrative vending commodity.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has repeatedly warned that these unregistered products pose significant risks, including kidney and liver damage, high blood pressure, and increased cancer risk.

In response, the government has introduced stiffer penalties, with offenders now facing up to 20 years in prison.

SOURCE: THE STANDARD

BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has reported a worrying rise in road fatalities during the 2026 Easter holiday, despite a decline in the total number of accidents.

According to the police, 30 people were killed in road traffic accidents during the holiday period, up from 24 deaths recorded in 2025. However, the total number of accidents dropped from 384 in 2025 to 337 in 2026, while injuries also decreased significantly from 178 to 104. 

Police said 22 of the recorded accidents were fatal, compared to 21 during the same period last year. 

Pedestrians most affected

Pedestrians accounted for the majority of fatalities, making up 63% of the deaths (19 people). Passengers were the second most affected group with seven deaths (23%), followed by drivers with three (10%), while one rider (3%) was killed. 

Speeding, overtaking blamed

Authorities identified speeding as the leading cause of accidents during the period, with many drivers losing control of their vehicles. Unsafe overtaking was also cited as a major contributor to head-on collisions. 

Deadly incidents recorded

One of the most tragic incidents occurred on 2 April 2026, when six family members died after a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and a truck along the Harare–Masvingo Road. 

In another traffic accident , seven people were killed and four injured on 3 April 2026 at the 51km peg along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road. A truck rammed into three vehicles — a Nissan March, Toyota Probox and Toyota Hiace — before striking pedestrians who had gathered at the scene. 

Police warning

The police have urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic laws and avoid speeding, especially during peak travel periods. Drivers involved in accidents are also being reminded to stop, render assistance and report incidents.

BY STAFF REPORTER 

Econet InfraCo has unveiled plans for a multimillion-dollar luxury resort in Victoria Falls, marking a strategic push by the billion-dollar infrastructure platform into high-end tourism.

The development, branded Vic Falls Lifestyle, will feature 40 luxury residential villas supported by premium amenities, including restaurants, wellness centres and sports facilities.

Chief executive Fayaz King described the project as a landmark for Zimbabwe’s luxury tourism segment.
“These will be among the most exclusive residential properties ever developed in Zimbabwe, designed to meet top-tier international hospitality standards comparable to presidential suites in leading global hotels,” he said.

The project aims to reposition Victoria Falls as a destination for affluent global travellers seeking privacy, exclusivity and fully integrated services.
Recently listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange with a valuation of about US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo said the resort will include a 24-hour, 10-bed private hospital offering emergency and dental services—an amenity tailored to high-net-worth clientele.
Security and privacy will be central to the offering, with the gated development providing round-the-clock protection for residents and guests.

Under the investment model, buyers will own individual villas but will be required to place them in a rental pool for up to 11 months a year, balancing personal use with income generation.

“Victoria Falls needs developments of this calibre to attract visitors who not only spend, but invest,” King said.

Econet founder and group chairman Strive Masiyiwa played an advisory role in shaping the concept and is expected to be among the property owners.
The company said the project has already drawn interest from local and diaspora investors, as well as international buyers.

Land has been secured, planning is at an advanced stage, and construction is scheduled to begin before year-end.

The Victoria Falls resort is Econet InfraCo’s second major project. Its flagship, Econet Tech City, is a planned industrial and technology hub near Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, expected to host around 300 businesses across more than 800 hectares.