BY STAFF REPORTER

A total of 104 inmates are living with HIV across eight correctional facilities in Matabeleland North, according to data from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

The figures, which were first reported by the Chronicle, were presented by ZPCS Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Godknows Ncube during a National Aids Council stakeholder meeting in Bulawayo.

Of the inmates recorded as positive, 98 are aged 25 and older, while six are under the age of 25. The affected facilities include Victoria Falls Prison, Hwange Prison, Ntabazinduna Satellite Prison, Anju Farm Prison, Tsholotsho Prison, Lupane Prison, and Binga Prison .

During the most recent quarter, 144 inmates underwent testing for HIV, resulting in one positive diagnosis .

While correctional facilities received 900 male condoms, officials reported that no female condoms were provided. Ncube noted the need to address this gender bias and ensure that female protectors are available for inmates.

The prison service is also facing challenges with medication adherence. Ncube emphasized that there is a high number of defaulters, particularly among younger inmates who were aware of their HIV status before entering the system.

He called for the integration of HIV services with other health programs and stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring and reporting within the prisons. Currently, some facilities in the region are not yet accredited to provide antiretroviral therapy services, highlighting a need for further staff training and equipment

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A three-year-old girl from Matetsi in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, was killed by a crocodile on Tuesday evening while playing near the Matetsi River Bridge along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway.

According to ZBC, the toddler was with her five-year-old brother as their mother, Tariro Tsondzowore, was fishing nearby when the attack occurred. Authorities said the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the children close to the riverbank, when a crocodile suddenly emerged from the water, struck and dragged the girl into the river.

People who were nearby reportedly attempted to scare the reptile away but were unsuccessful.

The child, who was from Masikili Village under Chief Shana in Hwange District, was taken before help could arrive.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers responded to the scene and shot one crocodile. Authorities confirmed that partial human remains have since been recovered, while efforts to retrieve additional remains are continuing.

Additional details of the incident were widely shared on social media platforms, where images from the scene show a sombre gathering along the riverbank. In the footage, several community members stand watching as uniformed personnel are seen in the water. A ZimParks vehicle is parked close to the river, while small groups of people look on from the grassy embankment, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The tragedy has once again brought into focus the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, particularly in communities located near rivers and wildlife corridors.

Local authorities have urged residents, especially those living near riverbanks, to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against the dangers posed by crocodiles and other wild animals.

VicFallsLive will continue to follow developments on this story.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Hwange Central constituency has finally received its long-awaited Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation, marking the first disbursement since 2022, Member of Parliament for the area, Fortune Daniel Molokele, has confirmed.

In a statement, Molokele said an amount of ZiG 1.3 million was deposited last week into a special bank account set up exclusively to administer CDF funds for the constituency. The disbursement falls under the 2024 national budget, following confirmation from the Parliament of Zimbabwe that no CDF disbursement will be made under the 2023 national budget.

He further noted that there is still no clarity on when CDF allocations under the 2025 and 2026 national budgets will be released.

“With this development, our local CDF Committee will, during the coming week, initiate the process of rolling out the approved projects,” said Molokele.

Priority Wards and Projects

The initial phase of implementation will cover five wards, namely Wards 1, 4, 5, 6 and 14, with the remaining wards expected to benefit under the next CDF disbursement.

According to minutes from a public consultation meeting held on 13 April 2024 at St Ignatius Primary School in Hwange, the community unanimously prioritised solar-powered boreholes with JoJo tanks and fenced nutritional gardens as the flagship project for the 2024 CDF cycle.

The project is set to be implemented at the following locations:

• Ward 1: Chibondo
• Ward 4: Baghdad
• Ward 5: Empumalanga
• Ward 6: Phase Four
• Ward 14: Ngumija

Other proposals discussed at the meeting included the construction of an Advanced Level laboratory science facility at Nechilisa Secondary School and the refurbishment of Nengasha Stadium, but these were deferred in favour of addressing water and food security.

CDF Committee in Place

The public meeting also elected a new 2023–2028 CDF Committee, comprising:

• Alice Phiri (Trade Unions, Women and Local Communities)
• Luka Katako (Traditional Leaders and Faith-Based Leaders)
• Bryan Nyoni (Youth and Local Communities)
• Shonipai Muleya (Finance and Accounting)

Francisca Ncube was nominated as the National Assembly representative, while Teresa Kabondo will represent the constituency in the Senate.

The CDF bank account signatories and procurement committee members include Molokele, Luka Katako, Thulani Moyo and Alice Phiri.

Funding Clarifications

Although earlier discussions indicated that the 2024 allocation would include outstanding funds from 2023—bringing the total to an estimated USD100 000, to be disbursed in ZiG at the interbank rate—the Speaker of Parliament later clarified that the 2023 CDF allocation was no longer available.

“As a result, each constituency ended up receiving ZiG 1.3 million, which was meant to be equivalent to USD50 000,” Molokele explained, adding that the approved projects were subsequently endorsed by the relevant Parliamentary committee.

He also confirmed that no CDF proposals have yet been submitted for 2025 and 2026.

Residents seeking further information have been advised to contact CDF Committee Secretary Thulani Moyo on 078 648 3659.

Molokele said at least two public feedback meetings will be held once implementation begins, to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.