Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Doctor Shortage Hits Police Force ⋆ Pindula News

ZRP Masvingo Province has been operating without a resident doctor for three years following the retirement of veteran medical practitioner Dr Godfrey Zimbwa.

The gap has forced the province to rely on doctors seconded from Manicaland or Midlands periodically, a situation that is affecting the smooth flow of operations, especially health records management.

Speaking to Midweek Watch, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that there has been no resident doctor in Masvingo for the past three years, but said the situation was under control.

“Yes, there is no resident doctor in Masvingo, but the situation is under control as we send a doctor either from Manicaland or Midlands provinces from time to time to manage the situation,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

He said the challenge is not peculiar to Masvingo, as other provinces are also without resident doctors.

“This is not peculiar to Masvingo only, as there are other provinces without resident doctors, and we are waiting for deployment after the necessary government procedures, which sometimes take longer than anticipated, but one is coming soon after the necessary formalities like vetting and interviews,” he said.

Commissioner Nyathi explained that the resident doctor does not attend to patients on a daily basis, as most staff and their families are on medical aid.

He said their main role is to check on the medical status of staff and maintain health records for the smooth operations of the police force.

However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation is more critical than portrayed, particularly in Bulawayo and Harare.

“Countrywide, there should be 30 doctors in the police force, including specialists, but there are not more than 10 countrywide, leaving a deficit of 20,” said the source.

“There is no doctor in Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, with Bulawayo and Harare being the most affected because of their size.”

The source added that a minimum of 14 doctors, including specialists, are required in Bulawayo and Harare alone, but there are only four at the moment.

Some officers and members of the community have raised concerns, saying a permanently stationed doctor would ensure quicker medical assessments and better healthcare support.

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Source: ZINASU Slams CUT Over “Autocratic” Eviction Of Students ⋆ Pindula News

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) CUT Chapter has condemned Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) for forcing students out of on-campus hostels and relocating them to Chinhoyi High School under the guise of renovations.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, 11 August, chairman Hillary Masango described the move as an autocratic, short-notice decree and accused university management of treating the student body as second-class citizens.

ZINASU said management was prioritising administrative convenience over student dignity and academic stability, adding that students are scholars and not temporary placeholders to be shifted around at a whim.

According to ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure, the eviction notice has affected all students in on-campus residences despite them having paid their accommodation fees in full. Some of those evicted are working on their dissertations.

While the official reason given is renovations, stakeholders allege the hostels are being cleared to accommodate delegates for the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference, which is scheduled for 12 to 17 October 2026 at CUT in Mashonaland West Province. Between 3,500 and 4,000 delegates are expected to attend.

ZINASU is now demanding immediate accountability from the university administration over what it called a contemptuous lack of communication.

The union argued that issuing abrupt eviction notices without prior consultation is an insult to students and that management cannot run an academic institution through top-down authoritarian orders.

The union further raised concerns over welfare and safety risks, warning that relocating university students to a high school facility compromises their physical safety, study schedules and living conditions.

According to ZINASU, high school infrastructure is not built to support university-level needs.

ZINASU also said the move destroys parental trust, arguing that working-class parents sacrificed hard-earned resources to secure safe, on-campus housing for their children.

Forcing students off campus, the union said, leaves them with the impossible task of explaining to anxious parents why they have been ousted from their official residences.

The union vowed that it would not sit back while what it termed administrative recklessness disrupts student lives, insisting that education is a right and not a privilege.

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Source: UK-Based Businessman Builds US$500,000 Hospital In Zvishavane ⋆ Pindula News

Villagers in Ward 10, Runde Rural District in Zvishavane are breathing a sigh of relief after a United Kingdom-based businessman built a US$500,000 solar-powered hospital in his home area.

The facility, named Nkatazo Hospital, was built by Valley Seeds director Nkatazo Temba Chakawa and is set to ease access to healthcare for villagers who were forced to walk 10 kilometres to the nearest health centre.

Construction of the hospital started in 2004 and was completed early this year. It has since opened with eight nurses.

Zvishavane District Medical Officer Dr Tapiwa Mubayi described the hospital as big and said it is already receiving patients.

He said the hospital, which has female, male, maternity and children’s wards as well as an outpatient department, gets its medicine from Zvishavane District Hospital and all services are free to patients.

Dr Mubayi said there are currently only three houses for health workers at the facility.

Ward 10 councillor Verengai Soul Miti hailed Chakawa for the project, saying it has brought great relief to the community.

“We are appealing to Government to officially open the hospital so that it becomes fully functional,” said Miti.

“This hospital serves 22 villages in this and other wards. I also wish to thank the community which provided labour during the construction.

“I appeal to relevant authorities to upgrade the bad road to the hospital; it’s not good for ambulances.”

District Development Coordinator Darlington Chokera commended the project as life-saving.

“We are happy with the project; mothers will give birth free of charge, and patients get medication for free here,” said Chokera.

“We have elderly people who cannot walk 10 kilometres to access health services, and this is a great relief.”

Last week, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, toured the new hospital and commended the initiative.

He said the project dovetails with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, adding that Government has prioritised healthcare delivery.

Soda called on the community to take ownership and maintain the hospital.

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HARARE — A 34-year-old Harare man named John Travolta has been arrested in connection with a robbery at Warren Park D Shopping Centre, where police say US$3,813 and ZiG1,200 were taken from a shop on the evening of 8 August. The name has drawn predictable attention because it belongs to the American film actor, but […]

The post Cash Heist at Warren Park Shopping Centre: John Travolta’s sazita arrested for stealing US$3.813 and ZiG1,200 at gunpoint first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: ZCC powers youth skills drive with 450 new graduates –Newsday Zimbabwe

DEFE, Gokwe, Aug. 11 (NewsDay Live) — The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has graduated 450 young people trained in practical and vocational skills, highlighting the growing role of faith-based institutions in equipping youths for livelihoods amid limited formal employment opportunities.

The graduates completed training in bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installation, welding, carpentry, horticulture, poultry and food preparation under a programme funded by the church in partnership with government.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Defe during the church’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said the initiative was about creating opportunities for young people beyond formal employment.

“Today is not simply about certificates, it is about dignity through skills, hope, opportunity and empowerment through productive work,” Machakaire said.

He said the programme reflected President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s policy of leaving no one and no place behind, adding that government was taking vocational training and economic opportunities into communities through partnerships with institutions such as churches.

“Here at Defe, that vision has become a reality,” he said.

Machakaire said the partnership demonstrated that churches could play a broader developmental role beyond their traditional functions.

“You have demonstrated that the church is not only a place of worship, but also a powerful partner in building disciplined, skilled and productive communities,” he said.

The programme comes as Zimbabwe continues to promote technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship and small-scale production as avenues for youth economic participation in an economy where formal employment opportunities remain limited.

For the graduates, the training provides practical pathways into construction, electrical work, welding, carpentry and plumbing, while agricultural courses such as horticulture and poultry offer opportunities to establish income-generating projects.

The graduation was part of ZCC’s Golden Jubilee celebrations marking 50 years since the death of its founder, Reverend Samuel Mutendi.

The church, under the leadership of Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi, has expanded its activities into education, youth development, community support and economic empowerment.

Mutendi used the occasion to recognise First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s contribution to women, young people, families and communities.

“Your contribution has been felt in the hearts of the people, particularly women, young people, families and communities,” he said.

He said women had a critical role to play in strengthening families and communities and urged young people to uphold discipline, responsibility, dignity and cultural identity.

“The future of a nation is secured when its young people are taught values, discipline, responsibility, dignity and respect for their cultural identity,” Mutendi said.

The 450 graduates now join a growing pool of young Zimbabweans being encouraged to turn vocational skills into self-employment and small enterprises.

The ZCC programme also underscores the potential of partnerships between government and faith-based organisations in expanding access to skills training and community development.

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