Uncategorized

Old Mutual pushes Dete solar project as it seeks to light up Zimbabwe

Published

4 years ago

August 24, 2021

BY CRECEY KUYEDZWA

Old Mutual Zimbabwe – a subsidiary of Old Mutual – has poured US$12.4 million into solar projects around that southern African country, which will generate a combined 25 MW upon completion.

Among other projects, OMZim has invested in a 5.4 MW solar farm at Cross Mabale in Dete, Matabeleland North province.

The Zimbabwe economy has been struggling with high levels of inflation which remained above 56% at the last count in July 2021.

The country is currently not energy sufficient and imports at least 300 MW from Eskom South Africa, while other imports are coming from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa.

OMZim says its investment activities are now focused on activities that will “help the economy recover and grow as well as helping our clients preserve value for their investments”.

In the Old Mutual Anchors Magazine (11th issue, 2021), OMZim said it will continue to recognise and support sectors such as sustainable energy, agriculture, and other green climate projects.

While OMZim’s portfolio has been anchored on insurance and investment in the major cities, it explained that the group’s new strategy is to “diversify away from city buildings and venture into private infrastructure and equity investments, specifically in the energy sector”.

“We have invested US$12.4 billion into solar projects around Zimbabwe that will generate a combined 25 MW upon completion and also contribute in feeding electricity into the national grid,” it said.

The Cross Mabale investment, which is a joint venture between Old Mutual Investment Group and Solgas Energy, was expected to go live on at the end of last month.

“The farm has been under construction since 2019, with Old Mutual investing US$7.3 million on the project, which is made of 16 000 solar panels,” OMZim said.

Another solar project OMZim is invested in is Harava Solar, which is building a 20 MW solar farm in Seke just outside of Harare.

The initial phase of 6 MW is done and the company plans to complete the project by November this year.

The plant will provide power to 45 000 households, according to officials.

OMZim has also funded the installation of solar-powered irrigation equipment to assist water reticulation and small-scale agriculture at 26 schools.

According to CEO Samuel Matsekete, OMZim’s investments in alternative assets continue to track well.

“We closed ahead of the targets that we set at the beginning of the year,” Matsekete told the company’s AGM last week.

The CEO also stated that they sustained investments in infrastructure, projects such as those in green energy or investments in the real estate sector.

“While some of these projects were derailed by Covid-19-induced lockdowns, a few were completed during the period under review. We continued to deploy capital in new projects and in initiatives aimed at making the business more effective and efficient in serving our customers.”

The investments in solar by Old Mutual come as more and more Zimbabwean companies are turning to solar energy for power supplies.

Zimplats, the Zimbabwean unit of Impala Platinum (Implats), plans to build two solar power plants with generation capacity of 185 MW to power its operations. – Fin24

In the community

Woman connives with boyfriend to kill step mother

Published

11 hours ago

September 4, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A chilling murder case has unfolded in Tsholotsho, where a 34-year-old woman, Linnar Muzimela, and her boyfriend, Nkosi, are being sought by police for allegedly killing Muzimela’s 58-year-old step mother, Jenifer Dube.

According to the police, the brutal murder occurred in Magotsha Line in May 2025. The suspects allegedly buried Dube’s body in a shallow grave in the garden, where it was later retrieved by police on Tuesday, this week.

Police are now appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Muzimela and Nkosi. The motive behind the murder is still unclear, but the police are working tirelessly to piece together the events surrounding Dube’s tragic death.

National

Zimbabwe road traffic fatalities rise to 20 amid recent accidents

Published

5 days ago

August 30, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that the death toll from recent road traffic accidents has tragically escalated to at least 20 individuals in the past few days. This surge in fatalities has raised serious concerns regarding road safety across the nation.

In a statement released today, the ZRP detailed a fatal accident that occurred early this morning at the 246-kilometer peg along the Mutare-Masvingo Road, near Mutendi Complex. A Dragon bus, carrying 20 passengers and traveling from Beitbridge to Mutare, collided with a haulage truck while attempting to overtake. The bus driver swerved back into his lane upon noticing an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a devastating sideswipe that caused timber from the truck to pierce into the bus. Eight people, including the bus driver, died at the scene, and four others were injured in the crash. The injured were transferred to Masvingo General Hospital for treatment.

The ZRP emphasized the alarming trend of road accidents in their statement, noting

that these incidents were predominantly caused by reckless overtaking. “Most of the accidents recorded recently have been due to overtaking errors on the part of drivers,” police officials stated. “We urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations.”

This latest accident follows another tragic incident on August 28 involving a Toyota Fortuner GD6 at the 46-kilometer peg along the same road. The vehicle veered off the road and hit a concrete signpost, resulting in four immediate fatalities. This number subsequently rose to six as two more victims succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.

Additionally, on August 29, a separate accident on the Harare-Nyamapanda Road claimed the lives of seven family members when a kombi they were traveling in lost control during an overtaking maneuver, resulting in an overturn that killed five instantly and two more in the hospital.

In the community

Kachechete ward councillor involved in accident, admitted to hospital

Published

6 days ago

August 29, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Councillor Given Moyo, representing Kachechete ward in Hwange Rural District Council, was involved in a car accident on Tuesday evening in Victoria Falls at Mkhosana Suburb.

This incident occurred just a day after he granted an interview to VicFallsLive, discussing the rising concerns of human-wildlife conflicts in his constituency.

During the interview, Moyo highlighted the losses faced by villagers due to wildlife, particularly lions, and shared a disturbing image of lions attacking donkeys.

Donkey eaten by a lion in Mvuthu

According to family spokesperson Corcaly Jamela from the Ndlosa Desk, Moyo’s vehicle reportedly fell into a ditch, resulting in injuries to the councillor and his family members. Fortunately, Moyo did not suffer any fractures, but he did sustain scratches that required stitches on his arm and other areas, Jamela said.

Moyo is currently admitted at the Victoria Falls Hospital.

The family has appealed for donations to help cover Moyo’s medical expenses. Given Moyo +263 7 72462892