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Learners urged to create own opportunities as formal jobs become scarce

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Learners urged to create own opportunities as formal jobs become scarce

By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – Learners have been urged to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and explore
alternative career paths as formal employment opportunities continue to shrink.
This came out during the belated Africa World Heritage Day commemorations held at the
new visitor centre at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site on June 18, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Great Zimbabwe Local Management Committee chairperson
Constantine Mutuwanyuka said many young people complete their education expecting to
secure formal employment, yet jobs were increasingly difficult to find.
He encouraged learners to use visits to heritage sites such as Great Zimbabwe to broaden
their thinking and consider alternative ways of earning a living rather than relying solely on
formal employment.
“The greatest challenge I see for many learners is that, once they finish school, their aim is to
get employment. The question is, how do you get employment when jobs are scarce?
“As we visit places like this, they should open your minds as learners to think about what you
can do after school. You may wish to become a dancer like those performing here, but you
can also find alternatives. Instead of looking for a job, you could own a hotel and invite
dancers to perform on weekends, which in turn boosts your business,” said Mutuwanyuka.
Mutuwanyuka used the example of farming to illustrate the importance of adaptability and
innovation.
“The idea is that when you go to the market to sell cabbage but fail to grow cabbage, you
should be able to find something else that can generate income. Always keep yourself
occupied and keep planning how best you can overcome challenges where possible,” he said.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Masvingo Director for Education Services in
Petronella Nyangwe, who was representing the Provincial Education Director (PED),
Shylatte Mhike said the commemorations provided an important learning opportunity for
students to appreciate the country’s natural and cultural heritage and understand the
importance of preserving it for future generations.
She said heritage sites such as Great Zimbabwe serve as living classrooms that help learners
understand their history and inspire future storytelling.
“It is an important day for learners because they get to learn about our natural and cultural
heritage and how to preserve it for future use. These monuments can also inspire people to
write stories and document history. They are classrooms where learners continue to be
educated,” said Nyangwe.

She added that the traditional artefacts and construction techniques on display demonstrated
the inventiveness of Zimbabwe’s ancestors and should inspire young people to become
innovative in their own lives.
“Through these traditional tools and artefacts, we see how innovative our ancestors were.
This should teach learners that they, too, can be innovative and create opportunities for
themselves after school. The baskets, blankets made from tree bark and even the Great
Enclosure, which was built from stone without mortar, all demonstrate remarkable
innovation,” she said.
Junior Parliamentarian Shantel Saungwame said the commemorations had deepened her
understanding of Great Zimbabwe and the need to preserve the country’s heritage.
“Today we are learning about Great Zimbabwe and the Great Enclosure. Honestly, I did not
know much about these things before, but today I have learnt a lot. As students, we should
deeply appreciate what our ancestors did and think about what we can do to preserve it for
future generations,” she said.

Helen McGhie Primary wins 2025 Secretary’s Bell

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Helen McGhie Primary wins 2025 Secretary’s Bell

By Virginia Njovo
MASVINGO – Helen McGhie Primary School in Masvingo has been recognised as one of
the top ten primary schools in the country, receiving the prestigious 2025 Secretary’s Bell
Merit Award for its outstanding performance in academia, sports, and infrastructure
development.
The award was handed over by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Permanent
Secretary Moses Mhike during a joint ceremony held at Chiredzi Government High School
recently.
Helen McGhie won the primary school category and Chiredzi Government High School in
the secondary school category.
The Secretary’s Bell Merit Award is given to one best primary and one best secondary school
in each province that has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, infrastructure
development, cultural and sporting achievements, as well as successful implementation of the
heritage-based curriculum.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike described the two
schools as “centres of excellence, innovation, discipline, technology integration and holistic
learner development.” 
“These two schools have positioned themselves as centres of excellence, innovation,
discipline, technology integration and holistic learner development,” said Mhike.
For years, Helen McGhie has been consistent in maintaining high pass rates in Masvingo
District, making it an academic excellence centre. 
In the 2025 Grade 7 examinations, out of 123 learners, only one learner could not make it,
giving the school a 99.99 percent pass rate.
The school’s pass rate in 2024 was 100 percent, in 2023 it was 97.67 percent, in 2022 it was
97.33 percent and in 2021 it was 97.9 percent.
This sustained performance reflects the collaborative efforts among the school, teachers,
learners, and parents.
The school has embraced technology, using interactive boards in every classroom from ECD
up to Grade 7. This commitment to ICT in education has been praised by the Permanent
Secretary, who noted that Helen McGhie has embraced technology through the use of
interactive boards in all classrooms and smart TVs in ECD classes.
Helen McGhie also received four boxes of textbooks, 100 textbooks and interactive boards,
along with a Bell plaque and teaching and learning materials worth US$4,005. 

The school also received three laptops, three tablets, one Starlink kit, three solar kits, a
heavy-duty printer and photocopier, book vouchers, a robotics kit, a small printer, a
wheelbarrow, shovel, pick and 50kg of rice.
In a major milestone, Helen McGhie Primary School recently acquired a high-end 73-seater
luxury coach from Vordim Trading Private Limited.
The bus, an Asiastar Luxury Coach YBL61488, is the second of its kind in the country, with
the other one at Mafidhi Mnangagwa Primary School in Redcliff Town, Midlands Province.
The high-end coach is equipped with modern features such as seven television sets, Wi-Fi, a
refrigerator, a water dispenser, USB charging ports at every seat, air conditioning and an
onboard toilet. 
The purchase comes with a five-year free service package, driver training and round-the-
clock breakdown assistance and the acquisition contributes to the school’s recognition
The school’s administration expressed excitement over the new development, highlighting
that the coach will ease transport challenges for learners, assist with school runs and be used
for executive hirings and sports trips.
Helen McGhie runs various income generation projects, including a 40x20m fish pond
project with a carrying capacity of 4,000 fish, developed in partnership with the Zimbabwe
Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZIMPARKS). The school also runs a poultry project with 150
layers and 100 road runners, selling eggs to the community. Additionally, the school has
ventured into banana production to boost nutrition and generate income.
Apart from academic excellence, Helen McGhie is also recognised as one of the cleanest
schools in the province. Its Environment Project Club is functional and practical, with solid
waste management practices and value addition projects preparing various accessories.
The school is also constructing a multi-purpose sports arena to enhance talent development. 
In this year’s NAPH athletics events, Clara Chingadza and Shamiso Hwenjere reached the
provincial level in the 4×100 relay.
In soccer, Makatendeka Sibanda made it to the national Under-14 boys’ team. In tennis,
Ropafaradzo Muyenzenge and Wilstaff Sitemere also reached national level competitions.
Helen McGhie has also performed well in quiz competitions. The school finished second in
the Traffic Safety Council provincial quiz and participated in National AIDS Council and
National Museums quizzes. 
In the 2025 National Annual Science, Sports and Arts Festival (NASSAF) held at Chancellor
Primary School in Mutare on 7 October 2025, Miranda Muzande, under the guidance of
Kudzayi Judith Mandishe, won first place nationally.
The school won the National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe provincial quiz competitions,
receiving US$300 prize money and a sole ticket to represent the province at the national
competitions. Helen McGhie also raised Masvingo’s flag high at the 2025 National Primary
Schools Heritage Quiz Competition, securing third position after a tiebreaker with
Mashonaland Central, and earning 100 day-old chicks and US$415 in cash.

At the 2026 National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) National Heritage
Education Quiz at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Helen McGhie Primary School finished
fourth with 66 points, narrowly missing a podium finish.
With a strong focus on holistic development, technology integration, and talent grooming,
Helen McGhie Primary School continues to set the pace in both academic and extracurricular

Vision 2030 sabotage or warning signs

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Vision 2030 sabotage or warning signs

… Thousands stranded as national registry stops issuing IDs, births saying they have no receipt books

By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – For nearly a month, Zimbabweans across the country have been unable to
replace lost identity documents or obtain new birth certificates because registry offices have run
out of receipt books.
The crisis, which has returned for the second time in seven months, has turned a basic human
right into a bureaucratic nightmare, costing citizen’s jobs, education opportunities, and travel
plans while the government continues to lose millions of dollars by refusing to adopt a simple
automated receipting system.
The national identity document is the second most important identification for any citizen after
the birth certificate. It is required for everything, applying for a job, registering for university,
obtaining a passport, opening a bank account, voting, and even accessing some health services.
Yet thousands of Zimbabweans are being turned away at registry offices because they cannot pay
the required fee not because they don’t have money, but because there are no official receipt
books.
Under Zimbabwean law, citizens between the ages of 16 and 18 are eligible to obtain a national
ID for free. However, those above 18 or those seeking to replace lost or damaged IDs must pay a
processing fee of US$10.
Similarly, birth certificates are free for children under six years; those above six pay US$5 for a
firsttime certificate, while replacements or computerized versions cost US$10. Without an
official receipt, no payment can be processed and without receipt books, no receipt can be issued.
Most districts have only one registry office, and people travel long distances by bus or taxi, often
taking a day off work, only to be told that there were no receipt books.
One source inside a registry office told TellZim News that the problem was nearly a month old
and goes beyond just receipt books.
“It’s almost a month since we stopped replacing birth certificates and national IDs, and we are
also not serving firsttimers who are above the age threshold. But it’s not only the receipt books,
we don’t have some critical forms either. However, those other forms are only needed after
payment, so their absence isn’t noticeable yet,” said the source.
This is not the first time the country has faced such a breakdown. In November 2025, TellZim
News exposed a similar crisis at the Masvingo District Registry Office, which had suspended ID
replacements for nearly two weeks. At the time, an internal source confirmed the office had run
out of receipt books and there was no fuel to collect new stock from Harare.

A frustrated applicant told this publication she had lost a job opportunity because she could not
replace her lost ID. That crisis was resolved only after media exposure but the same problem has
now returned, worse than before.
Contacted for comment, Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe said he was not aware of
any crisis and asked the reporter to get a comment from the Registrar General.
“I am not aware there is such a crisis. However, the best person to respond is the Registrar
General. He is our accounting officer, so he should have the answer,” said Kazembe.
When asked why the problem had recurred, the minister explained that previously registry
officials had told him the challenge was caused by delays in receiving funds from Treasury and
that the issue had been addressed.
“I am not sure what the challenge is now. They once said there were delays in getting funds from
treasury but now I am not sure what the challenge is. Get in touch with the Registrar General,”
he said.
When TellZim News contacted Registrar General Henry Taona Machiri, he asked the reporter to
call back later, then said he was in a meeting and directed inquiries to the public relations office.
No substantive response was received.


However, Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Faranisi
acknowledged that the problem is national.
“I am aware of the challenge, it’s a national problem. Very few centres have receipt books. The
challenge is delays in disbursement of funds from Treasury. However, we recently got the funds
and we are running around to make sure the receipt books and other materials are made
available,” said Faranisi.
He admitted it was unfair for citizens to travel long distances only to be turned away.
“It’s not fair for citizens to travel long distances only to be turned away. We are doing
everything possible to address the challenge. The major problem now is we have a very big
backlog,” he added.
When asked why the government does not simply adopt an automated, computergenerated
receipting system, saving millions of dollars on printing and avoiding these recurring crises,
Faranisi said he would consider the suggestion.
“Thanks very much for that suggestion. I think it’s something we need to try; we just need to put
security measures in place. I will definitely consider the advice,” he said.
Contacted on the same issue, Minister of ICT Tatenda Mavetera said introducing automated
receipting was a simple thing her ministry could do, but she wanted to first discuss with Minister
Kazembe to confirm the challenge.

“I need to get in touch with Minister Kazembe to understand if they have a challenge or its just
hearsay. That is something we can easily do,” said Mavetera.
But sources within the registry department told TellZim News that resistance to automation
comes from within.
“We have old people in the department who cannot upgrade to embrace technology. If
automation is implemented, some will lose jobs. They also allege that receipt books are easier to
audit but how do shops like OK Zimbabwe audit their electronic receipts?” said one source.
The reliance on hardcopy receipt books, printed exclusively by the Government Printers, which
are struggling to meet demand, has created an artificial bottleneck. Treasury delays in releasing
funds further worsen the situation. The result, millions of dollars is lost while printing receipt
books.
The human cost is staggering. Imagine losing your ID a week before a job interview, you cannot
replace it because there is no receipt book. Or your child turns six and needs a birth certificate to
enroll in school you are turned away. Or you are admitted to university but cannot register
without an ID. Or you need a passport for an emergency abroad, you cannot even start the
process.
The current crisis is merely the latest in a recurring pattern. In October 2025, the Masvingo
District Registry Office suspended ID replacements due to a shortage of receipt books.
At the same time, the office was also among several government buildings that endured
prolonged power disconnections after the Department of Public Works failed to settle electricity
bills – a situation only rectified after media exposure. In November 2025, the registry office ran
out of Notice of Birth (BD1) forms, halting birth registrations.
The passport office in Masvingo has also suffered. Zimbabwe’s passport crisis dates back years,
with the government repeatedly suspending applications due to a lack of special printing paper
and ink. Although the government has announced plans for an epassport enrolment centre in
Masvingo, progress has been slow. Citizens must travel to Harare, Zvishavane or other centres to
obtain passports, incurring additional costs.

IN MEMORY OF THE CHILDREN LOST, AND IN HOPE FOR SAFER JOURNEYS AHEAD

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IN MEMORY OF THE CHILDREN LOST, AND IN HOPE FOR SAFER JOURNEYS AHEAD

When adults interact with children in different spaces, it is worth remembering that their interactions are based on a duty to act based on a special relationship.

This duty of care is based on a special relationship because of children’s ages, limited experiences and vulnerabilities. These variables put together, demand of the adults the need to protect and safeguard children from injurious situations.

This opinion piece has been motivated by what happened in Gweru on June 10, 2026, at Chirandu Business Centre where a combi carrying about 23-24 primary school pupils from Matongo and Stanley primary schools went up in flames due to a 10- litre jerry can of petrol placed close to the battery compartment.

The fuel ignited while the vehicle was in motion, causing an explosion and fire.

Seven children died in the inferno.Sad. Zimbabwe buried seven children last week. Seven. Not statistics. Not headlines we scroll past. Seven futures ended in flames just like that.

The 64-million-dollar questions at the back of our minds should be, “Who has a duty of care towards children?” and “What are the obligations and duties of those with the duty of care towards children?” In response to the above questions, state and non -actors have a duty of care towards children and this duty of care is based on a special relationship, statute and contract.

Arguably, we cannot accept “accidents happen” when it comes to our children. Strict liability. Accidents happen where systems fail. And our school transport system is failing.

So, we write this opinion piece not just to mourn but to demand eight (8) changes that must happen now in every school that has an arrangement of ferrying learners:Put a safeguarding officer on every school bus /combiWe have teachers to monitor learning.

We need officers to monitor safety. Their job: count heads, stop overloading, check speed and speak up when drivers take risks. One responsible adult focused only on the children could have forced that combi to stop, to check, to wait.

Capacity and speed kill more children than fire does. A Safeguarding Officer can either be a Social Worker, a Community Psychologist or any person who has a background in child protection and safeguarding. Safeguarding is spending to save; hence this recommendation should not be viewed as a drain on the school’s budget.

As a matter of national policy, every school should have Safeguarding Officers commensurate with its size to cut down on incidents occasioned by negligence by either omission or commission.

Make child protection training compulsory for all drivers and conductorsA driver with 30 children is not just driving-he or she is acting in loco parentis. He or she has a duty of care based on a contract, statute and special relationship.

He or she needs basic training on how children panic and on how to evacuate them calmly. Transport operators must partner with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in conjunction with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to certify this training.

The training menu may involve defence driving, vehicle safety checks, emergency response, child protection awareness, passenger management, communication skills, legal compliance, hazardous materials awareness, stress and fatigue management, ethics and accountability.

These aspects ensure drivers and conductors are not just technically competent, but also child-sensitive, compliant and ethically responsible.Fire safety gear, checked monthly.

Every school vehicle must carry a working extinguisher, smoke alarm and emergency hammer. VID and school boards should log monthly checks. In a fire, 20 seconds is the difference between escape and tragedy. Gear we don’t test is gear we don’t have.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police should also be the wheel in the machine here, as they should compel all transporters of school children to produce the requisite safeguards for the transportation of school children.

End overloading -seats only, no exceptionsStanding passengers cannot apply to children. The law must cap capacity at the number of seats, with heavy fines and licence suspensions for violations.

If a Safeguarding Officer was on board, overloading would end tomorrow. The presence of a Safeguarding Officer discourages negligence, since drivers and conductors would fear penalties and dismissal.Speed governors +GPS trackingMost combi fires start from mechanical stress caused by speeding.

Make speed governors compulsory on all school transport. Heads of schools and parents should have access to GPS data. Speeding routes should trigger instant warnings.

Teach children how to escape Children freeze. Smoke confuses them. Schools and operators must run termly evacuation drills. Every child should know two exits blindfolded.

We practice fire drills in classrooms-we must practice them in vehicles too. Tougher roadworthiness for school routesA combi carrying children should face stricter VID inspections than a commuter taxi.

No bald tyres. No illegal wiring. No jerry cans of fuel inside, If it’s not safe enough for the minister’s child, its not safe enough for ours. Publish investigation results within 30 days.

After every incident, parents deserve answers. What failed: the driver, the vehicle, the inspector, the ZRP? Public reports force accountability. Silence breeds repeated tragedies.

Seven desks sit empty today. Seven families will never be whole again. But the thousands of children who still board combis tomorrow can come home safely if we act.

Government, operators, schools, parents: this is our shared duty. Let these seven (7) children be the last we lose to a preventable fire. Let their names be the reason every other child gets home.

By Dr. Nicholas Aribino -Country Director, Law student, Part-time lecturer in Inclusive Education, Child Safeguarding and the Law, Gender Studies, and Special Needs Education and & Sheperd Chuma-Former Lecturer at college of education and now part-time university lecturer.

Noah’s Ark Embraces Rehabilitation over Punishment

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Noah’s Ark Embraces Rehabilitation over Punishment

Noah’s Ark Community Correctional Centre, a Bulawayo-based religious organization, has mentored nearly 60 ex-offenders to date. It is one of the first independent halfway homes to partner with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service in its shift from a punitive to a corrective and rehabilitative approach.

A team of journalists who had earlier visited Khami Prison near Bulawayo toured the correctional facility and witnessed the sharp contrast between life behind Khami’s high walls and the relaxed atmosphere of a residential area.At Noah’s Ark, the 15 residents , no longer referred to as inmates, were smartly dressed in new overalls and going about their daily routines.

Unlike at Khami, visitors were not subjected to security protocols such as surrendering national identity cards.

Only during introductions at a meeting held in the Noah’s Ark church did the journalists learn that ex-offenders were seated at the back.Centre Director Frank Jabson told the visitors that the organization was registered in 2009 by Noah’s Ark Church, led by Bishop Febbie Chuma.

The church was established in 2004 in Queens Park East, one of the city’s oldest eastern suburbs.“We identified challenges facing the community in this old suburb and committed ourselves to help address them.

These include drug and substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment, and crime,” Jabson said.

The organization partnered with Ingutsheni Hospital to provide psychosocial support to homeless communities. It also supports orphans and vulnerable children in the area.

In 2020, the organization entered a partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service to accommodate ex-offenders nearing the end of their sentences.

Eligible for admission are ex-offenders with less than 12 months remaining on their sentences, a low risk of escape, family support systems, and a willingness to join the center.

Residents have a cellphone facility to communicate with their families.

“We provide spiritual guidance, and each day begins with morning devotions in the church,” Jabson said.

The center currently accommodates 20 residents but is working to upgrade the facility to house 100.

“We are expanding because we want to effectively contribute to reducing congestion in our prisons,” he added.

As part of the rehabilitation programme, residents are trained in poultry rearing, shoemaking, detergent production, and agribusiness skills to prepare them for life after prison.

”One resident, Nkosilathi Jabangwe, who came to the center in August 2025 from Khami Maximum Prison, said the programme is helping him reintegrate after completing his sentence.

“I am guided by Bishop Chuma’s message on time and chance. She emphasises that Christ has given us another chance in life and we should not waste it. We seek help while we help ourselves,” Jabangwe said.

National AIDS Council Bulawayo Provincial Manager, Sinatra Nyathi said while NAC is not yet working directly with the center, it is active in the broader Bulawayo North district.

Its work addresses male engagement, drug and substance abuse, adherence to antiretroviral drugs, crime, risky sexual behavior, disease surveillance, and non-communicable diseases.

Beyond Bars: Why Zimbabwe’s New Prisons Act Must Put Communities at the Centre

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Beyond Bars: Why Zimbabwe’s New Prisons Act Must Put Communities at the Centre

By Tafadzwa Gonye (Community Psychology Intern with Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe)Zimbabwe’s Prisons and Correctional Service Act of 2023 arrives with the promise of reform, shifting the country’s correctional philosophy from punishment to rehabilitation. On paper, it is a progressive step forward. But from a community psychology perspective, the real question is not what happens inside prison walls, but what happens between prisons and the communities people come from and return to.Rehabilitation Is a Community ProcessThe Act rightly emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration. It recognizes that offenders are not beyond reform and that correctional services should prepare individuals for life after incarceration. However, community psychology teaches us that rehabilitation does not occur in isolation. People are shaped by their environments—families, neighbourhoods, economic systems, and social networks. Without addressing these broader conditions, prisons risk becoming revolving doors.Consider a young man from Epworth who is released after serving time for theft. He returns to the same overcrowded shelter, the same lack of work, and neighbours who view him with suspicion. According to a 2022 report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, more than sixty percent of former inmates struggle to find formal employment within two years of release, and many turn to petty crime again. While the Act introduces structured correctional processes, it does not go far enough in institutionalising community-based rehabilitation systems. Where are the strong linkages with local authorities, churches, NGOs, and community groups that can support reintegration?The Missing Voice of the CommunityA key principle in community psychology is participation—the idea that people affected by social systems should have a voice in shaping them. Yet the Act remains largely state-centred. Communities are positioned as passive recipients of returning offenders, rather than active partners in the rehabilitation process. There is limited provision for community consultation in reintegration planning, victim-offender mediation at the local level, or community-driven alternatives to incarceration. This gap risks reinforcing stigma and fear instead of building collective responsibility for safety and healing.What would genuine community participation look like? It would mean, for example, that before an inmate is released, a local committee comprising a village head, a church leader, a representative from a women’s group, and a former offender sits down with the prisoner and a social worker to agree on a support plan. This is not a radical idea. In parts of Matabeleland South, similar community re-entry circles have been tried informally, with promising results.Human Rights and Dignity: A Strong FoundationTo its credit, the Act strengthens protections for human rights, promoting dignity, fairness, and due process within correctional facilities. Provisions ensuring legal representation, fair hearings, and procedural justice reflect constitutional values. From a community psychology lens, this is essential. Systems that treat individuals with dignity are more likely to foster prosocial identity change, which is critical for reducing reoffending. But dignity must extend beyond prison. Former inmates often face rejection, unemployment, and social exclusion—factors strongly linked to recidivism.Structural Inequality: The Root Cause ProblemCommunity psychology places strong emphasis on social justice and structural determinants of behaviour. Crime is often linked to poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and marginalisation. While the Act addresses offender management, it is largely silent on how correctional services will collaborate with other sectors—such as health, education, and social welfare—to tackle these root causes. Without integrated responses, youth in marginalised communities remain at risk, substance abuse cycles continue, and economic exclusion fuels reoffending. A meaningful reform would require, for instance, a formal memorandum of understanding between the Prisons Service and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to create employment pathways for released offenders.Reintegration without Support Is Reintegration in Name OnlyThe Act gestures toward reintegration, but aftercare systems remain underdeveloped. Successful reintegration requires employment pathways, psychosocial support, family reunification programmes, and community acceptance initiatives. Without these, individuals released from prison are often set up to fail. Community psychology would argue for localised reintegration ecosystems—communitybased structures that provide continuous support before and after release. For example, a neighbourhood reintegration hub could offer counselling, skills matching, and a weekly support group, staffed by a trained social worker and volunteers from the community.Drawing on Zimbabwe’s Own TraditionsOne resource the Act overlooks is Zimbabwe’s rich heritage of communal justice and mutual support. Traditional practices such as the dare (a community court where elders mediate disputes) and nhimbe (collective work parties where neighbours help one another) embody values of restoration, accountability, and belonging. These systems, still alive in many rural and even urban areas, could be adapted to support correctional goals. Imagine a former offender being required to perform community service under the oversight of a dare of elders, or a nhimbe being organised to rebuild a victim’s damaged property. Such culturally grounded approaches carry less stigma and greater local ownership than purely staterun programmes. The law should explicitly allow for partnerships with traditional leaders and customary systems.Concrete Steps toward a CommunityCentred SystemZimbabwe’s new Act is an important starting point. To become truly transformative, it must evolve from a correctional system to a communitycentred system. I propose three practical, lowcost steps that could be implemented within existing budgets. First, mandate a community liaison officer at each prison whose sole responsibility is to build relationships with local councils, churches, and NGOs before an inmate is released. Second, require a prerelease home assessment conducted by a social worker together with a family member, to identify housing, mental health, and employment needs. Third, pilot restorative justice circles in two provinces—one rural and one urban—using trained facilitators and drawing on dare principles, with official recognition from the courts.Conclusion: Reform Must Go Beyond the Prison GateThe 2023 Act signals progress, but real reform will not be measured by policy language alone. It will be measured by whether communities are safer, whether former offenders are successfully reintegrated, and whether cycles of crime are broken. From a community psychology perspective, the message is clear: you cannot rehabilitate individuals without transforming the communities they belong to. Until Zimbabwe bridges that gap—by giving communities a voice, investing in aftercare, and drawing on its own traditions of mutual support—the promise of the new Prisons Act will remain only partially fulfilled.

Masvingo Sets 90-day timeline to turn waste management plans into action

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Masvingo Sets 90-day timeline to turn waste management plans into action

Yvonne Mangani
MASVINGO – Masvingo City Council has launched a comprehensive 90-day implementation
plan aimed at transforming waste management practices across the city, bringing together
businesses, schools, healthcare institutions, hotels, recycling companies and community
representatives in a coordinated effort to tackle growing environmental and public health
challenges.
The implementation plan, unveiled during a stakeholder engagement meeting held at the council
chambers on June 11, marks a shift from years of consultations and policy discussions towards
measurable action.
Operating under the theme of Integrated Solid Waste Management, the initiative seeks to
improve waste collection, promote waste separation at source, increase recycling and reduce
illegal dumping through a structured three-phase program.
Addressing stakeholders during the meeting, Masvingo City Council Health and Enviromental
Services Director Suzanne Madamombe said the next few months would be critical in
determining whether the city could translate recommendations into visible improvements on the
ground.
“We have spent years discussing waste management challenges and possible solutions. What is
important now is implementation, this 90-day program is designed to deliver practical results that
residents can see and benefit from.” said Madamombe.
The first phase of the program, covering Days One to 30, focuses on laying the foundation for
effective implementation through mapping, committee formation and standardization. During
this period, council teams will conduct audits and assessments to identify major waste generation
points
The exercise is expected to provide accurate data on the volume and composition of waste being
generated, allowing council to develop more efficient collection and disposal systems.

Local waste management committees will be established. They will comprise representatives
from council, businesses, schools, healthcare institutions and community members to ensure
local ownership of the program.
“Effective waste management cannot be achieved by council alone, communities, businesses and
institutions must all take responsibility if we are to achieve sustainable results.” said director for
Waste Solution Ammon Mushangwe
Council officials noted that inconsistent bin colors and signage have often caused confusion
among residents and institutions. Under the new framework, blue bins will be designated for
recyclable materials, green bins for organic waste and black bins for general waste.
Healthcare facilities will also work with council to strengthen systems for handling hazardous
and medical waste.
Representatives from Masvingo General Hospital welcomed the initiative, describing proper
waste management as a key public health requirement.
“Establishing clear procedures for handling hazardous waste will help reduce risks to both
healthcare workers and the public.” She said
The second phase of the program, running from Days 31 to 60, will focus on deployment,
awareness campaigns and enforcement. During this period, council will begin installing priority
waste bins at strategic locations.
School Health representatives proposed the introduction of student waste ambassadors and
environmental competitions to promote waste separation among learners.
Pilot waste separation projects will also be introduced at selected pilot institutions where waste
will be separated at source, ensuring recyclable materials, organic waste and general waste are
handled through different collection streams.
Major retailers that were present, pledged their support for the implementation programme by
conducting waste audits, improving waste separation systems and providing platforms for public
education.

Private sector partners are also expected to play a significant role in ensuring the success of the
program. Waste Solutions, represented by director Ammon Mushangwe, committed to
supporting cardboard recovery initiatives through partnerships with businesses and institutions.
“Clean cardboard collected from supermarkets, hotels, schools and offices can be sold to
industrial buyers, creating a sustainable market for recyclable materials while reducing pressure
on landfill sites,” said to Mushangwe.
Stable Packaging pledged to work with council and participating institutions to strengthen plastic
recovery systems and support the development of a circular economy within the city.
Masvingo City deputy director of health and environmental services Sthabile Matava said
involvement of recycling companies would ensure that separated waste is not merely collected
but also processed and diverted from landfill sites.
“There is no value in separating waste if there is no market or destination for recyclable
materials, Partnerships with recycling companies are therefore essential to the success of this
programme,” said Matava.
The final phase of the implementation plan, covering Days 61 to 90, will focus on auditing
progress, publishing results and scaling up successful interventions.
Council teams will assess participating institutions to determine compliance levels and identify
operational challenges.
Challenges identified during the audit process will be addressed immediately through targeted
interventions such as staff training, improved bin placement and adjustments to collection
schedules. Successful pilot projects will then be expanded to additional schools, businesses,
hotels and public institutions across the city.
The programme will be evaluated using key performance indicators including collection
reliability, waste separation compliance, recycling volumes, reductions in illegal dumping
hotspots and improvements in public health outcomes.

Former Bikita RDC’s CEO ghost haunts Finance Officer

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Former Bikita RDC’s CEO ghost haunts Finance Officer

By TellZim Reporter
Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) Executive Officer for Finance, Never Mavhuna, has
been suspended from duty following the implementation of a government directive barring
public officials facing criminal charges from reporting for work while their cases are before
the courts.
The suspension comes after Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) petitioned
council to act against Mavhuna, who is currently facing criminal charges and is out on bail.
In a letter in possession of this publication dated June 9, 2026 addressed to BIRRA, the
council said it had implemented a ministerial directive issued on February 22, 2022, which
requires local authorities to prevent employees with pending criminal cases from reporting
for duty.
“In response to your communication stamped 29 May 2026 referenced as above, I am
informing you that on 27 May 2026, the Council through the Accounting Officer instituted
the Ministerial Directive dated 22 February 2022: Directive on Reporting for Work While on
Bail, to the Executive Officer Finance for Bikita Rural District Council.
“As an arm of Central Government, Local Authorities are mandated to operate in line with
directives and circulars from the parent Ministry,” reads part of the letter.
The directive was introduced amid growing concerns over the arrest of senior council
officials on charges related to criminal abuse of office and other offences.
“The surge in arrest of senior Council employees on charges relating to criminal abuse of
office, among others, has sent mixed reactions to the public that they are employed to serve.
My office has always maintained the unwavering stance that in the public interest and as a
good corporate governance practice, any official who has a matter pending before the courts
may not be allowed to continue with their day-to-day operations in Council until they have
been acquitted by the same courts,” reads part of the directive.
The directive further orders all local authorities to ensure that employees whose criminal
cases are still before the courts are barred from reporting for duty until the matters are
concluded.
BIRRA had earlier petitioned the council, arguing that Mavhuna should be suspended
pending the finalisation of his case before the Bikita Magistrates’ Court.
“BIRRA formally petitions the following immediate actions: That the Bikita RDC Council, at
its next sitting or by urgent special resolution, formally resolves to suspend the Executive
Officer Finance from duty — with pay — pending the finalisation of criminal proceedings
before the Bikita Magistrates’ Court.

“That an acting Finance Officer be designated immediately to ensure uninterrupted service
delivery to ratepayers during the suspension period,” reads part of the petition.
According to officials, Mavhuna was remanded out of custody to June 23, 2026.
Mavhuna was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over
allegations that he and the late Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer, Peter Chibi, registered a
private company, Bikita Hanyanya Investments (Private) Limited, without obtaining the
required ministerial approval.
The pair allegedly held equal shareholding in the company and went on to award it several
lucrative council contracts, including security services, bus levy collection, and vehicle
clamping and veranda fee collection.
Chibi committed suicide on March 11 2024 allegedly over corruption related issues.

Meet the ‘Karate Kid’ of Masvingo

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Meet the ‘Karate Kid’ of Masvingo

By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – At an age when most children are still learning to tie their shoelaces,
sevenyearold Anopaishe Munashe Nyandoro has already discovered his calling, not in the usual
ball games that occupy his peers, but in the disciplined, unforgiving world of karate. And he is
already making a name for himself.
While his elder brother Atipaishe Nyandoro shines on the tennis court, a path he could easily
have followed, Anopaishe chose to be different. He picked fighting, and in just three years, he
has become one of the most promising young martial artists in Masvingo.
Anopaishe who is in Stage 1B at Junior Primary School started karate when he was only 3 and
was crowned Karataker of the year 2025 at his school. His mother, Tichamupei Comfort
Chivore, told TellZim News that he was always hyperactive, and when he expressed interest in
karate, she was relieved because she knew the sport would channel his energy into discipline.
“He used to follow his brother for tennis, but later he said he wanted to do karate. I suspect he
made that decision after watching Karate Kid, the movie with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan,” she
said.
She explained that before karate, Anopaishe had a tendency to figsht and would beat up other
children at school.
“I would be called to the school even when he was very little. He would beat up others but now,
that has completely changed. He is a much more disciplined young boy,” she said.
However, she admitted that as a mother, she still worries that he may injure others especially if
he gets provoked. She said she was also worried that he may get injured in training or during
tournaments.
“Given his age, I sometimes fear he may fail to control himself if provoked. Karate is a physical
sport, and there are risks. There was a time he limped for a long time after injuring his leg, and

another time he was kicked on the cheek. But I understand the risks, and I give him all the
support he needs.” She said.
Anopaishe trains under Sensei Cedric Chuchu at Greatwalks Karate Club, based at Masvingo
Sports Club. The club takes children from as young as three or four years old, with parents
paying US$25 per month for training.
Sensei Chuchu, who began training Anopaishe when he was just three years old, described him
as a powerful young boy with immense energy.
“I started training him when he was three, and I have seen a lot of improvement. He is now
focused, and the martial arts training is helping him.
He had a lot of energy, and you know, those with energy usually bully others, but he is now very
disciplined. He was naughty, but we tuned him. Now he is mature that even if you speak with
him, you feel like you are speaking to an adult,” said Chuchu.
He said karate has improved Anopaishe’s body endurance, coordination, flexibility, and even
memory retention, benefits that have helped him both at school and at home.
Anopaishe has already tasted success. He won a silver medal at a national tournament and later
added a bronze medal to his collection in two Best of the Best tournaments held in Kwekwe. In
another tournament held in Harare, he did not win an award, but the determined youngster was
not discouraged.
For a boy who could have simply followed his brother’s footsteps into tennis, Anopaishe has
carved his own path – one of discipline, bruises, medals, and a growing reputation. With the
support of his mother and the guidance of Sensei Chuchu, this sevenyearold may well become a
force to reckon with in Zimbabwean karate.
Greatwalks Karate Club enrolls kids from three years in the junior category and 18 an above in
the adult category and members pay US$25 per month.

Bikita Minerals accused of delaying fatal incident in subcontractor blame game

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Bikita Minerals accused of delaying fatal incident in subcontractor blame game

By Brighton ChisevaBIKITA – Two people died in separate incidents at Bikita Minerals over the weekend, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety practices and incident reporting procedures at Zimbabwe’s largest lithium mining operation.The deaths, which occurred less than 24 hours apart, involved a dump truck operator employed by a mining contractor and a security guard working for a contracted security company.In a statement issued on June 8, 2026, Bikita Minerals said the first incident occurred on June 6 at around 7:45pm, involving Mr Thomas Kaliveni (40), a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey & Company.“Bikita Minerals regrets to confirm two separate incidents involving employees of independent contracting companies working at our operations. Incident one is a fatal accident involving a dump truck operator. On 6 June 2026, at approximately 19:45 hours, a fatal accident occurred involving Mr Thomas Kaliveni (40), a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey & Company, one of our independent contractors. Mr Kaliveni sustained injuries in an incident at a waste dump site and subsequently succumbed to those injuries,” reads part of the statement.While Bikita Minerals expressed condolences and emphasized that both deceased individuals were employees of independent contractors, allegations have emerged regarding the mine’s handling of the fatal accident involving the dump truck driver.The mining company said Kaliveni sustained fatal injuries during an incident at a waste dump site and later succumbed to those injuries.However, information obtained from sources familiar with the incident suggests that Kaliveni died at the scene after the dump truck he was operating overturned while offloading waste material.Sources said Kaliveni was driving dump truck S10 and had proceeded to the designated waste dump area to dispose of waste material. While reversing toward the tipping point, the truck reportedly became unstable and overturned sideways down the dump slope.The driver was allegedly thrown from the vehicle and subsequently struck by rocks and waste material dislodged during the rollover.Workers nearby reportedly rushed to rescue him by removing debris that had trapped him. Despite these efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.According to an internal incident account seen by this publication, operations at the waste dump area were immediately suspended and the scene secured while management, emergency personnel and authorities were notified.The fatal accident has also generated controversy following allegations from sources who claim mine management attempted to influence how the circumstances surrounding the death were recorded.Sources alleged that senior Chinese management personnel from Bikita Minerals were among the first officials to arrive at the accident scene.They allegedly sought to have police remove Kaliveni’s body from the scene and portray the death as having occurred while he was being transported to hospital rather than at the accident site.The same sources further alleged that mine officials did not immediately notify officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development as required under standard accident reporting procedures, instead waiting until the following morning before filing a report.These allegations could not be independently verified at the time of publication, and Bikita Minerals had not publicly responded to the claims.Contacted for comment on the matter, Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said he was yet to receive the report of the incident.He however said it was against the law to fail to report such an incident within 24 hours.Contacted for comment of on the incident and to ascertain the time it was reported to the ministry of mines, Masvingo Provincial Mines Director Marsha Muzira reffered questions to director for communication and advocacy in the ministry of mines and mining development Wilfred Munetsi.Contacted by TellZim News, Munetsi asked the reporter to send questions in writing and said he would respond the following day after getting information and clearance.In a separate and unrelated incident, a security guard employed by Rebnek Security was found dead while on duty during the early hours of Sunday, June 7.According to information provided by sources and contained in an incident report, the guard had reportedly been observed performing his duties normally during routine supervisory inspections earlier in the night.His supervisor is said to have conducted two inspections during the shift and found no signs of illness or distress.However, during a third inspection round at approximately 4:00am, the supervisor reportedly discovered the guard lying unresponsive at his post.Authorities were subsequently notified and a police report was filed.The cause of death had not yet been established at the time of publication, although preliminary reports suggest it may have been a suspected sudden death.The company stated that investigations into the dump truck accident were ongoing and that further details would not be released while investigative processes continued.”Out of respect for the families and the ongoing investigative processes, no further details will be released at this stage,” the company said.Bikita Minerals also expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of both deceased workers.”The safety, health and wellbeing of everyone working at our operations remain a core priority,” the statement added.The latest fatalities have once again drawn attention to safety concerns at the lithium mining operation.Bikita Minerals has experienced a number of serious workplace incidents in recent years.In August 2025, a dump truck operator was reportedly killed after being struck by another dump truck while at work.During the same month, three schoolchildren related to mine employees were reportedly injured after being struck by blasting debris.In October 2023, a plant operator died after becoming trapped in machinery he was operating. Reports at the time indicated that his body remained trapped for several hours before recovery equipment could be sourced.Other incidents reported at the mine have included serious workplace injuries resulting in permanent disability.continue.

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