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Mpilo doctors demanding bribes from patients, Parliament told

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BY STAFF REPORTER

Doctors at government hospitals such as Bulawayo’s Mpilo Central Hospital are demanding bribes of up to US$700  to conduct surgeries on patients, the National Assembly has been told.

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Makokoba MP James Sithole made the claims while raising a matter of national interest in Parliament on Thursday.

He said the developments were a sign of decay in the delivery systems at central hospitals.

“I will give an example of what is happening at Mpilo Central Hospital,” Sithole said.

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“I am referring to corrupt activities, which are unnecessarily exposing patients that are already suffering to more suffering and to premature death.

“There are patients that have been on the queue to go to theatre since December 31, 2021 and they have not been able to have the opportunity to go to theatre.

“The reason is that each time their allocated dates arrive to go to theatre, excuses are given.”

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He added: “They are told that there are no doctors to attend to them; they are told that there are no necessary materials in the theatre; they are told that their temperature is too high for them to go to theatre.

“However, the truth is that it is because they would have not paid a bribe to doctors that range between (US)$300 to (US$) 700 or more.

“Surprisingly, doctors are able to carry out procedures using the same theatres on their private patients without paying anything to the hospital.”

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The MP said the X-ray machine and the scanner are said to be broken down most of the times.

“So, if ever anyone is lucky at that time to be attended to, when they get to the other end where the doctor is looking at the X-ray picture, the patient is told the X-ray is not clear because the X-ray machine is faulty,”  Sithole added.

“So they are referred to facilities outside or private operators where they have to do another X-ray.

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“On the scanning machine, pregnant mothers who have to do a scan are told that there is no jelly but surprisingly, again, the officer operating the scan will be having their private jelly.

“They only attend to their private patients from their private practice, but who come and use the hospital scan with the jelly.”

 “Anyone referred by Mpilo is told that there is no jelly, yet those coming from outside who will be their private patients will be attended to.”

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The legislator said patients are also denied the opportunity to buy medication from the dispensary as they would be told that medicines are out  of stock.

He said when patients pay directly to nurses in the wards, the medication suddenly becomes available.

“So, these are some of the examples that are happening at Mpilo Hospital,” Sithole added.

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“Therefore, I would request that the Ministry of Health and Child Care carries out an investigation and bring a ministerial statement to this House.”

National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda said Sithole had raised “a fundamental and profound observation.”

Mudenda related an incident where one of his relatives’ son with a broken arm went for six months without being operated on at Harare’s Parirenyatwa Hospital until he intervened.

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He said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who doubles as Health and Child Care minister, would be asked to table a ministerial statement in the National Assembly to explain what was being done to curb corruption in public hospitals.

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National

RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

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The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

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The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

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New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

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Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

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Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

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The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

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The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

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