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

Hwange duo sentenced to 26 months for wildlife crimes

Published

21 hours ago

August 27, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Two Hwange men have been sentenced to 26 months imprisonment for setting 49 wire snares, including 48 class one snares, in Sinamatela Game Park, resulting in the killing of one impala and two female kudus, with a total value of US$6 000 worth of dried game meat.

Lungisani Moyo (38) and Joel Nyathi (27), both from Madumabisa Village, were convicted of contravening the Trapping of Animal Control Act.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the state presented a case that the two unlawfully set the snares this month, resulting in the illegal killing of one impala and two female kudus.

The matter came to light after a joint patrol by police and Zim-Parks officers intercepted a man in the Lwendulu area carrying a suspicious black bag. Upon searching him, authorities recovered 12 bundles of dried game meat.

Upon probe, the man led officers to Moyo’s residence, where further illegal game products were discovered.

Subsequent searches at both Moyo and Nyathi’s homes yielded a total of 22 bundles of dried game meat, kudu hooves, intestines, and other animal parts.

Police investigations confirmed the use of wire snares to hunt the animals within protected parkland.

The total value of the poached wildlife is US$6 000.

Of the 26-month sentence, 10 months were suspended for five years, leaving the two to serve an effective 16 months imprisonment.

In the community

Hwange man fined US$1 100 for illegal kudu meat sales

Published

2 days ago

August 26, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 62-year-old man from Hwange has been fined to pay US$1 100 for selling dried kudu meat without a permit.

This was heard at the Hwange Regional Court when Samson Ncube appeared before a magistrate for selling meat without a license.

The state alleges that Ncube was found with 12kg of dried kudu meat valued at US$480, which he was selling without a permit.

He was arrested by CID Minerals Flora and Fauna and ZimParks during patrols in Lwendulu Village.

The magistrate sentenced Ncube to pay a fine of US$1 100 by September 19, next month, or face 3 months in jail.

The recovered meat was forfeited.

In the community

Goat thief caught red-handed in Tsholotsho

Published

2 days ago

August 26, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 30-year-old man from Tsholotsho, has been convicted of stock theft after killing a goat he stole at a farm.

Praymore Sibanda was busted after police recovered the stolen goats carcass at his residence.

Sibanda’s downfall came when he appeared last week before the Tsholotsho Magistrates’ Court facing stock theft charges.

According to the State, on 11 August, Sibanda stole a male goat valued at ZAR 900 from Moses Ncube’s farm.

The court heard that Sibanda’s reign of theft ended when Ncube discovered the theft and reported it to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest after police found the goat meat and the skin at his homestead.

In a bid to teach him a lesson, the magistrate sentenced Sibanda to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended on condition that he restitutes ZAR 900 to the victim.