National

Unrepentant Mpilo fake doctor arrested again

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2024

BY STAFF REPORTER Twenty-nine year old Taurai Prosper Vanhuvaone, who recently hogged the limelight when he appeared in court and is out on bail for allegedly masquerading as a medical doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, was yesterday arrested again at the same institution.

Vanhuvaone was granted US$100 bail by a Bulawayo magistrate last week, after the State found no compelling reasons to deny him bail.

He was ordered to reside at his given address, report to the police once a week and not to interfere with State witnesses pending his return to court on October 7.

However, he was spotted at the Mpilo Central Hospital again yesterday, leading to his arrest, prompting residents to call for an urgent investigation into operations at the institution.

Bulawayo Province police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube who spoke to The Herald media, confirmed his second arrest, saying Vanhuvaone was nabbed after one of his victims raised alarm.

“We are still investigating the matter. Alarm was raised by one of his victims whom he conned out of some money, after he promised to secure him a place at Mpilo Hospital School of Nursing.

“We want to ascertain whether he is also in breach of his bail conditions. We will release further information during the course of our investigation,” said Insp Ncube.

Vanhuvaone of Barbourfields suburb in Bulawayo was arrested sometime last month after his “cover” was blown off. He had allegedly been masquerading as a doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital and misrepresented himself to those seeking medical attention as Prosper Mpofu. Vanhuvaone is facing two counts of fraud and one of misrepresentation. In the wake of recent events residents have called for a thorough investigation into the hospital’s operations.

Internal investigations at the hospital revealed that Vanhuvaone operated undetected from an office within the hospital’s vast premises for approximately two years.

It was reported that Vanhuvaone allegedly spread his operations to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), where he similarly deceived patients and staff.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), through their lawyers, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said the events are concerning as they call into question the safety of members of the public seeking medical health.

“These events are concerning as they call into question the safety of members of the public who seek medical attention and treatment from your institution.

“Our client seeks clarity as to how it came about that a person who is allegedly not a registered practitioner in terms of the Health Professions Act (Chapter 27:19), can gain access to and conduct consultations at your health institution,” said BURA.

“We draw your attention to section 76 of the Constitution, which affords Zimbabweans the right to access basic health care services and as a Government institution, you are mandated in terms of Section 44 of the Constitution, to respect, promote and fulfil this right,” read part of the letter addressed to Mpilo Central Hospital chief medical officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga.

“Furthermore, according to Section 3 of the Health Service Regulations of 2006, only members with the requisite experience, qualifications and are knowledgeable and have the ability to perform the tasks required for the job, are recruited in order to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of health services to the public,” reads the letter.

Residents further questioned Dr Dzvanga on the measures that are in place at Mpilo Hospital that allow members of the public to identify people who are legally permitted to provide health services

SOURCE: THE HERALD

National

Zimbabwe export surge, diaspora inflows mask funding gaps in foreign affairs sector

Published

21 hours ago

April 30, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Zimbabwe is seeing strong gains in export earnings and diaspora remittances, but lawmakers warn chronic underfunding is undermining the country’s diplomatic and economic ambitions.

Parliament heard that remittances reached about $1.8 billion by the third quarter of 2025, while exports rose sharply, helping cut the trade deficit. Lawmakers said the diaspora remains “a vital source of foreign exchange, directly contributing to the enhancement of the nation’s foreign reserves and overall economic stability.”

However, MPs said financial constraints are weakening the institutions meant to sustain that growth. The Zimbabwe Foreign Services Institute received only a fraction of its budget, limiting recruitment and training.

“The staffing shortfall has inevitably affected operational efficiency and the institute’s ability to discharge its core mandate,” the committee report noted.

Lawmakers warned that without consistent funding, gains in exports and diaspora engagement could stall, particularly as Zimbabwe pushes toward an export-led economy.

National

Government pushes vaccines drive as MPs warn of rural access gaps, misinformation

Published

21 hours ago

April 30, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwean lawmakers have called for urgent action to close immunisation gaps, warning that rural communities remain vulnerable due to weak access and persistent misinformation.

Speaking during Africa Vaccination Week, MPs said vaccines remain “among the most effective, equitable and transformative public health interventions,” but coverage remains uneven.

“Persistent gaps endure, particularly in rural and underserved areas where barriers of access, awareness and trust continue to impede full immunisation coverage,” one legislator told Parliament.

Lawmakers urged stronger investment in cold-chain systems and public engagement campaigns, stressing that immunisation is not just a health issue but “a strategic development imperative” tied to productivity and national growth.

National

EcoCash bill splitting signals rise of social commerce in Zimbabwe

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

EcoCash’s latest bill-splitting feature on its Super App is not just a product upgrade, it is part of a broader shift towards “social commerce,” where financial transactions are embedded directly into everyday conversations.

Traditionally, sending money has been a deliberate, separate action: open the app, enter details, confirm payment. But with EcoCash’s integrated chat environment, that process is being redefined. Payments now happen in the same space where decisions are made — within conversations among friends, families and colleagues.

This development, which is being driven by Sasai Fintech, a subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, result is a more natural flow between communication and commerce.

This model, often referred to as chat-first payments, is gaining traction globally. Platforms such as Venmo in the United States and Revolut in Europe have popularised the idea of embedding payments into social interactions, allowing users to split bills, request funds and settle expenses within a messaging context.

EcoCash’s move signals that Zimbabwe is aligning with — and in some ways accelerating — this global trend.

Unlike many mature markets where card-based payments dominated before social features were layered on, Zimbabwe’s mobile-first ecosystem provides a different foundation. Mobile money is already deeply embedded in daily life, making it easier to integrate financial services into conversational platforms without requiring a behavioural overhaul.

By placing bill-splitting within its chat interface, EcoCash is effectively turning conversations into transaction points. A group discussing dinner plans can now split the bill instantly. Colleagues organising transport can settle contributions in real time. Families coordinating school fees or groceries can move from agreement to payment without leaving the chat thread.

This convergence of messaging and money is at the heart of social commerce.

From a strategic standpoint, the implications are significant. Each conversation has the potential to generate multiple transactions, increasing activity on the platform while strengthening user engagement. Payments become less of a task and more of a seamless extension of communication.

Industry analysts note that this model tends to drive higher transaction frequency and user retention, as financial interactions become habitual rather than occasional. For EcoCash, the bill-splitting feature is a practical entry point into this space, simple enough to encourage adoption, yet powerful enough to shift behaviour.