*Lunchtime News: Sunday 25 May 2025* *Headlines* *Deadly Malaria Outbreak Hits Zimbabwe, 253 People Have Already Died, 33 Of Them Within A Week* *Trabablas Interchange Opens To Traffic This Week* *Tagwirei's Reckless "Chigananda" Remark Rattles Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba* *Top Prosecutor, Police Officers Arrested For Extortion* *Investigation After Cadet Drowns During Training, Army Chief Reveals* *Silent Killer Hits Back: 'I Don't Owe Any Apology To UK SAMA Fest 0rganisers'* *Zambia's Central Bank Holds Rate, Anticipates Slower Inflation* *Outrage, Horror After Israeli Attack Kills Nine Children Of Gaza Doctor* *Amorim To Give Man Utd Fans 'Apology' For Poor Season* *Arsenal Stun Barcelona To Win The Women’s Champions League* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *Deadly Malaria Outbreak Hits Zimbabwe, 253 People Have Already Died, 33 Of Them Within A Week* Zimbabwe is currently battling a severe malaria outbreak, with a concerning surge in cases and fatalities placing immense strain on the country’s already fragile healthcare system. A recent report by an international organisation has warned that Zimbabwe’s ability to effectively manage and reduce deaths from the disease is severely hampered by the collapse of its health delivery system and the withdrawal of crucial donor aid. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s disease surveillance report for the week ending 11 May 2025, malaria has claimed the lives of 253 people out of 73,207 reported cases. The report further revealed a grim statistic: 33 deaths and 11,030 new cases were recorded in just a single week, highlighting the rapid spread and severity of the outbreak. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued a stark warning about the escalating malaria crisis in Zimbabwe. The IFRC’s report underscores the immense pressure being exerted on healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas where resources are already stretched thin. Mashonaland West province has emerged as a major malaria hotspot, with 47 confirmed deaths and a case fatality rate of 0.33% as of 2 May 2025. The province is also dealing with a cholera outbreak that began on 4 November 2024, in the Kariba district. The malaria incidence rate in Mashonaland West has seen a significant increase, rising from 1.54 per 1,000 population between weeks 1-18 in 2024, to 7.66 per 1,000 during the same period in 2025. The IFRC has described this nearly fivefold increase as indicative of a sharp surge in malaria transmission. This suggests there are possible gaps in prevention measures, such as insecticide-treated nets coverage, case management, vector control, or surveillance. The IFRC report stated that the peak of the outbreak observed since April continues to pose a concern. It also stated that La Niña-induced rains, poor ITN coverage, and high exposure in farming and mining zones have created conditions that dramatically worsened transmission, justifying urgent intervention. The report further highlighted that persistent hotspots and on-going new cases show that the outbreak had not yet been fully contained by early May, especially where vector control gaps and late treatment-seeking behaviours persist, which could contribute to the trend. The IFRC has also noted that the malaria outbreak in Mashonaland West is putting pressure on healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas where vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly are most affected. The surge in malaria cases has had a ripple effect on other essential health services. The IFRC report states that the overwhelming influx of patients has diverted attention and resources away from maternal and child health programmes, immunisations, and chronic disease management. The IFRC said clinics and hospitals have faced increased patient loads, leading to potential shortages in medical supplies and staff fatigue. The report further states that the focus on managing the malaria outbreak has diverted attention and resources from other essential health services, such as maternal and child health programmes, immunisations, and management of chronic diseases. The malaria outbreak has also taken a toll on community mental well-being. The IFRC reports that the 2025 malaria cases have exceeded the seasonal threshold resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, with 47 confirmed deaths reported as of 2 May 2025 in Mashonaland West province with overall case fatality rate of 0.33%. The IFRC said Zimbabwe’s malaria outbreak has caused untold anxiety and stress among community members, particularly in areas with high infection rates. It also noted that fear of contracting the disease and concerns about the availability of treatment have impacted mental well-being. Secondary effects of the outbreak include increased absenteeism from work among adults and from school among children, adversely affecting academic performance and long-term educational outcomes. The Ministry of Health is now implementing a programme to help the most vulnerable populations in three districts with the highest malaria cases. Zimbabwe’s fight against malaria has been further complicated by the reduction in international aid. The United States, which previously provided significant support for malaria prevention and treatment, has paused its aid programmes due to former US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. This has resulted in a shortfall of 600,000 mosquito nets, threatening crucial prevention programmes. The US early this year said its initiatives through USAid and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had helped reduce the incidence of malaria in Zimbabwe by 40% in the last 15 years. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry the heaviest malaria burden, accounting for about 95% of all malaria cases in 2020. Malaria is classified as uncomplicated or severe malaria. As Zimbabwe battles this deadly outbreak, the need for urgent intervention and increased support for the country’s healthcare system has never been more apparent. The lives and well-being of countless Zimbabweans depend on it. *Trabablas Interchange Opens To Traffic This Week* The state-of-the-art Trabablas Interchange, a multi-million-dollar project is set to officially open to traffic this Friday. The project is part of the road development strategy initiated by the Second Republic, which has seen a raft of large-scale road construction and rehabilitation projects underway across the country. Motorists will start accessing the Trabablas Interchange soon after its commissioning, expected to be presided over by President Mnangagwa on Friday. The project aims to ease traffic congestion at one of the country’s busiest and most strategic intersections. Located at the confluence of Simon Mazorodze Road, Chitungwiza Road and High Glen Road in Harare, the interchange replaces the Mbudzi roundabout that was built in 1998. Construction of the Trabablas Interchange began in January 2022 and is part of the broader initiative to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. The interchange is a key component of the North-South Corridor — a major regional trade route linking Zimbabwe with Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours and the rest of the continent. The project was undertaken by a consortium of three local contractors — Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting and Masimba Construction — operating under the Tefoma Construction joint venture The completed interchange features 15 bridges and will streamline the flow of traffic to and from Harare, Masvingo, Chitungwiza and southern suburbs, including Glen Norah and Glen View. Speaking in the Senate during a question-and-answer session on Thursday last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the Trabablas Interchange was a vital component of the North–South Corridor. "We then come to an important feature of the North-South Corridor along Simon Mazorodze, the Trabablas Interchange — Masvingo, Glen Norah Loop, Harare Drive Missing Link and Amalinda Road and Bridge were completed and opened to traffic last year, 2024," he said. "I am pleased to inform the nation that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Dr ED Mnangagwa, on May 30, 2025, will commission this significant project." The interchange is a significant part of the broader rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Harare-Beitbridge-Chirundu highway, currently under development. Minister Mhona told the House that 492,9 kilometres (km) of the Harare-Beitbridge section had been completed, with 87,1km remaining. This stretch is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2025. Rehabilitation of the Harare-Chirundu section is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. "The Harare-Chirundu Road Project, which actually is ongoing in terms of just maintaining the road, is a continuation of the North-South Corridor, connecting the capital city Harare to Zambia through the Chirundu Border," he said. "The scope includes the upgrading, widening, rehabilitation and dualisation of certain sections of the road. "The main works are targeted to commence in the first quarter of 2026 and we have a construction period of 18 months due to be completed in mid-2027." To complement road infrastructure improvements, the Government is modernising critical border posts. The upgrading and modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post was completed in September 2023 under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement that began in 2021. A similar PPP has now been entered into for the Chirundu Border Post, which already operates as a one-stop border post. "The Government has engaged a partner that shall finance, upgrade and maintain the project for a period of 25 years," Minister Mhona said. "The border, located in Mashonaland West, already operates as a one-stop border post. Therefore, modernisation shall add value to the efficiency in the movement of goods and people." Minister Mhona revealed that upgrading of the Forbes Border Post is set to begin at the end of this year, with completion expected by the end of 2027. *Tagwirei's Reckless "Chigananda" Remark Rattles Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba* PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close ally, Kuda Tagwirei has stirred a hornet’s nest after endorsing a derogatory term “Chigananda”, which apparently refers to Zanu PF-linked ‘tenderprenuers’. Speaking at an engagement in Masvingo at the weekend, the tycoon challenged youths to embrace government’s economic empowerment programmes, which trigger rapid economic transformation across the country. He said the Second Republic under Mnangagwa has created an enabling environment for indigenous people to amass wealth, which inturn translates to power and equates to “an army”. Tagwirei then invited to the podium successful youthful businesspersons, who included his mentee Obey Chimuka, the proprietor of Fossil Contracting, a company gifted various road construction tenders across the country. While profiling Chimuka, Tagwirei chose to describe him as a “Chigananda”, a derogatory word for greedy characters which was lately popularised by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga while calling for an end to grand corruption. Plural for the word is “Zvigananda”. “This is Obey Chimuka, the owner of Fossil Contracting. He has done so many projects and some people think his projects are my projects…his company is also behind the recent construction of the Mbare Musika Market…he is a Chigananda,” said Tagwirei amid wild applause from the audience. Chimuka, who is on the United Kingdom sanctions’ list, also owns Khaya Cement, formerly LaFarge. Tagwirei, Chief Executive Officer of Sakunda Holdings, was at Masvingo Polytechnic College for the “Leadership Success Series” programme. The utterances by Tagwirei, who doubles as Chairperson of the controversial Land Tenure Implementation Committee, did not sit well with Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba, who took to his shadowy X account ‘Dhonzamusoro007’ to register his disapproval. Wrote Charamba, “My message to Zimbabweans. We can never grow and develop when we give wealth-generating initiatives derogatory names!!! “Title is key to capitalism we live under. Simply, we must learn to play the game. Unless we want socialism and can have it!!!” *Top Prosecutor, Police Officers Arrested For Extortion* THE Prosecutor-ln-Charge Mutasa Magistrate Court, Shephard Chavarika has been arrested alongside police officers Liberty Tivafukidze and Sencia Masase for extortion and criminal abuse of duty. The trio is accused of soliciting bribes from two complainants in connection with the release of an impounded truck and to influence the proceedings of an ongoing criminal case. According to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), in March 2025, one complainant leased her truck for transporting agricultural goods from Honde Valley to Harare. "On March 26, the truck was impounded by Tivafukidze and Masase, at a road block in Marara area on suspicion of transporting smuggled goods," said ZACC in a statement. The truck’s cargo owners were also arrested at that time. After the incident, Chavarika, who was prosecuting the related case, allegedly contacted one of the complainants on April 3, summoning her to Hauna. There, Tivafukidze and Chavarika who are stationed at Mutasa Police Station allegedly demanded a US$500 bribe to secure the truck’s release. The complainant initially paid US$170 in cash and then transferred an additional US$100 via Ecocash the following day. Despite assurances from Chavarika that the truck would be released by April 9, it was instead directed to the ZIMRA compound at Forbes Border Post. Further demands for an additional US$300 were allegedly made to secure the acquittal of the cargo owners detained during the initial incident. This prompted the complainants to report the alleged misconduct to ZACC. Following an undercover operation, the three officials were arrested at the Mutasa Magistrate Court, during which US$200 in cash was recovered from Chavarika. They have since appeared before Mutare Provincial Magistrate Enia Ndiraya and are currently out on US$100 bail each. Trial commences on June 5. *NewZW* *Investigation After Cadet Drowns During Training, Army Chief Reveals* An army recruit died after drowning during training in April, army chief Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu revealed on Friday as he oversaw a pass-out parade at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo. Four-hundred-and-eighty-nine cadets made the grade out of the 500 that started the training. "Within this 500 we had 129 females who started the course. Passing out today we have 489 recruits comprising 363 males and 126 females. Eleven recruits could not make it to today and regrettably one very promising recruit sadly passed away on the 6th of April in a drowning incident which we are investigating up to now. Ten failed to meet the requirements of the course and had to be removed," Matatu said. Matatu provided no further information on the drowning incident. The rigorous eight-month training started in September last year. The new army chief was appointed in March this year. General Matatu said the 36-week training for the cadets covers the use of infantry weapons, field craft, minor tactics, foot and arms drills, map reading, voice procedure, conventional war, military law and civil relations. "The 36 weeks that are spent here are very challenging both physically and mentally and here we grow the men out of the boys that we start off with, we get women out of the girls that enrol on our recruit course," he said. The army chief warned that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the army. "The army is a disciplined force and we do not tolerate cases of indiscipline. There will be no leniency on members who break the law and commit offences. If you involve yourself in cases of indiscipline you will face the full wrath of the law as spelt out in the defence act," he warned. "I want you to be vigilant and alive to the dangers of some mischievous social media platforms where disinformation and misinformation aimed at subverting the general populace ad members of the ZNA ,we have also become a target," he warned. *zimlive* *Silent Killer Hits Back: 'I Don't Owe Any Apology To UK SAMA Fest 0rganisers'* CONTROVERSIAL Zimdancehall artist Jimmy Mudereri, also known as ‘Silent Killer’ who is facing a US$122,000 lawsuit for alleged breach of contract, is adamant he does owe anyone an apology. Music promotions company, Y2K Entertainment, the organisers of the UK SAMA Festival, recently issued a letter of demand to the Mbare-born artist after he failed to attend a gig scheduled for April 2025. Silent Killer missed the festival after refusing to board a flight, citing a troubling dream about an airplane explosion. Despite checking in at Robert Mugabe International Airport, he backed out at the last minute, prompting the organisers to buy a second flight ticket costing $1,500, but he locked himself in a toilet to avoid flying Y2K Entertainment claims Silent Killer breached his performance contract, resulting in significant financial losses and reputational damage which has now led them to send a letter of demand for a total amount of US$122,170, within seven days. In an interview with ZimboLive, Silent Killer, said he doesn’t owe anyone an apology. "I don’t owe anybody an apology. I am asking for an apology from them because somehow I think that they think that the law works for them or belongs to them. Even I can be protected by the law. If it’s a crime, a magistrate is going to determine that. The law is going to determine that," said a defiant Silent Killer. He went on to warn that he is under the protection of Prophet Walter Magaya if they dare to poke him. "I read that letter and I can’t say sorry that I was the one who leaked. The letter was sent to my lawyers, this is between the lawyers. Remember I’m the son of Prophet Magaya, so whatever you plan on me, rains will pour," said Silent Killer. In the letter of demand, Y2K Entertainment alleges that they incurred substantial expenses, including cost of three airfare tickets and various payments made to facilitate his travel and Visa application. "We are instructed by our client to demand, as we hereby do; that you pay the sum of USD122, 170 (One hundred and twenty-two thousand one hundred and seventy United States Dollars) which amount is now due to our client and must be paid within seven (7) days of being served with this letter. "You are also further expected to pay US$12, 217 (Twelve thousand two hundred and seventeen United States dollars) being our collection commission," reads part of the letter. *NewZW* *Zambia's Central Bank Holds Rate, Anticipates Slower Inflation* Zambia's central bank kept its main interest rate unchanged on Friday after two raise decisions, citing an expected slowdown in inflation. The Bank of Zambia maintained its Monetary Policy Rate at 14.50% after hiking it by 50 basis points each at its last meetings in February and November, to tame consumer inflation, which sits well above the bank's 6%-8% target range. The country's annual inflation rate was at 16.5% in April, from the previous month. "The forecast over the next eight quarters shows that inflation will decline faster towards the 6-8% target band than projected in February," central bank Governor Denny Kalyalya told a press conference. Inflation is projected to average 13.5% this year, whereas at the central bank's last monetary policy meeting in February the forecast was for average inflation of 14.6%. Zambia revised its 2024 economic growth to 4%, up from the previous forecast of 1.2% given in February, after a higher than expected economic performance following a severe drought. *Reuters* *Outrage, Horror After Israeli Attack Kills Nine Children Of Gaza Doctor* An Israeli strike has killed nearly the entire family of a Khan Younis doctor while she was at work, Gaza health officials said. The attack hit the home of Alaa al-Najjar, a paediatrician at the southern city’s Nasser Hospital, on Friday, setting it ablaze and killing nine of her 10 children, according to the head of the hospital’s paediatrics department, Ahmad al-Farra. The dead children, two of whom remain under the rubble, range in age from seven months to 12 years old, said Gaza’s Government Media Office. It named them as Sidar, Luqman, Sadin, Reval, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Rakan and Yahya. Al-Najjar’s husband was critically injured in the attack. He has severe chest and head wounds, including a skull fracture, and is now receiving treatment in Nasser Hospital’s intensive care unit, al-Farra told Al Jazeera. The couple’s only surviving child, 11-year-old Adam, is also severely injured. He is currently "in the moderate ICU department with his mother", said al-Farra. "It is unbelievable," al-Farra said of the attack’s impact. "You can’t imagine the shock that [al-Najjar] had when she heard about that [attack]. But up until now, she is trying to be near her son and her husband to survive." He called on people around the world to "be on the right side of humanity" and speak out against the bombardment. "These children, they have no voice. Their mother … she’s [in shock]," he said. "Please, I ask everyone to be her voice [in] this world. Please." Hamas said it followed a routine of Israel "deliberately targeting … medical personnel, civilians and their families in an attempt to break their will". The Israeli military said it had struck suspected fighters operating from a structure next to its forces in an area where civilians had been evacuated. "The claim regarding harm to uninvolved civilians is under review," the military added. On Monday, Israel issued forced evacuation orders for Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, warning of an "unprecedented attack". There has been heavy, deadly bombardment in the area daily. The al-Najjar children were among dozens killed in Israel’s attacks on Friday and Saturday. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the bodies of 79 people killed in Israeli attacks were brought to hospitals between Friday and midday Saturday. That count does not include facilities in the north of the enclave that are inaccessible, it said. The ministry puts the overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 at 53,901, with 122,593 injured. *Aljazeera* *Amorim To Give Man Utd Fans 'Apology' For Poor Season* Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is ready to offer an on-pitch apology to the club's fans at Old Trafford after the final Premier League game against Aston Villa. The Old Trafford side's tortuous campaign will draw to a close against Unai Emery's Champions League qualification hopefuls on Sunday. United's own hopes of entry into European football's most prestigious competition disappeared with their Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in Bilbao. That disappointment added to the misery created by their worst domestic campaign since the 1973-74 relegation season, while they will have no European football next season for only the second time since 1990. But Amorim said it would be a major mistake not to acknowledge the home support by scrapping the traditional lap of appreciation. And, while the 40-year-old former Sporting boss has not decided precisely what he will say in his end-of-season address, he said: "It will be an apology, I think that's clear, I don't have time for an explanation. "I will be honest with the fans and say what is in my mind and especially my heart." It will not be an easy task amid widespread disquiet at owners, the Glazer family, and the job cuts that minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has instigated. United's supporters will hold another pre-match march to Old Trafford to protest at how the club is being run. However, officials believe the vast majority of supporters share their view that Amorim is the right man to trigger a revival and the coach is happy to speak to them. "It's tradition and we have to face it," he added of the post-match lap of appreciation. "It will be the biggest mistake if we don't do that. "I know that the manager addresses the public and I will do that, it's the least I can do. I have an idea what I want to say but I will decide tomorrow. If ever there was a season that we need to do it, it's this one." *BBC* *Arsenal Stun Barcelona To Win The Women’s Champions League* Arsenal upset defending champions Barcelona 1-0 to win the Women’s Champions League for a second time. Stina Blackstenius scored in the 75th minute after being set up by fellow second-half substitute Beth Mead in the final at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Saturday. Arsenal’s title came 18 years after it became the first, and still the only, English club to win the top club title in women’s football. Arsenal’s players embraced on the final whistle and ran to celebrate in front of the red-and-white corner of the stands, which were otherwise mostly dressed in burgundy and blue. "We believed from the moment our Champions League journey started," Arsenal striker Alessia Russo told broadcaster TNT Sports. "We knew that we had the capabilities. We knew that we could be good enough. It was just about going and doing it. And we’ve done it!" Barcelona were considered the heavy favourite. They were aiming for a fourth title in five years and to become the only team other than Lyon to win three consecutive titles. The team led by two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas won nine straight in the competition and blew out Wolfsburg and English champion Chelsea in the knockout rounds. But Arsenal locked down in defence, except for early in the second half, and created the best chances. Only two superb saves by Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll to deny Frida Maanum and Blackstenius kept it scoreless, until Blackstenius finally beat her. The victory marks an incredible finish to a rocky season for Arsenal, which included coach Jonas Eidevall resigning and being replaced by assistant Renee Seglers. Since taking over, Seglers steered the team through a spectacular European campaign. Arsenal built its confidence from come-from-behind wins over Real Madrid and eight-time champion Lyon in the knockout rounds before laying low the almighty Barcelona. The loss was a huge disappointment for the large group of Barcelona fans who filled the stadium that is home to Sporting Lisbon. Blue-and-burgundy shirts and flags outnumbered the red-and-white section, but their calls of "Yes we can!" in the final minutes were not enough to inspire a comeback by the Catalan club. *Al Jazeera*