BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) is set to provide free family planning services in Nkayi District from next week

The initiative which will run from 15-18, aims to enhance access to comprehensive reproductive health care and empower individuals and couples to make informed choices regarding family planning.

The outreach will kick off on Monday, September 15, at the Sivalo Rural Health Centre (RHC) and its outreach site. This will be followed by activities at various locations each day:

Tuesday, September 16:
Jabulisa at 9:00 AM
Ngabayide at 2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 17:
Sebhumane at 9:00 AM
Nesigwe RHC at 10:00 AM
Thursday, September 18:
Mateme RHC at 9:00 AM
Sembeule at 10:00 AM

The services offered during this campaign include:

Loop insertion and removal
Implant insertion and removal
Depo Provera injections
Secure and control pills
Emergency contraceptive pills
Counselling on reproductive health issues

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing a year marked by unprecedented challenges due to severe drought conditions across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. The report highlights the organization’s strategic adaptations to support local wildlife and communities during one of the most difficult drought years on record.

Unlike previous droughts where water scarcity was the primary concern, this year underscored a more complex reality. VFWT Chairperson Bruno De Leo emphasized that the lack of grazing for both wildlife and livestock emerged as an even greater threat. Animals had to venture farther for food, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict and competition for dwindling resources. De Leo noted, “The year 2024 underscored the importance of connectivity for wildlife and the need to maintain corridors that allow movement and relieve pressure on natural resources.”

In response to these challenges, VFWT implemented several proactive measures. Collaborating with the rural communities involved in its Herding 4 Hope project, VFWT facilitated early livestock sales to minimize losses and planned for dry-season grazing in more distant areas to conserve energy among livestock. The organization also focused on regenerating boreholes to ensure that villages without adequate water had access to crucial resources.

Notably, VFWT’s Wildlife Disease & Forensics Laboratory made significant strides, establishing itself as a key player in wildlife forensics. In 2024, the laboratory handled over 280 cases and engaged in crucial research on transboundary animal diseases affecting regional wildlife. The lab successfully validated targeted sequencing for species identification using new technologies, reinforcing its capabilities in addressing wildlife crime. Remarkably, the lab played an integral role in international ivory seizure investigations and developed a genetic panel for black rhinos, demonstrating a strong commitment to combatting poaching and ensuring species protection.

A particularly significant initiative was the launch of a tuberculosis surveillance project for lions within Hwange National Park. Following confirmed deaths from the disease, this project seeks to assess its prevalence among the lion population and understand transmission dynamics. With nine lions set to be sampled in late 2025, the data gathered will contribute to vital conservation knowledge.

The report emphasizes the importance of continued support from donors and stakeholders, enabling VFWT to maintain healthy animal populations and develop sustainable solutions for the future of biodiversity in the region. In a challenging year, the dedication and adaptability of the VFWT team stood out, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

BY STAFF REPORTER 

A chilling murder case has unfolded in Tsholotsho, where a 34-year-old woman, Linnar Muzimela, and her boyfriend, Nkosi, are being sought by police for allegedly killing Muzimela’s 58-year-old step mother, Jenifer Dube.

According to the police, the brutal murder occurred in Magotsha Line in May 2025. The suspects allegedly buried Dube’s body in a shallow grave in the garden, where it was later retrieved by police on Tuesday, this week.

Police are now appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Muzimela and Nkosi. The motive behind the murder is still unclear, but the police are working tirelessly to piece together the events surrounding Dube’s tragic death.