National

Hwange West to spend $2m CDF cash on education, health projects

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI AND NOTHANDO DUBE

Hwange West constituency plans to use its $2 million Community Development Fund (CDF) allocation on education, health, and community empowerment projects.

Hwange West Member of Parliament Godfrey Dube told VicFallsLive that the projects will include improvement of infrastructure in schools, clinics, dip tanks, small irrigation schemes and water sources, mainly in rural wards.

“If you look at Kachechete, Matetsi, Chidobe, Nemananga, Chikandakubi and Ward 19, which falls under the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), all need attention,” Dube said.

“It is mostly school infrastructure that needs repairs and expansion, clinics are far from the people.

“In Ward 19, most roads to the (game) park are not accessible and it has been worsened by coal mining companies that are causing havoc, especially in the Sinamatela area.”

He, however, bemoaned the $2 million constituency fund saying it was not enough to cover the needs of the community.

“It is no secret that the funds allocated to the CDF are very much inadequate,” Dube said.

“For example, from the 2021allocation of $ 2 million (which is less than US$20 000) there are a lot of expectations from the community, but the funds are limited.

“So, the CDF is not in a position to fund these major capital projects.”

Hwange West constituency comprises 11 urban and five rural wards.

The constituency faces perennial water shortages, has a poor road network and inadequate public schools, and hospitals.

Last year, schools like Mosi -Oa- Tunya, Sikumbi, Chikandakubi, Sikabela, Matetsi, Baobab, Chamabondo and Chinotimba benefited from the CDF while BH23 Dip tank under chief Mvuthu was also renovated.

“Although it’s a small amount, we put it to good use, of which residents are welcome to visit these sites,” Dube said.

“The communities are appreciative of the work done by the office, though the high expectations sometimes fail to match the resources allocated.

“We truly appreciate the relationship that exists between us and the community.”

National

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.