National

Matabeleland has highest number of people living out of Zimbabwe

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Matabeleland region has by far the highest number of people living outside Zimbabwe, preliminary results of the 2022 census released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) released on Tuesday have revealed.

Matabeleland South has the highest share of people in the diaspora at 33 percent followed by Matabeleland North at 24 percent.

Bulawayo has the fourth highest proportion of people in the diaspora at 22 percent after Masvingo, which is third at 23 percent.

“Matabeleland South province had the largest proportion; 33 percent of households that experienced loss of members through emigration while Matabeleland North and Masvingo provinces experienced a loss of 24 percent and 23,” the Zimstat report says.

“Most of the persons, 84 percent (761,548 out of 908,907) emigrated for employment reasons while nine percent and five percent emigrated for family reasons and study/education respectively,”

Meanwhile, Zimstat says there were less than one million Zimbabweans, who left the country since 2012 to look for greener pastures or do studies in other nations.

The statistics agency indicated that 908,914 left the country in the last 10 years with South Africa, Botswana and the United Kingdom the preferred destinations.

It said South Africa accounted for 773,246, Botswana (74,928), Britain (23,166) and USA (8,565)

There were more males (59%) leaving the country compared to females with the younger population (20-24years) seeking new life outside Zimbabwe.

The majority, more than 84%, left Zimbabwe to seek employment opportunities while others left to join their families or to study.

Despite Zimstat’s figures, it is believed between four to five million Zimbabweans live in the diaspora, largely driven by deteriorating economic conditions since 2000. – Additional reporting by VOA

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.