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Source: Govt in initiative to bridge science teachers gap – herald

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda (right) hands over cash prizes and a trophy to the overall best student, 35-year-old Ms Vimbainashe Mamhova who graduated with four distinctions in Early Childhood Development at Bondolfi Teachers’ College in Masvingo yesterday. – Picture: MHTEISTD Communications and Advocacy Officer Kudakwashe Hunda.

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

THE Government has moved to address the shortage of science educators in schools, with Bondolfi Teachers’ College set to roll out a specialised secondary science teacher-training programme in August.

The initiative, backed by the State-funded retooling and upgrading of the institution’s science laboratories, forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education across Zimbabwe.

Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Simelisizwe Sibanda, said this at the Bondolfi Teachers’ College’s 61st graduation and prize-giving ceremony in Masvingo yesterday.

The event, which ran under the theme, “Empowering 21st Century educators: Driving industrialisation through Heritage-Based Excellence”, saw 347 graduates being capped.

Ms Vimbainashe Mamhova emerged as the overall best graduating student and received cash prizes from six corporate sponsors.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Minister Sibanda said the launch of the science programme complements ongoing Government efforts to expand the pool of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators to drive national industrialisation.

“Zimbabwe continues to face a shortage of secondary STEM teachers.

“I am, therefore, pleased to announce that Bondolfi Teachers College will launch its Diploma in Secondary Science Teacher Education Programme in August 2026,” Deputy Minister Sibanda said.

He added that the Tertiary Education Services Council will oversee the recruitment and placement of high-calibre academic personnel to support the programme.

“The Tertiary Education Services Council stands ready to provide the necessary academic personnel, and the Ministry will work closely with the Council to ensure recruitment and placement meet the highest standards.”

Deputy Minister Sibanda also revealed that the Government has formally engaged with the Treasury to release development grants for church-run tertiary institutions.

“The Ministry has formally engaged Treasury for the release of the development grant to church-run colleges,” he said.

“We recognise the immense contribution faith-based institutions have made to teacher education, particularly in under-served rural areas, and it is right that our Government fulfils its obligation to support their development.

“We shall continue to engage Treasury to prioritise these disbursements without much delay.”

Of the graduating class, 315 were female and 32 were male, representing a 90,9 percent to 9,1 percent gender split.

The cohort comprised 120 General Course and 227 Early Childhood Development (ECD) educators.

Deputy Minister Sibanda noted that the gender disparity remains a challenge and called for targeted strategies to attract more male students into the teaching profession to ensure inclusivity.

He also challenged the 347 graduates to spearhead Zimbabwe’s industrialisation through “heritage-based excellence”, a core pillar of the country’s economic blueprint towards Vision 2030.

Bondolfi Teachers’ College principal Dr Esnati Macharaga expressed gratitude to the Government and reiterated the college’s commitment to producing 21st-century educators who are innovative, technologically competent and grounded in national heritage.

“We recognise that teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge but architects of society,” Dr Macharaga said.

“We believe that excellence in education is best achieved when our students appreciate where they come from and use that foundation to innovate for the future.”

Speaking after her historic academic clean sweep, Ms Mamhova challenged other women and girls to strive for academic excellence.

“I enrolled for an Early Childhood Development Diploma in 2023, completed it, and emerged as the overall best graduating student,” she said.

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Source: Police raid unmasks illicit brew plant in Bulawayo – herald

Police also recovered hundreds of bottles filled with suspected illicit alcohol, empty bottles, stickers bearing the names of popular alcohol brands and a specialised machine used to seal alcohol bottles.

Raymond Jaravaza

A POLICE raid on a flat in Bulawayo’s city centre on Wednesday uncovered an illicit alcohol brewing operation, leading to the seizure of 800 litres of ethanol, hundreds of bottles of suspected counterfeit liquor and specialised equipment believed to have been used in the manufacture of illegal alcoholic beverages commonly known as “njengu”.

Two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested during the operation and are expected to appear in court today.

Police also recovered hundreds of bottles filled with suspected illicit alcohol, empty bottles, stickers bearing the names of popular alcohol brands and a specialised machine used to seal alcohol bottles.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said officers acted on information received from a concerned member of the public.

“Statutory Instrument (SI) 62 of 2025 banned the production of illicit beverages that contain ethanol as the major ingredient and armed with that legislation, Police Bulawayo Province team received a tip off during their line of duty that some individuals in premises in the city centre involved in the production of illicit alcohol,” said Insp Msebele.

“Police officers acted on the tip off and discovered four plastic drums filled with ethanol, an assortment of alcoholic beverages that include gin as well as equipment that is used in the manufacturing of illicit alcohol popularly known as ‘njengu’”.

Insp Msebele said the accused failed to produce paper work and licences for their business.

“The two suspects were arrested after they failed to produce the requested documentation and officers proceeded to confiscate the apparatus used in the manufacturing of the illicit alcohol that included distillers,” she said.

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Source: ZRP launches recruitment drive – herald

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the exercise targets suitably qualified Zimbabwean citizens to join the force in various categories, including general duty constables, construction technicians and artisans and tailor technicians. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is recruiting suitably qualified candidates who are Zimbabwean citizens, physically fit, to join the organisation as general duty constables and train for a Diploma in Police Studies at Morris Police Academy, an affiliate of the University of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched a nationwide recruitment exercise as part of ongoing institutional reforms aimed at strengthening its human resources base and boosting public confidence through restructuring and rebranding.

Authorities have, however, warned members of the public to guard against fraudsters who may exploit the process by demanding money in exchange for promised recruitment.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the exercise targets suitably qualified Zimbabwean citizens to join the force in various categories, including general duty constables, construction technicians and artisans and tailor technicians.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is recruiting suitably qualified candidates who are Zimbabwean citizens, physically fit, to join the organisation as general duty constables and train for a Diploma in Police Studies at Morris Police Academy, an affiliate of the University of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Applicants for general duty constable positions must be aged between 18 and 22, possess at least five ‘O’ Level passes including Mathematics, English and a Science subject obtained in not more than two sittings, and meet strict physical requirements.

Candidates are expected to be physically fit, with minimum height requirements of 1,68 metres and 57kg for males, and 1.60 metres and 55kg for females.

They should also be able to complete a 5km road run within 20 minutes for males and 25 minutes for females.

Comm Nyathi said general duty constables will undergo a one-year training programme.

The recruitment drive also targets construction technicians and artisans aged between 18 and 30, including bricklayers, carpenters, tilers, plumbers, painters, electricians, welders, boilermakers and refrigeration mechanics.

Applicants in this category must have at least five ‘O’ Level passes, including English and Mathematics, obtained in not more than three sittings, as well as relevant professional qualifications such as a journeyman class one certificate, national certificate or diploma.

Technician positions are also available in fields such as civil engineering, quantity surveying and architecture, with similar academic and professional requirements, including a relevant national certificate or diploma and practical experience.

The ZRP is further recruiting tailor technicians in areas such as industrial clothing technology, fashion design and garment construction.

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Source: No mining, blasting at cultural heritage sites: Govt – herald

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Faranisi (centre), flanked by officials from the ministry, gives oral evidence before the Joint Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Thematic Committee on Cultural Heritage in Mt Hampden yesterday. — Picture: Memory Mangombe.

Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter

THE Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, yesterday said no mining or blasting activities should be conducted at cultural heritage sites anywhere in the country.

Ambassador Faranisi made the remarks while giving oral evidence before the joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.

He urged communities to report any such activities to law enforcement authorities and called on traditional leaders to take a proactive role in protecting heritage sites.

Ambassador Faranisi was presenting on Government policies, programmes and institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving Zimbabwe’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as promoting national unity and cultural diversity.

“You cannot mine there,” he said.

Ambassador Faranisi said some foreign actors were targeting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage sites, noting that such conduct would not be permitted in their countries of origin, and warning against the destruction of national identity sites.

“Then the other thing also, you cannot do blasting, any blasting, when there are those tunnels (ninga) close by because they will collapse,” he said.

“But I think it also brings me to another point. We have to embark on a publicity campaign more than we have done and that will also help.

“There are so many complaints. We have got very good investors, our dear friends, but they don’t care. In their countries, they will never do that.

“So, it’s not about the ministry, it is about Honourable Members of Parliament, the traditional community leadership, to say anything that you think, even if it is remote, is damaging our culture. Report to the police.

“Fortunately, we are in the same Ministry. They will tell us and they will arrest people.”

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Source: Sexual violence care guidelines launched – herald

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora (left), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative Ms Miranda Tabifor (centre) and Child Care Deputy Director Commissioner Anne Musiwa officially launch the Clinical Guidelines on the Care and Management of Survivors of Sexual Violence in Harare yesterday. – Picture: Esther Mushove.

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter

ZIMBABWE has committed to strengthening access to quality, survivor-centred care for victims of sexual violence following the launch of revised national clinical guidelines aimed at standardising the management of cases across the country’s health system.

The revised guidelines, launched in Harare yesterday by Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, are expected to equip healthcare workers with updated tools and procedures to provide comprehensive medical, psychosocial and referral services to survivors.

The launch comes as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), with about one in four women having experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Mombeshora said sexual violence was not only a criminal justice issue, but also a health, social and economic challenge that requires a coordinated response.

“Sexual violence remains one of the most painful violations of human dignity. Behind every case is a human story,” he said.

“A child whose sense of safety has been shattered. A woman trying to rebuild her life. A boy or a man suffering in silence because of stigma and fear. A family searching for support and justice.”

Dr Mombeshora said the revised guidelines recognise that survivors come from all walks of life and must be treated with dignity, confidentiality and compassion.

“When survivors arrive at our health facilities, whether in Harare, Binga, Chipinge, Gokwe or Beitbridge, they deserve more than medical treatment,” he said.

“They deserve to be treated with respect. They deserve confidentiality. They deserve compassion. Above all, they deserve hope.”

The minister said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the Second Republic’s commitment to ensuring that no one and no place is left behind, while strengthening access to health services across the country.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Zimbabwe, Ms Miranda Tabifor, said the revised guidelines were necessary to respond to changing realities and strengthen the capacity of frontline healthcare workers.

She said UNFPA remains committed to supporting Government efforts through training, provision of essential commodities and support for one-stop centres offering integrated services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

“To bridge that gap, our collective response must recognise the different components of this crisis,” she said.

Ms Tabifor said UNFPA-supported one-stop centres provided direct services to more than 7 000 survivors in 2025 and reached over 17 000 additional people through community-based interventions and awareness programmes.

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