National

Hwange youths bemoan lack of opportunities

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2021

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

Lack of recreational facilities and an information gap are some of the major things hindering young people in Hwange from taking up leadership roles, local activists have said.

The activists made the observations during a recent meeting in Hwange that was organised by the Youth Initiative with the theme; ‘Security Tomorrow Through Enhanced Youth Participation in Local Decision Process and the Development Agenda.

Tinashe Matika, the Youth Initiative lead coordinator, bemoaned the under-representation of youths in the district’s leadership structures.

“We observed that there is a huge information gap towards the development of Hwange youth,” Matika said.

“A number of key areas of concern were pointed out during the meeting and what stood out is the lack of information on local governance processes as well as lack of recreational spaces for youths.”

His sentiments were echoed by Hwange’s ward eight councillor Theresa Mutara, who encouraged young people to take up leadership roles.

“Shape your tomorrow today, such that tomorrow you are going to enjoy it,” Mutara said.

“Take part in all consultative meetings, especially the budget making processes.

” Do not let old people decide your future, you should participate.”

Mutara challenged the youths to keep abreast with the fast changing digital world by researching widely.

”I am here to challenge you, if you are told that there is a meeting and you are given an agenda, just do a bit of some research, you will be guided by that,” she said.

Other speakers who shared on corporate social responsibility, environment and community enterprise among other roles, challenged the government to introduce some laws that would make it compulsory for companies to plough back to communities by empowering youths.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from various government ministries.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 days 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

1 month 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.