Hwange Central to use CDF money to drill boreholes

Published

4 years ago

August 29, 2021

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

Hwange Central constituency is using its $2 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to drill three boreholes to ease perennial water shortages in the communities.

Daniel Molokele, Member of Parliament for the constituency, told VicFallsLive the boreholes will be drilled in Nekabandabama (ward 12), Dinde (ward 13) and Lukosi (ward 20).

Villagers in the affected areas have to walk over five kilometres to fetch water for domestic use.

Ward 20 councillor Ishmael Kwidini said villages such as Shangano and Chilanga were facing serious water shortages after borehole equipment broke down.

Kwidini said the situation has seen some villagers having to walk four kilometres in search of water.

“Most boreholes are obsolete and they have been sustained by continuous repairs, which have been mainly done through assistance from the office of the MP,” Kwidini said.

“Some villages access piped water through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, but still the breakdowns have seen people going for months without water.

“The greatest challenge has been the fact that there is only one pump minder who services all the three wards, which is too much for him.”

Kwidini said livestock had also been adversely affected by the water crisis in the ward as they relied on the Lukosi River.

During this dry season villagers have to walk over five kilometres to find watering points for their livestock.

“The water situation is really dire this dry season,” Kwidini said.

“One or two boreholes are not enough for six villages in the ward.”

Hwange district usually receives very low rainfall and is prone to droughts.

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 weeks 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

3 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.