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Recalls leave Victoria Falls with only two female councillors

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The mass recall of councillors by Zimbabwe’s former main opposition coalition, the MDC Alliance,  has knocked back the push for more female representation in  the Victoria Falls City Council as the local authority now only has two female councillors.

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Former ward one councillor Marguerite Varley was recalled  two years ago and would not be returning to council chambers  as she has since been replaced by a male councillor following by-elections held on Saturday.

The MDC-T-led by Douglas Mwonzora recalled over two dozen elected legislators and 122 local government representatives, saying they were no longer representing the interests of the party.

Observers, however, say the recalls dealt a huge blow to efforts to increase women representation in local governance platforms as there were already few elected female officials in Parliament and local councils.

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Varley’s recall meant that Victoria Falls, the only city in Matabeleland North province, only has two female councillors namely Patricia Mwale and Netsai Shoko.

Victoria Falls has 11 councillors.

Varley did not stand in the March 26 by-elections to replace the recalled legislators and councillors, which means Victoria Falls might have to wait until 2023 when Zimbabwe holds its next harmonised elections to get a female councillor.

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The main parties, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and Zanu PF, both did not field female candidates in the two wards that were up for grabs in the by-elections in Victoria Falls.

Zanu PF’s Tonderai Mutasa, who is Varley’s successor as ward one councillor after the by-elections, said the lack of female councillors in Victoria Falls reflected the patriarchal nature of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.

“Some of them still believe that politics is a game for men,” Mutasa said.

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“From my party in the ward where I contested there was a woman who was willing to contest, but she did not qualify because of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) restrictions.”

Christopher Ndiweni, who contested in ward one on a CCC ticket said his experience from other parties where he has been a member, was that women were always willing to take part in elections, but they were being thwarted by their male counterparts.

He said women also needed to be assertive in claiming their space in the political terrain.

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“Reading from the bible, it says a woman should be provided and protected by a man.

“So these people are probably not forceful in doing their things,” he said.

“There are some women, who are professionals who no longer want to get into politics because of other politicians who are always frustrating them to save their political positions.

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“So when these professionals find out that such scenarios are playing out in politics, they then slide back as they naturally do not want to be seen to be forcing things.

Ndiweni said he has also seen male politicians discouraging women from taking part in important debates and this discouraged female candidates from taking part in important elections.

“Such professionals are seen as a threat by other male politicians,” he said.

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Bekithemba Mlotshwa, who won the ward six by-election on a Zanu PF ticket, said his campaign team was driven by women whom he said were persuasive.

Mlotshwa believes rigid societal beliefs hindered women from running for political offices.

“Most of my campaigning teams were women because women make things move although there are instances where at times they might not fit,” he said.

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“For example, 6PM to 7PM is the time for them to prepare dinner and that kind of time is not conducive for them to attend (to politics)

“We went to Binga in Siabuwa (last week) to campaign and we left at 4AM so that we will be there at 2PM.

“So that kind of situation for someone who is female and married becomes hard for them to partake in such activities.”

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Mlotshwa said out of the 1210 registered voters in his ward, 709 were female and this made them the majority.

He observed that women were also discouraged from taking part in politics because of  sexual and physical abuse.

According to the Election Resource Centre (ERC), the March 26 by-elections saw political parties fielding 128 candidates 28 constituencies and out of those, only 16 were women.

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ERC said CCC fielded 28 candidates, but only three seats were given to women.

Figures showed that even Zanu PF with 28 candidates had only five female contestants.

Parties such as the Patriotic Zimbabweans, United Democratic Alliance and Zimbabwe African People’s Union did not field any female candidates.

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Ndiweni said it was the duty of political parties to identify female candidates with a potential to win elections in order to achieve gender parity.

“It is our duty as politicians to identify people, who are capable of making things happen and persuade them to join politics,” he said.

“We should also try and support them because they are the most important figures in our societies.”

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Mlotshwa said there was need for political parties to respect the constitution and ensure gender equity.

“I am happy that there has been some legislation, which promotes women to come through and partake in these positions and I am looking forward to that although the landscape does not favour participation of women in politics,” he added.

“So I would like to take it back to some political parties to promote women.  We want them to come through because they are persuasive compared to us men.”

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Zimbabwe’s constitutional provides for a women’s quota in parliamentary seats through proportional representation and there is a push to extend this to local government.

 

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National

Tragic attack in Madlambuzi: Five dead as suspected mental patient goes on rampage

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

Police in Madlambuzi, Matabeleland South Province has are a suspected mental patient, Phamani Sibanda, following a violent rampage that left five people dead and two others injured on Wednesday.

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According to the police statement, Sibanda (43) allegedly attacked seven people in the village using a Mopani log, a blunt object, and an unknown sharp weapon, targeting anyone who crossed his path.

The victims of this tragic attack have been identified by their next of kin:

Elliot Khupe, 101, a male adult from Bellas Village
Butho Tshuma, 97, a female adult from Bellas Village
Constance Sibanda, 66, a female adult from Bellas Village
Tiffan Surprise Ndlovu, 6, a female juvenile from Bellas Village
Catra Matsika, 72, from Central Village

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In addition to the fatalities, two other women, aged 90 and 41, sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Madlambuzi Clinic and Plumtree District Hospital.

The ZRP has underscored the pressing need for community awareness regarding mental health issues. “We implore the public to promptly refer mental patients to medical institutions for treatment and to actively monitor their behavior to prevent such violent incidents,” the statement elaborated. It encouraged community members to report any concerns to the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631 or via WhatsApp at 0712 800197, or to approach the nearest police station.

 

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In the community

Matabeleland North launches $250K fundraising campaign against drug abuse

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

In a decisive move to address the escalating problem of drug and substance abuse, the government of has initiated a fundraising campaign in Matabeleland North Province with a target of $250 000.

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The event will take place today at the Edmund Davis Hall in Hwange, focusing on raising funds and awareness to support youth rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Richard Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North, is spearheading this initiative.

In a recent interview with VicFallsLive, he emphasized the critical need for this campaign, stating, “The rise in drug and substance abuse among our youth is a major concern. We have seen children lose their lives and future because of addiction. This fundraising effort is essential to provide them with the help they need.”

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Moyo addressed the need for government intervention, explaining that the cabinet committee on drug and substance abuse has taken significant steps to confront this crisis. “The committee has appointed chairpersons in each of the ten provinces to coordinate efforts against substance abuse. We must act now before the problem escalates further,” he added.

The background of drug abuse in Zimbabwe indicates a troubling pattern. Research shows a significant rise in substance use, particularly among unemployed youth and school dropouts. Moyo noted, “Many of our children are resorting to these substances as a way to cope with their circumstances. They often end up living on the streets, where they are exposed to even harsher realities. We want them to be occupied, and we will build rehab centers and hire people who will help them to quit the addiction because this is more common amongst the 2K children.”

Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Moyo called on local businesses and organizations to support the campaign. “We are appealing to all companies, particularly hotels and businesses in our province, to join us in this fight. Together, we can create a supportive environment for our children. Our president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, launched a nationwide initiative two months ago, and now, it’s time for Matabeleland North to take action,” he said.

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Moyo further elaborated on the fundraising goal, stating that the $250 000 will be directed towards establishing rehabilitation centers and hiring experienced therapists. “These facilities will offer a second chance to those battling addiction. Our youth deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives,” he emphasized.

Despite acknowledging that Matabeleland North’s drug problem may not be as severe as in other provinces, Moyo maintained that the issue is still significant, particularly in urban areas. “Here, we see children turning to drugs like marijuana, often sold by those who exploit their vulnerability. We must protect our children and provide them with the support they need to thrive,” he concluded.

The community’s response to this fundraising campaign will be pivotal in shaping a positive future for the youth of Matabeleland North, offering hope and resources for recovery and reintegration into society.

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National

US suspends visa processing in Zimbabwe, embassy says

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BY REUTERS

The United States has stopped processing most visas in Zimbabwe until further notice, its embassy in the capital Harare said on Wednesday, citing unspecified concerns with the government.
“We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe,” the embassy said in a post on X. It said the move was not a travel ban and that current visas would remain valid.
The government of the Southern African country did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The pause took effect on August 7, according to a notice on the U.S. State Department’s website, which said it applied to all visa services with the exception of most diplomatic and official visas.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has restricted travel from a number of African countries, saying it is working to prevent visa overstaying and misuse.
Zimbabwe had a visa overstay rate of 10.57% in 2023, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report.
Starting this week, the U.S. will require visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for some visitor visas. The Trump administration has also paused visa processing in Niger.
Harare resident Angella Chirombo said her 18-year-old son had received a scholarship to do his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and had been waiting for a visa interview when the pause hit.
“He was supposed to be in school already. I paid for everything else and was waiting for the visa so I could buy tickets,” she told Reuters.
She said other parents were considering booking interviews at other U.S. embassies in Southern Africa, but that she wouldn’t be able to afford the travel.
“Now they are saying we can go to Zambia and Namibia. I don’t even have money right now and I don’t know where to get this money. They are so many students that have been affected.”

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