Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Kariba water levels strengthen power generation outlook – herald

Walter Nyamukondiwa

Mashonaland West Bureau Chief

Lake Kariba is in a much stronger position than it was at the same time last year, providing a solid foundation to sustain this year’s revised 36 billion cubic metres water allocation for electricity generation by Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The positive outlook is contained in the latest hydrological update released this week by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), the joint body responsible for managing the shared reservoir.

According to the Authority, the lake reached its seasonal peak of 482.21 metres above sea level on June 27, with 48.55 percent live storage, before entering its normal dry-season drawdown. By July 21, the water level had eased marginally to 482.07 metres, with live storage at 47.47 percent, equivalent to 30.76 billion cubic metres of usable water.

The improvement is significant compared to the corresponding period last year, when the reservoir held just 23.90 percent live storage. The lake is currently 3.16 metres higher than it was on the same date in 2025, reflecting strong inflows received during the 2025/26 rainy season.

ZRA acting chief executive engineer, Christopher Chisense, said the Upper Zambezi Catchment recorded normal rainfall, while the Lower Catchment experienced normal to above-normal rainfall, resulting in above-average inflows into the reservoir.

He said the improved hydrological conditions were sufficient to sustain the 2026 combined water allocation of 36 billion cubic metres for power generation, shared equally between Zimbabwe and Zambia at 18 billion cubic metres each.

As expected during the dry season, river flows feeding the lake have continued to recede. At Chavuma, inflows declined from 362 cubic metres per second on June 30 to 253 cubic metres per second by July 21, while flows at Victoria Falls dropped from 1,549 cubic metres per second to 980 cubic metres per second over the same period.

Although current river flows are slightly below those recorded last year, the Authority said the decline is seasonal and does not undermine the strong water position created by abundant rainfall earlier this year.

The ZRA projects the lake level to ease further to around 482.02 metres above sea level and 47.08 percent live storage by July 25, remaining well above last year’s levels.

Engineer Chisense said the Authority would continue monitoring hydrological and climatic conditions across the Zambezi Basin and provide regular updates.

Kariba Dam, one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs, is the backbone of hydroelectric power generation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Its water levels are closely monitored as a key indicator of electricity generation capacity and regional energy security.

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Source: Air Zimbabwe’s UK return earned on merit: Minister Mhona – herald

Senior Reporter

TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona has hailed the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its rigorous and impartial approval process that culminated in Air Zimbabwe being granted a Foreign Operator Permit (FOP), saying the national carrier earned the certification on merit and is committed to maintaining those standards as it resumes direct flights to London after a 16-year hiatus.

Addressing guests at a welcome dinner held at The Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch, London, to celebrate the inaugural Harare–London Gatwick service, Minister Mhona said the restored route represents one of the clearest expressions of Zimbabwe’s re-engagement policy.

He said this will strengthen trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties between Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.

Minister Mhona urged Zimbabweans living in the UK, British investors and the wider business community to embrace the route, describing it as a strategic link that reconnects Zimbabwe with the world.

He said the inaugural flight, which landed at Gatwick Airport at 8:10am, carried more than passengers.

“It carried renewed friendship, restored confidence and reciprocal opportunity,” Minister Mhona said.

He attributed the return of direct flights to the Second Republic’s deliberate re-engagement agenda under President Mnangagwa.

“This occasion is the fruit of the Second Republic’s deliberate and sustained re-engagement agenda, a foreign policy posture led with consistency and conviction by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa. His Excellency has declared, and demonstrated through action, that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” Minister Mhona said.

He said the UK route holds special significance because of the long-standing historical, commercial and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as the large Zimbabwean diaspora resident in Britain.

“To us, the United Kingdom route is not one of those routes. It occupies a place of particular importance to Zimbabwe, given the depth of our shared history, the breadth of our commercial and cultural ties and the size of our diaspora on these shores.

“Therefore, the arrival of Air Zimbabwe at Gatwick is the most visible expression of that re-engagement, manifested in the skies,” Minister Mhona said.

The Minister said the resumption of the service follows significant investments by the Second Republic in aviation infrastructure, regulatory oversight and compliance with international safety standards.

He commended the UK Civil Aviation Authority for conducting a thorough and professional assessment before granting Air Zimbabwe the Foreign Operator Permit.

“Allow me to extend our deepest appreciation to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority for the thorough, professional and equitable process that has culminated in the granting of the Foreign Operator Permit to Air Zimbabwe.

“Air Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe at large sought this permit on merit, and we intend to keep it on merit,” Minister Mhona said.

He said the direct service would offer greater convenience for Zimbabweans living in the UK while opening new opportunities for tourism, investment and trade.

“The Zimbabwean diaspora in the United Kingdom is big and it is our hope that this direct flight will bring a lot of convenience to them.

“Equally, this route will carry British visitors, many of them sharing a deep history with Zimbabwe, returning as tourists, investors or simply as visitors to rediscover a country whose warmth has never dimmed,” Minister Mhona said.

He added that the Harare-Gatwick route would facilitate British investment into Zimbabwe’s transport, energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and ICT sectors, while providing a faster and more reliable export channel for fresh produce, horticultural products and manufactured goods.

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Source: Public outrage forces City Parking to review clamping procedures – herald

Municipal Correspondent

CITY Parking has apologised and launched an internal investigation following widespread public outrage over allegations that one of its enforcement teams clamped a mother’s vehicle while she was seeking urgent medical treatment for her child, who reportedly required emergency care.

In a statement, the company described the incident as “distressing” and acknowledged the concern it had sparked.

“City Parking deeply regrets the distressing incident that occurred involving a mother and her child who required urgent medical attention. We acknowledge the seriousness of the matter and the public concern it has generated,” the company said.

The company extended its apology to both the affected family and the wider community, admitting that the situation had not been handled with the compassion and sensitivity expected of its staff.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected family and to the wider community for the manner in which this situation was handled. The wellbeing and safety of our customers is paramount, and we recognise that compassion and sensitivity must guide our operations at all times,” reads part of the statement.

City Parking said management had immediately intervened after the incident by contacting the affected mother and facilitating the release of her vehicle.

“Management team immediately reached out to the mother and vehicle was released,” the company said.

The company also announced that it had instituted a full internal investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, with disciplinary action to be taken if any misconduct is established.

“Full investigation into the conduct of our staff and appropriate action will be taken,” the statement said.

As part of corrective measures, City Parking said it would review its vehicle clamping procedures to ensure emergency situations are treated with greater urgency and compassion.

“A comprehensive review of our clamping procedures shall be undertaken to ensure that emergency situations are handled with humanity and urgency,” the company said.

It also announced mandatory customer service and sensitivity training for all employees, with a particular focus on dealing with vulnerable people and medical emergencies.

“All staff will undergo mandatory customer service and sensitivity training, with emphasis on handling vulnerable persons and medical emergencies,” the statement said.

The incident has triggered widespread debate on social media, with many Zimbabweans calling for greater discretion and compassion in the enforcement of parking regulations, particularly in cases involving medical emergencies.

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Source: Lawyer denied bail over US$150 000 property fraud – herald

Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent

A HARARE lawyer accused of using a forged title deed in an alleged scheme to defraud a company of a Borrowdale property valued at US$150 000 has been denied bail.

David Junior Munashe Donzvambeva, of Jiti Law Chambers, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa, who ruled that he should remain in custody pending the completion of investigations.

In denying bail, Mrs Kufa said the charge was serious and that there was a risk the accused could interfere with witnesses or abscond.

Donzvambeva was remanded in custody to August 6.

The complainant is Bluegen Company Consultancy, represented by its director, Mr Ryan Dokwani.

Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that sometime this year, Donzvambeva acted in connivance with three alleged accomplices Tapiwa Gona, Danmore Nyamukapa and Tafadzwa Durawiti who are still at large, to fraudulently create a fake title deed in the name of Grace Communications (Private) Limited for Stand Number 163 Quinnington Road, Borrowdale, Harare.

The State alleges that the property lawfully belongs to the complainant.

According to the prosecution, after obtaining the forged title deed, the accused and his alleged accomplices applied to subdivide the property before selling one of the newly created stands to a buyer identified only as Dr Chiza.

The court heard that the accused and his alleged accomplices also relied on the purported title deed to institute eviction proceedings against the complainant.

The alleged fraud was uncovered after the complainant became aware of the eviction proceedings and reported the matter to ZRP Borrowdale.

Investigations allegedly conducted by the City of Harare and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works established that the land had originally belonged to the State before it was allocated to the complainant.

The Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property is also said to have confirmed that no title deed had ever been issued for the property.

Further investigations led to Donzvambeva’s arrest. The State alleges that he implicated his three alleged accomplices, who are still being sought by police.

The complainant allegedly suffered actual prejudice of US$150 000, and nothing has been recovered.

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Source: Kidnap suspect faces fresh US$10 811 fraud charge – herald

Court Correspondent

A HARARE man, who is already on trial in a kidnapping case, has appeared in court on fresh allegations of defrauding his former employer of US$10 811.

Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38), a former accounts manager at Wellcash Debt Collectors, appeared before Harare Provincial Magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo facing a charge of theft of trust property.

The matter was postponed to August 14 for possible trial date allocation.

It is alleged that between March and December 2024, Rondozai converted to his own use US$10 811 that had been recovered from debtors on behalf of the company’s clients. Nothing has been recovered.

The complainant is Wellcash Debt Collectors, represented by Mr Cephas Ngorima.

Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawo told the court that Rondozai’s duties included collecting debts on behalf of clients and ensuring that all recovered funds were deposited into the company’s ZB Bank trust account before being remitted to the respective creditors.

The State alleges that instead of depositing the money into the trust account, Rondozai misappropriated the funds for personal use.

It is alleged that on one occasion, debt collector David Matanda withdrew US$8 811 from his EcoCash account and handed the cash to Rondozai for deposit into the company’s ZB Bank account.

However, Rondozai allegedly failed to make the deposit.

The court heard that Matanda later received a further US$400 from a debtor through Mukuru, which he also handed over to Rondozai.

On separate occasions, he allegedly received another US$400 from Chicken Launch and US$300 from a debtor identified as Chaluwa, and similarly entrusted the money to Rondozai for banking.

In another incident, debt collector Lancelot Muswere allegedly informed Rondozai that he had recovered US$300 from a debtor.

Rondozai is said to have instructed Muswere to transfer the money via EcoCash to a mobile number registered in the name of his mother, Mrs Mercy Rondozai.

The State alleges that the money was never deposited into the company’s trust account and was instead converted to Rondozai’s personal use.

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