Two Children Die, 14 Others Critically Ill After Suspected Food Poisoning in Mashava

By Michael Gwarisa Two children have died while 14 others, including seven adults and four children, are battling for their lives following a suspected case of food poisoning in Mashava, Masvingo Province. According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the victims reportedly fell ill after eating food and drinking mahewu during a traditional beer ceremony held on October 27, 2025. The deceased minors were aged three and seven. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a sad incident where two children died while 14 others, who include…

Read More

Suspended HIV Services Resume in Masvingo as CAB-LA, Vaginal Ring Return for Key Populations

By Michael Gwarisa, recently in Masvingo For the past 12 months, Wellington*, a 41-year-old Masvingo man who has sex with men (MSM) and a male sex worker, has relied on oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce his risk of HIV infection. He has also used condoms and occasionally Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). At the start of 2025, Wellington hoped he would be initiated on the injectable form of PrEP, Cabotegravir Long-Acting (CAB-LA), to further protect himself. But like many other HIV prevention services, the injectable program had been suspended following the…

Read More

How Masvingo’s Health Facilities Are Giving Sex Workers a Lifeline Amid Donor Cuts

By Michael Gwarisa in Masvingo She is nine months pregnant and could give birth any day now, yet Melody Mhlanga* still sells sex to survive. The 25-year-old from Gutu, Masvingo Province, found herself thrust into the world of sex work three months ago after her marriage collapsed. With no income, no support, and a baby on the way, she saw no other path. “I joined sex work three months ago when my marriage crumbled,” she says, her voice trembling. “I didn’t have any source of income, and I needed to…

Read More

Drug Resistant Gonorrhea Stalks Zimbabwe- NAC

A rare type of Gonorrhea  which is most prevalent in South Africa has found its way into  Zimbabwe  at the back increased cross boarder activity and inter country travel by Zimbabweans, a top National Aids Council (NAC) official has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during an Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (EMTC) workshop in Harare, NAC’s District Aids Coordinator (DAC) for Harare, Mrs Agnes Dembedza said even though Zimbabweans was doing well in terms of managing HIV infections, more Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were still being recorded.…

Read More

Masvingo Now Has Only One Active COVID-19 Case

AS Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases continue on a downward trend, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) statistics indicate that Masvingo province now has a single active COVID-19 case. By Michael Gwarisa According to the MoHCC sitrep of September 19, 2020, Masvingo had only one remaining active COVID-19 case, 227 cumulative recoveries against 230 cumulative cases and two deaths. Masvingo is followed by Mashonaland Central which has only nine active cases remaining, 171 cumulative recoveries and 184 cumulative cases. From September 12, 2020 to 18 September 2020, 218 new cases…

Read More

Masvingo Records First COVID-19 Death

MASVINGO province has recorded its first COVID-19 fatality amidst eight more other deaths that were recorded in other provinces in the past 24 hours. By Michael Gwarisa According to the health ministry daily COVID-19 update, nine deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths recorded so far to 150. 263 new cases and nine deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. 254 are local cases and 11 are returnees from South Africa. Six deaths are from Harare province, one Mashonaland Central, One Masvingo…

Read More

Childline Records 30% Child Sexual Abuse Cases

[dropcap][/dropcap]CHILD Rights organisation, Childline Zimbabwe says it received 14 000 cases of child abuse over the years and 30 percent of the cases were sexually related. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists, Childline Mashonaland Helpline Officer, Maureen Kambarami said most cases reported through their Helpline are child sexual abuse cases and indications are that 90 percent of these offenses are committed by either a parent, guardian, teacher or anyone they know. “Sexual abuse throughout the years, comes as the most reported form of abuse dating back from inception even. This could…

Read More