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Maize aid for every home

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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In the community

Painted Dog Conservation and Uncommon bring free coding school to Gwai Valley Primary

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), in partnership with technology-driven organisation Uncommon, is set to establish a free coding school at Gwai Valley Primary in Lupane District, marking a new chapter in community empowerment and education.

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Speaking during an interview with VicFallsLive, PDC operations director, David Kuvawoga said the initiative stems from the organisation’s long-term work with local schools through its children’s bush camps.

“In our quest to find solutions to the poaching crisis, and building on the work we’ve done with schools over the years, we identified Gwai Primary as a good location to start a coding school,” he explained. “We partnered with Uncommon, which already runs facilities in Harare and Victoria Falls, to bring this opportunity closer to rural communities.”

The school will be housed in container units equipped with computers and other necessary technology. According to PDC, the project will be led by youths from the Gwai community who underwent year-long training in Victoria Falls and are now prepared to teach children — and adults — the fundamentals of coding.

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“This is not just for schoolchildren,” the operations director said. “Anyone in the community with the passion to learn can join. What matters is the interest and commitment, not formal qualifications.”

Importantly, the programme will be free of charge. Both organisations confirmed that tuition, equipment, and running costs are fully covered through fundraising efforts.

“No one is going to pay a cent,” he said. “Just like our bush camps, which host over a thousand children every year without charge, this coding school is fully funded. All the community needs to do is embrace it.”

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PDC has previously supported communities through projects such as boreholes and gardens, but this marks its first major investment in technology. The director said the initiative has the potential to address unemployment, improve education, and give local youth world-class digital skills.

“Coding is a highly sought-after skill across the world,” he noted. “If young people here can learn it, they can secure jobs or even create employment for others. This is a brick in the foundation of uplifting Lupane, Hwange, and beyond.”

The coding school is expected to open in December at Gwai Valley Primary.

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Lupane police officer sentenced for tampering with mbanje evidence

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

A 21-year-old constabulary officer in Lupane has been convicted after admitting he tampered with evidence in a drug possession case, effectively helping a suspect conceal part of the stash.

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The officer, Nqobile Mutale, was on duty at Lupane Terminus Base on the 18th of September when he arrested Thulani Sibanda, who had been implicated in unlawful possession of dagga/imbanje. Instead of handing over the full exhibit, Mutale struck a deal with Sibanda and hid part of the recovered drugs behind the police base.

Detectives later uncovered the hidden dagga, with Mutale leading them to the site during investigations.

Standing before the Lupane Magistrates’ Court, Mutale pleaded guilty to obstructing the course of justice. He was handed a 24-month sentence, with nine months suspended. The balance of 15 months was also suspended, provided he completes 525 hours of community service.

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Avoid nightime movement and stoning elephants, communities told

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Following a recent spate of human-wildlife conflict incidents, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo has urged communities to exercise caution when encountering wild animals.

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Farawo emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations with elephants, particularly when they encroach into community areas. “We would like to urge members of the communities to avoid throwing stones at elephants,” he said. “This action agitates them, leading to attacks on people.”

In addition to avoiding confrontations, Farawo advised community members to minimize movement at night, as this is when wild animals are most active. “We would like to urge communities to avoid moving at night to minimize casualties,” he said.

Farawo’s comments come after a 79-year-old man from Hwange was killed by an elephant yesterday. The incident is still under investigation by rangers. This is the second fatal incident in the area, following the death of another man who was attacked by an elephant while on his way to work in Hwange town several weeks ago.

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