National

Victoria Falls’ $13 billion budget approved

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

The government has approved Victoria Falls City Council’s $13 billion budget for 2023, amid calls for the authority to prioritize addressing issues that affect service delivery.

The council had initially submitted a United States dollar pegged budget, but the government converted it into a local currency budget.

The announcement was made at a full council meeting on Friday through a letter written by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and read by finance director Neville Ndlovu.

The letter is dated 18 January 2023.

“I wish to inform you that the honourable Minister (July Moyo) has approved your 2023 budget but with the following observations and comments,”the letter read.

The Ministry said the council is urged to make frantic efforts in recovering debts to ensure better service delivery.

It also encouraged the local authority to learn from Mutare City which has successfully implemented the Local Authority Digital Systems (LADS), a revenue collection system.

“Victoria Falls is urged to raise its collection efficiency from the current 47.7 percent; Victoria Falls City to clear its salary arrears; the local authority to seek assistance from city of Mutare in the implementation of Local Authority Digital Systems (LADS); clear its statutory obligations to avoid its accounts being garnished; finalise the valuation roll by the first quarter of 2023 as council special levies are to be based on the valuation roll.”

Meanwhile, various stakeholders that attended the full council meeting left in disappointment after they were told to leave the boardroom to allow the councillors and management to deliberate a report from the

ministry about allegations levelled against the town clerk Ronnie Dube https://vicfallslive.co.zw/commission-of-inquiry-findings-fail-to-be-tabled-as-victoria-falls-councillors-fight/.

Residents association leaders complained why they were not allowed in when they were the co-complainants alongside mayor Somveli Dlamini.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

6 days 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

1 month 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

3 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.