In the community

Starving in silence: The plight of rural Mat’land communities

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2024

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In the scorching rural outskirts of Victoria Falls, a heartbreaking encounter at the Ndlovu turn-off bus stop revealed the harsh reality of Zimbabwe’s deepening food insecurity crisis.

The country’s Constitution (2013) guarantees every person the right to food and water (Section 77(a), but the harsh reality on the ground tells a different story. Completely different from what the government officials have.

A frail 70-year-old man from Chisuma, struggling to speak and walk due to hunger, exposed the dire situation faced by many in Matabeleland North province.

Jonathan Sibanda’s story is a stark representation of the devastating impact of drought and El Niño effects on vulnerable communities in Hwange and beyond.

With his wife ailing and two orphaned grandchildren to care for, he embarked on a desperate journey to the Social Welfare headquarters in Hwange, seeking assistance.

“I am going to the Social Welfare offices in Hwange to plead for help,” he said as he waited for a ride to embark on a 70-kilometer journey to the offices on Monday.

“The orphans I am taking care of are in grades five and seven; they are mine because one was my late son’s, and the other was my daughter’s.

“At home, there is nothing. I have been trying to ask my neighbors where I can work to clear fields and dig trenches in exchange for mealie-meal, but they are also getting tired of my pleas.”

For the day, Sibanda says they eat porridge in the morning, often without nutritional value or at least sugar, and wait for the next day or evening if there is any mealie-meal.

“We eat porridge every day, but I am always sick because sometimes we sleep without food.

“I am on antiretroviral therapy, which requires me to take four tablets every evening, but it’s hard because I even struggle to do some piece jobs because my legs, arms, and back ache,” he said as he tried to balance with his wooden stick.

Daina Maseko (70) from Hwange is also appealing for food aid as she struggles with starvation. She’s alone, on antiretroviral drugs and has a bone illness.

Daina Maseko

“As an elderly person living with HIV and a bone illness, I’m finding it hard to cope with the devastating effects of the drought,”she says.

But it’s not just me, I worry about the children and pregnant womne in my community who are also going hungry. They’re the future of our nation, and it’s heartbreaking to see them suffering like this. Children are fainting in school, their parents struggling to feed them… It’s a desperate situation.”

In June, at Chimbombo Primary School, a nine-year-old girl fainted due to starvation.

Her grandmother, Elitha Dube, says the incident happened on her way from school as they had spent two nights without food.

The Sadc Gender Protocol, a regional instrument that aims to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Southern Africa, in its framework for member in Article 16: sets out the right to food security and nutrition

“Women have the right to food security and nutrition. States shall ensure that women have equal access to food and nutrition, and shall take measures to ensure that women are not denied access to food and nutrition…”

However, Hwange district medical officer, Fungai Musimani’s recent revelation of a rising number of malnutrition cases in the district shows a different realistic picture.

Dr Fungai Musinami

She says young children, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, and people with disabilities top the list of vulnerable individuals in the district and the province at large.

“I have treated elderly women with kwashiorkor, and in general, people lack foods with minerals, iron, and vitamins. The situation is dire throughout the region.”

Area councilor Given Moyo echoed similar concerns, highlighting the government’s failure to provide adequate food aid to struggling rural communities.

“Everyone is hungry in this community, and we all need food,” he said.

“When the Social Welfare programs come, people lack empathy due to starvation, so most vulnerable individuals end up being left out because they don’t get nominated.

“As you see this man here (Sibanda), I advised him to go to the offices because we report these pleas to them, but the reaction shows that they think these issues are fabricated.

“I have a long list of people that I have forwarded to the offices including the widows, unemployed people, the elderly, the list is endless yet they claim (government) that all is inorder. That is not true.”

Alarming mid-term statistics from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube paint a grim picture: 520 524 people in Matabeleland North province struggle to access basic nutrition.

The region, battered by severe El Niño effects, is in dire need of assistance, but Ncube insists that all is inorder in-terms of food distribution.

The government has distributed 1 839.2 metric tonnes of grain, this represents a mere 16% of the required 11 711.8 metric tonnes needed to sustain the population for three months.

Matabeleland North province minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo says response will be crucial in mitigating this disaster.

“It is not enough, but we now have Isiphala seNkosi program to add into the social welfare programs. We also have donor community also joining us, but at this point, we understand their plight and it is crucial that we uplift these communities.”Moyo notes.

As the food insecurity crisis deepens in the country, this year researchers say approximately seven million people’s lives of vulnerable communities hang in the balance.

In the community

Two missing Apostolic Faith sect members found deceased in Zambezi River

Published

7 days ago

January 12, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Two members of an Apostolic Faith sect who were swept away by strong currents during a baptism service on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls on Saturday have been found deceased, two days after they went missing.

Search and rescue efforts, which had been ongoing since the incident, culminated on Monday when the two bodies were located with the assistance of a local rafting company operating on the river.

Confirming the development, Victoria Falls Residents Association chairperson, Kelvin Moyo, said the discovery brought a tragic end to hopes of finding the pair alive.

“As of this afternoon, we have received confirmation that both bodies have been found,” said Moyo. “The operation was supported by a local rafting company, and at the time of the update, teams were still working on the process of retrieving one of the bodies from the river.”

Moyo said the incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with conducting religious activities in the Zambezi River, particularly during periods of strong water flow.

He urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution when approaching the river and called on religious groups to prioritise safety when carrying out baptism rituals.

Authorities are expected to continue engaging relevant stakeholders on safety measures as the community comes to terms with the loss.

In the community

Government intensifies crop pest control efforts in Mat North

Published

7 days ago

January 12, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The government has intensified efforts to contain a crop pest outbreak affecting parts of Matabeleland North Province, with enhanced control measures set to be rolled out this week.

According to ZBC News, a visit by its crew to Hwange District revealed widespread infestation, with several farmers reporting damage to early-stage crops, particularly traditional grains and sunflower. Authorities say swift intervention is essential to prevent further losses and protect the current farming season.

Provincial Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Acting Director, Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu, told ZBC News that government has moved quickly to assist affected farmers through the distribution of pesticides and the deployment of extension officers.

“We have noted with concern the infestation of crop pests, particularly on small grains and sunflower, mostly at the early stages of crop development. As Government, we have moved in and this week we are distributing pesticides to Tsholotsho, Binga and Hwange so that farmers can effectively control the pests and protect their crops,” he said.

Ndlovu added that extension officers are already on the ground working closely with farmers to ensure the correct application of chemicals and to assess the extent of the damage.

“We are optimistic that timely pest control and continued farmer participation will result in improved yields, enhanced household food security and the prospects of a bumper harvest in Matabeleland North Province,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Ndlovu urged farmers not to lose hope, encouraging them to replant where possible, as conditions remain favourable in most areas and support systems are in place.

The distribution of inputs and technical support forms part of ongoing Government efforts to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen household food security.

Hwange

Hwange Central finally receives long-awaited CDF funds

Published

2 weeks ago

January 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Hwange Central constituency has finally received its long-awaited Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation, marking the first disbursement since 2022, Member of Parliament for the area, Fortune Daniel Molokele, has confirmed.

In a statement, Molokele said an amount of ZiG 1.3 million was deposited last week into a special bank account set up exclusively to administer CDF funds for the constituency. The disbursement falls under the 2024 national budget, following confirmation from the Parliament of Zimbabwe that no CDF disbursement will be made under the 2023 national budget.

He further noted that there is still no clarity on when CDF allocations under the 2025 and 2026 national budgets will be released.

“With this development, our local CDF Committee will, during the coming week, initiate the process of rolling out the approved projects,” said Molokele.

Priority Wards and Projects

The initial phase of implementation will cover five wards, namely Wards 1, 4, 5, 6 and 14, with the remaining wards expected to benefit under the next CDF disbursement.

According to minutes from a public consultation meeting held on 13 April 2024 at St Ignatius Primary School in Hwange, the community unanimously prioritised solar-powered boreholes with JoJo tanks and fenced nutritional gardens as the flagship project for the 2024 CDF cycle.

The project is set to be implemented at the following locations:

Ward 1: Chibondo
Ward 4: Baghdad
Ward 5: Empumalanga
Ward 6: Phase Four
Ward 14: Ngumija

Other proposals discussed at the meeting included the construction of an Advanced Level laboratory science facility at Nechilisa Secondary School and the refurbishment of Nengasha Stadium, but these were deferred in favour of addressing water and food security.

CDF Committee in Place

The public meeting also elected a new 2023–2028 CDF Committee, comprising:

Alice Phiri (Trade Unions, Women and Local Communities)
Luka Katako (Traditional Leaders and Faith-Based Leaders)
Bryan Nyoni (Youth and Local Communities)
Shonipai Muleya (Finance and Accounting)

Francisca Ncube was nominated as the National Assembly representative, while Teresa Kabondo will represent the constituency in the Senate.

The CDF bank account signatories and procurement committee members include Molokele, Luka Katako, Thulani Moyo and Alice Phiri.

Funding Clarifications

Although earlier discussions indicated that the 2024 allocation would include outstanding funds from 2023—bringing the total to an estimated USD100 000, to be disbursed in ZiG at the interbank rate—the Speaker of Parliament later clarified that the 2023 CDF allocation was no longer available.

“As a result, each constituency ended up receiving ZiG 1.3 million, which was meant to be equivalent to USD50 000,” Molokele explained, adding that the approved projects were subsequently endorsed by the relevant Parliamentary committee.

He also confirmed that no CDF proposals have yet been submitted for 2025 and 2026.

Residents seeking further information have been advised to contact CDF Committee Secretary Thulani Moyo on 078 648 3659.

Molokele said at least two public feedback meetings will be held once implementation begins, to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.