The Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe (FCTZ) has committed to addressing the water scarcity issues in Gokwe North and South by rehabilitating 85 water points in the area. This initiative is particularly timely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as access to water is critical for maintaining hygiene and preventing the virus's spread. FCTZ's programme manager, Barnabas John Muhoma, reported that 55 water sources have already been repaired, and the project also includes improving water and sanitation in local schools. Additionally, FCTZ's executive director, Godfrey Magaramombe, mentioned that the borehole-drilling project would provide safe water to an estimated 39,700 people. The organization has also supported schools with COVID-19 protective equipment and provided vulnerable households with materials to combat the pandemic.

The article by Amos Batisayi focuses on the severe water access challenges faced by rural communities in Zimbabwe's Shamva district. It highlights the breakdown of boreholes and the reliance on unprotected water sources by the locals. The piece discusses the efforts by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), an international humanitarian organization from Germany, in collaboration with other NGOs and the government, to improve the situation. WHH's head of WASH programs, Shadreck Kundishora, details their work in hygiene promotion, borehole drilling, and construction of water schemes and latrines. The interventions have benefited over 10,550 households, equating to approximately 39,600 people. The article includes testimonies from local officials and community members who acknowledge the positive impact of these initiatives, such as reduced distances to fetch water and improved water quality.

The article discusses the positive impact of the Agriculture Business Centre (ABC), a sustainable social enterprise in Gokwe South, Zimbabwe. ABC, created by Welthungerhilfe and Empretec Zimbabwe with European Union funding, has set up dry-fruit processing plants to help local farmers monetize their excess mango production. Before ABC's intervention, mangoes were often discarded due to a lack of market access. Now, farmers like Dickson Mabuto can sell their mangoes to ABC, which buys them at fair prices and processes them into dried fruit. This initiative has increased the value of the mangoes, created employment, and provided training for farmers. The general manager of ABC, Vernon Mushoriwa, mentioned plans to export the dried mangoes and highlighted the shift in local agriculture from cotton farming to diverse projects due to falling cotton prices and government payment delays.

The article discusses the Beef Enterprise Strengthening and Transformation (BEST) Project, a collaboration between international organizations like Welthungerhilfe, World Vision, Sustainable Agriculture Technology, and the government, funded by the European Union. The project aims to develop a competitive beef value chain in Zimbabwe, targeting 25,000 cattle farmers by 2023. It focuses on areas such as Chiredzi and Mwenezi, where climate change has depleted natural pastures, affecting smallholder farmers. The BEST project has established Cattle Business Centres (CBCs) offering services like extension, bullying, marketing, and training in animal husbandry. Success stories of local farmers who have profited from the project are highlighted, including the sale of cattle and subsequent investments in vehicles and farming equipment. The project also involves private sector partners like MC Meats, First Mutual Finance, National Foods, and Windmill, and has facilitated the marketing of over 650 cattle through CBCs.

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has implemented a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in schools of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe, to address the challenges faced by menstruating girls. The programme includes the construction of girl-friendly latrines with privacy features such as locks, mirrors, and pad rack shelves in 11 schools. This initiative has reduced absenteeism among girls, who previously missed school due to a lack of proper facilities to manage their menstrual hygiene. WHH has also trained health coordinators in schools to educate and assist girls during their menstrual cycles. Additionally, the organization has built latrines for infants and individuals with disabilities, drilled boreholes, and set up group handwashing stations to improve overall sanitation and access to water.

Police in Silobela are investigating the sudden death of Isaac Shumba, who blew off his head with explosives after being dumped by his girlfriend. Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende urged the public to resolve disputes amicably to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. In a separate incident, Last Mpofu died after being assaulted by Emson Ncube over a debt dispute in Lower Gweru, Midlands province.

Gokwe residents have faced a severe water shortage for several weeks, raising health concerns. Despite the approval of solar-powered boreholes by the Gokwe Town Council, only one has been constructed. Residents are forced to use unsafe water sources, risking waterborne diseases. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) attributes the crisis to a pump breakdown, which has been fixed, but the situation is only gradually improving. The council suggests that a permanent solution would be to transfer water management rights from Zinwa.

Welthungerhilfe has established a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program in Mashonaland Central schools, constructing girl-friendly latrines to address challenges faced by girls during their menstrual cycles. The initiative has led to improved school attendance and confidence among girls, with facilities including Blair latrines with mirrors, pad rack shelves, and lockable doors for privacy. The program also includes training for health coordinators and the construction of infant-friendly and disability-friendly latrines, as well as the drilling of boreholes and rehabilitation of water sources to ease water challenges.

Enock Chevedza, a headmaster at Nyaradza Primary School and a Zanu PF councillor, is accused of bullying teachers and villagers, failing to separate his political role from his civil service duties. Despite government policy requiring civil servants to resign upon entering politics, Chevedza has continued in his role for four years. Allegations include using his political position to intimidate teachers and villagers, and using school premises for political events. Efforts to get comments from relevant authorities were unsuccessful. The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe emphasized the need for civil servants to remain non-partisan.

The European Union-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme-Beef Enterprises Strengthening and Transformation (ZAGP-BEST) project has provided training to beef farmers in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, on supplementary feeding to prevent cattle deaths during dry seasons. Livestock and livelihoods specialist Gift Chomuzinda explained the importance of formulating on-farm feeds, while farmer Phineas Tshabalala shared his experience of preparing stockfeed blocks and his plans to train other local farmers.

Residents of Gokwe have criticized the local authority for the lack of a proper drainage system, which has led to flash floods and exposure to water-borne diseases during the rainy season. Shylet Munyoro, a local resident, expressed concerns about walking in dirty water and the risk of malaria due to water-logging. Council chairperson Never Gwanzura acknowledged the issue, attributing it to the town's location on a plateau with loose soils, and mentioned ongoing road rehabilitation efforts under a government-funded program.

A German NGO, Welthungerhilfe, in partnership with the World Food Program and financially supported by USAID, is implementing an empowerment initiative targeting 80 youths in Chegutu. The program aims to address unemployment and related issues like drug abuse and theft by providing skills training in various fields such as motor mechanics, bricklaying, and cosmetology. The initiative ensures sustainability by equipping youths with skills to generate their own income even after financial assistance ends.

The financially struggling Gokwe Town Council plans to spend $9 million on a vehicle for its chairperson, Never Gwanzura, despite failing to provide basic services or pay workers. The budget proposal, presented by finance committee chairperson Darlington Mudondo, includes the purchase of a Toyota Prado. This decision has been met with criticism from residents and council employees, who argue that the funds should be used for essential services. The council previously bought a Mazda BT-50 for the former chairperson, which is currently used by the acting town secretary, Alexander Nyandoro.

Gokwe residents are expressing strong dissatisfaction with their local council over inadequate service delivery, particularly the lack of a functional sewage system, forcing them to use pit latrines. During a budget consultative meeting, residents highlighted the council's failure to provide essential services despite collecting fees, citing it as a violation of their fundamental rights. Acting council secretary Joseph Mandlokuwa defended his short tenure, pointing to recent developments, while efforts to reach the council chairperson for comment were unsuccessful.

Gokwe Town Council has appointed Alexander Nyandoro as the acting town secretary following a directive from Local Government minister July Moyo to replace Joseph Mandlokuwa. Mandlokuwa was criticized for failing to implement a Labour Court ruling and provide necessary equipment during a presidential visit. Nyandoro, who has previously faced corruption allegations, has already begun his duties. The council has been without a substantive town secretary since February 2020.

Gokwe Town Council workers are in conflict with their employer over the failure to implement a Labour Court ruling that nullified a job regrading exercise, which had reduced their earnings. Despite winning the case, workers have not been reinstated to their original grades, and the council has spent significant amounts on legal fees. Council chairperson Never Gwanzura stated they are still consulting, while councillor Davis Taruvinga expressed support for the workers. The Local Government ministry has also advised the council to comply with the court ruling. The council faces challenges in raising funds to clear salary arrears.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has requested the government to extend trading hours to mitigate the economic impact of the extended level four lockdown. CZR president Denford Mutashu emphasized the need to balance public health measures with economic survival, proposing extended operating and curfew hours. The lockdown has led to increased congestion and higher business costs, negatively affecting revenues and disposable income.

Residents of Gokwe North and South are set to have their water issues resolved as the Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe (FCTZ) commits to rehabilitating 85 water points in the district. This initiative is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, where water is essential for hygiene. FCTZ has already repaired 55 water sources and aims to improve water access in schools, with 13 schools benefiting from a borehole-drilling project. The organization has also provided COVID-19 protective equipment and sanitation materials to schools and vulnerable households in the region.