…as Government set to re-budget funds for Chilonga Bridge in 2026

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- Communities in Chiredzi South could continue using their makeshift Chilonga Bridge across Runde River as governemnt promised to budget for the bridge in its 2026 budget.
Following the collapse of the existing Chilonga Causeway in March this year, which was constructed as a makeshift after the collapse of Chipinda Bridge in 2000, communities resorted to yet another indigenous way to temporarily enable them to cross to Chiredzi town.
The community rely on the town for several services services including the District Hospital, banks, National Registry among others.
This came out in parliament recently after Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament, Ropafadzo Makumire asked the Minister of Roads and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona to update the house on the Government plans to construct the bridge connecting Chiredzi Central to Chiredzi South.
Mhona indicated that a lot of work including planning and designs was involved and had to be carried out a number of times prolonging the timeframe and said a site five kilomentres from the bridge was identified.
“A site of five kilometers downstream from the causeway was identified but will require the power foundations and the length of the bridge will be 500 meters. Detailed designs of the superstructures are at an advanced stage and will be complete by mid-June 2025.
“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 or its soil testing laboratories. The projected cost for the new Chilonga Bridge is USD72 000 000.00 and will be included in the work program and budget for 2026,” said Mhona.
He said the planning of the bridge was taking time because of the type of soils in the area which were regarded as not strong enough.
“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, the site selection process had to be carried out a number of times as the soil types in the area were not strong enough to support the loads that would be coming from the proposed bridge.
“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. It has taken some time for this project to be implemented,” 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 or its soil testing laboratories. The projected cost for the new Chilonga Bridge is USD72 000 000.00 and will be included in the work program and budget for 2026,” said Mhona.
On Inyathi Road, which is the main road leading to Chiredzi Town branching from Ngundu-Tanganda highway through the city center to Hippo Valley Estates, Minister Mhona also indicated that the successful bidder’s costs were adjudged high and they needed to reconsider in order to begin works on the road refurbishment.
“A tender was flighted in 2024 to engage another contractor, unfortunately, when the evaluations were submitted to SPOC for review, the successful bidder’s price was adjudged to be on the higher side. The works are earmarked for tendering with the advert expected to be flighted this May,” said Mhona.
Inyathi road was under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Program (ERRP) and was left halfway after the contractor had cited delayed payments by the client after 2.2 kilometer was primed and other part was left at Base 1 level.

By Beverly Bizeki

For 13 years, Tarisai Madondo (not real name) struggled silently with a condition so stigmatized that she could not discuss openly with anyone and felt she was going through it all alone. Obstetric Fistula left her devastated, ostracizing her from normal life, without a job to fend for herself and her family.
Madondo said she could not do basic things like travelling for long distances or going to work because she felt embarrassed by the incontinence resulting from the birth injury.
“13 years ago, I was injured during childbirth, and to make matters worse, the baby died during delivery. To add salt to injury, my husband left, which relegated me to a life of suffering alone since I could not afford treatment.
“Relatives eventually weaned me off due to the financial burden that came with this condition. I cannot work due to incontinence because I have to make frequent visits to the bathroom to change sanitary wear. Travelling takes a toll on me due to the shame of soiling my seat whenever I do, and I have always suffered in silence due to the stigma,” said Madondo.
The desire to get treatment saw Madondo crossing borders into neighbouring South Africa, which was all in vain as she could not be treated for free because of her status as a foreigner. A whopping R140 000 was then required for surgery, so she had no choice but to return home without any relief.
“The corrective surgery is free for South African citizens but for foreigners they said it was a drain on their doctors. After hearing about the programme here a donation was made to fund my trip to Masvingo to get treatment. I was shocked when I got to the ward and found it full with people seeking treatment for the same condition when I thought I was the only one with this condition,” said Madondo.
Madondo’s experience reflects a crisis affecting thousands of Zimbabwean women facing the brunt of a failing health system resulting in injuries caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely care.
Speaking at the International Day to End Fistula commemorations at Mashoko Mission Hospital, in Bikita recently, Ministry of Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini acknowledged the scope of the problem and the need for nationwide intervention with six hospitals capacitated to conduct surgical repairs.
“MoHCC has so far capacitated six hospitals to conduct surgical repairs for obstetric fistula, these are Mashoko Christian, Chinhoyi Provincial, Mutambara Mission, Chidamoyo Mission, and United Bulawayo Hospitals.
“From 2015, over 1 800 women have benefitted from surgical repair of fistula. No woman should suffer in silence. It is our duty to stand together and ensure that our healthcare systems are equipped, our communities are educated and our women feel valued and supported,” said Kwidini.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a key partner in the campaign’s Country Representative represented by Peter Mukasa said obstetric fistula was more than a health crisis and reflected broader structural inequalities.
“The presence of obstetric fistula reflects broader health inequalities and health care systems constraints as well as wider challenges facing women and girls such as poverty, gender inequality, lack of schooling, child marriage and teenage pregnancies all of which impede the wellbeing of women and girls.
“Ending fistula cannot be viewed in isolation. It demands a comprehensive approach investing in resilient health systems to strengthen maternal health services and safe and dignified childbirth for every woman, ensuring adequate funding for prevention and treatment as well as socioeconomic reintegration of survivors.
“For UNFPA, ending fistula remains one of our highest priorities and we will continue to accelerate efforts, both in our own work and within the United Nations system. I would like to reaffirm UNFPA’s commitment to working with all partners towards zero maternal deaths in Zimbabwe,” said Mukasa.
Fistula Foundation Programs Director representing Atermidis a key partner, Bwalya Chomba stressed the organisation’s mission to stay focused on what matters most, surgical repairs.
“With each surgery we provide we know that it can help change one woman’s world forever and we know that the ripple effect of a restored health on both her family and community is profound. Nothing has been more important to our success than deciding to focus on one critical and measurable outcome which is repair surgeries for women injured in childbirth. We resist the urge to be all things to all people supporting only those activities that directly enable the treatment of women with fistula. Our bottom line is always the number of women we are able to help,” said Chomba.
Since 2009 the Fistula Foundation has supported fistula treatment for over 100 000 surgeries at more than 150 sites in 35 countries in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia of which Zimbabwe is one of them. Zimbabwe joined this network in 2015 when MoHCC partnered with UNFPA, Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA) now Artemedis to launch the country’s first fistula camp at Chinhoyi.
Since then the programme has grown with camps now hosted at multiple hospitals with over 800 women having undergone corrective surgeries.
According to the World Health organisation, there are between 50 000 and 100 000 women who develop obstetric fistula each year worldwide. The injury occurs when complications during labour and delivery leading to a hole forming between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum.
The injury often results in uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces causing physical, emotional and psychological suffering.

By Staff Reporter

Despite promises of action from the District School Inspector, a mentally ill teacher continue to pose a threat to leaners and the community of Nyahombe in Chivi sparking outrage and frustration among parents who demand immediate action to ensure their children’s safety.
It’s almost seven months after the parents complained over the teacher At Nyahombe secondary school in ward 29 of Chivi but no action has been taken to address the situation.
Contacted by TellZim News over the issue last year, Chivi District Schools Inspector (DSI) Evershine Ndongwe said they had forwarded his papers to the Public Service Commission
However, when TellZim reached out to him on the progress, Ndongwe said they wanted to transfer him to a school near Chibi Mission Hospital but were yet to find a vacancy.
‘We intent to put him close to Chivi Hospital but we are yet to find a place. If he gets mediation he will be fine that no one would suspect that he is ill. If he had found a relative to stay with him monitoring him to make sure he takes his medication would also help since he separated from wife,” said Ndongwe.
However, parents alleged that he was related to some official who was protecting him at the district office that’s why he was not being retired.
Contacted for comment, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and advocacy Taungana Ndoro said he would look into the matter.
The parents’ concerns extend beyond the school premises, saying the teacher’s behavior was not only limited to the classroom. He is said to have a habit of roaming around the community, frequenting areas where women bathe, sparking fears that he may eventually commit a serious offense, such as rape.
“We are afraid that one day he would attack and injure one leaner and we also fear that he would sexually attack women as he is often seen in areas where woman bath. He also goes into communities acting like an apostolic sect prophet,” said one parent.
Parents continue to fear for their children’s safety, as the teacher’s behavior remains unpredictable and violent. They worry that one of their children may retaliate and injure him, which could lead to further escalation.
“He likes provoking children and you know these youngsters, we are afraid that some may attack and injure him. If the government has no money to retire him, they should at least continue paying him even if he is not working, we don’t mind as long as he is removed from the community especially at school,” said another parent

By Virginia Njovo

Masvingo Province has been classified as higher risk of veld fires in the 2025 fire season, mainly due to an increase in biomass resulting from above-normal rainfall received in the rainy season.
Gutu and Masvingo Rural districts expected to be the most affected compared to others who have relatively lower chances.
This came out during the National Fire Week Launch in Gutu on May 28 wherr Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Environmental Officer for Planning and Monitoring, Wilfred Muchono said the rainy season’s lush growth has created ideal conditions for wildfires.
“The 2024–2025 farming season brought normal to above-normal rainfall, leading to an accumulation of biomass. This increases the risk of veld fires, so extra caution is necessary. Several strategies are being employed to mitigate the danger,” said Muchono.
Muchono urged landowners and land users to adopt fire prevention measures such as creating nine-meter-wide fireguards and repurposing dry vegetation.
“During this period, fire should only be seen in the kitchen, anywhere else becomes a punishable offense. Biomass can be baled for poultry bedding, thatching, or even sold as part of a new business venture,” said Muchono.
Masvingo Provincial Environmental Manager Milton Muusha emphasized that the National Fire Week Launch (NFWL) was not just ceremonial but a crucial moment to evaluate preparedness at all levels.
“The NFWL is the engagement of all stakeholders in veldfire Management to ensure availability of adequate capacity to manage fires, these include local communities, local governance structures including local authorities, traditional leaders and development partners.
“It also provides awareness at the outset, the launch is a platform to immediately and widely disseminate information about the dangers of veldfires, their causes and the importance of prevention hence it is time to take stock of villages, wards, districts and provincial preparedness to the upcoming fire season,” said Muusha.
Gutu District, which contains large resettlement areas with dense, unmanaged vegetation, is among the most vulnerable. To prepare for the season, Gutu Rural District Council Chairperson Charles Mannie said they had acquired a fire tender using Constituency Development Funds.
“As the most affected district, we have procured a fire tender using funds from CDF to prepare for the season. With this new fire tender and planned awareness campaigns, we are stepping up our readiness to fight veld fires in the upcoming season,” said Mannie.
Despite the current concerns, veld fire incidents in Masvingo have been declining over the past three years, suggesting that awareness campaigns were having a tangible impact with statistics showing that in 2022, 82,664.10 hectares burned, 2023: 37,460.75 hectares (a 54.7% decrease) and in 2024 (as of October 11): 15,332.45 hectares burned.

Staff Reporter

Residents of Zaka Ward 27 are facing significant challenges due to poor network coverage, which hinders their access to information and communication.
Speaking to TellZim News, local ward councilor Ernest Mandava appealed to the responsible authorities to erect a network tower on Fumure Mountain, which he said would provide coverage for the entire ward.
“I appeal to the responsible authorities to erect a booster in Fumure Mountain. That could cover the whole ward and other areas due to its location and height.
“If erected at its summit, it would have a very large coverage because of its height and relieve the challenge we face as a ward,” said Manadava.
He said people were relying on booster from Renco Mine which is in Masvingo District and Chivamba though in Zaka, it was shielded by some mountains in between making it hard to provide network for the whole ward.
“Currently, residents rely on boosters from Renco Mine and Chivamba, which are far away and unreliable. Two potential sites, including Fumure Mountain, were identified long ago, but no action has been taken so far,” said Mandava.
He said the poor network coverage had a significant impact on local schools and business centers, which require reliable internet connectivity to operate effectively.
The councilor noted that internet connectivity was a major challenge, forcing people to travel to higher ground to access the internet, leaving many behind in terms of access to information.
“We are lagging behind in terms of access to information and communication due to the poor network coverage. We urge the responsible authorities to prioritize the erection of a network tower on Fumure Mountain, which would greatly improve our connectivity and enable us to participate fully in the digital economy,” said Mandava.
The situation is not unique to the area and Zaka alone as several areas in rural areas face the same predicament.
In Masvingo South, people from Guwa area said they were also facing connectivity challenges saying bureaucracy and greedy by traditional leaders who wanted payment was costing the area.
“There were prospects that a tower was going to be erected at Guwa mountain back then around 2019 prior to COVID era. As part of the process apparently on the consultative stages, some elders had their reservations of traditional significance of the mountain, hence the project was abandoned,” said a source who refused to be named.
Masvingo South legislator Tanatsiwa Mukomberi said the traditional leader impasse but said it was later approved and Econet promised to erect one in 2024 but the promise was yet to see the light of the day.
“At first the traditional leaders blocked the move but it was later approved. Econet promised us that they were going to erect one booster in 2024 but they failed so I will follow up on it.
However, we also applied to NetOne and we are still processing the paperwork,” said Mukomberi