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Source: Zimbabwe Nurses Threaten Fresh Strike Over Stalled Allowances ⋆ Pindula News

Zimbabwe’s nurses have warned that the government faces fresh industrial unrest in the health sector unless it urgently honours agreements reached three months ago on health-specific allowances and a disputed job evaluation exercise.

In a statement issued on 13 August 2026, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president, Enock Dongo, said morale among frontline staff had collapsed to crisis point.

ZINA, together with the Health Apex Team and wider health worker representatives, said it was concerned by the government’s “continued failure to implement agreements reached in May on the review of health-specific allowances and the unresolved concerns surrounding the health sector job evaluation.”

The union’s frustration centres on a deal struck through the Health Bipartite Negotiating Forum in May. Under that agreement, health-specific allowances would be reviewed, with the possibility of implementing revised rates from June.

Health worker representatives submitted their proposals and the Health Services Commission communicated the matter to the Ministry of Finance. Almost three months later, Dongo said, “there has been no substantive response or implementation.”

The last review of these allowances was conducted in 2022. Since then, ZINA argues, rising living costs and economic pressures have “significantly eroded the purchasing power of health workers.”

The allowances in question cover night duty, on-call, standby, nurse managers, post-basic qualifications, mental health, special health duties and uniforms – payments the association says are “no longer adequate compensation for the demanding and often unsocial conditions under which health workers operate.”

Dongo warned that continued delays are “worsening an already serious morale crisis among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals, with potential consequences for the quality and sustainability of healthcare delivery.”

ZINA is also challenging the recently concluded health sector job evaluation conducted by the Health Services Commission. Health worker representatives have rejected its outcome, arguing that workers were inadequately consulted and that the methodology “failed to fully recognise the unique demands of healthcare, including clinical responsibility, professional accountability, emergency response, unsociable working hours, specialist qualifications and workload.”

The May agreement provided for a 4-4 appeals committee, four worker representatives and four government representatives, to consider concerns arising from the evaluation. ZINA said it is opposed to reports that the process is now being handled through the Public Service Commission instead.

“The agreed mechanism cannot be unilaterally changed,” the statement said.

The demands set out by Dongo are fourfold: that government urgently review and implement the health-specific allowances, provide a clear response to proposals already submitted, constitute the agreed 4-4 appeals committee, and ensure that the appeals process is “transparent, inclusive and appropriate to the health sector.”

“Nurses, doctors and other health professionals continue to work nights, weekends, public holidays, respond to emergencies and remain on standby while carrying their own family and financial responsibilities,” ZINA said. “They deserve fair treatment and compensation for the essential services they provide.”

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, ZINA warned that “dialogue must produce results, promises must be honoured and agreements must be respected.”

Should the outstanding issues remain unresolved, health workers may consider further collective action, including withdrawal of services.

“ZINA therefore urges Government to act now in the interests of health workers and, most importantly, the people of Zimbabwe,” Dongo said.

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Source: ZLHR calls for transparent probe into Kariba ferry disaster –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 14 (NewsDay Live) — The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the Kariba ferry disaster that has claimed at least 46 lives, saying the tragedy raises serious questions about public transport safety and regulatory oversight.

In a statement Friday, ZLHR extended its condolences to the families, relatives and friends of those who died in the tragedy and called for accountability over the disaster.

At least 46 people had died and 77 survivors had been rescued by Aug. 12, while the search and recovery operation remained underway. The Mbuya Nehanda ferry, owned by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, was travelling from Kariba toward Chalala when it capsized on Lake Kariba.

ZLHR said the loss of lives raised serious questions about safety standards, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness and the adequacy of oversight mechanisms governing public transport on Lake Kariba.

“Section 48 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to life,” the organisation said, adding that authorities had a duty to protect and promote that right.

ZLHR said the government’s declaration of the disaster as a national disaster acknowledged shortcomings in the country’s maritime safety capabilities.

It called for an impartial, independent and evidence-based investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the sinking and determine whether the vessel was adequately inspected and operated.

The investigation should also establish whether the operator, regulators, public officials or other responsible institutions failed in their duties and, where applicable, identify any criminal, civil or regulatory liabilities, ZLHR said.

The organisation urged authorities to make the findings of the probe public and ensure that any identified liabilities were addressed in accordance with the law.

“The tragedy must not be reduced to a statistic or allowed to fade from public attention without meaningful action,” ZLHR said.

It also called for strengthened maritime safety, emergency preparedness and enforcement measures to prevent a similar disaster from occurring again.

The organisation said families of the victims should receive assistance and support, including appropriate compensation and recovery of victims’ remains where necessary.

The call comes as authorities continue the search and recovery operation on Lake Kariba following one of the country’s deadliest recent water transport disasters.

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Source: 1 500 housing stands for youth in Bulawayo -Newsday Zimbabwe

OVER 1 500 residential stands are being developed in Bulawayo under the Munhumutapa national youth housing scheme.

The scheme was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2024 to expand access to affordable housing for young people.

The stands are being serviced at Valindre through a public-private partnership between government and Enock Construction and Earth Moving Equipment.

Project manager, Engineer Thabani Ndlovu said the first phase, comprising 400 stands, was nearing completion, while work was progressing on the remaining phases.

“As you can see, phase one is almost complete, while work is now progressing on phases two and three,” he said.

“We have constructed roads and installed sewer systems, while also going the extra mile to electrify the area. The streetlights are already operational.”

The project is expected to provide young people with access to serviced residential stands while contributing to improved living conditions and their socio-economic well-being.

Nkulumane Member of Parliament, Freedom Murechu welcomed the project, saying it was responding to the housing needs of young people.

“Our parents used to acquire stands at affordable prices and pay for them in instalments, and today we are happy that the government is giving young people the same opportunity,” he said.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Judith Ncube said access to decent and affordable housing was critical to improving the welfare and dignity of young people.

“Our expectation is for young people to have access to decent and affordable housing. Providing decent housing promotes their dignity, and we want to thank the President for prioritising the welfare of young people,” she said.

The Valindre development comprises both medium- and high-density residential stands, with the project being implemented in three phases.

The first phase comprises 400 stands, while phase two will deliver 500 stands and phase three a further 700 stands, bringing the total to more than 1 500 residential stands.

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Source: Iran Embassy mourns Lake Kariba ferry victims -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 14 (NEWSDAY LIVE) — The Iranian Embassy in Zimbabwe has expressed condolences to the government and people of Zimbabwe following the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that has so far claimed 46 lives.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy involving the Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the government and people of Zimbabwe, particularly the families and loved ones who lost their lives in this devastating national disaster,” the embassy said.

“We stand with you during this difficult time.”

The tragedy has become one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest recent maritime disasters, with the death toll likely to rise as search teams recover bodies from the lake.

Official updates have put the number of survivors at 67, although other reports have said 77 people were rescued during the initial operation.

The discrepancies in the numbers have been linked to uncertainty over the exact number of people aboard the ferry, with authorities saying ticket records showed 114 adult passengers and five crew members, while children below the ticketing age may not have been captured in the records.

The ferry, which had a stated capacity of 90 passengers, was travelling from Kariba towards Chalala fishing areas when it capsized in rough conditions.

Survivors have described scenes of panic as water entered the vessel and passengers struggled to escape. Some said passengers had urged the captain to turn back as waves intensified before the ferry overturned.

The government has declared the tragedy a national disaster, while rescue teams continue searching the lake for bodies and any people who may still be unaccounted for.

The disaster has also raised fresh questions over maritime safety, the condition of the ageing ferry and the enforcement of passenger-carrying limits on Lake Kariba.

The Iranian Embassy joins a growing list of international figures and institutions expressing solidarity with Zimbabwe following the tragedy.

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Source: Compensate Lake Kariba accident victims, opposition party –Newsday Zimbabwe

THE opposition People’s Unity Party (PUP) has called for transparency during investigations into the Lake Kariba boat tragedy, accusing the Zanu PF-led government of failing to ensure the safety of people using vessels at the dam.

On August 11, 2026, a tragic maritime accident occurred on Lake Kariba when the “Mbuya Nehanda” passenger ferry capsized, resulting in 46 confirmed deaths and leaving many more missing.

The vessel, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), was traveling from Kariba town to the Chalala fishing camp when it encountered severe weather and strong waves near Long Island.

PUP leader Herbert Chamuka said authorities had a responsibility to ensure that vessels and other vehicles used to transport people were properly maintained.

“But from our point of view, the Zanu PF party or the government has something to do with the deaths of the people involved in the accident,” he said.

“We say so because it is the one that is supposed to maintain its ships and all vehicles that people board.”

He also said that the emergency response following the incident was inadequate, resulting in more casualties.

“If there were police officers present, they would have called for possible urgent rescue responses, such as helicopters.

“This also showed that these people didn’t receive assistance, or rather it was delayed, and they spent a long time in the water,” Chamuka said.

Chamuka also accused the government of prioritising politics over the welfare of citizens, citing the availability of party-branded vehicles alongside what he said was a shortage of ambulances and emergency helicopters.

“The government values politics more than the well-being of the people and the resources of its members, because they have plenty of cars branded with their party name, but there are no ambulances in hospitals, or even helicopters to use in situations like these,” he said.

Chamuka also called on the government to compensate the families of those who died as well as the survivors of the incident.

“We urge the government to take action immediately and compensate the families of the deceased as well as the survivors,” he said.

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