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Hwange villagers losing cattle to tick borne disease

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BY AWAKHIWE KHUMALO 

Hwange villagers have expressed frustration over what they say is failure by authorities to tackle mass cattle deaths, which they say began as far back as 2019.

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The villagers from the Chief Mvuthu area said they were told that their cattle were succumbing to the heart water disease, but no concrete steps have been taken by the Veterinary Services Department to curb the disease since then.

Heart water disease affects wild animals and livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats.

It is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia ruminantium and is spread by ticks.

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The disease causes death of the infected animals and is widespread in African countries, including Zimbabwe.

Farmers across Zimbabwe have been losing cattle in large numbers due to tick borne diseases as a result of irregular dipping patterns.

Given Moyo, the councillor for Kachechete, told VicFallsLive that a number of villagers in his area had seen their entire herd being wiped out by the mysterious disease.

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“This disease started spreading in 2019 and it killed a lot of cattle during that year, “Moyo said.

“It resurfaced again in 2020, causing some serious havoc and again in 2021 it caused the same damage.

“It is also killing a lot of cattle this year and l am one of those, who had their herds wiped out by the disease.

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“The cattle become sick for only a few days and they die. Some die within a day of falling sick.”

Ntandoyenkosi Gumede, a Kachechete villager, said last month he lost four herd of cattle within days.

“We have been losing cattle every week as villagers and last month, l lost four of my cows in a space of two weeks,” Gumede said.

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“This disease usually affects one area for a certain period, before spreading to another area.”

Moyo bemoaned lack of action by the authorities despite numerous distress calls by villagers.

“We reported this matter to the veterinary services and a representative came to assess the situation

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“He came to the conclusion that it was the heart water disease that was causing the deaths,” he added.

“We were not satisfied by the way he handled the matter because he did not take any blood  samples  to a science lab to find out what is really killing our cattle.

“The conclusion was based on assumptions and no action was taken after that.”

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Moyo suspects the cattle could be victims of diseases transmitted from wild animals that roam free in the area.

“We strongly suspect that the cattle are getting these diseases from wild animals,” the councillor said. “At the pastures they regularly come across buffaloes, lions and other wild animals.”

The Veterinary Services Department in Hwange said it was yet to receive reports about the cattle deaths.

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National

Bulawayo mourns Nkulumane MP and poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The City of Bulawayo has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Nkulumane MP and acclaimed poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo, who died in a car accident early Friday morning near Shangani.

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In a condolence message issued by Town Clerk Christopher Dube on behalf of the Mayor, Senator David Coltart, councillors, and residents, the city described Moyo as “an iconic leader, poet par excellence, and creative who strove to champion the arts in Bulawayo and beyond.”

Moyo, who was affectionately known as Moyoxide, was praised for his commitment to the city’s artistic and civic development. The statement highlighted his impact through his multiple roles — as a Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, a community leader, and a poet who spoke out against injustices while advocating for progress.

“He positively impacted the city through his roles as a leader and poet who challenged all for the development of Bulawayo and the country,” read part of the statement.

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The City of Bulawayo also extended its condolences to the Moyo family, the Bulawayo community, and the nation at large.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement added.

The city further wished a speedy recovery to other CCC legislators who were injured in the same accident — Honourables Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda.

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National

CCC legislators in road accident, Nkulumane MP dies

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BY STAFF REPORTER

One Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator has died while four others were seriously injured in a road accident that occurred early Friday morning near Shangani along Bulawayo-Harare highway.

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CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi confirmed the accident, saying it happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. when the vehicle carrying the members collided with an elephant.

“The vehicle hit an elephant along the Shangani area, and unfortunately Honourable Desire Moyo, the Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, died on the scene,” Nkwananzi said.

He added that the other occupants — Honourable Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Honourable Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda — sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Bulawayo.

Nkwananzi said he was deeply shocked by Moyo’s death, as he had met him just yesterday in Harare.

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“I had seen Moyo yesterday and we spent about an hour chatting outside Jamieson Hotel about the party and our future plans for national development,” he said. “I’m gutted by his passing. It’s a huge loss for the party.”

He conveyed his condolences to the Moyo family and wished a speedy recovery and strength to the families of the other CCC members who remain in critical condition.

He said further details, including the name of the hospital where the injured are receiving treatment, would be released once confirmed.

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In the community

MPs raise alarm over illegal gold mining threatening Inyathi hospital

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care has raised serious concern over illegal gold mining activities taking place directly beneath Inyathi District Hospital in Bubi District, Matabeleland North — warning that the facility’s infrastructure could collapse if the practice continues unchecked.

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The revelation came during the committee’s ongoing verification visits to rural health centres across Zimbabwe, aimed at assessing the state of medical infrastructure, equipment, and essential drug availability. The visits, led by Hon. Daniel Molokele, are being conducted on behalf of the committee chairperson, Hon. Dr. Thokozani Khupe.

Speaking to VicFallsLive, Molokele said the team was shocked to discover that artisanal miners (amakorokoza) had extended their illegal mining tunnels under the hospital grounds.

“One of the things that we found at Inyathi District Hospital is that amakorokoza are now doing their gold mining right under the hospital,” said Molokele. “They used to do it outside, but now they have gone beneath the facility. There is a real risk that the infrastructure might collapse because of the underground pressure. This is lawlessness that the government urgently needs to address.”

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Molokele added that the situation reflects broader governance and enforcement challenges in mining communities, where unregulated artisanal mining continues to threaten both public safety and environmental health.

“Most of the cases that patients come with are physical wounds — largely injuries from violent clashes among the amakorokoza,” he said. “There’s a lot of violence happening there, and it is putting a heavy burden on an already under-resourced hospital.”

The committee, which began its tour on Monday in Inyathi before proceeding to Avoca in Insiza District (Matabeleland South), Gundura in Masvingo, and Mutiusinazita in Buhera (Manicaland), is compiling findings that will inform parliamentary recommendations.

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“We will produce a report that will have clear recommendations,” Molokele said. “The National Assembly will debate it, and the Minister of Health will use it to engage the Minister of Finance, especially in the upcoming budget process. We are hoping for a renewed focus on rural healthcare centres, which have been neglected and underfunded for many years.”

Molokele said the verification exercise — though limited by time and financial constraints — seeks to highlight conditions in at least one rural health facility per province.

The committee’s findings come at a time when Zimbabwe’s rural health infrastructure is under severe strain, with many facilities struggling with drug shortages, outdated equipment, and deteriorating buildings. The situation in Inyathi now adds a new dimension of danger — where illegal mining is not only threatening livelihoods but also public infrastructure meant to save lives.

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