The article by Lulu Brenda Harris discusses the controversial decision by CITES to nearly ban the transfer of African elephants to zoos abroad, which has been met with opposition from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, which has a significant elephant population and has been exporting baby elephants, voted against the resolution. The country's wildlife authority, ZimParks, claims the sales support conservation efforts, but the lack of transparency and accusations of misrecorded sales have raised concerns. Activist Sharon Hoole and others believe that the proceeds from elephant sales are not fully declared, with some funds potentially being misappropriated. The article also mentions the involvement of Eagle Italian Leather, a company allegedly linked to the trade and supplying goods to the Zimbabwean government. Conservationists and activists are fighting for transparency and have taken legal action to demand information on the elephant sales. The government's stance on the issue is to use wildlife sales to fund conservation, but the lack of clarity on financial transactions has been criticized.

Communities near Zimbabwe's wildlife areas are seeking government compensation for economic losses due to crop and livestock damage by wild animals. The government recently approved payments for victims of human-wildlife conflict, covering death, maiming, and injuries, but not economic losses. A specialized unit within the Department of Parks and Wildlife will manage the relief fund, financed by hunting revenues. Villagers report significant losses, with Gonarezhou National Park's surrounding villages losing up to $75,000 annually. They argue for compensation to prevent resentment and maintain food security and cash income. The Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT) and CAMPFIRE, a government initiative, provide some community assistance, but personal compensation is lacking. The law currently does not allow for compensation of economic losses, and authorities are still working on a policy.

In the northwestern Hwange region of Zimbabwe, young volunteers are participating in a 14-day anti-poaching program created by local tour operator and safari hunting business owner Wisdom Bushe Neshav. The program, which began in 2020, has trained volunteers in wildlife navigation and poacher tracking. Neshav emphasizes the importance of wildlife appreciation over poaching, which is detrimental to community welfare. The program has been successful in removing over a thousand wire snares since July 2020. Despite the challenges, volunteers self-fund their participation, demonstrating their commitment to wildlife conservation.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa's Zimbabwe chapter has documented 30 media violations against journalists by state authorities since the Covid-19 regulations began in March. These include the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and a police raid on ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu's home. MISA Zimbabwe expressed concern over the increasing attacks on media workers and the deteriorating safety for journalists. The organization also addressed these concerns to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which condemned the human rights violations in Zimbabwe. MISA Zimbabwe urged the government to ensure journalists' safety and align repressive laws with the Bill of Rights.

A woman was electrocuted inside an electricity substation in the city center while relieving herself. The incident occurred around 1 pm on Thursday, and witnesses were unable to assist due to fear of electrocution. The substation was unattended, and this was not the first electrocution reported there. The lack of public toilets was highlighted as a contributing factor. The area was cordoned off by police and the fire brigade when CITE arrived.

Returnees quarantined in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, are experiencing poor conditions at facilities like United Education College and Bulawayo Polytechnic. They report overcrowding, insufficient testing, and extended stays beyond the 21-day requirement. The country's COVID-19 cases are rising, particularly among returnees, with 206 confirmed cases since March 20, 2020. Deputy Minister Lovemore Matuke acknowledged the issues and plans to send a team to investigate. He mentioned the challenge of accommodating different levels of people in one place. Dr. Gibson Mhlanga from the Ministry of Health and Child Care admitted to a shortage of testing kits but assured that new supplies have been received and PCR testing will be conducted on all quarantine days. He emphasized the importance of following social distancing and hygiene protocols to prevent cross-infection.

A year after an explosion at a rally in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, survivors feel neglected by the government. The blast, which occurred at a rally for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, killed two and injured 47. While high-profile victims received top-notch care, poorer residents struggle with medical bills. David Ndlovu and others accuse the government and Zanu PF of neglect, noting a lack of updates on the investigation. Some, like Margaret Chidzoba, report receiving government assistance, but many others, including victims like Happiness Ntabeni and Pamela Moyo, have been left to fend for themselves. The government's response has been inconsistent, with some receiving aid and updates, while others are left in the dark. The incident involved a grenade, and there were reports of investigative conflicts between the police and the army.

The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTBRL) at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, which now also serves as a COVID-19 testing facility, is experiencing delays in testing due to inadequate machinery and space. The lab conducts TB tests in the morning and COVID-19 tests in the afternoon using a PCR machine, which takes about five hours to produce a result. The testing is part of a government program and is offered for free, although the cost would be around US$100 per test if charged. Mpilo began COVID-19 testing last week to increase the country's testing capacity, which was previously limited to the National Reference Laboratory at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare. Zephaniah Dlamini from NUST, which is partnering with Mpilo for testing, explained the testing process and the challenges faced due to the high volume of samples and the need to batch tests efficiently.

Mutshiwa Dlamini, a Zanu PF supporter and mechanic from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, was brutally assaulted by soldiers in the aftermath of protests on January 14. Despite his political affiliation, Dlamini was attacked and accused of participating in the protests. He suffered severe injuries and was denied assistance by the police, who claimed they could not interfere with military operations. Human rights lawyer Tineyi Mukwewa assisted Dlamini, who is now on a security forces' hit list. Dlamini's brother, a retired major general, and War Veterans deputy minister Victor Matemadanda were informed of the incident. The Zimbabwe National Army and Zimbabwe Republic Police have denied involvement in civilian attacks, attributing violence to imposters. However, multiple cases of assault and sexual violence have been reported, contradicting official statements. Human rights groups claim 12 people were killed and over 70 injured by gunshot wounds during the crackdown.

The Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) has suspended all medical gatherings as a precaution against the coronavirus, allowing only critical training for Covid-19 management with safety protocols. Zimbabwe recorded its first death from the pandemic. ZIMA's National Secretary-General, Dr Sacrifice Chirisa, emphasized the importance of safety and protection for medical practitioners, urging them to use hand sanitizers, running water, and face masks, and to learn about coronavirus protocols and care guidelines. ZIMA is also advocating for the production of COVID-19 case management guidelines and will hold a meeting to discuss preparedness in private practices.

In Maphisa, Matobo District, Zimbabwe, villagers are turning to 'lost crops' like amaranth, millet, sorghum, and raphoko to combat drought conditions exacerbated by climate change. These indigenous crops, which are drought-resistant and offer health benefits, were once widely cultivated but fell out of favor due to the introduction of hybrid crops. Now, with the support of organizations like Dabane Trust and ICRISAT, and initiatives like the 2019 Seed and Traditional Food Fair, local farmers, predominantly women, are reviving these crops. The St Anna community has also established a seed bank to preserve these varieties. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Settlement’s National Gene Bank is involved in preserving indigenous crops and providing farmer training, with the aim of ensuring food security in the face of changing climate conditions. The FAO notes that Southern Africa has seen a decline in maize production, increasing the demand for cereal, with global cereal production forecasted at 2,685 million tonnes for 2019.

Zimbabwe's upcoming elections may be significantly influenced by first-time voters, with young people aged 18 to 22 comprising the largest demographic of registered voters. The 2018 final voters roll shows a 372% increase in registered voters in this age group since 2013. Various leaders from civic organizations and political parties encourage the youth to vote thoughtfully for a better future, emphasizing their power to effect change. The article highlights the groundwork laid by social media campaigns and activists to increase youth voter registration.