Crime and Courts
NetOne Champions Climate Tech as COP15 Kicks Off in Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe’s hosting of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands began with a strong message of youth inclusion, climate innovation, and national commitment during a youth-focused welcome dinner on the eve of the high-level summit.
Addressing delegates gathered at the Victoria Falls resort town, NetOne Pvt Ltd, Zimbabwe’s leading digital solutions provider, emphasized the critical role of young people and technology in driving wetland conservation efforts.
“This is no ordinary gathering. This is COP15. This is Zimbabwe rising. This is our wetlands calling—and we are answering,” NetOne CEO said during remarks made in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Ramsar National Youth Steering Committee.
The event, held ahead of the formal opening of the conference, brought together government ministers, diplomats, youth leaders, and climate stakeholders from over 170 countries. It also sets the stage for the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration on Sustainable Wetland Conservation, a landmark commitment aimed at enhancing global efforts to restore and protect wetlands.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Hon. Evelyn Ndlovu, reiterated that wetland protection is “a climate imperative, a hydrological necessity, and a development obligation.”
The COP15 youth dinner served as a platform to highlight youth-led innovation and NetOne’s digital solutions designed to support wetland protection. These include Internet of Things (IoT) enabled wetland sensors for real-time monitoring and early warning systems, and the OneConnect infrastructure that facilitates regional collaboration and climate data-sharing.
Delegates were each provided with NetOne e-SIM cards, symbolizing not only connectivity but a commitment to climate-conscious innovation.
“This is not just connectivity—it’s climate-conscious connectivity,” said the NetOne representative. “This is technology in the service of the Earth.”
Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar Convention in 2012 and currently has seven Ramsar-designated wetland sites, including Monavale Vlei, Lake Chivero, and Mana Pools. According to the Convention Secretariat, over 411 million hectares of natural wetlands have been lost globally since 1970, making restoration efforts increasingly urgent.
NetOne CEO Delivering Opening Remarks at COP15
The NetOne CEO praised Zimbabwe’s hosting of COP15 as “a beacon of possibility,” and lauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) for including climate resilience, youth empowerment, and environmental protection among its core pillars.
The evening ended with a powerful reminder to delegates:
“Wetlands are not wastelands—they are wombs of life. Youth are not the future—they are the fierce urgency of now. And technology, when placed in the right hands, can heal—not harm—our planet.”
COP15 continues through July 31 and includes site visits, plenary sessions, and negotiations aimed at scaling up investment in wetland conservation and securing the ecological future of some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
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A Ruwa man will rue the day after he defied the cultural day (Chisi) and went on to illegally pan gold at a mine shaft after he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 0.096 grammes of the metal.
According to court records Tafadzwa Matsika (45) was sentenced to five years in prison for the illegal possession of gold.
NPA said Matsika was arrested on the 20 August 2025 at Greencroft mining compound mine after officials received information that someone was illegally panning for gold on cultural day of rest known as (Chisi).
“Mine officials tracked his spoor from a mining shaft to a nearby compound where they confronted the offender.
“Matsika produced a sachet of toasted gold weighing 0.096 grammes from his pocket but could not produce a mining license or permit.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will this weekend begin deploying breathalysers and speed cameras on major highways as part of a nationwide campaign to curb drunk driving and speeding, two leading causes of road fatalities.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona said the new technology will allow officers to deal “directly and scientifically” with reckless drivers. “This is about restoring discipline on our roads,” Mhona said. “These measures will reduce accidents and enhance public safety.”
The rollout marks Zimbabwe’s first large-scale use of modern road enforcement tools. It coincides with the introduction of a new fleet of Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) vehicles, which will strengthen inspections and ensure vehicles are certified fit for the road.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged motorists to exercise caution, drive responsibly, and avoid unnecessary risks. “Road safety is a collective responsibility. Vehicles must be serviced and certified fit to be on the road,” he said.
The initiative comes as authorities brace for increased travel and festive season traffic, a period historically associated with high accident rates.
Four armed robbers outfoxed security personnel manning Kwekwe Meru service station before they blew up a safe and fled with over USD 9 000.
National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying investigations are underway.
He said the robbery occurred on 17 November 2025 at Meru service station Kwekwe. “Four armed men approached a Fawcett officer who was on duty and forced him to lie on the ground.
“They tied his hands and legs before dragging him into the building.
“A second Fawcett officer ran into the building and was also caught while attempting to notify the Fawcett Reaction Team,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He said the suspects tied his hands and legs. and dragged him into the same room where the other Fawcett officer was being held.
“The suspects then forced their way into the second room, where three officers were asleep and tied the officers as well.
“They blasted a wall-mounted safe and seized USD 9 700.”
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