The Government has approved a plan for the development of a new town between Mvuma-Chivhu and Manhize in the Midlands Province where the US$1.5 billion integrated iron and steel plant being constructed in Mvuma by Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco).
The new town will be established for about 30 000 residents and the site plan will be made public soon, reported the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-city-for-30-000-residents-on-the-cards/">Chronicle</a>.
In an interview on the sidelines of a tour of the construction site by industrialists and banks on Friday, project director Wilfred Motsi said:
<blockquote>
We are working closely with the Government, especially the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works who are working on the plan for the development of the new town. The site plan has been approved.
We should start construction and we need stakeholders such as industrialists and banks to come on board so that we can develop the new city.
</blockquote>
Motsi said Disco owns part of the land on which the new city would be developed while the other belongs to Chirumhanzu Rural District Council.
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries chief operating officer Dosman Mangisi said:
<blockquote>
The physical planning department in the Ministry of Local Government has since visited the site and approved the new town plans. Zimbabwe will never be the same again.
Looking into this big picture, you need to picture Redcliff town which was born out of Ziscosteel, but this new town will actually be threefold.
In fact, it will be a big city and we will have banks, schools, recreational facilities, hospitals, and a lot of companies including industries around steel mining.
</blockquote>
Chakunda Garainashe who was representing POSB Bank said:
<blockquote>
We are seeing a lot of potential for us as a bank and we want to be actively involved in the development and growth of this town because there is a huge opportunity for everyone.
We have a whole new town to be constructed and our focus is to bank all Disco’s stakeholders, and this company will create value chain benefits and stakeholders will benefit.
</blockquote>
The Manhize Iron and Steel Plant is expected to be one of the largest steel plants in Africa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Govt Approves Plan To Build New Town For 30 000 Residents

A truck driver was involved in two separate road traffic accidents on Sunday night leading to six deaths and eight injuries.
Police said the truck side-swiped a kombi at the 5km peg along Mvuma-Gweru Road around 11 PM on Sunday and did not stop.
Six people were killed in the accident while five others were injured and ferried to Mvuma Hospital for medical care.
The truck driver was later involved in another road traffic accident along the Harare–Masvingo Road resulting in three people sustaining injuries. ZRP said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident in which six people died while five others were injured when a truck side-swiped with a Sprinter vehicle at the 5 km peg along Mvuma-Gweru Road on 09/04/23 at around 2300 hours.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Mvuma Hospital for post-mortem while the injured are admitted at the same hospital.
The truck driver did not stop after the accident and was involved in another accident at the 192 km peg along Harare–Masvingo Road where the truck veered off the road resulting in the injury of three passengers who were in the truck.
</blockquote>
Police said more details will be released in due course. 
ZRP, however, did not disclose the driver’s identity or the nature of the consignment he was ferrying.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/opinion-amp-analysis/article/76586/procedures-after-an-accident">According to a report,</a> the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13:11 Section 70 sets out the duties of drivers when involved in accidents.
Section 70(2) states that any person, who is a driver of a vehicle on or near a road at the time when the vehicle is involved in or contributes to an accident in which injury is caused to any person or damage to any property or if a person or animal is killed the first duty is to stop immediately.
Failure to stop when an accident occurs is a serious criminal offence — in other words hitting and running is a crime no matter the circumstance.
After stopping, the second duty is to ascertain whether any person has been killed or injured.
The third duty is to render any assistance possible or capable of being reasonably rendered.
If someone has died, the other driver, regardless of fault, has a duty to take all reasonable measures to guard the corpse until the police arrive.
It is a requirement to alert the police immediately if the accident involves another vehicle or is of a serious nature.
Measures should be taken to contact the nearest police station or the traffic police general line.
The police should attend to all accident scenes.
It is an offence to tamper with evidence at an accident scene.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Truck Driver Involved In Two Separate Accidents On Easter Sunday

Six people were killed in an accident involving a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus along Gweru-Mvuma Highway on Monday morning.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident to <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/six-perish-in-accident/">State media</a>.
Reports indicate that the six died on the spot after the truck sideswiped a Toyota Sprinter, they were traveling on at the 5-kilometre peg. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
Police are still at the scene but for now, we can only confirm the accident. More details will follow in due course.
</blockquote>
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), road accidents are attributable to speeding, overtaking error, not giving way, following too close, reversing error, negligent pedestrian/ cyclists and fatigue.
Individuals can take measures to prevent the chances of accidents when driving. These are:
<ul>
<li>Drive at the prescribed speed limits on the various roads. Always remember that “Speed thrills but kills”.</li>
<li>Always put on helmets, seat belts and other safety equipment before driving a bicycle/motorcycle/vehicle. Always remember that “Safety saves”.</li>
<li>Do not drink and drive. Always remember that “You cannot hold a pen properly after two pegs, what about the driving wheel?”</li>
<li>Never use mobile phones or earphones while driving. Always remember “A mobile call on the road may be the last call of your life”.</li>
<li>Know the traffic signs, signals, lights and traffic safety rules before you hit the road. Always remember that “Road safety rules are the best tools to avoid accidents”.</li>
<li>Do not drive for long hours in a stretch. Have proper breaks after every 2 hours of continuous driving. Always remember that “Man is a man and not a machine”.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Haulage Truck, Kombi Collide Outside Mvuma

Zimbabwe is set to become Africa’s largest steel producer and one of the biggest steel players in the world when the multi-billion steel plant being constructed in Manhize near Mvuma becomes operational.
The plant is estimated to cost US$1.5 billion upon completion of the first phase.
Africa’s largest integrated steel-manufacturing plant is being constructed by Dinson Iron and Steel Company, a subsidiary of the Chinese steel producer Tsingshan Holdings.
The steel plant has the potential to produce 1.2 million tons of iron and steel per annum when at full capacity. Said Chen Shang Song:
<blockquote>
Our target is to commission the first phase in October 2023. We could produce 600 thousand tons of carbon steel per annum creating more than 500 direct jobs and bringing the opportunities downstream and upstream.
Transforming Zimbabwe from a steel importer to an exporter, making forex and contributing to the 12 billion dollar mining industry by 2030.
</blockquote>
Dinson Group has other investments in Zimbabwe which include coal-to-coke processing in the Hwange, which will feed into the steel project and limestone mining operations in Masvingo. Added Chen Shang Song:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, we are building the mining value addition park. Since 2012 we have successfully built the ferrochrome smelting plant in mash west, the coke plant in Matabeleland north and build the park in the Midlands.
So far, we have invested 500 million US dollars, our total investment is expected to exceed 3 billion US dollars.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has been importing 90% of its iron and steel requirements worth over US$300 million annually.
Most of the steel comes from South Africa followed by China, Zambia and Seychelles.
Production at the Manhize steel plant is expected to start in August next year with the iron ore deposits at the site projected to last beyond 100 years. | <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/zimbabwe-is-poised-to-become-africas-largest-steel-producer/">SABC News</a>

Zimbabwe Set To Become Africa’s Largest Steel Producer

Three school heads from Masvingo Province died in an accident on Thursday morning while travelling to Harare.
According to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/3-masvingo-school-heads-die-in-accident-full-details/">The Mirror</a>, the three school heads were travelling to Harare to plead to the Social Welfare Department for the release of Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) Funds for their pupils when the accident occurred.
They were all from special schools for physically and mentally children. The learners had not received a cent from the government to run the schools since the third term opened on 4 September.
Two of the heads, Ratidzo Zimcare’s Sabelo Zuvurawa and Margaretha Hugo (Copota) School for the Blind Primary head, Clever Madzokere died on the spot.
The third school head, Tapiwa Madamombe, of Margaretha Hugo Secondary School passed away on Sunday at Harare Hospital.
A fourth headmaster, Stanley Tavonga Feya of Henry Murray School for the Deaf was lucky to escape possible injury or death as he got to the pick-up point late and was left behind.
The vehicle, a Ford Ranger, belonged to Margaretha Hugo Schools and was donated by Leonard Cheshire.
It reportedly overturned several times near Mvuma at around 7:30 AM. It was being driven by Madzokere.
The Mirror reported sources as saying mist covered the road when they reached Fairfields. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and overturned as Madzokere tried to steer it back onto the road.
Feya confirmed the travel arrangements to The Mirror, saying the four school heads agreed to meet at Wigley House in Masvingo at 6 AM and use the Margetha Hugo vehicle for the trip. He said:
<blockquote>
We had agreed to travel to Harare together to meet the Social Welfare department heads to air our concerns.
Schools opened recently and we have not received a cent from Social Welfare which funds our operations.
I was overwhelmed with work and arrived late at Wigley House and found the other three gone.
It is shocking how they died while travelling to create a better environment for their pupils.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the director of Chosen Generation, an organisation which works with children with disabilities, Vimbai Chase, said they were devastated by the loss. She said:
<blockquote>
We had just planned a talent show at Margaretha Hugo School for next week.
It is indeed a sad day for us as we worked closely with the deceased three heads.
</blockquote>

Three School Heads Perish In Car Accident

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has granted Mvuma town status.
The small gold mining centre becomes the fourth town in the Midlands Province after getting the status last month. The other towns in the province are Gokwe, Zvishavane and Shurugwi.
The town status comes ahead of a US$1 billion iron ore mining project that is being put in place by Tsingshan Holdings in Manize near Mvuma.
Chirumhanzu Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Lovemore Chatikobo confirmed the development in an exclusive interview with Masvingo Mirror on Tuesday. He said:
<blockquote>
We received a letter from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing informing us that we have been accorded a town board. The letter came last month on 13 July.
</blockquote>
Chatikobo said the main objective of seeking town status is to attract investment. He said the population and size of Mvuma warranted a town status.
The granting of the town status followed an application made by the local authority a few years back to get the growth point upgraded into a town.
A Commission was then set up by Government and it found the application in order.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/mvuma-gets-town-status-as-us1-billion-chinese-project-beckons/">Masvingo Mirror</a></h4>

Local Government Ministry Grants Mvuma Town Status

A Humongous snake reportedly caused a commotion at a hospital this week after it got entry into one of the hospitals’ wards and put up for the night under one of the patients’ beds, The Herald reports.
The snake believed to be a cobra terrified both patients and hospital staff who ran for cover when they saw the huge reptile. It was reportedly discovered by one of the nurses during a routine checkup curled under the patient’s bed.
The incident was confirmed by Mvuma District Development Coordinator Mr. Bafi Hlabati. A nurse who spoke to the publication said the snake terrified everyone:
<blockquote>The incident left both nurses and patients scurrying for cover but it was then killed by some nurses using logs.</blockquote>
People and spectators reportedly suspect the snake might have been seeking shelter from the incessant rains which have flooded the areas of late. There have been no reports of the snake attacking anyone and no foul play or superstitious beliefs have been entertained or reported about the incident so far.
Last month a crocodile crawled into the male ward of <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/18/picture-crocodile-craws-into-a-chiredzi-hospital-ward/">Chiredzi hospital</a> after climbing out of the town’s storm drain an incident that reportedly terrified the hospital staff and patients alike.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-huge-cobra-causes-stir-in-hospital/">The Herald </a>

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