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Source: Gachegache road rehab gets priority – herald

Freeman Razemba in Kariba

PLANS to reconstruct the Chalala-Kanyati Road, commonly known as Gachegache Road, are at an advanced stage.

The 105-kilometre route will connect Kariba Urban and Rural, offering a long-awaited land alternative to the lake ferry that has historically been the area’s primary transport link.

The move comes after at least 92 bodies were recovered from Lake Kariba following the capsizing of a passenger vessel last Tuesday.

Formerly operated by the District Development Fund and now run by RIDA, the ferry was hit by strong local winds — known as the “Binga Wave” — while travelling from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp.

For years, most residents have preferred the 70‑kilometre lake crossing between Kariba Urban and Rural over the much longer road alternative via the Karoi‑Binga Road, which stretches 427 kilometres. With the planned reconstruction, the new road distance will be 313 kilometres — still longer than the water route, but a significant improvement over the existing land detour.

Yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Minister Marian Chombo, and senior Government officials toured the road and met with engineers.

The visit followed a directive from President Mnangagwa instructing Minister Mhona to mobilise resources for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Karoi‑Binga Road, which would also improve access to Chalala, Mola, Siakobvu, and surrounding areas that depend heavily on lake transport.

In an interview after the tour, Minister Mhona said the inspection was aimed at finding lasting solutions for community mobility.

“We are seeing this road, which is about 105 kilometres, and the idea is to see how we can move with speed to promote accessibility and ensure the road is trafficable,” he said.

He emphasised that the project fits into the broader regional connectivity vision championed by President Mnangagwa, linking Zimbabwe to neighbouring countries through the Beira Corridor and the North‑South Corridor.

“The bigger picture is to connect with our neighbours – Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and the DRC – enhancing trade and tourism,” he added.

Minister Mhona said the rehabilitation would pave the way for the reintroduction of public transport, offering communities a reliable alternative to the boat service.

“Above all, we also think of how we can substitute the boat that was shortening the distance by over 200 kilometres. This is very important to make sure that no one and no place is left behind,” he said.

He revealed that his ministry has already engaged private operators and partners in Kariba to quickly provide another boat to ply the same route, ensuring continued lake access while the road is being developed.

Minister Chombo echoed the urgency, appealing for the immediate release of a replacement vessel — even a smaller one.

“It’s only 80 kilometres, and it links residents to their livelihood, which is fishing. There are many islands along the lake where they go to buy or catch fish. Although we are going to provide this road network, it will not resolve all problems immediately,” she said.

She pledged her office’s full support for any Government initiative aimed at improving service delivery for the people of Kariba.

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Source: Kariba boat disaster: Government appeals for help to identify six bodies – herald

Freeman Razemba in KARIBA

The Government has called on the public to assist in identifying six bodies from the 84 that have so far been recovered from Lake Kariba after a passenger vessel capsized last Tuesday.

Authorities have since intensified investigations to ascertain the causes of the incident.

In an interview on Monday, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo confirmed that six bodies have so far not been identified.

“So far we have recorded 84 bodies recovered and 67 who survived and I would also want to appeal to the public that we have about six bodies which have not been identified,” she said.

“So we are calling upon the community to please come and help us identify these bodies.”

On Sunday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona met with Lake Kariba boat and ferry operators and visited the scene of the accident.

So far, preliminary investigations have begun pointing to a navigational error, possible overloading and failure to heed adverse weather warnings as factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The passenger ferry, owned by the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (RIDA), capsized near Long Island on Lake Kariba.

President Mnangagwa has since declared the Kariba boat tragedy a state of disaster.

A technical report on the accident is expected to be presented to Cabinet on Tuesday, as investigators race to establish the circumstances that led to one of the worst maritime disasters on Lake Kariba.

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Source: Harare replaces sewer line in Kambuzuma – herald

Diana Nherera

Herald Reporter

THE City of Harare is replacing an ageing sewer line in Kambuzuma Section 4, which is expected to improve wastewater management and reduce sewer blockages affecting residents in the area.

The sewer line runs behind churches in Section 4 and serves the whole of Section 4 and part of Section 3, from the police station to the school.

Speaking in an interview, Ward 14 Harare Central Councillor Costa Mande said the existing 225mm concrete pipe was old and clogged with sand and other foreign material.

“After assessing the line, we saw that it was fit to replace it. The previous pipe was a 225mm concrete pipe and we are replacing it with a 315mm plastic pipe,” he said.

Cllr Mande said the replacement works had been underway for about a week and were expected to provide relief to residents in the affected areas.

He urged residents to avoid disposing of foreign materials into the sewer system, warning that such practices could result in blockages.

“Please check if there is any foreign matter so that our lines do not close. I also discourage residents from washing plates using sand. Please let us buy and use proper material when cleaning plates,” he said.

Cllr Mande commended the Kambuzuma Section 3 sewer team, led by Mr Charehwa, for carrying out much of the work manually.

“Most of the work they have done here has been done manually, so it means human effort was almost 80 percent,” he said.

He said council needed to provide the team with more resources, including gloves, sewer rods and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“A glove can burst anytime, so that means you need more materials on the ground,” he said.

Cllr Mande said he had been assured that there were sufficient pipes in stock for the replacement programme and expressed hope that council would extend the work to other affected areas.

He said another sewer rehabilitation project was planned around Nazarene Church, covering Sections 1 and 2 and part of Section 3, where residents had also been experiencing sewer bursts.

“The major thing we are trying to do is to reduce water pollution as well as redirect wastewater to the treatment plant so that it is treated as it is supposed to be done,” he said.

Meanwhile, Clr Mande said the council had also partnered with a Korean organisation, Asezwao, in a clean-up campaign held in the area last week.

He said the initiative was part of efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment for residents.

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Source: Parly committee probes Deka River pollution in Hwange – herald

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife is in Hwange on a verification visit to the Deka River following petitions from residents over alleged pollution linked to mining activities.

Deka River provides water for domestic use by the Hwange community. The on-site visit started on Sunday, and the committee has since met residents and some companies operating in the area.

Parliament confirmed the on-site visits on its social media handles. “The Committee commenced its visit with an engagement involving representatives of nine companies operating in the area. “The companies presented their operations and responded to questions from Members of Parliament, while petitioners were also given an opportunity to raise their concerns.

“Acting Chairperson, Cde Master Makope, said the visit is aimed at gathering evidence on the extent and impact of the alleged pollution to inform Parliament’s recommendations on environmental protection and sustainable mining practices.

The committee also visited Rising Firm Investments, one of nine companies operating in Hwange, as part of the investigation.

“The committee was briefed on the company’s brick-making operations, including its use of river water, before proceeding to the Deka River to assess the condition of the waterway.

“Environmental Management Authority officials explained the natural neutralisation of acid mine drainage and the subsequent precipitation of metals such as iron, manganese and aluminium”, read the statement.

The visit forms part of Parliament’s broader investigation into mining methods, waste disposal, water quality and the impact of mining activities on surrounding communities, wildlife and the environment.

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Source: Harare City Council evicts roadside vendors in Mbare to restore order – herald

Diana Nherera

The City of Harare has evicted roadside vendors in Mbare to restore order in the high density suburb.

Ward 4 Mbare Councillor Boniface Maburutse confirmed the operation saying the vendors had encroached onto roads, posing danger and obstructing traffic.

He said council cleared the areas around Shawasha Grounds, Cripps Road and Remembrance Drive, while vendors operating in the Mupedzanhamo area were also targeted.

“When they were clearing towards the main gate at Mupedzanhamo, they faced resistance from CCC youths who threw stones, forcing the operation to be stopped due to the violence,” he said.

Cllr Maburutse said the youths later attacked his office and damaged property, accusing him of being behind the operation.

He said space barons had become a major problem in Mbare, with some allegedly charging vendors for trading spaces that encroach onto roads.

“We want our vendors to sell their wares because they are the ones who voted for us, but for them to sell their wares while encroaching onto the tarred roads poses many risks and results in a lack of order,” he said.

Cllr Maburutse said vendors were also being exploited by space barons who collected money in exchange for illegal trading spaces.

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