By Ndinatsei Mavodza

ZAKA – The community of Chisara Village in Zaka is in mourning following the tragic death of 14-year-old Joseph Chisasa, who succumbed to head injuries after falling from an electric pole.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the incident, which occurred on October 4, 2025, around 1:30 PM.

Reports indicate that Chisasa was walking to visit his aunt with his 12-year-old brother when he suddenly climbed the electric pole and fell. His younger brother recounted that after the fall, Chisasa cried out in pain, was unable to stand, and began crawling.

The younger sibling immediately ran to alert nearby relatives, who rushed the injured boy to Mashoko Mission Hospital.

Tragically, Chisasa was pronounced dead upon arrival. A subsequent police examination revealed that he had sustained severe head injuries from the impact.

Inspector Dhewa urged parents and guardians to maintain close supervision of their children to prevent such accidents.

“We advise members of the public to avoid climbing trees, poles, and rooftops without safety harnesses, as it is dangerous,” said Inspector Dhewa.

This incident follows the recent drowning of two teenagers in Gutu, serving as another painful reminder of the need for constant vigilance to protect children from preventable accidents.

By Ndinatsei Mavodza

MASHAVA – A 25-year-old miner, Talent Zamuchiya, died in a tragic accident at Cambrine Mine 21 in Mashava after being buried under a collapsing load of slime while loading rocks into a cyanide tank.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident, which occurred on October 5, 2025, around 10 a.m.

“I confirm the death of Talent Zamuchiya from Chiteka Village, Rusape, who died in a mining accident that occurred on October 5, 2025, around 10am at Cambrine Mine 21,” said Inspector Dehwa.

Zamuchiya’s work involved loading rocks into tanks containing cyanide, a highly toxic chemical used to separate gold from ore.

Reports indicate that on the day of the incident, Zamuchiya arrived later than his colleagues, who had already completed their daily targets and left the site. While he was working alone, loading rocks into the tank, a mass of slime, a residual byproduct of gold processing, suddenly gave way and buried him completely.

Around noon, another worker arrived and noticed a hand protruding from the slime. Colleagues rushed to dig him out, but he had already died.

Police and mine management attended the scene, and his body was taken to Masvingo General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Inspector Dhewa urged mine operators to prioritize safety measures to prevent such incidents.

“Safety should not be a slogan at the workplace but must be practiced in real time to save lives and properties. Those in the mining industry are encouraged to adhere to safety protocols,” he said.

The incident comes barely exactly a month after a 30-year-old from Matsena Village under Chief Mpapa, Mwenezi died in a devastating mine shaft accident at Mahlasela Mazuruse Mine in Mwenezi.

The incident occurred on September 6 around 5 pm while the deceased Rushmore Matsena was being lowered into a 28-meter deep shaft in a bucket when the rope suddenly loosened, causing him to fall to his death.

Earlier this year, 3 people died at Boss Mine in Mashava after a mine shaft collapsed while the workers were underground.

By Ndinatsei Mavodza

GUTU – The Gutu community was plunged into mourning and disbelief after a 70-year-old man from Gomba Village took his own life, in a tragic incident that casted a shadow over the entire district.

The now deceased Johnson Gama, was found dead on October 3, 2025. By passerby’s who were going to church

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident to TellZim News and said Gama left his home on October 2 to search for his lost cattle and returned.

“He successfully recovered the animals and returned home, but later left again without informing anyone of his whereabouts. His grandson was reportedly the last family member to see him alive around 8 PM that evening,” said Inspector Dehwa.

Inspector Dhewa expressed deep concern over the increasing suicide cases in the region, particularly among men, and urged community members to seek support during difficult times.

“Suicide is never an option. People should learn to share their challenges so that they can get assistance rather than resorting to suicide,” Dhewa emphasized.

Tragically, in the early hours of October 3, women en route to a Masowe apostolic church service discovered Gama’s body hanging from a Muora tree.

Police investigations confirmed he had used a wire to hang himself and the reason for his decision to end his life is yet to be established.

The body was transported to Gutu Mission Hospital for post-mortem examination as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

This incident follows another recent tragedy in Chivi, where a man died by suicide after being rejected by his former wife.

These consecutive cases highlight urgent need for enhanced mental health support and intervention strategies, especially for men in rural communities facing emotional distress.

By TellZim Reporter

As the world commemorated World Decent Work Day on October 7, the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) issued a powerful statement urging the Government of Zimbabwe to prioritize the protection and formalization of informal economy workers, whose contributions to the national economy remain overlooked and undervalued.

In the statement, VISET highlighted the persistent challenges that informal workers face, including lack of formal recognition, limited market access, and inadequate social protection. The organization emphasized that the precarious nature of their work not only undermines their dignity but also heightens vulnerability to economic shocks and disasters.

The call comes against the backdrop of recent devastating fires that swept through trading areas in Mbare and Glenview Area 8, destroying merchandise and livelihoods. These incidents, VISET noted, underscore the urgent need for robust support systems and safety measures to protect traders from losing their means of survival.

“It is essential that the government invests in fire prevention and support mechanisms to ensure that traders in these vulnerable communities can sustain their livelihoods without the fear of losing everything to unforeseen disasters,” read part of the statement.

VISET further advocated for the formalization of the informal economy in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO)”s Recommendation 204, which encourages nations to adopt policies facilitating the transition from informality to formality. 

VISET said such measures would empower workers by enhancing their access to essential services, social protection, and growth opportunities.

“Creating pathways for informal workers to join the formal economy is a crucial step toward fostering inclusive economic development and ensuring that every worker can secure their rights and create a better future for themselves and their families,” read part of the statement.

The organization called on the Government of Zimbabwe to take decisive action toward ensuring decent work for all, particularly those in the informal sector. Key recommendations included implementing policies that promote formalization, improve market access, and establish comprehensive social protection systems.

The appeal resonates with many vendors and informal traders across the country, who continue to seek greater recognition, security, and inclusion in Zimbabwe’s economic framework.

..Fears for another rainy season of isolation

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Chief Chilonga has voiced deep frustration over the official silence surrounding the stalled construction of the Chilonga Bridge, warning that his community faces renewed isolation and danger with the new rainy season approaching.

The Chief, born David Ben, raised the issue during a Chiredzi Rural District Council Full Council Meeting held recently, expressing dismay that the critical project was not being discussed.

“I am saddened that I have not heard anything about the construction of Chilonga Bridge during the presentations. We must continue to advocate for the construction of this bridge, even if it seems off-topic.” Said the Chief

The urgency stems from the complete collapse of the original causeway across the Runde River in March of this year, which succumbed to heavy, relentless rains. This is not an isolated incident, as the Chilonga crossing has been a perennial problem for over a decade, frequently washing away and leaving communities stranded.

The bridge is the primary lifeline connecting thousands of residents in the Chilonga area to Chiredzi Town. Without it, access to essential services is severed, cutting people off from the District Hospital, banks, agricultural markets, and the National Registry office. The human cost has been tragically high over the years, with several lives lost as people attempted to cross the flooded river during the rainy season. The existing structure is narrow and low-lying, making it prone to flooding and forcing villagers to use unsafe boats to cross.

Faced with government inaction in the immediate aftermath of the March collapse, the community, as they have done many times before, took matters into its own hands. Between April and May 2025, locals mobilized their own resources, contributing labour and materials like stones to construct a temporary, makeshift bridge. This stopgap solution allowed for precarious passage but is unreliable and unsafe, especially with more rain forecast. This cycle of community-led repairs highlights a pattern of despair where residents exhaust their own limited resources to build temporary structures, only to see them destroyed again the following season.

In response to Chief Chilonga’s concerns, Chiredzi RDC Chairperson Aspect Mashingaidze offered an explanation that has become familiar to the community. He assured the Chief that the community had not been ignored, but the project was stalled in the tender process.

 “The issue lies with the tendering process, contractor bids have been significantly above the government’s expectations, and no one has been willing to retender with a reasonable cost. That is what is currently holding up the project,” Mashingaidze explained.

Earlier this year, Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament, Ropafadzo Makumire, asked the Minister of Roads and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, to update the house on the government’s plans. Minister Mhona indicated that significant work, including planning and designs, had to be carried out, prolonging the timeframe.

A site five kilometres downstream from the causeway was identified but will require substantial foundations, with the bridge length projected at 500 meters.

“Detailed designs of the superstructures are at an advanced stage and will be complete by mid-June 2025,” said Mhona. “Thereafter the bills of quantities and engineer’s estimates or budget will be prepared due to the limited internal capacity to undertake detailed foundation, which is the substructure designs by the Department of Roads, which is in the process of retooling its soil testing laboratories. The projected cost for the new Chilonga Bridge is USD 72,000,000.00 and will be included in the work program and budget for 2026.”

He said the planning was time-consuming due to the weak soil types in the area, which were not strong enough to support the proposed bridge loads. “It is important to point out that bridge projects are special by their nature and that they involve a number of processes in planning and design stages,” Mhona explained. “The site selection process had to be carried out a number of times… Due to the fact that this process involves both topographical and geotechnical surveys to be carried out before the actual design of river works, substructures and superstructures can be embarked on, it has taken some time for this project to be implemented.”

However, these justifications offer little comfort against the backdrop of past promises. Government officials have pledged a permanent bailey or concrete bridge as far back as 2021, following another tragic drowning, yet these assurances have consistently failed to materialize.

As the skies darken with the promise of more rain, the people of Chilonga are left hoping that a permanent solution is found before the river rises once more, breaking another temporary link and threatening both their livelihoods and their lives.