In the community

‘Victoria Falls tourism firms have survived Covid-19 lockdowns’

Published

4 years ago

September 2, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) says no businesses in the tourism sector have been forced to shut down in Victoria Falls since national lockdowns to control the spread of Covid-19 came into force last year.

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry has been hit hard by the global curbs in travel due to the pandemic and Victoria Falls as the prime destination is home to many companies that were badly affected by the dip in tourist arrivals.

Godfrey Koti, ZTA spokesperson, said businesses in the resort city had stayed afloat during the pandemic.

“We are lucky at the moment because we haven’t seen any operator folding in Victoria Falls,” Koti told VicFallsLive.

“In other tourist places, for example, restaurants have shut down

“In Victoria Falls where they have remained open, the challenges that we have been hearing from them, especially the smaller players are that they want the registration fees and parks fees to be reduced.

“They also want some revenue payment plans to be put forward and looked at so that they can save jobs because that’s one thing that has been lost in a quite remarkable manner within the sector.”

Koti said the information on the number of job losses in the industry was not yet available, but he believes about 80 percent of the employees lost their jobs during the lockdowns in Victoria Falls.

“I don’t have the percentage for that region, but they are the leading city,” he said.

“Tourism employs plus or minus 120 000 people in the country, so we are not sure where we are exactly right now, but we are hoping that we haven’t gone above 20 percent job losses.”

According to findings of a recent study by We Are Victoria Falls, a local hospitality industry initiative, the Covid-19 lockdowns have affected 94 percent of the people employed in the sector.

It says 49 percent of workers in the tourism sector were forced to work reduced hours and to take pay cuts because of the lockdown that was imposed in March last year.

At least 18 percent of the workforce was forced to go on unpaid leave.

Koti said some jobs were saved by the ZTA domestic tourism campaign dubbed ZimBho, Vakatsha that was meant to encourage Zimbabweans to rediscover the country’s tourist attractions.

“Most of these jobs that remained were mainly because of the domestic drive that we had,” he added.

“So that sort of helped most players to stay afloat because there was a slow business that came their way.”

To promote Victoria Falls as a safe destination, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government made vaccines available to all eligible residents and an estimated 90 percent of the targeted 25 000 people have been vaccinated.

In the community

Foot and mouth disease outbreak in Mat North

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NIZBERT MOYO

The provincial Veterinary Department has urged farmers to comply with livestock movement regulations following an outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in some parts of Matabeleland North.

Acting provincial veterinarian Gwinyai Zhandire confirmed the outbreak to Southern Eye, saying the government has instituted movement controls, vaccination and active surveillance in the affected areas.

“There are some dip tanks affected in the Nyamandlovu area,” Zhandire said.

“The government has instituted movement controls and vaccination, and we are conducting surveillance.

“Farmers are encouraged to observe and comply with livestock movement regulations to prevent further spread.”

He highlighted that the rainy season increases the risk of other livestock diseases.

With tick populations on the rise, farmers should be vigilant against tick-borne illnesses such as Anaplasmosis (Gall Sickness), Theileriosis (January Disease), Ehrlichiosis (Heartwater) and Babesiosis (Redwater).

“Weekly dipping is encouraged to prevent transmission between animals,” Zhandire said.

He emphasised the importance of routine vaccination against other seasonal threats, including anthrax and lumpy skin diseases.

The outbreak has also affected farmers in the Umguza area, who have similarly been directed to adhere to animal movement restrictions.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep and goats.

The disease is characterised by fever and the development of painful sores or blisters in the mouth and on the feet, often leading to severe lameness and a drop in productivity.

The virus spreads easily through direct contact between animals, as well as via contaminated equipment, vehicles and feed.

The disease can result in significant economic losses in the livestock industry due to trade restrictions and animal health costs.
Source: Southern Eye

In the community

Brother-in-law jailed for repeated rape of mentally incompetent 16-year-old

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court has convicted and sentenced a 41‑year‑old man to 20 years’ imprisonment for the repeated rape of his 16‑year‑old sister‑in‑law, a mentally incompetent juvenile.

The court heard that the victim was staying at the offender’s homestead in Lupane. Between November 2024 and May this year, the offender exploited her mental incapacity and his position of trust to rape her on multiple occasions.

In the first incident, the offender’s sister pushed the victim into a bedroom where the offender was waiting, locked the door, removed the victim’s clothes and raped her. He threatened the victim and ordered her to remain silent when she tried to cry out for help.

The abuse continued on various occasions. In May, a community member discovered the abuse and reported it to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Lupane.

Medical and psychiatric examinations confirmed the victim’s mental status and the ordeal. The offender and his sister assaulted the victim with a sjambok and a stick and threatened her not to disclose the matter.

In the community

Hwange man sentenced to 40 years for raping two minors

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 32-year-old man from Victoria Falls has been convicted by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for raping two minors.

The man, whose name has been hidden to protect the image of the victims was being tried by the prosecutors on two counts of rape leading to the conviction.

The court heard that the accused committed the offences against two young female juveniles, aged nine 10 years old who are sisters on the 25th of September this year.

“The offender who was at his place of residence called the victims who were going to school to come to his place of residence to collect baobab fruits,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.

“They both got into the offender’s place of residence and the offender instructed the victims to get into his bedroom hut.

The victims complied and the offender followed them into his bedroom and closed the door from inside and raped them.”

The matter came to light on the same day when a relative informed the victim’s grandmother and father that she saw the victims leaving the offenders bedroom and they revealed what had transpired, leading yo his arrest.