National

Mnangagwa launches Deka pipeline project

Published

3 years ago

March 19, 2022

HWANGE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday called for more investment in the energy sector to meet the country’s growing power demand which is expected to peak at 2,000 MW by the end of 2023.

He said the country’s power demand was surging due to increased economic activity in various sectors that include housing development and construction.

“The projections are that by end of 2023, the national demand for power will have increased by about 400 MW, taking average peak demand to 2,000 MW,” Mnangagwa said during a tour of the upgrading project of the 42-km Deka pipeline that supplies water to Hwange Thermal Power Station and surrounding communities.

He said energy was a key enabler to the acceleration of the country’s modernization and industrialization agenda as well as sustainable socioeconomic growth.

“It is thus imperative for all stakeholders in the energy sector to be proactive and to put all in place and complete all fundamental projects toward ensuring the continuous development and improvement in national power generation and distribution,” he said.

Zimbabwe has a peak electricity demand of 1,600 MW against an average of 1,200 MW that it is currently generating. It covers the shortfall through imports.

To address perennial power shortages in the country, the Zimbabwean government is undertaking several electricity generation projects, most of which are funded by extra-budgetary funds, loans and the private sector.

China has also been funding most of the major power generation projects in Zimbabwe in recent years, including the expansion of the Kariba South Hydro Power Station by 300 MW at a cost of 535 million U.S. dollars in 2018, and the current 1.5-billion-dollar expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station by 600 MW.

Mnangagwa said the Hwange Power Station Extension project, which is now 82 percent complete, is an integral part of Zimbabwe’s energy strategy to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2025 – Xinhua

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.