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Mwonzora’s MDC Alliance backs graft accused Victoria Falls councillors

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance says it suspects that corruption allegations being levelled against its councillors in Victoria Falls are politically motivated as pressure mounts on authorities to act on the alleged pilfering of the local authority’s resources.

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Victoria Falls residents and war veterans from Matabeleland North are pushing for a lifestyle audit for councillors and the local authority’s management amid claims of a looting frenzy at a time the council is struggling to provide basic services.

The calls for an audit grew following the arrest of city mayor Somvelo Dhlamini about a fortnight ago on fraud allegations.

There are also allegations that town clerk Ronnie Dube and other councillors are involved in corrupt activities related  to the parcelling out of commercial stands.

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The Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vifacora) claimed last week that it has evidence that  Dube and some councillors sold a prime commercial stand number 8300 for $4 million instead of $14 million  before councillors and some senior managers shared $400 000 that was paid as a bribe by the lowest bidder.

Responding to the allegations, MDC Alliance spokesperson Witness Dube told  VicFallsLive that they were sceptical about the developments in Victoria Falls.

Dhlamini and other Victoria Falls councillors have remained loyal to Mwonzora after he saved them from recalls when the MDC Alliance was still led by Nelson Chamisa, who now leads the Citizens Coalition for Change.

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“The party is seized with the matter of rampant corruption that is alleged to be happening in Victoria Falls and indeed, the party has a very keen interest in issues of corruption in any of the local authorities where we have representation,” Dube said.

“However, in the issue of Victoria Falls there are some dimensions which the party is not comfortable with in terms of what we suspect are strong political hands at play leading to perhaps the possibility of having spurious allegations of corruption where there is no such corruption.

“We will assume that our officials are innocent until they are proven guilty by a competent court of law and as a party we have a complete organ dedicated to those issues who are in the process of investigating everything that has led to the allegations, which has led the incarceration of our sitting councillors or the executive members in the council, some of which has led the party to be viewed in bad light everywhere.”

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Dube said the MDC Alliance valued honesty and diligence, and as such, they were not going to interfere with the investigations.

“I can assure residents in Victoria Falls and anywhere in Zimbabwe that we are not a party that is going to stand in the way of the Zimbabwe Republic Police or Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission or any whistle blower for that matter where corruption is concerned,” he said.

“We will only ventilate and come out in defence of any party official if we find that they are being victimised by political hands for instance in this case our colleagues in the newly formed political party (Citizens for Coalition of Change), or even in the ruling party we will not brook the abuse of our elected officials and victimization through whatever means that may take.”

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He added: “We are a party that abhors corruption because it amounts to the misuse of public funds, it amounts to the enrichment of public officials through public resources.

“So we are totally against corruption and as a party our policy is that we do not stand on the way of any efforts to stop corruption or to stamp out corruption.”

Meanwhile, Vifacora has written a letter to the local government ministry, speaker of parliament and police, among other institutions demanding investigations into the alleged corruption and mismanagement at the Victoria Falls City Council.

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Ratepayers have also signed a petition demanding action against those implicated that implicated in corruption cases.

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National

Migration on the rise: Matabeleland North tops outbound movement in latest ZimLAC report

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINK

Matabeleland North has recorded some of the highest levels of migration in Zimbabwe, with 12.6% of households moving to urban areas and 7.8% leaving the country, according to the 2024–2025 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report.

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The figures highlight a growing trend in which families are uprooting in search of work, education, and better living conditions, with the province’s migration rate well above the national averages of 9.9% for rural-to-urban moves and 5.0% for emigration.

For many in Matabeleland North, economic necessity drives these decisions.

“I had to send my son to Bulawayo because there was simply no work here,” said Thabani Ncube, a smallholder farmer in Lupane. “Even piece jobs have dried up. At least in town, he can hustle and maybe support the family.”

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The ZimLAC report shows that employment opportunities are the leading reason behind rural-to-urban migration nationally (6.3%). In Matabeleland North, 7.7% cited education as the next big pull factor, followed by new residential land and improved living standards.

Experts warn that while migration can bring relief through remittances, it also risks hollowing out rural communities.

“This trend is a double-edged sword,” explained Dr. Nomalanga Sibanda, a livelihoods researcher in Bulawayo. “Families may benefit from remittances, but local economies lose critical labour and skills. Over time, this weakens resilience in rural districts.”

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Other Provinces: Contrasting Patterns

Matabeleland South recorded the highest rate of emigration, with 13.5% of households reporting that members had left the country — nearly triple the national average. Masvingo followed closely, with 16.5% moving to towns and 7.7% leaving for the diaspora.

Meanwhile, Mashonaland Central had the lowest levels of outward movement, with just 4.4% moving to towns and 1.0% emigrating.

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Midlands also stood out, with 12.9% shifting to urban areas and 6.2% relocating abroad, driven mainly by job opportunities and schooling.

National Picture

Across Zimbabwe, nearly one in ten households (9.9%) reported rural-to-urban migration, while 5% indicated emigration outside the country. Employment, education, and improved living standards remain the strongest motivators.

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For ordinary families, the story is about survival and hope.

“My husband left for South Africa last year,” said Memory Dube of Gwanda, Matabeleland South. “He sends money when he can, but life is tough there too. Still, we rely on that income to buy food and pay school fees.”

ZimLAC, which advises the government through the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), says the data will guide evidence-based interventions. The report stresses that migration trends are not just statistics, but reflect deeper issues of economic opportunity, resilience, and service delivery across provinces.

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National

Zimbabwe selected for groundbreaking HIV prevention initiative

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has announced an exciting development in the fight against HIV: Zimbabwe has been selected as one of the ten countries globally to roll out lenacapavir, a breakthrough in HIV prevention.

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“Yes Zimbabwe, it’s happening!” the embassy declared, highlighting the significance of this initiative.

“For decades, we’ve fought to turn the tide against this epidemic, and each day we get closer,” the statement continued. This new treatment represents a pivotal moment in HIV prevention efforts, as it is the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine.

The implementation of lenacapavir is made possible through a partnership with U.S.-based Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund. A key finding from a large-scale clinical trial shows that more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative. While this has the potential to save millions of lives, the Embassy emphasized that for Zimbabwe, it represents a major step toward ending new infections.

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“But this is more than medicine—it advances us on a pathway to a safer, stronger, and healthier future!” noted the embassy’s announcement.

The initiative particularly focuses on pregnant and breastfeeding women, aiming to protect the next generation. It will also work toward strengthening healthcare systems, empowering Zimbabwe to lead its own fight against HIV. Moreover, the goal of making lenacapavir more affordable and accessible ensures that no one is left behind.

The embassy highlighted, “This is American leadership at its best: driving innovation, and building a world where children, mothers, and communities can thrive.”

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As this initiative rolls out, the message is clear: “Together, we’re not just fighting HIV—we’re winning.”

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In the community

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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