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Zesa secures US$110 m Afreximbank financing deal

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JOHANNESBURG – A Zesa subsidiary has signed a US$110 million syndicated loan with continental trade finance bank Afreximbank, the bank said on Friday.

“The funds will help Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to improve revenue collection through smart meters and pre-paid meters and thus pay off regional creditors’ accounts,” Afreximbank said in a statement.

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Many electricity users in Zimbabwe are on a post-pay system and rack up large debts, which is bad for ZETDC’s books and hurts its ability to supply power.

Afreximbank said it had signed financing deals worth another US$78 million with three other Zimbabwean companies – the Central African Building Society, CBZ Bank and ZB Bank – at a trade fair in the South African port city of Durban.

Zesa says it is owed $15 billion in unpaid bills by businesses, government departments and ordinary consumers.

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Energy and Power Development acting minister Jenfan Muswere told Parliament on Wednesday that Zesa will switch off nearly 29 000 defaulting customers in the coming days in an effort to recover its money.

“Various credit control measures are being utilised by the utility in debt collection, which has seen collections increasing,” Muswere said.

“The defaulting clients are being submitted for blacklisting if all avenues (to recover the debts) fail.

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“So far 28 955 customers have been submitted for blacklisting.

“The clients on post-paid and load limit are gradually being enrolled onto the pre-payment metering platform where debt is managed through a minimum deduction per month.”

He said Zesa was planning to put 100 000 clients on the pre-payment platform to manage the debt.

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Zesa has been struggling to pay-off debts owes Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa millions of dollars for power imports.

Zimbabwe’s power utility has been struggling to secure electricity imports to cover its power generation deficit due to the debt, forcing it to implement rolling power cuts. – Reuters/VicFallsLive

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In the community

Population Services Zimbabwe to offer free family planning services in Nkayi

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 BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) is set to provide free family planning services in Nkayi District from next week

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The initiative which will run from 15-18, aims to enhance access to comprehensive reproductive health care and empower individuals and couples to make informed choices regarding family planning.

The outreach will kick off on Monday, September 15, at the Sivalo Rural Health Centre (RHC) and its outreach site. This will be followed by activities at various locations each day:

Tuesday, September 16:
Jabulisa at 9:00 AM
Ngabayide at 2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 17:
Sebhumane at 9:00 AM
Nesigwe RHC at 10:00 AM
Thursday, September 18:
Mateme RHC at 9:00 AM
Sembeule at 10:00 AM

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The services offered during this campaign include:

Loop insertion and removal
Implant insertion and removal
Depo Provera injections
Secure and control pills
Emergency contraceptive pills
Counselling on reproductive health issues

 

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Conservation amid crisis: How VFWT adapted to 2024 drought

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing a year marked by unprecedented challenges due to severe drought conditions across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. The report highlights the organization’s strategic adaptations to support local wildlife and communities during one of the most difficult drought years on record.

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Unlike previous droughts where water scarcity was the primary concern, this year underscored a more complex reality. VFWT Chairperson Bruno De Leo emphasized that the lack of grazing for both wildlife and livestock emerged as an even greater threat. Animals had to venture farther for food, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict and competition for dwindling resources. De Leo noted, “The year 2024 underscored the importance of connectivity for wildlife and the need to maintain corridors that allow movement and relieve pressure on natural resources.”

In response to these challenges, VFWT implemented several proactive measures. Collaborating with the rural communities involved in its Herding 4 Hope project, VFWT facilitated early livestock sales to minimize losses and planned for dry-season grazing in more distant areas to conserve energy among livestock. The organization also focused on regenerating boreholes to ensure that villages without adequate water had access to crucial resources.

Notably, VFWT’s Wildlife Disease & Forensics Laboratory made significant strides, establishing itself as a key player in wildlife forensics. In 2024, the laboratory handled over 280 cases and engaged in crucial research on transboundary animal diseases affecting regional wildlife. The lab successfully validated targeted sequencing for species identification using new technologies, reinforcing its capabilities in addressing wildlife crime. Remarkably, the lab played an integral role in international ivory seizure investigations and developed a genetic panel for black rhinos, demonstrating a strong commitment to combatting poaching and ensuring species protection.

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A particularly significant initiative was the launch of a tuberculosis surveillance project for lions within Hwange National Park. Following confirmed deaths from the disease, this project seeks to assess its prevalence among the lion population and understand transmission dynamics. With nine lions set to be sampled in late 2025, the data gathered will contribute to vital conservation knowledge.

The report emphasizes the importance of continued support from donors and stakeholders, enabling VFWT to maintain healthy animal populations and develop sustainable solutions for the future of biodiversity in the region. In a challenging year, the dedication and adaptability of the VFWT team stood out, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

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In the community

Woman connives with boyfriend to kill step mother

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A chilling murder case has unfolded in Tsholotsho, where a 34-year-old woman, Linnar Muzimela, and her boyfriend, Nkosi, are being sought by police for allegedly killing Muzimela’s 58-year-old step mother, Jenifer Dube.

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According to the police, the brutal murder occurred in Magotsha Line in May 2025. The suspects allegedly buried Dube’s body in a shallow grave in the garden, where it was later retrieved by police on Tuesday, this week.

Police are now appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Muzimela and Nkosi. The motive behind the murder is still unclear, but the police are working tirelessly to piece together the events surrounding Dube’s tragic death.

 

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