Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Harare deputy mayor calls urgent Ward 7 meeting over water, roads and garbage crisis – herald

Diana Nherera

Ward 7 will hold a feedback meeting on service delivery on Tuesday to provie a platform for residents to engage City of Harare officials on key issues affecting the community.

The meeting will be held at the Highlands District Office from 5pm to 7pm.

In a statement, Ward 7 Mt Pleasant Councillor and Harare Deputy Mayor Rosemary Muronda said the meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to raise concerns, share their experiences and contribute to solutions aimed at improving service delivery.

“Ward 7 covers residents from Gunhill, New Alex Park, Newlands, Highlands, Chisipite, Ballantyne and Greendale, and all residents are encouraged to attend.

“This meeting is important for you as it provides a platform for you, the residents, to raise your concerns, share your experiences and contribute to practical solutions that improve your ward.

“Your participation ensures transparency, accountability and better service delivery,” reads the statement.

City officials are expected to address issues including water supply, pipe replacement and prepaid water meters, road rehabilitation, waste collection, town planning and development control, noise management, the Council Stabilisation Plan, revenue collection, illegal vending, traffic lights and street lighting.

“This engagement is a crucial opportunity for residents to interact directly with decision-makers and ensure that your priorities are heard and acted upon,” read the statement.

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Source: Grade four learner dies from a gas tank fire in Glen Norah –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 17 (NewsDay Live) -A Grade Four learner at Shiriyedenga Primary School in Glen Norah A died on Sunday morning after sustaining severe burns when a gas tank burst and sparked a fire at her family home on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred around 7pm while the deceased, identified as Ashley, was inside the family’s two-roomed house with her sibling, while their mother and other people were outside.

According to members of the community, the fire started from the gas tank in one of the rooms, prompting the other child to flee the house.

However, Ashley reportedly ran into the bedroom in fear as the fire spread through the house.

Efforts by neighbours and other community members to rescue her were initially unsuccessful as the only access to the bedroom was through the room where the fire had started.

The fire engulfed the house as community members searched for tools to break through the bedroom wall and reach the trapped child.

After about 15 to 20 minutes, they managed to break through the wall and pull Ashley from the burning room, but she had already sustained serious burns.

A community member, Tatenda Katsiga, who witnessed the incident, said he rushed to the scene after hearing people shouting that a fire had broken out.

“We rushed to the scene and the first room had caught fire. The mother of the deceased wanted to get into the room, but she was restrained by other people because it was dangerous.”

“She wanted to rescue her child. We had to look for tools so we could break the wall of the bedroom and rescue her. After some time, we broke the wall and took her out,”

Well-wishers rushed the child to a medical facility in Glen Norah, where she was reportedly referred to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. She died on Sunday morning while receiving medical attention.

The fire destroyed both rooms, with the family losing all their belongings, including important documents.

The deceased’s uncle, Tererai Mubaiwa, said he was away when the fire broke out and only returned after receiving news of the disaster.

“I was not at home when the fire broke out. I received a call that a disaster had occurred. By the time I got home, the house was in ashes,” Mubaiwa said.

“Right now, we are preparing documents. Everything, from birth certificates and other important documents, was burnt to ashes. We are working on getting the burial order and are waiting to bury the victim in the rural area.”

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Source: St Martins residents camp at HCC offices after demolitions –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 17 (NewsDay Live) — Angry residents whose houses and temporary structures were demolished in St Martins, Harare, over the weeekend have reportedly camped at Harare City Council (HCC) district offices in Sunningdale, demanding answers from the local authority.

The affected residents, left homeless by the demolitions, have taken their belongings to the council offices as they seek clarification on why their homes were destroyed and what will happen to those who invested money in the housing scheme.

St Martins Residents Association chairman Dave Jenje told NewsDay that some affected families were already camping at the council offices, with more expected to join them.

“As I speak now, we have some affected residents who are camping at Harare City Council district offices in Sunningdale,” Jenje said.

“More people are coming as we are seeking answers on why our houses were demolished. We have since hired lorries to carry our properties to the district offices.”

A senior HCC official, who declined to be named, confirmed that residents had moved to the council offices.

“It’s true we have since received information that there are some residents who are camping at our district offices in Sunningdale,” the official said.

The developments come amid growing anger over the demolition of structures in St Martins, with residents demanding clarity on the status of the housing scheme and the fate of affected families.

Phase Two of St Martins was reportedly demolished in its entirety, while Phase One remained intact.

The demolitions have left affected families facing uncertainty over accommodation and the safety of their belongings as they await an explanation from the city authorities.

Residents are also seeking clarity on whether they will be compensated or provided with alternative accommodation.

The council had not, by the time of publication, publicly explained the reasons for the demolitions or outlined measures to assist the affected residents.

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Source: Government explores ways to replace vessel – herald

Freeman Razemba in KARIBA

THE Government has engaged boat operators and other private players in Kariba to explore the possibility of deploying another vessel on Lake Kariba following the recent boat tragedy in which 84 bodies have so far been recovered.

In an interview, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, said they had engaged operators and private players in Kariba to come up with a solution so that another boat will begin plying the same route for the benefit of the people.

“What we have said again is that our President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is always talking about private sector participation and this is what we have appealed to the people of Kariba to say let’s put our heads together and as government we will play our part but also as private sector they have been doing this business, so they must come up with the solution and we will make sure that in terms of registration it’s easier, in terms of safety, we enhance safety issues and then we have a boat to ply that route,” he said.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo appealed for the immediate release of a boat to service the route.

“Even if it’s a smaller boat, because you know it’s only 80km and it links the residents of rural or urban Kariba to their life, which is fishing.

“You know there are a lot of islands along the lake where they would go and buy or do their fishing.

“So although we are going to be able to provide them with this network, it’s really not going to resolve a lot of problems,” she said.

Minister Chombo said they stand ready to support any initiative that the Government or the ministry is going to avail to make sure that people access better services.

On Sunday, during engagements with boat operators, Minister Mhona assured the nation that Government will institute a full investigation, guided by the provisions of the Inland Waters Shipping Act [Chapter 13:06].

The investigation will examine maritime safety standards, regulatory compliance and other contributing factors.

Minister Mhona urged the nation to remain focused on mourning the victims and supporting affected families as investigations get underway.

“Government remains committed to strengthening safety measures and protecting all who depend on our waterways,” he said.

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Source: Government announces US$100 assistance for Kariba disaster families -Newsday Zimbabwe

KARIBA, Aug. 16 (NewsDay Live) — The government has announced US$100 in cash assistance for each person affected by the Kariba ferry disaster to help families meet funeral and other immediate costs.

The announcement was made late on Saturday by Kariba district development coordinator Rodwell Mtetwa, who chairs the Civil Protection Unit for the district, while addressing mourners at Kariba District Hospital during the identification of recovered bodies.

“As government we are trying our best to make sure that no one is left out as we continue with the search. Our search teams are now based at the island and they are making sure that they do a thorough search,” Mtetwa said.

He said the assistance would cover both survivors and families of those who died, with payments to deceased victims’ next of kin.

“Everyone is going to receive it, whether deceased and living. For the deceased, assistance will be collected by the next of kin. Everyone is receiving a hamper to cushion them during this difficult time,” he said.

Mtetwa said the Zambezi River Authority had contributed US$20,000 towards the response, including fuel for rescue teams, with US$100 allocated to each affected person.

“We noted your details and whatever help that will come, you will be contacted and receive it,” he said.

Government has also provided two buses to transport families traveling to Mola, where many of those affected are from, as far as Chalala.

Mtetwa said the state and its partners would also cover other burial-related costs, including caskets, transport, food and clothing.

The Mbuya Nehanda boat capsized last Tuesday at Long Island while traveling to Chalala Fishing Camp, with the exact number of people who were on board still to be established.

A total of 72 people have so far been confirmed dead, while 67 survived the disaster.

The recorded recoveries were 13 bodies on Tuesday, 31 on Wednesday, two on Thursday, none on Friday and 26 on Saturday.

The government has declared the disaster a national emergency and assumed overall coordination of the response.

Search teams remain stationed at the island as operations continue for any remaining missing people.

The Civil Protection Unit said all registered next of kin would be contacted as further assistance becomes available.

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