National
‘Shooting to kill’: 2 poachers shot dead in Zambezi Valley gun battle
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Two suspected poachers were killed by Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers at the weekend following a gun battle on the Zambezi Valley.
Tinashe Farawo, the Zimparks spokesperson, the poachers were killed in the Rifa area of Chirundu.
“Over the weekend there was an armed contact with suspected poachers in Chirundu where two suspects were shot dead,” Farawo said.
“The rangers managed to recover a rifle, a freshly poached ivory and investigations are in progress.”
He did not provide further details on the incident, but warned that Zimparks rangers would shoot to kill if they encountered armed poachers in wildlife protected areas.
“We are warning the poachers that national parks are no go areas for criminal activities,” he said.
“If you are found in a protected area, armed, there is no way that we are going to apprehend you.
“You will be shot on site
“We have a shot to kill policy, so national parks are no go areas for criminal activities.”
Elephants are being poached at an alarming rate in Zimbabwe
Poaching of animals such as elephants and rhinos for their ivory continues to be on the rise in Zimbabwe’s game reserves.
The government says it is finding it increasingly difficult to fund conservation activities that include anti-poaching operations due to lack of funds and is strongly pushing for the resumption of the global ban on the sale of ivory.
Zimbabwe last week held an African conference at the Hwange National Park to lobby for support to end the ban, saying it wants to be allowed to sell $600 million worth of ivory stockpiles.
Zimparks director general Fulton Mangwanya told VicFallsLive in an earlier interview that ivory buyers in Asian countries were promoting poaching activities by providing an illegal market for ivory, hence the push to have Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) trade ban lifted.
“So it is not a matter of marketing because they are still on and they are still trading in ivory locally and they are getting all these imports from poachers who are into trafficking because to them, it’s a cultural industry that can never be closed,” Mangwanya said.
“It’s not a secret that the market is still there and we are only being blocked by CITES.”
Zimbabwe has the second biggest population of elephants in Africa after Botswana.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.
Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on
The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.
Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.
Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.
Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.
In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.
The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.
Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.
Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
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Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.
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