In the community

‘We are shortchanged in representation’:Hwange West MP speaks on electoral delimitation

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

Victoria Falls’ population grew by more than 10 000 voters since the 2007/2008 parliamentary elections, but this was not enough to lead TO creation of new wards in the new city.

Victoria Falls became a city in 2019 and there have been calls for the urban area to have its own constituency outside of the current Hwange West.

But, however, low voter registration seemed to have worked against the city as 22 001 people had registered to vote as at May 30, 2022.

In its delimitation report, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) said in their records only 10 490 voters had been added from the 2007/2008 total.

The city had hoped to gain more wards, but there are indications that three wards have collapsed in Chinotimba, according to a meeting recently held by the local MP Godfrey Dube’s office.

The city has 11 wards, with 10 confirmed to be in Chinotimba, city centre, low density and Aerodrome while Mkhosana accounted for ward 11.

The ward will be divided into three, according to the preliminary report.

Hwange West MP Dube said electorate are concerned by the delimitation process whose process lacked proper consultation.

He said there are also concerns why two wards from the constituency were noted under a neighbouring constituency, Hwange East.

“Nemananga and Chikandakubi were labeled as Hwange East, we need clarification on that,” said Dube.

He said even considering proximity between the two constituencies, the wards cannot be put under Hwange East.

Hwange East covers areas south and east of Hwange town which is Hwange Central constituency.

“Hwange West people feel they are being shortchanged in terms of representation, he added.

“We need proper representation and as it stands people are not happy and wish there could be more consultations by Zec. ”

Zec delimitation report was handed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and tabled efore Parliament last Friday.

The delimitation formula was such that in order to determine the voter population thresholds permissible in line with Section 161 (6) of the Constitution, the total number of registered voters at national level was divided by 210 constituencies resulting in a national average of 27 640 voters per constituency.

A 20 percent variance from the national average was then determined, resulting a maximum registered voter threshold of 33 169 and minimum threshold of 22 112 voters.

And any constituency delimited was supposed to fall within the minimum and maximum thresholds.

The same formula applied to local authorities where the total number of voters was divided by number of wards.

Harmonised elections will be held later this year.

In the community

Foot and mouth disease outbreak in Mat North

Published

1 week ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NIZBERT MOYO

The provincial Veterinary Department has urged farmers to comply with livestock movement regulations following an outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in some parts of Matabeleland North.

Acting provincial veterinarian Gwinyai Zhandire confirmed the outbreak to Southern Eye, saying the government has instituted movement controls, vaccination and active surveillance in the affected areas.

“There are some dip tanks affected in the Nyamandlovu area,” Zhandire said.

“The government has instituted movement controls and vaccination, and we are conducting surveillance.

“Farmers are encouraged to observe and comply with livestock movement regulations to prevent further spread.”

He highlighted that the rainy season increases the risk of other livestock diseases.

With tick populations on the rise, farmers should be vigilant against tick-borne illnesses such as Anaplasmosis (Gall Sickness), Theileriosis (January Disease), Ehrlichiosis (Heartwater) and Babesiosis (Redwater).

“Weekly dipping is encouraged to prevent transmission between animals,” Zhandire said.

He emphasised the importance of routine vaccination against other seasonal threats, including anthrax and lumpy skin diseases.

The outbreak has also affected farmers in the Umguza area, who have similarly been directed to adhere to animal movement restrictions.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep and goats.

The disease is characterised by fever and the development of painful sores or blisters in the mouth and on the feet, often leading to severe lameness and a drop in productivity.

The virus spreads easily through direct contact between animals, as well as via contaminated equipment, vehicles and feed.

The disease can result in significant economic losses in the livestock industry due to trade restrictions and animal health costs.
Source: Southern Eye

In the community

Brother-in-law jailed for repeated rape of mentally incompetent 16-year-old

Published

1 week ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court has convicted and sentenced a 41‑year‑old man to 20 years’ imprisonment for the repeated rape of his 16‑year‑old sister‑in‑law, a mentally incompetent juvenile.

The court heard that the victim was staying at the offender’s homestead in Lupane. Between November 2024 and May this year, the offender exploited her mental incapacity and his position of trust to rape her on multiple occasions.

In the first incident, the offender’s sister pushed the victim into a bedroom where the offender was waiting, locked the door, removed the victim’s clothes and raped her. He threatened the victim and ordered her to remain silent when she tried to cry out for help.

The abuse continued on various occasions. In May, a community member discovered the abuse and reported it to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Lupane.

Medical and psychiatric examinations confirmed the victim’s mental status and the ordeal. The offender and his sister assaulted the victim with a sjambok and a stick and threatened her not to disclose the matter.

In the community

Hwange man sentenced to 40 years for raping two minors

Published

2 weeks ago

December 1, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 32-year-old man from Victoria Falls has been convicted by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for raping two minors.

The man, whose name has been hidden to protect the image of the victims was being tried by the prosecutors on two counts of rape leading to the conviction.

The court heard that the accused committed the offences against two young female juveniles, aged nine 10 years old who are sisters on the 25th of September this year.

“The offender who was at his place of residence called the victims who were going to school to come to his place of residence to collect baobab fruits,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.

“They both got into the offender’s place of residence and the offender instructed the victims to get into his bedroom hut.

The victims complied and the offender followed them into his bedroom and closed the door from inside and raped them.”

The matter came to light on the same day when a relative informed the victim’s grandmother and father that she saw the victims leaving the offenders bedroom and they revealed what had transpired, leading yo his arrest.