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Wetland Protection Boosted by New Resolutions and International Agreements at COP15

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Global Wetland Restoration Takes Centre Stage as COP15 Commences in Vic Falls

The 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) concluded in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, marking a renewed global pledge toward the protection of wetlands.

Held under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” the conference brought together delegates from various governments to underscore the essential role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, ecological stability, and resilience to climate change.

During the event, participants adopted a series of resolutions aimed at accelerating conservation efforts at national and regional levels. These measures include improving monitoring systems, enhancing capacity development, securing financial resources, and integrating wetlands into broader strategies for climate adaptation and disaster risk management.

The conference also focused on strengthening conservation efforts along migratory routes to safeguard bird species. It endorsed the creation of the Global Waterbird Estimates Partnership and emphasized the importance of protecting species like river dolphins, which serve as key indicators of the health of inland wetlands.

One of the major achievements of COP15 was the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration. This declaration highlighted the urgent need for greater political will, funding, and action to restore and safeguard wetland ecosystems.

In her closing speech, COP15 President and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, encouraged member states to incorporate the outcomes of the conference into their national frameworks.

She stressed the importance of international partnerships and financial mechanisms to bridge the gap in wetland conservation efforts. Ndlovu also advocated for closer collaboration with other environmental treaties and organizations to better tackle complex issues like climate change and pollution from plastics and mercury.

“Working together will amplify our impact on global environmental protection, improve ecosystem and human health, and foster innovation and knowledge-sharing across nations,” she concluded.

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2025 A-Level Results Out Today as ZIMSEC Maintains Leak-Free Record

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The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) is set to release the 2025 Advanced Level examination results at noon today, continuing a streak of secure national examinations with no reported paper leakages for the third successive year.

Candidates will be able to view their results from this afternoon via the ZIMSEC online results portal.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo, who described the leak-free examination cycle as a significant step forward for Zimbabwe’s education system.

“I am delighted to inform the nation that ZIMSEC will officially release the 2025 Advanced Level examination results tomorrow at midday,” Minister Moyo said.

He noted that the latest examination session further strengthens public confidence in the country’s assessment framework.

“This development represents the third year in a row in which our national examinations have been successfully conducted without any incidents of paper leakage,” he said.

Minister Moyo attributed the achievement to sustained reforms and strengthened oversight within the examinations system.

He explained that improved monitoring mechanisms and tighter security measures have played a key role, adding that the reforms are aligned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which prioritises quality education as a foundation for national development.

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Court Finds Senior Medical Practitioner Guilty of Perjury

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A difficult day in court unfolded for Dr Collen Benyure, a senior medical practitioner and former registrar of a statutory council, after a Harare magistrate ruled that his account of events could not withstand scrutiny under the law.

 

Regional Magistrate Donald Ndirowei on Wednesday convicted Dr Benyure of perjury, finding that he had falsely told the court that he had authority to testify on behalf of the council he once served.

 

The court held that the claim was not supported by evidence and was directly contradicted by official records.

The conviction followed the production of a formal council resolution, which clearly showed that Dr Benyure had never been authorised to represent the institution in judicial proceedings.

 

In earlier testimony, the doctor had assured the court that he appeared in an official capacity. During the perjury trial, however, prosecutors tabled documentary evidence demonstrating that no such mandate had been given.

 

The case became a stark contrast between personal confidence and institutional procedure, with the court firmly siding with the latter.

 

In his ruling, Magistrate Ndirowei emphasised that statutory bodies, as juristic persons, can only act through properly authorised representatives. He held that professional status or seniority does not substitute for lawful authority, and that claims of representation must be supported by clear proof.

 

Legal analysts say the judgment reinforces a fundamental principle of justice: that honesty before the courts is not optional, regardless of one’s professional standing.

A senior legal practitioner, commenting after the verdict, said the case offered an important reminder of the standards expected of those who take the witness stand.

 

“Titles carry weight in the workplace, but in court only the truth carries authority. The justice system depends on accuracy, not assumption,” the practitioner said.

 

Dr Benyure was convicted under Section 183 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, which criminalises the making of false statements under oath. The offence carries a potential penalty of a Level Ten fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

 

The law further provides that a statement may be false by omission as well as by commission, meaning that withholding the truth can be as serious as stating an untruth.

 

The doctor was remanded out of custody and is expected to return to court tomorrow for mitigation and sentencing, when the magistrate will determine an appropriate sentence in light of the seriousness of the offence and the professional responsibilities that accompanied his position.

 

As the case moves to its final stage, it stands as a clear reminder that in the courtroom, authority is earned through truth and not through title.

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ZANU PF PC Accused of Looting Food, Fuel Meant for Dr Tungwarara Rally

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Itai Mazire

The ZANU PF Makoni District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has accused the party’s Provincial Chairperson, Albert Nyakuedzwa, of looting food hampers and thousands of litres of fuel meant for an empowerment rally to be hosted by Dr Paul Tungwarara, in a scandal that has shaken the ruling party’s provincial structures.

The DCC alleges that Nyakuedzwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Makoni South, diverted food hampers and about 6 500 litres of fuel mobilised for the Dr Paul Tungwarara empowerment rally, which had been scheduled for last week.

According to the accusations, Nyakuedzwa allegedly compelled fuel supplier Petro Trade to inflate a fuel invoice to 11 000 litres, despite fuel worth only 3 500 litres reportedly being used for rally logistics. The remaining balance is alleged to have been unlawfully taken.

The alleged theft is said to have disrupted preparations for the rally, which was intended to distribute food hampers and support empowerment initiatives targeting party supporters and vulnerable communities.

Dr Paul Tungwarara is a prominent businessman and philanthropist who has been spearheading empowerment programmes under the ruling party’s banner. These initiatives include the distribution of food hampers, fuel and seed packs aimed at cushioning communities against economic hardship while strengthening grassroots mobilisation.

The programmes have attracted large crowds across several provinces, making the Makoni rally a high-profile event within party circles.

Party officials say the alleged diversion of resources has angered grassroots members, with growing calls for an urgent investigation and possible disciplinary action.

Nyakuedzwa had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication, and provincial party leaders were yet to issue an official statement.

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