Current Affairs
Transparency at the Tap: Westlea and Warren Park Embrace Smart Water Meters
By Itai Mazire
A quiet but transformative shift in utility management is underway in the Harare suburbs of Westlea and Warren Park, as residents move away from the long‑frustrating era of estimated water billing toward a system built on digital accountability.
The installation of smart prepaid water meters by Helcraw Water, in partnership with the City of Harare, has reshaped how households access and manage their most vital resource. Initially met with caution, the “pay‑as‑you‑go” system is now gaining widespread acceptance across both communities.
Women, who largely manage household budgets, are at the forefront of praising the initiative for delivering financial clarity, fairness and peace of mind.
For Mrs. Angela Moyo, a Westlea resident, the greatest relief has been the end of what many dubbed “bill shock.”
“The best part is the end of those estimated bills,” she said while demonstrating her new meter.
“Before, we would receive massive bills that didn’t reflect what we actually used.
“With the Helcraw meters, I am in total control. If I pay for a specific amount, I know exactly what I have.
“It has brought peace of mind because I no longer fear the debt collector.”
In Warren Park, Mrs Chipo Chiundura says the technology has changed household behaviour and encouraged conservation.
“These meters have taught us the value of every drop. Since we started paying upfront, my children have learned not to leave taps running.
We use water more wisely because we know wasting it is like throwing money away. It’s fair and you get exactly what you pay for,” she said.
The system’s digital precision has also resonated with younger residents. Sarah Tsiga, a young professional from Westlea, says the transparency offered by the meters empowers consumers.
“I love being able to track my consumption daily. It’s just like topping up my phone airtime. If I am having a tight month, I can choose to use less and save.
“The power is back in the hands of the consumer, which is exactly how it should be.”
Beyond individual households, the meters are helping to resolve long‑standing disputes in shared living spaces. Gogo Chiedza Musona, a senior resident in Warren Park, notes that accountability has restored harmony among neighbours and tenants.
“In the past, we struggled with neighbours or tenants overusing water and refusing to pay.
Now, there is no more arguing. We top up the meter, and when the credit is gone, it’s gone.
Everyone is now accountable for their own usage, and it has improved our relationships tremendously.”
The rollout forms part of Helcraw Water’s broader partnership with the City of Harare to modernise the capital’s ageing water infrastructure. In addition to meter installation, the project includes extensive pipe replacements and the rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray Water Works, aimed at ensuring a reliable supply for paying consumers.
By replacing guesswork with smart technology, Westlea and Warren Park are emerging as models of a new urban standard in Zimbabwe one defined by transparency, conservation and the dignity of paying for exactly what you use.
Current Affairs
2025 A-Level Results Out Today as ZIMSEC Maintains Leak-Free Record
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.
Current Affairs
Court Finds Senior Medical Practitioner Guilty of Perjury
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.
Current Affairs
ZANU PF PC Accused of Looting Food, Fuel Meant for Dr Tungwarara Rally
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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