National

Vic Falls road crisis: Motorists slam “undrivable” highway

Published

4 months ago

January 20, 2025

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The once-thriving Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway has become a nightmare for motorists, with many labeling it “undrivable” due to its deplorable state.

As we drove through the Hwange area, close to Dete, Lubimbi Turn and Lupane, we witnessed firsthand the treacherous conditions that have left drivers frustrated and fed up.

The road is riddled with potholes, gullies, and mud-filled craters, forcing many to abandon the main road and opt for a dusty, makeshift alternative.

In some areas close to Lupane, villagers have taken it upon themselves to fix the road using the ordinary soils. This is usually done by the children and women.

“I’ve been driving for over 20 years, but this road is the worst I’ve ever seen,” said Thomas Moyo, a truck driver who frequently travels the route. “It’s like they’ve abandoned us. We’re forced to create our own paths, but even those are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.”

Another motorist, Sarah Ndlovu, expressed her disappointment and concern for safety. “It’s not just the damage to our vehicles; it’s the risk of accidents and injuries. I’ve seen cars stuck in the potholes , and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”

The poor state of the road is also affecting travel times, with some motorists reporting journeys that take up to 10 hours to cover a stretch of 400 kilometers.

“It’s unacceptable,” said James Dube, a tourist operator. “This road leads to one of the world’s most iconic tourist attractions, and yet it’s in shambles. We need urgent attention to fix this road and restore our country’s reputation.”

However, in a recent statement, the government announced plans to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway this year.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, a significant allocation of funds has been set aside for the project, which is expected to commence in the coming months.

While this news has brought some relief to motorists, many remain skeptical, citing previous unfulfilled promises. “We’ve heard it all before,” said Moyo. “We’ll believe it when we see it.”

As the situation continues to deteriorate, motorists are calling on authorities to take immediate action to repair and maintain the highway.

With the peak tourist season approaching, it remains to be seen whether the government will follow through on its promises and restore the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway to its former glory.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

3 months ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

4 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.