BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of Parliament pressed Government ministers on pressing issues affecting farmers and rural communities during oral questions at the beginning of yesterday’s parliamentary sitting, according to the Hansard record released from the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

MP Kudakwashe Mananzva raised concerns about delays in the distribution of critical fertiliser following reports that Ammonium Nitrate (AN) had not yet reached farmers despite good rains this season.

“This year we received good rains and we received fertiliser compound D but we did not receive the Ammonium Nitrate (AN). What is the Government policy to make sure that people receive their AN fertiliser in time?” the MP asked, prompting an immediate response from the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi.

In reply, Minister Ziyambi acknowledged logistical challenges facing distribution agencies but stressed that efforts were underway to address the delays. “They experienced some delays in terms of transportation,” he said, adding that authorities had pledged to ensure AN fertiliser was disbursed and that “when the rains recommence, farmers will continue farming and we will make sure farmers will receive their fertilisers.” He concluded with a pledge to “fight to make sure that all fertilisers are disbursed in time,” reflecting Government’s commitment to agricultural support.

In the same session, Patrick Sagandira, the elected Member of Parliament for Makoni Central, raised concern about the spread of livestock diseases affecting cattle in the wake of heavy rains, with particular reference to January disease, which devastates herds during the rainy season. 

Sagandira asked: “What is the Government policy in making sure that farmers get medication for their livestock, especially the January disease?”

Minister Ziyambi reiterated Government advice on preventative measures rather than direct treatment. “To avoid January disease… every week, farmers are expected to spray the cattle or there must be dip tanks,” he said, noting that the Ministry had distributed “some tick grease to farmers in the rural areas” to help curb infestations and disease transmission.

Turning to critical infrastructure,Tendai Pinduka questioned the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, on Government policy regarding rural roads, many of which have been damaged by recent rainfall.

“Most of the roads, especially those in rural areas, have been eroded by rainfall,” Pinduka said, asking when fuel allocations for road rehabilitation would be released to councils.

Minister Mhona explained that responsibilities for road maintenance are divided among authorities, with rural district councils and agencies like RIDA responsible for specific networks. He stressed that Government, through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2), would support councils.

“We are pleading with the Rural District Councils that they must give us names of the roads and the kilometres that need to be rehabilitated,” he told MPs, adding that monitoring would ensure fuel disbursed was used for its intended purpose.

Supplementary questions further highlighted concerns about damaged bridges critical for access to schools and clinics. In response, Minister Mhona stressed the importance of collaboration between provincial engineers, councils and the Ministry to ensure “bridges can be rehabilitated swiftly.”

On frustration from MPs about failure to access fuel due to prior reporting shortfalls, the Minister said the Ministry had found solutions in some cases, including allocating further fuel while addressing accountability concerns.

Finally, questions arose about deteriorating town roads. Minister Mhona clarified that urban road networks fall under local authority jurisdiction, but reaffirmed Government commitment through ERRP2 to step in when needed, stating that “no place and no one is going to be left behind.”

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A three-year-old girl from Matetsi in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, was killed by a crocodile on Tuesday evening while playing near the Matetsi River Bridge along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway.

According to ZBC, the toddler was with her five-year-old brother as their mother, Tariro Tsondzowore, was fishing nearby when the attack occurred. Authorities said the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the children close to the riverbank, when a crocodile suddenly emerged from the water, struck and dragged the girl into the river.

People who were nearby reportedly attempted to scare the reptile away but were unsuccessful.

The child, who was from Masikili Village under Chief Shana in Hwange District, was taken before help could arrive.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers responded to the scene and shot one crocodile. Authorities confirmed that partial human remains have since been recovered, while efforts to retrieve additional remains are continuing.

Additional details of the incident were widely shared on social media platforms, where images from the scene show a sombre gathering along the riverbank. In the footage, several community members stand watching as uniformed personnel are seen in the water. A ZimParks vehicle is parked close to the river, while small groups of people look on from the grassy embankment, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The tragedy has once again brought into focus the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, particularly in communities located near rivers and wildlife corridors.

Local authorities have urged residents, especially those living near riverbanks, to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against the dangers posed by crocodiles and other wild animals.

VicFallsLive will continue to follow developments on this story.

BY STAFF REPORTER

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has raised alarm over the low number of environmental cases recorded and prosecuted in Matabeleland North Province, warning that weak enforcement risks emboldening offenders.

Speaking at a multi-stakeholder engagement meeting organised by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Hwange-based public prosecutor Pride Mharadza said fewer than 15 EMA-related cases were recorded in the province in 2025, describing the situation as “deeply disappointing.”

“In Hwange, we only received one case last year involving the transport of hazardous substances without a permit,” Mharadza said. The accused, who had transported mercury, was convicted and fined US$500, with four months’ imprisonment suspended for five years.

Mharadza said Victoria Falls recorded no EMA cases in 2025, calling it “worrying that a whole station did not receive a single case.”

Binga recorded two cases involving cyanide, one resulting in six months’ imprisonment and forfeiture of the chemical, while the other could not proceed to court due to the absence of a forensic report.

In Inyathi, a single case involved implementing a project without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate, resulting in a US$200 fine. Nkayi recorded one case of prohibited alluvial mining, leading to suspended sentences for 19 accused persons.

Meanwhile, Tsholotsho and Lupane reported no EMA cases during the year.

Mharadza said delays in forensic reports, limited EMA representation, and weak collaboration between police and prosecutors were major obstacles to successful prosecution.

“The overall picture points to weak environmental law enforcement rather than an absence of environmental crimes,” she said. “Half the stations did not receive any EMA cases. Some prosecutors even said they do not know how to handle EMA cases because they are not receiving them.”

Mharadza urged law enforcement and prosecutors to take action, saying that successful prosecutions would “send a message to society” and strengthen environmental protection across the province.

SOURCE: CITE