In the community

Jambezi villagers send SOS as veld fire threatens homesteads, livestock

Published

5 years ago

August 27, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI /NOTHANDO DUBE

Villagers in Hwange’s Jambezi area are struggling to put out a veld fire that has been raging since August 19, leaving hundreds of homesteads and livestock at risk.

The fire is believed to have been started by suspected poachers in the Hillcrest game reserve close to villages under Chief Shana.

A villager Kachechete identified as Christopher Nyoni lost all his property after his hut was razed down by the fire.

A police memo seen by VicFallsLive says the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks, Forestry Commission and police were informed about the threatening fire, but they are yet to respond for various reasons.

The memo said Masikili villagers delegated one Christopher Ndlovu to make a police report about the fire after they realised that they had no capacity to stop it.

“On August 19, 2021 around 1000hrs,Christopher Ndlovu, a male aged 52 of own homestead, Masikili Village 1, Matetsi, Chief Shana, Jambezi discovered a veld fire at Hillcrest, Masikili area,” reads part of the memo.

“He advised the hunting committee chairperson Agrippa Ncube, a male aged 60 years of own homestead, and on 20 August, around 9AM, the hunting committee chairperson mobilized other villagers and went to the scene where they tried to put out the fire, but to no avail.

“Parks and Wildlife Management officials at Matetsi headquarters were advised, but could not attend citing distance and transport challenges.”

The desperate villagers also approached a Forestry Commission official at Fuller Forestry in Victoria Falls only identified as Mr Mutsvangwa, but they did not get any help.

“(The) matter was reported at ZRP Matetsi base, Jambezi by Christopher Ndlovu,” the memo added.

“Scene was attended, but nothing much was done to stop the spreading fire, the fire might have been set by poachers.”

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed that they received reports about the fire and they were trying to find ways of assisting the villagers.

Efforts to get a comment from Zimparks were fruitless as the authority’s spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he was traveling from Harare to Hwange.

Zimbabwe loses swathes of forests every year due to uncontrolled veld fires often started by poachers and negligent people.

In the community

MPs question poor radio, TV coverage in Mat North

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Concerns over limited access to national broadcasting services in Matabeleland North Province were raised in Parliament.

MP Discent Bajila of Emakhandeni-Luveve constituency asked the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services:

“To explain why national radio and television coverage remains poor or non-existent in parts of Gokwe North District, Matabeleland North Province, Matabeleland South Province, and nearby districts, and to indicate whether there are any digital signal expansion plans in place before 2026.”

In a separate question, Joseph Bonda for Hwange East Constituency raised concern over weather information gaps in Hwange:

“Why the weather forecast for Hwange is not broadcast, given that it is a resort with municipal status and significant business activities.”

No responses were recorded.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

5 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised concern over the state of health services in Binga District, questioning delays in upgrading key facilities.

Binga South MP, Fanuel Cumanzala asked the Minister of Health and Child Care:

“Whether there are any plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to make it suitable for a nursing school, as earlier announced by the government.”

He further queried:

“Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time.”

In a follow-up question, the legislator pressed government on broader service delivery gaps:

“What measures are being taken to improve healthcare services in Binga District, particularly in rural areas.”

“What measures are being implemented to reduce incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.”

“Whether there are any plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga District in light of population growth and increased economic activity.”

No response was recorded in the proceedings

In the community

Hwange residents invited to constitutional amendment public hearing

Published

5 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents in Hwange are set to have their say on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law as the Parliament of Zimbabwe rolls out public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill.

The outreach programme will reach the coal-mining town on Tuesday, 31 March, with the hearing scheduled for 10am at Edmund Davies Hall, located at the No.1 Colliery Club near Thomas Coulter Primary School.

Attendance is free, and members of the public are being encouraged to participate and express their views on the proposed amendment.

According to Parliament, the hearings are part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering citizens’ input before the bill is finalised. The proposed legislation—Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026)—seeks to introduce changes to key governance provisions.

The Matabeleland North outreach will begin in Tsholotsho on Monday, 30 March, before moving to Hwange, then to Binga on Wednesday, 1 April, and concluding in Lupane on Thursday, 2 April.

Parliament has also opened channels for written submissions, which can be sent to the Clerk of Parliament or via email.

However, authorities have warned that individuals wearing military uniforms, political party regalia, or carrying flags and badges will not be allowed into the hearings.

Residents in and around Hwange are urged to attend in numbers and make their voices heard.