*_AFTERNOON NEWS | 11 JUNE 2025_* *_Join our Group:_* https://chat.whatsapp.com/LDUL4HF8Hyo4MaUUiGXvKz *TO ADVERTISE WITH WAZO ADVERTS* *_WhatsApp:_* wa.me/263776804293 *_We have a market reach of over 400,000 Zimbabweans._* — — — — — — — — — — — — *1.* MPs demand urgent action as UZ lecturers strike enters day 58 *2.* "We are working under impossible conditions, we cannot continue like this" – nurses plead with government to prioritise public health sector *3.* ZETDC presses on with prepaid street lighting *4.* IMF wants Zimbabwe's gold-backed ZiG to become sole currency *5.* Government advances transparent land allocation system to support vulnerable groups *6.* Wicknell Chivayo pledges US$1 million sponsorship to Highlanders... In honour of his uncle, the late VP of Zimbabwe *7.* 80 years in jail for fake employment agent who preyed on female job seekers *8.* Zimbabwean woman wanted in Botswana for murder *_FULL ARTICLES BELOW_* _[Note: These News Articles were Compiled and Distributed by Wazo Adverts. Source is Credited at the End of Each Article.]_ 1. *MPS DEMAND URGENT ACTION AS UZ LECTURERS STRIKE ENTERS DAY 58* MPs demanded a ministerial statement from higher and tertiary education minister Frederick Shava as a strike over poor pay by University of Zimbabwe lecturers entered its 58th day on Tuesday. Lawmakers accused Shava of routinely snubbing parliament as the crisis at the university deepens. Charles Moyo (CCC) described the situation at UZ as “chaotic” and a “sheer waste of time” for students, warning that dissertations are going unsupervised, exams are not being written, and even newly recruited adjunct lecturers were sometimes not turning up for work. “Yesterday (Tuesday) there were demonstrations from the lecturers, yet other students are to go for attachments. It seems this semester is a sheer waste of time to students as well as a loss to parents’ hard-earned money,” Moyo said in the National Assembly. ”There is chaos and uncertainty at our institution. If it pleases you Honourable Speaker Sir, I request the absent minister of higher education, innovation, science and technology development to come just once and give us a ministerial statement on the negotiations, deadlocks or practical interventions to bring normalcy to our tertiary institution.” Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda accepted the request and pledged to notify the minister. The crisis has escalated in recent days after the university withheld salaries for striking lecturers in an apparent retaliation for their continued industrial action. The lecturers are demanding a return to pre-2018 wage levels of US$2,250 per month for junior lecturers — a steep increase from the current US$230. Obvious Vengeyi, the spokesman for the Association of University Teachers (AUT), slammed the move as an attempt to intimidate lecturers back to work. “Of course, it is an act of trying to force our members to return to work for the US$230 they initially rejected. It’s a way of arm-twisting certain members of our community to resume teaching,” Vengeyi said. He added that the salary cuts had only strengthened the lecturers’ resolve. “Many here who have not been paid have resolved that, whether they receive the US$230 or not, they will not return. Until junior lecturers get US$2,250, we will not go back to class.” The university has remained officially silent on the strike but has hired adjunct lecturers in an attempt to fill gaps left by striking staff. However, the AUT has dismissed the replacements as largely unqualified and ineffective. “There is no teaching happening at the university. No supervision is taking place. A few scabs have been hired to replace — sort of — the lecturers on strike,” Vengeyi added. *_-ZimLive_* 2. *"WE ARE WORKING UNDER IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS, WE CANNOT CONTINUE LIKE THIS" – NURSES PLEAD WITH GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR* The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has made a desperate appeal to the government to urgently address the situation in public hospitals, saying they are working under "impossible conditions" which are endangering lives. Government has for years continued to neglect public hospitals, which are the largest providers of healthcare services in the country. Public hospitals across Zimbabwe lack basic medical supplies, with patients being left to purchase their own or referred to private hospitals where charges are beyond the reach of many. In a statement Tuesday, ZINA president Enock Dongo said the government has failed the health sector. "As nurses, we are working under impossible conditions. We are forced to improvise daily just to preserve life. But we cannot continue like this. The system has failed, and the suffering is unbearable. "We call on the government of Zimbabwe to urgently prioritise the health sector. Equip hospitals. Support nurses. Save lives. This situation must be addressed without delay," Dongo said. Dongo also said public hospitals do not have blankets for patients in this winter season and some wards do not have windows. "Facilities are deteriorating fast. There are no blankets in many wards as we approach winter. Some hospitals do not even have proper windows. "X-ray departments are not functioning. Diagnostic centres are almost non-existent. Basic lab services are unavailable. "Nurses are unable to conduct essential tests, and the sick are being referred to private hospitals that they cannot afford. They remain in public wards, in pain, waiting, suffering," Dongo added. Recently, Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora admitted that Zimbabwe's biggest referral public hospital, Parirenyatwa, is in a bad state after a tour following a public outcry. The situation at Parirenyatwa is a reflection of all public hospitals in the country. Over the years, health workers have submitted numerous petitions and staged protests calling for urgent government intervention; however, the authorities have taken little to no action. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 3. *ZETDC PRESSES ON WITH PREPAID STREET LIGHTING* The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has vowed to press ahead with its installation of smart prepaid meters for public lighting, despite complaints from local authorities, particularly the Municipality of Chitungwiza, that the project was implemented without formal consultation. ZETDC said the initiative - already underway in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza - is part of a nationwide transition aimed at improving efficiency, reducing losses, and ensuring that municipalities pay for the power they consume. According to documents obtained by NewsDay, ZESA Holdings began formal engagement with councils in June 2024, and issued final notices on May 28, 2025, regarding the prepaid meter installations for streetlights. However, Chitungwiza municipal officials claim they were caught off-guard. Spokesperson Tafadzwa Kachiko said council only received formal communication from ZETDC on June 2, long after installations had already begun. "This project came as a surprise to the local authority," Kachiko said. "ZESA has been installing prepaid meters without any notification to council. The intent may not be bad, but the approach was problematic." Kachiko said the lack of prior coordination has led to service disruptions, including poor lighting and increased reports of night-time muggings in areas where meters were installed but not activated due to lack of top-up arrangements. He added that councillors raised serious concerns during a full council meeting last week, questioning why no joint planning had taken place and how the municipality was expected to budget for recharging the tower lights. In response to the backlash, ZETDC issued a statement defending the project, calling it a forward-looking solution that would modernise energy use and reduce waste. "The meters that we have now put in are smart intelligence, and they open up opportunities for municipalities to save energy," ZETDC said. "Many tower lights are now solar-powered, and these smart meters can even export power back into the grid." ZETDC added that prepaid metering is now the regional standard due to worsening power shortages and financial sustainability concerns. "From 2012, we have been transitioning from post-paid to prepaid systems to match supply and demand. Most new electricity contracts are prepaid across the region." ZETDC insists local authorities were informed of the programme well in advance and had already signed off at operational levels in some areas. In Seke, for instance, 42 out of 72 streetlights have already been converted to prepaid. In Zengeza, 54 out of 128 have been changed, with full installation expected to be complete by June 25. "Our team has worked with council electrical departments. CIUs [Customer Interface Units] and documentation were signed for. Finance departments were engaged regarding billing and migration," ZETDC said. However, ZETDC admitted that some council officials, such as the Zengeza director of works, refused to accept documentation, potentially explaining the disconnect between departments. Power Still Available, Says ZETDC Contrary to reports that some areas were left without lighting, ZETDC clarified that power supply had not been disconnected. "The tower lights have not been switched off. Power is available at the point of use. If council is facing challenges, ZETDC remains available to assist." As tension brews between the utility and local authorities, energy experts are urging improved coordination and transparency in service delivery rollouts. While ZETDC's push for prepaid meters aligns with modern energy management strategies, stakeholders warn that lack of consultation could undermine public trust and disrupt essential services such as street lighting and safety. The controversy underscores the need for clear communication, shared planning, and stakeholder buy-in when implementing infrastructure upgrades that affect communities directly. *_-Bulawayo24_* 4. *IMF WANTS ZIMBABWE'S GOLD-BACKED ZIG TO BECOME SOLE CURRENCY* The International Monetary Fund said it would like to see the ZiG "fully becoming a national currency," as it weighs whether to place Zimbabwe on a staff-monitored program. The ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, succeeded the Zimbabwean dollar in April 2024 after multiple crashes. It's the country's sixth attempt since 2009 to replace the dollar as the southern African nation's main transacting currency, but is yet to succeed. Several measures will need to be adopted to boost ZiG usage, including deepening the foreign-exchange market to ensure full price discovery, said Wojciech Maliszewski, the Washington-based lender's mission chief, who is in Zimbabwe to review its request for a new SMP. The nation's last program ended abruptly in 2019 after the central bank printed money that fueled the collapse of the local currency. "Right now we see good stability in the official market and we also see a convergence between the parallel and official rate," he told reporters Monday after meeting Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the capital, Harare. "Ideally, we would like to see an elimination of this gap, we would like to see one exchange rate." Still, the ZiG's 43% devaluation in September to narrow the gap between the official and unofficial rate and its inconvertibility has led citizens to favor dollars. The ZiG traded little changed on Tuesday at 26.96 against the dollar and exchanged hands at 32 to 35 on the parallel market. The Washington-based lender said it isn't pushing for more exchange rate depreciation but for the "two rates to converge" supported by government fiscal discipline. "There is a good chance that these rates will converge," Maliszewski said. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube last month at the annual meetings of the African Development Bank said he expected the SMP to be finalized by the end of June. The program would bring Zimbabwe closer toward revamping its $21 billion debt pile with creditors that want assurances that its authorities are pursuing prudent fiscal and monetary policies. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 5. *GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TRANSPARENT LAND ALLOCATION SYSTEM TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE GROUPS* Government is taking substantial steps towards establishing a transparent and equitable land allocation system, emphasising the need for minimal human intervention and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This initiative aims to prioritise vulnerable and marginalised groups, especially women, youth, war veterans, and persons with disabilities, ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to access agricultural land. During a national consultative stakeholders’ validation workshop on equitable access to agricultural land in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe Lands Commission chairperson Commissioner Tendai Bare, representing Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, highlighted the urgent need for transparency in land distribution. “At the core of our land policy is the principle that all Zimbabweans, regardless of gender, age, disability, or social status, must have fair and just access to agricultural land,” Dr Masuka said. This commitment to inclusivity is crucial for fostering a more equitable society. The Government is also reviewing and reallocating underutilised or multiple farm holdings to ensure a fair distribution of land resources. Dr Masuka further emphasised the importance of adhering to established farm size regulations, which are essential for promoting equity and sustainability. He said land must not only be accessed but also occupied legally and productively, with security of tenure. “Illegal occupations, land disputes, and boundary encroachments undermine land access, use, and productivity,” Dr Masuka said, underscoring the need for a systematic approach to land administration. The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent land administration system, which is crucial for improving land use and productivity. Since the historic Fast Track Land Reform Programme, the Government has taken bold steps to address colonial injustices and reclaim indigenous control over natural resources. This ongoing commitment to transparency is aimed at building trust among citizens and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Speaking during the same workshop, Mr Luke Dangirwa from the Disability National Council of Zimbabwe raised concerns about the discrimination faced by persons with disabilities in land allocation. “We are not given opportunities to be allocated land, but we have the capacity to do better on farms. Some of us have the resources to do the work. Currently, we are not happy with the way we are treated. We want to be included in the programme.” His remarks highlight the critical need for the Government to ensure that all groups are represented and included in land allocation processes. UNDP team leader on Transformative Governance, Mr Tafadzwa Muvingi, pointed out that land administration in Zimbabwe remains patriarchal, often sidelining women and persons with disabilities. Cultural biases continue to exclude women from land inheritance, perpetuating gender inequalities. However, there are success stories, such as women in the Rusitu dairy scheme, who have produced over 800 000 litres of milk annually, demonstrating that equitable access to land can lead to significant agricultural success. *_-Herald_* 6. *WICKNELL CHIVAYO PLEDGES US$1 MILLION SPONSORSHIP TO HIGHLANDERS... IN HONOUR OF HIS UNCLE, THE LATE VP OF ZIMBABWE* Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has announced a landmark US$1 million sponsorship package for Highlanders Football Club, revealing that the pledge is in fulfilment of a deathbed promise made to his late uncle, former Vice President John Landa Nkomo. In a social media post on Wednesday, 11 June, Chivayo declared his deep-rooted connection to the Bulawayo-based club, affectionately known as “Bosso,” and outlined a multi-layered support plan to revive its competitive edge. The sponsorship will begin with an immediate cash injection of US$250,000 to assist with the club’s administrative needs. Chivayo said the remaining US$750,000 will be disbursed over the next year, specifically earmarked to help the club secure new talent and cover player sign-on fees for a more competitive 2025 Premier Soccer League season. Citing a powerful final conversation with the late Vice President Nkomo in December 2012, Chivayo said his uncle had three dying wishes for him: to support the ruling Zanu PF party, to look after the family trust, and to provide meaningful support to Highlanders FC. Chivayo wrote: _Being the avid football supporter that he was, he asked me to assist Highlanders FC in every possible way, in order to preserve its HISTORY, shape its FUTURE, and create a lasting LEGACY of the football club in Zimbabwe, for GENERATIONS to come._ To ensure financial transparency, Chivayo has appointed a curator, Jabulani Nkomo, a Bulawayo businessman and trusted relative, to oversee the disbursement of the funds. Said Chivayo: _I have nominated JABULANI NKOMO, a long-standing, trusted relative of mine and a successful businessman who’s a respected figure in BULAWAYO, to assist the Club in a CURATORSHIP role._ _His involvement will ONLY be to work closely with the leadership of Highlanders FC, ensuring that the disbursement of this sponsorship is strictly in ACCORDANCE with the Club’s budgeted expenditures to support PLAYER WELFARE and strengthen administrative excellence._ Chivayo described the 98-year-old club, founded by grandsons of King Lobengula, as a “phenomenal cultural icon that represents heritage, pride and unity.” He also framed his contribution within a national context, aligning it with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for private sector involvement in national development under Vision 2030. Chivayo said: _It is my humble CONVICTION that there should be significant private-sector involvement in sports development, in order to make a NOTABLE difference to the game of FOOTBALL._ This latest multi-million dollar pledge is not the first time Wicknell Chivayo has extended financial support to Highlanders. Earlier this year, the businessman was instrumental in helping the club avoid a FIFA transfer ban by settling an outstanding US$27,000 debt owed to former coach Baltemar Brito and his assistant, Antonio Joao Torres. That intervention was critical, as the ban on registering new players threatened to cripple the team ahead of the Premier Soccer League season. Chivayo’s history of support dates back even further, as he also covered a US$4,000 fine imposed on the club in 2017 following crowd trouble during a match against rivals Dynamos. *_-Pindula_* 7. *80 YEARS IN JAIL FOR FAKE EMPLOYMENT AGENT WHO PREYED ON FEMALE JOB SEEKERS* A Chitungwiza man who pretended to be a job placement agent and raped desperate young women looking for employment has been jailed for 80 years. Aaron Sanyamahwe, aged 36, was sentenced this week by the Chitungwiza Regional Magistrates Court after being convicted on four counts of rape. Each count earned him 20 years, to be served consecutively. “This predator took advantage of young women who were simply trying to improve their lives,” the State told the court. Sanyamahwe, from Unit N, Seke, would pose as an employment agent and gain the trust of job seekers before subjecting them to horrific assaults. The court heard that Sanyamahwe contacted victims under the pretext of offering employment. Once he gained their trust, he would invite them for “interviews”. “He took them to secluded places in Dema, blindfolded them, moved them to another location, strangled and raped them,” said prosecutors. Some of the victims were so traumatised they could not return to their families immediately. “The assaults were violent and calculated,” said the State. He carried out the attacks on different occasions, using the same method to trap his victims. Prosecutors said he deliberately chose isolated areas where he could not be interrupted. The sentence — 80 years behind bars — was delivered on 11 June 2025. “The jail term sends a clear message that sexual violence will be met with the full force of the law,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) in a statement following the sentencing. “We urge all job seekers to remain vigilant and never place their trust in strangers,” the NPA added. The case has sparked renewed warnings to the public, especially young women, to be cautious when approached with unsolicited job offers. According to court documents, the survivors are still dealing with the psychological impact. “He ruined our lives. We just wanted to work and help our families,” said one victim, whose identity is protected. Sanyamahwe will now serve his 80-year sentence without the option of parole. In Zimbabwe, rape carries a mandatory minimum sentence, but in this case, the court opted for the harshest possible punishment. “This is justice for the victims. The court has spoken,” concluded the prosecution. His victims, many still unemployed, now face the additional burden of healing from what the court described as “brutal, callous and deliberate” acts of violence. *_-iHarare_* 8. *ZIMBABWEAN WOMAN WANTED IN BOTSWANA FOR MURDER* A woman from Zimbabwe, named Fanes Manyewe, is wanted in Botswana in connection with a murder case, reports Crime Watch Zimbabwe. It is alleged that on June 5, 2025, a 38-year-old woman was found murdered in her home in Ramotswa. According to the police, the attackers entered her house, kiIIed her, and escaped using her car. The car was later recovered, but the suspects are still on the run. Police are still investigating and do not yet know the reason for the attack. The police are now searching for two suspects. One is a Mozambican man named Adriano Caetano, and the other is a Zimbabwean woman named Fanes Manyewe. They are asking anyone who may have seen something or knows where the suspects are to help by calling the Ramotswa Police Station at (+267) 5390217 or 5380337, or by dialing emergency number 999. People can also report to the nearest police station. Police say all information will be kept private and handled with care. *_-ZwNews_*