Connect with us

Crime and Courts

NetOne Champions Climate Tech as COP15 Kicks Off in Victoria Falls

Published

on

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.

ALSO READ : National Fabric Sells like Hot Buns at COP15 in Vic Falls

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime and Courts

Five butchered in bloody weekend

Published

on

Itai Mazire

In a harrowing wave of violence that has gripped the city of Bulawayo, police are investigating five separate murders, including a brutal spearing, a torture slaying, and a home invasion robbery that turned deadly.

Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, revealed the gruesome details, confirming arrests in two cases while launching a manhunt for five suspects in another.

In the most visceral attack, a Pumula South man was stabbed through the chest with a spear following a misunderstanding.

Inspector Msebele confirmed the arrest of Nhlanhla Paulo Moyo, 49, saying the murder occurred on 10 May 2026 at around 1900 hours.

“The accused person then armed himself with a spear and stabbed him once on the left side of the chest with a spear. The deceased fell to the ground and collapsed.”

She noted that a tip-off led to the recovery of the murder weapon.

“Police received a tip off which lead to his arrest and recovery of the spear which was used.”

In a case that has horrified the community, school children discovered the body of a man after he was tortured by a vigilante mob for stealing.

Inspector Msebele stated that the third case occurred on the 09th of May 2026 at around 1400 hours where the deceased was caught stealing.

“The five accused persons started assaulting them with a hammer mill belt, knobkerrie, an electricity cable all over the body and dropping burning plastics on top of their bodies.”

“On 10 May 2026 at around 0900 hours, two female juveniles were playing in a maize field they saw the now deceased lying facing upwards,” she said.

Police arrested Ephraim Banda, 27, after the death of Ntuthuko Ndlovu.

Inspector Msebele said this case occurred on 28 April 2026 at around 0200 hours.

“The now deceased’s friend heard the accused person shouting that he was going to kill the now deceased.” The victim later passed away on 8 May 2026.

Nkosinosizo Nyathi, 40, was found bleeding outside his home.

“The fourth case happened on 09 May 2026, at around 2300 hours.
“He had a deep cut on the forehead, a swollen left eye and bruises on the chest.” He died before hospital admission.

A 21-year-old woman was tied with an electric cord as her father was beaten to death.

“Finally, on 09 May 2026 at around 2100 hours, the complainant was asleep in her bedroom when she heard her father screaming for help.”

“On 10 May 2026, the now deceased passed away while admitted.”

Inspector Msebele said a manhunt is underway for suspects identified only as Blessed, Luyando Sibanda, Zweli, Ali Muponda and Kile.

The suspects are wanted in connection with the torture slaying.

She said anyone with information is urged to report to the nearest police station.

Continue Reading

Crime and Courts

Prison Sentences Handed Down for Kidnapping of Gokwe Police Officer

Published

on

Gokwe, Zimbabwe — Four individuals have been sentenced to seven years in prison each following their conviction for the abduction and assault of a police officer during the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) public hearings.

The incident, which took place in Nembudziya, involved the suspects posing as security personnel to lure the officer into a trap.

The convicted men were identified as Isheunesu Benjamin Marima (30), Collin Masawi (44), Wonder Gamba (43), and Edwin Chinongwa (32). According to Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the group abducted the officer on March 31, 2026, around 10:00 AM.

The victim, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) assigned to the CAB3 hearings, was approached by Marima, who falsely identified himself as a member of the security services.

Marima requested a private discussion regarding the proceedings, leading the officer outside the venue. Once isolated, the officer was forced into a vehicle—a Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger—where the other three accomplices were waiting.

The group transported the officer to a remote location in Maselukwe, Gokwe North. After subjecting him to a physical assault, the perpetrators abandoned him at the Mutora Business Centre. Subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of the four men and the recovery of the vehicles used in the crime.

The case was heard before Gokwe Regional Magistrate Stanford Mambanje, with prosecution led by Malvern Nzombe. All four defendants were convicted of kidnapping and assault
.

Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects involved in the case:

Erickson Mafuratidze
Mujudha (identified by alias only)

“Anyone with information should contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to the nearest police station.”

Continue Reading

Crime and Courts

Kwekwe Barber Jailed 75 Years for Serial Abuse

Published

on

By Everisto Zhuwao

​The Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Rangarirai Mutangi, a 31-year-old barber from Mbizo, to an effective 75 years in prison.

Mutangi was found guilty of eight counts of rape and aggravated indecent assault involving five different children between the ages of 9 and 11.

​The court heard that Mutangi, who also served as a voluntary worker for the National AIDS Council and a modeling trainer, committed the crimes between December 2024 and April 2026.

He used various methods to lure his victims, including the pretext of playing mobile games and utilizing his professional roles to gain access to the children.

​In several instances, the offender used threats of violence to silence his victims.

Evidence presented in court revealed that he threatened a 9-year-old girl with a weapon and intimidated a 10-year-old boy with the threat of being shot to facilitate the ongoing abuse.

​The horrific series of events came to light in April 2026 after rumors began circulating within the Mbizo community.

Concerned parents and guardians questioned the children, leading to formal reports being filed with the ZRP Mbizo. Following a raid on Mutangi’s premises, police recovered a weapon and other evidence linking him to the crimes.

​The presiding magistrate sentenced Mutangi to 15 years for each of the eight counts. While some terms will run concurrently, the total effective sentence reached 75 years behind bars.

​In a statement following the sentencing, authorities emphasized that the exploitation of children will not be tolerated.

They commended the victims for their bravery and thanked the community for their vigilance in ensuring the predator was brought to justice.

Continue Reading

Trending