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Tsholotsho girl (9) was fathered by her 13-year-old cousin: DNA test prove

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A nine-year-old Tsholotsho girl who recently gave birth was impregnated by her 13-year-old cousin, Deoxyribonucleic acid tests (DNA) paternity results have proven.

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Zimbabwe Republic Police in a statement on Saturday said the DNA test was conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) results obtained from University of Science and Technology on 25 November 2022, in connection with the paternity of the 9-year-old girl’s child have established that the victim’s cousin brother (13) is the father of the child,” police said in a statement.

The girl from Chief Gampu’s jurisdiction conceived when she was eight years old. 

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The shocking incident led to the arrest of the girl’s biological father on August 29 to assist police with investigations, but, however, following the minor’s failure to divulge the name of the person who raped her, the state resorted to using DNA tests to see if the accused was indeed the father of the baby. 

The nine-year-old gave birth to a girl November 14 through a C-section after a team of specialists performed the surgery. 

According to her mother, she started menstruating aged seven, and when her stomach started bulging, the mother sought medical treatment, but later it was discovered that she was seven months pregnant. 

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The police said the two will be counselled by the police’s Victim Friendly Unit.

“The nine-year-old complainant and the suspect will now receive the appropriate counseling from the Police’s Victim Friendly Unit (VFU), “police said. 

” The Police is now working with other relevant arms of the government to ensure that the due processes of the law are followed. “

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NUST Applied Genetic Testing Center offered to do the testing for free as part of giving back to the society.

 

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National

Chinese businesswoman nabbed over $880K illegal transfer scandal

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A 52-year-old Chinese national has appeared in court on charges of illicit financial dealings involving US$880 000.

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According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Sun Limin, a Chinese businesswoman, was arrested on July 31, at her premises in Graniteside, Harare.

“The accused, a Chinese national, is facing charges of contravening the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05] and the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24:1],” said the NPA in a statement.

“Sun Limin allegedly transferred US$880 000 to China without the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s approval between January and July 2025.

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Investigations have confirmed bills of entry for the goods, which were imported from China via Forbes Border Post. Witness testimonies from clearing agents and documents proving transactions were also obtained.”

The NPA added that Sun Limin concealed the true nature and source of the funds, which authorities believe are proceeds of crime.

Sun Limin was granted US$500 bail, with conditions that include surrendering her passport, reporting to the police every Friday, and refraining from interfering with witnesses.

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“The case highlights growing scrutiny on financial crimes in Zimbabwe, especially involving cross-border transactions. Authorities are tightening controls to curb illicit capital flight and money laundering,” said the NPA.

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Zimbabwe on track for 6% growth as economy recovers from drought

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BY REUTERS

Zimbabwe is on track to achieve a forecasted 6% economic growth in 2025 helped by good agricultural output and strong commodity prices, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said on Thursday.

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The Southern African country’s economy has shown signs of recovery in the first half of the year following a severe drought and currency turbulence in 2024 that pushed GDP growth down to 2%.

“Given the positive economic developments during the period January to June, we are confident that the projected economic growth of 6% alluded to in the 2025 National Budget is achievable,” Ncube told parliament in a mid-year budget review.

“All sectors of the economy are expected to record positive growth in 2025, mainly on account of a favourable agriculture season, improved electricity generation, stable exchange rate and inflation rate,” he said.

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He did not give an update on the budget deficit, which was seen at 0.4% of gross domestic product in 2025 during the budget forecast last November.

Zimbabwe’s fiscal position remains under strain from grain imports, drought relief spending and the public sector wage bill. While the government has collected more revenue than in the same period last year, analysts say containing the deficit may prove difficult without new fiscal measures.

The local currency, the ZiG, launched in April 2024 to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, has largely remained stable against the U.S. dollar but is still overshadowed by widespread use of the dollar in everyday transactions.

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Ncube reiterated the government’s commitment to the gold-backed unit and said the currency had benefited from tight monetary and fiscal policies.

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Malaria cases surge in Zimbabwe

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe is experiencing a dramatic surge in malaria cases, with 111 998 cases and 310 deaths reported as of epidemiological week 23 in 2025.

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This is a significant increase from the same period in 2024, which saw 29 031 cases and 49 deaths.

According to Dr Memory Mapfumo, an epidemiologist at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), “This surge is no coincidence. Prolonged rains have fueled mosquito breeding, while activities like gold panning, fishing, and artisanal mining are exposing more individuals to risk, especially during peak mosquito activity hours.”

The situation is worsened by the low use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), leaving communities exposed and placing further strain on already stretched health systems. Across Zimbabwe, 115 out of 1 705 health facilities have been affected, highlighting the widespread impact of the disease on healthcare infrastructure.

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Mashonaland Central Province has accounted for 32% of all malaria cases, while Manicaland reported 25% of the malaria-related deaths. The interconnectedness of the countries in the region has also contributed to the spread of the disease.

Zimbabwe’s malaria outbreak is part of a broader regional trend. Other countries in southern Africa, including Botswana, eSwatini, and Namibia, are also experiencing significant increases in malaria cases.

In Botswana, 2 223 cases and 11 deaths have been reported, with Okavango being the hardest hit. eSwatini has recorded 187 cases, with children under 15 and farmers being particularly affected. Namibia has seen over 89 959 cases and 146 deaths, with the majority of cases being local transmissions.

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The Africa CDC emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and investment in malaria control. Governments must enhance their efforts to improve the use of ITNs, strengthen community engagement, and address environmental and social factors driving the outbreaks.

Dr Merawi Aragaw, head of Africa CDC’s Surveillance and Disease Intelligence, notes that “as climate change accelerates, we are witnessing shifts in temperature and rainfall that are expanding the range of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, introducing vectors into previously unaffected regions.”

According to Dr Aragaw, “sustained vector control measures – including environmental management, strengthening surveillance, drug and diagnostic resistance monitoring, and fostering cross-border collaboration – will be critical in mitigating the growing threat of vector-borne diseases, especially malaria.”

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The regional surge underscores a broader global trend, with malaria cases worldwide climbing to 263 million in 2023, up from 252 million the previous year, and Africa accounting for 95% of all malaria-related deaths.

Despite these alarming figures, there have been significant successes: Cabo Verde was certified malaria-free in 2023, and Egypt is poised to achieve the same in 2024. Yet for many countries in southern Africa, the road to elimination remains steep, with outbreaks threatening to reverse years of progress.

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