THE MASHUP WITH JACOB 🇿🇼

THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) yesterday handed over 29 houses built in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo for families displaced by the new 400kv power transmission line under the Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 expansion project.

In total, 72 houses each with a separate kitchen, ablution facilities and a kraal, among other basic necessities, will be constructed along the 310km powerline.

The modern houses will completely transform the lives of the affected families as their accommodation is almost similar to what is found in towns and cities.

Minister of Energy and Power Development, Soda Zhemu, who was accompanied by Zesa Holdings senior management, handed over the 29 completed houses. The sizes of houses range from two-roomed to four-roomed units.

The homestead has a separate, spacious kitchen with a thatched roof, a toilet and a kraal. In his remarks, Minister Zhemu said ZPC had fulfilled its promise to the affected families of Umguza District.

“Today we stand here grateful for the support that we have received from the province, the community, the traditional chiefs, the parent ministry, the resident minister, and the Government of Zimbabwe. We’re in this endeavour constructing 72 houses with a kitchen, ablution facilities, a kraal, among other basic necessities in a rural home, along the 310kms of our new powerline corridor,” said Minister Zhemu.

The scope of the project includes 29 homes at Mazwi, nine at Hope Fountain, 10 at Heany Farm, three at Kloof Farm, four at Stevenson Farm, 11 at Epping Forest, one at Sawmills and five at Gwayi siding, Bambanani Village and Chezhou.

Minister Zhemu told beneficiaries that the Relocation Action Plan was necessitated by the building of two new power station units, Unit 7 and Unit 8 under the US$1,5 billion Hwange Expansion Project.

“The project is aimed at reducing the power demand shortage by adding 600MW to the national grid bringing our national total installed capacity to 2 900MW. The scope of the new units entailed construction of a new 310km 400KV power line that complies with the requirements of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) grid code, a community of which we are a member,” he said.

“As such, there was a need to clear the corridor of the powerline creating a wayleave of 30m from the centre of the lone on either side.”

Minister Zhemu said when ZPC, through the Hwange Expansion Project (HEP) initially started the Relocation Action Plan project, it was purely to satisfy the requirements of the project’s Environmental and Social Impact assessment report for the Hwange Expansion Project to the nation.

However, as the project took shape, it was realised that there was more than what was envisaged, that among the families that are relocating, there were marginalised groups, widows and orphans.

“We have a child-headed family at Hope Fountain that we are moving to Heany Farm and providing decent accommodation for them gives us greater purpose,” said Minister Zhemu.In a speech read on his behalf, Minister of State for Matebeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said the construction of the houses is expected to greatly improve the livelihoods of community members through provision of decent accommodation, employment opportunities during the tenure of the project and value creation.

Mr Moyo said although the homesteads are geospatially spaced along the corridor of the power line, the excitement is shared by all.

“Hwange Expansion Project will result in an additional 600MW being fed into the national grid. We are blessed and grateful as a province, to have the opportunity of housing one of the single largest project investments the country has seen in the last 30 years,” he said.

“We are here witnessing a promise fulfilment by Zesa as was communicated during our combined project initiation engagements. In addition, we witnessed construction of these households by indigenous companies bearing witness to the Second Republic’s commitment to black empowerment,” said Minister Moyo.

He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the homesteads as this was part of their inheritance.

“I am pleased to say that this project has actually left all those affected in a better state than they were before. It is now up to you to play your part by looking after these homesteads.”

Source – The Chronicle

ASTON Villa midfielder John McGinn has arrived in Zimbabwe for a two-day holiday in the resort city of Victoria Falls.

The England-based star, who is also the Scotland national team captain, is accompanied by his wife, Sara Stokes.

The Scot is in the majestic Victoria Falls at the invitation of his teammate and Zimbabwean international Marvelous Nakamba.

Other players from Aston Villa are expected in the resort city this week.

Tourism experts contend that the high-profile visit by the Scot is an endorsement of Destination Zimbabwe and a clear indication that the engagement and re-engagement efforts by the Second Republic are bearing fruit.

Further, the visit by Aston Villa players will also put Zimbabwe on the global spotlight as a safe and must-visit destination for all.

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has partnered Dutch company, Vitens Evides International (VEI), in a waste water recycling project. The project was officially launched on Friday. BCC engineering services director Sikhumbuzo Ncube said the city must use waste water for other purposes apart from drinking as the city battles a water crisis.

“We noticed that waste water is something we should consider as important in Bulawayo. This water can also be used by people in their gardens, farms and industries,” Ncube said.

“Reclaimed water is a source we cannot ignore. The amount of water we collect from these dams is slowly and gradually decreasing each year. We need to be looking for other sources of water. We want to complement the Gwayi- Shangani Dam project by recycling waste water.”

Bulawayo residents are going for days without water due to dwindling water levels at the city’s supply dams. VEI waterworks project manager Robson Manatsa said they would be working with Bulawayo until 2026 under the waste water recycling project.

“Our idea is to help exchange knowledge and ideas, and expose the City of Bulawayo to how water operators work. Our Dutch experts will also be sharing experiences and knowledge they have gathered in the Netherlands with similar projects,” Manatsa said.

Bulawayo once announced plans to purify the heavily polluted Khami Dam water for drinking. The idea was shot down by residents and other stakeholders. Khami Dam was built in 1928 and was decommissioned in 1988 due to heavy pollution. Recycling of Khami Dam water has been part of the city’s medium-term plan towards addressing Bulawayo’s perennial water challenges.

Source Southern eye

Several artisanal miners are feared dead after a shaft collapsed at the Ran Mine in Bindura on Thursday afternoon. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating the incident. According to a statement by the ZRP, about four miners are suspected to be trapped in the shaft. The police are currently on the site, and more details will be released as the investigation progresses. Reads the statement:

The ZRP is investigating a suspected trapping incident which occurred at Ranmine , Gwiringwindi area, Bindura on 22/06/23 at around 1600 hours. In a statement, ZRP said Police are the scene where it is being suspected that about four artisanal miners were trapped when a mine shaft collapsed.

ZRP said more details will be released as the investigation progresses.

The same shaft was previously the site of an incident in November 2020 where 12 people lost their lives.

Gold mine collapses are frequent in Zimbabwe, especially in small-scale operations. These accidents are due to unstable ground conditions, inadequate safety equipment, and poor mining practices. In some instances, collapses cause injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage. The government and mining stakeholders have been working together to enhance safety regulations and provide training and equipment to miners, but limited resources and enforcement issues challenge these efforts.

Source Pindula News