In the community

Maize aid for every home

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

BY STAFF REPORTER

As the hunger crisis deepen, Members of Parliament are calling for an urgent overhaul of the maize distribution system, advocating for every household to receive a fair share of the limited maize available.

They argued that the current system, which prioritizes the most needy households, is inadequate in addressing the scale of the crisis.

“I strongly believe that maize allocation should be given to every household.” said MP for Chikanga Lynette Karenyi.

“It shows that in rural as well as in urban areas, people are starving. So, it means that when one person goes with six bags, others get nothing.

“It’s better to give one bag per household than six bags to one household. This way, everyone benefits, and no one is left behind.”

Mercy Dinha, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, responded, “I understand your concern, Hon. Karenyi, but the current criteria are gazetted by the Government, so if that has to be changed, it means government has to sit down to change that system and ensure that everyone benefits and ensure each household gets a bag of maize. But at the moment, we are following the laid down procedure.”

Karenyi pressed on, “But, Hon. Minister, the fact remains that everyone is starving. Why not reconsider the allocation method? Give every household a chance to receive maize, rather than concentrating it in a few households.”

The government allocates maize to the most needy households, and each person receives 7.5 kgs per month.

As the debate continued, the MPs’ words echoed the desperation of a nation on the edge, pleading for a fairer distribution of maize to alleviate the suffering of the hungry.

There were also concerns about the late distribution, Dinha responded, “I think right now the maize that we have been distributing is for May, June and July.” she said.

“The distribution process will end in July. It was for those three months. If we say May we rush and distribute, June or July, the transport cost as well as administration cost become more. We realise that if we give them maize for three months, it will be good, it reduces costs especially for transport as well as administration and ensuring that people do not travel up and down to receive the maize. At the moment, the allocations were for May, June and July.”

The food aid program is expected to end in March next year, but many families have been left without access to basic food necessities due to the El Nino phenomenon experienced in the past farming season.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

2 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

2 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.

In the community

Free dental outreach treats over 700 in Victoria Falls

Published

5 days ago

March 17, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

More than 700 residents in Victoria Falls have received free dental care following a three-day outreach programme held at Mkhosana Clinic.

The initiative, led by global charity SmileStar in partnership with CIMAS, saw 705 patients treated between 9 and 11 March. The programme builds on previous outreach efforts in the region and is expanding this year to include Matobo.

A team of 16 volunteer dental professionals—many from Dentex—provided urgent treatment, pain relief, and oral health education, while also sharing skills with local healthcare workers.

Team leader Dr Mitesh Badiani said tooth decay linked to high sugar consumption, particularly among children, was the most common issue encountered.

“Many of these dental problems are preventable, and education plays a key role in helping to avoid such problems in the future,” he said.

The outreach received support from Africa Albida Tourism, with the team hosted at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Africa Albida Tourism managing director Nigel Frost said the initiative would have lasting benefits for the community.

“This initiative provides vital dental care and education that will continue to benefit the residents of Victoria Falls long after the clinics have ended,” he said.

Mark Cockburn added that the programme highlighted the impact of volunteerism in addressing healthcare gaps.

Following the Victoria Falls outreach, SmileStar continued its programme in Hwange, before moving to Matobo today and tomorrow at Ethandweni Children’s Home, with a target of treating more than 1 000 patients across the three regions.