BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

Binga South legislator, Fanuel Cumanzala has called for clarity on tourism development and environmental protection in the Zambezi Valley.

In a parliamentary hearing, Cumanzala asked the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife:

“The plans the Ministry has in place to develop and promote tourism in Binga District, particularly around the Zambezi River, in order to enhance local economic development and create employment opportunities for residents.” 

He added:

“The programmes being implemented to ensure that local communities in Binga District directly benefit from tourism.” 

Further questions focused on sustainability and climate resilience:

“What measures are in place to ensure the protection and sustainable management of natural tourism assets in the Zambezi Valley, including wildlife, rivers and forests, in order to prevent environmental degradation.” 

“The efforts being made to combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley, particularly in Binga District, and how local communities are being involved in wildlife protection initiatives.” 

“The climate adaptation strategies being implemented to assist communities in Binga District in coping with droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges affecting the Zambezi Valley.” 

No ministerial responses were recorded.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Matabeleland North Province delivered a strong performance in athletics at the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) competitions held in Bindura, scooping five gold medals despite challenges in other disciplines.

The competitions ran last week from 17 to 19, with 16 and 20 set aside for travel.

Speaking after the event, the Matabeleland North NAPH Vice Secretary, Edward Mudimba of Binga, told VicFallsLive that the province sent a delegation of 121 participants drawn from all seven districts.

Of these, 69 competed in track and field, 31 in drama, 16 in physical education, and eight in chess.

Athletics dominates medal haul

Matabeleland North’s strongest showing came in athletics, where the province secured five gold medals and 10 bronze medals.

A standout performer was Ashton Ndlovu of Hwange District’s Chamabondo Primary School, who won three gold medals in the Under-14 boys’ 100m, 200m and 400m races.

Another gold medal came from Mbuewa Sisasenkosi of Dundubala Primary School in Umguza, who won the Under-13 girls’ 800m race.

The fifth gold medal was secured in the Under-13 boys’ 4x100m relay.

Chess team shows promise

In chess, Matabeleland North fielded eight players across Under-8, Under-12 and Under-14 categories.

The province recorded its best results in the Under-8 category, where Philip Ndlovu of Sigonda Primary School in Nkayi won gold, while Prudence from Mathe Primary School in Tsholotsho secured a silver medal.

The results earned the province an overall silver medal and a trophy in the Under-8 category.

“We see a lot of potential in the Under-8 category and we believe we can build on that,” said Mudimba.

Struggles in drummies and physical education

However, the province faced challenges in other disciplines.

The drummies team, finished ninth out of 10 provinces.

Physical education, represented by David Livingstone Primary School in Umguza, also underperformed, finishing seventh.

“We didn’t do very well in drummies and physical education, but these are areas we are still developing and we hope to improve going forward,”Mudimba said.

Call for resources

Mudimba attributed the weaker performance in some categories to limited resources.

“Our main challenge is resources, particularly financial support. We need to improve our preparations and displays, especially in physical education, before we can expect better results,” he said.

Top three overall winners

Harare
Mashonaland Central
Mashonaland West

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Conservationists have raised fresh concern over wildlife safety along the busy Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway after three endangered African wild dog were killed in separate incidents within a week.

In a statement, Painted Dog Conservation confirmed that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were struck and killed by a vehicle overnight within the Hwange landscape.

“We are heartbroken to share that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were killed overnight after being struck by a vehicle along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road,” the organisation said on Saturday.

The group said the pack had been safely escorted across a nearby road earlier, but is believed to have been disturbed by lions during the night, forcing them to move again toward the highway where the accident occurred.

“Despite constant monitoring and intervention, moments like this remind us how fragile their survival can be,” the organisation added.

The deaths bring to three the number of painted dogs killed along the same highway corridor in less than a week, with another animal reportedly struck closer to Victoria Falls.

Conservationists warned that the loss goes beyond individual animals, highlighting the species’ already fragile population.

“It’s not ‘just three dogs’. These three could have become alphas and been responsible for producing over 300 dogs through their offspring and subsequent generations,” the statement read.

Highway poses growing threat to wildlife

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road, which cuts through key wildlife areas including parts of Hwange National Park, has long been flagged as a danger zone for animals.

The highway is a major tourism and freight route linking Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, carrying heavy traffic volumes that include haulage trucks, buses, and self-drive tourists—many travelling at high speeds, particularly at night.

Wildlife frequently crosses this corridor as it bisects natural habitats and migration routes, bringing animals such as elephants, lions and painted dogs into direct conflict with vehicles.

Conservation groups have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved signage, and traffic calming measures in wildlife zones, especially at night when visibility is poor and animal movement increases.

Calls for action

Painted Dog Conservation urged motorists to slow down and remain vigilant when driving through wildlife areas.

“We urge all road users to slow down—especially at night—and call on authorities to strengthen and enforce speed reduction measures in wildlife areas. Their survival depends on it.”

The deaths come amid growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in Matabeleland North, where expanding infrastructure and traffic volumes continue to put pressure on endangered species.