By Mpundu Valerie Educational illustration only: This story is based on lived experience in an asbestos-mining community. Names are used with consent. Characters and images are intended for educational purposes. We grew up where dust was normal. The white dust settled on our sadza. Sometimes, you could taste it before you saw it. We played near the dumps, our clothes covered in dust. Nobody wore masks back then. Nobody explained the asbestos risk to us in a way we could understand. We thought if dust was going to kill you, it would kill you that same year. We did not know that asbestos-related diseases could remain hidden for decades before showing themselves. My brother Sfiso had worked at the mine for more than 30 years. The mine fed us, clothed us, and gave us a home. His sweat paid our school fees and kept food on our table. Sfiso told me I couldn't lecture him on health hazards as long as I didn't have children to look after. He said that Advanced Level education wasn't enough for me to lecture him. It was then I knew my place. Despite our differences, Sfiso and I were close. He took me in when our parents died. By then, he had only four children his third was my age. I fit in, and traditionally I was their father. You know, having grown up together, they would tease me, "Kababa kadiki so, ahh ngaatange akura" even now, as adults, they still refuse to call me "ubaba omncane". We are literally the same age. To them, I am still Sbusiso. My brother remained at the mine. The whole family was well provided for. In 2022, he started complaining of persistent chest pains and shortness of breath. A lot of assumptions and opinions were thrown to the table -tuberculosis. Other schools of thought had asthma. Nobody anticipated the great danger beyond their own diagnosis. He treated every cough with traditional remedies and cough syrups. Sfiso never liked visiting the men in white coats and stethoscopes around their necks. In the mine, if you go to the clinic, they mark you as weak and cut your shift. Sfiso couldn't afford to be weak. I advised medical attention, and he bit my head off, "For over 30 years I've looked after you, how can you say the mine is making me sick? I took all 8 of you to school through searching the crust of the earth, today you want to tell me otherwise." I knew not to ever bring it up. We watched as this dry cough would not go away. He started deteriorating in weight and had this inexplicable general body weakness. His belts had to make new holes. He extended his hours in bed. He stopped going to the growth point in the evenings. He stopped eating meat, saying it was getting stuck. Whenever I asked, he would say, "Maybe I'm trying for another child." My brother was one man who would give you a befitting response you wouldn't dare question any further. In the last two months, he couldn't lie flat. He slept sitting up on three pillows, holding his chest. He would wake at 2 am struggling for air, we would hear him outside coughing so we wouldn't worry. His voice became small. He taught me to be a father to his children, yet I failed to be a son to him when he was sick. I let him say he was fine because I was scared of his answer. He nursed his own path to the grave. The day we finally sat down, he openly said, "A lot of stigma surrounds us men, I have to suffer in silence rather than open up. With the way my health is deteriorating, I doubt I will live past this Christmas. I feel the boogeyman is coming to collect. Whatever it is, I can't fight no more. I gave you guys a life, and I am proud of each and every one of you." It felt like he was writing our own epitaphs. Realising the imminent danger, I drove him to hospital. The doctor turned the screen to me his lungs were squeezed by water, he couldn't expand. The lining was thick, white, with fluid around it. He called it pleural effusion. That is when we finally heard the word that explained everything. They diagnosed him with mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin lining that covers the lungs and chest wall (pleura). The doctors explained that tiny mineral fibers from the earth's crust, breathed in many years ago as dust, can stay in that lining for 20-40 years before causing thickening, fluid build-up and tumor growth. It is not contagious. Only imaging and biopsy can diagnose it. After diagnosis he was in and out of hospital to drain the water from his chest. Each drain gave him a few days where he could breathe and talk properly, then the water came back. He lost more weight, his eyes sank, he couldn't walk to the toilet alone. The last weeks he lived in a chair, not a bed. He stopped speaking about the mine and started speaking about us who would look after his children. He died struggling to breathe, but at peace that he had fed eight of us from the dust. His death left us with grief, questions and memories we could never erase. It also left us with a responsibility to speak about the risks that had been part of our lives for so long. We cannot say that every cough in a mining community is caused by asbestos. We cannot diagnose a disease from symptoms alone. But we can insist that persistent symptoms and a history of asbestos exposure are taken seriously. A persistent cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, or shortness of breath deserves medical assessment, particularly for anyone who has worked in or lived near an asbestos-mining environment. Such symptoms can have different causes, and only qualified health professionals can investigate them properly. I wish I had understood that sooner. I wish I had found a way to make my brother listen without making him feel that I was questioning the years he had sacrificed for us. Most of all, I wish he had known that asking for help would not have made him weak. He had already proved his strength by raising us, educating us and giving us a future. He did not need to destroy himself to prove it. Even now, his children refuse to call me ubaba omncane. To them, I am still Sbusiso. But I carry the memory of their father differently now. I remember the man who stood between eight people and hunger, the man who worked through the dust, the man who kept giving even when his body was asking him to stop. Sfiso fed eight of us from the dust. Our duty now is to make sure that the next generation understands the danger hidden in it. To share your journey: 263 774 778 179 Disclaimer: This story is for educational and awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anyone experiencing persistent chest pain, breathing difficulties, an ongoing cough or unexplained weight loss should seek medical attention. Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma

By Mpundu Valerie Christmas Eve at OK was everything. They had Father Christmas sitting on the hay stack at the entrance. Long white beard. Christmas lights blinking. Sweets. Parcels wrapped in shiny boxes. Every kid wanted a turn on his lap. I hated Jimmy. I was only 8! He was this coloured guy trying to win my mother’s heart. Every weekend he would come, hoot twice outside our apartment block, then drive away with my mom for hours. I would be left with Aunty Mavis, someone I never liked. My neighbours were nosy. My mom was the only single parent there. It felt like we were always on people's lips. That night, Mom said, "Be a good boy. Father Christmas is coming." I didn’t sleep. I stayed by the curtain in my room, peeping through, waiting. Around 11pm I heard it. Hoot hoot. Jimny’s car.That green Suzuki Jimny. My first thought was he had come to ruin my Christmas again. I looked through the window. He took a big red sack from the boot. Instead of coming straight inside, he stood under the Christmas lights outside, fixing something. I watched closer. Jimmy pulled out a long white beard. The same beard from OK. Red hat. He was putting it on. Adjusting it. He had a sack full of gifts on his back. It was him. Father Christmas from OK was Jimmey. All those sweets, those parcels, it was Jimmy the whole time. The man I hated. Something just dropped in my chest. I didn’t cry. I just stood there while my magic died. I ran back to bed and pretended to be asleep. He came in shouting, "HO HO HO!" I didn’t even smile. He left a parcel on my bed. I didn’t open it for two days. That was the night my childhood ended. Life turned out differently. Jimmy never left. He stayed. He paid my school fees. He gave me siblings. He gave us a family. He and Mom are still going strong. He is my dad. To this day, I still tell him, "You hurt me as a kid. You stole Father Christmas from me." He just laughs. "I was just trying to make you like me, my son." Now I understand. He wasn’t stealing Christmas. He was trying to build one for us. To date, I owe what and who I am to the man who raised me. I never made it easy for him to step into my territory. I was so overprotective of my mom. To him, that didn’t matter. He took me as his own. He was present whenever I needed him. Taught me right from wrong. Above all, he showed me what love is. Christmas came early. Merry Christmas to all the Jimmys out there Robbed of My Childhood

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Young women across Southern Africa are being urged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), develop digital skills and create home-grown solutions that address the region’s economic and social challenges. The call was made following the second Global Digital Forum, held in Moscow, Russia, last week, where more than 1,300 guests and experts from 111 countries gathered to discuss artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty and international cooperation. The forum brought together technology professionals, government representatives, researchers, entrepreneurs and civil society participants. Its high-level plenary, titled “The AI Race: One Set of Rules or Many?”, featured Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko. Speaking to Zimpapers, Ambassador of the Monomutapa Kingdom (South Africa) to Zimbabwe and Pan-African youth development specialist Anne Mugwagwa said African countries needed to play an active role in shaping global AI policies rather than simply adopting decisions made elsewhere. “Our region must move beyond simply participating in global conversations to actively shaping them,” she said. “Africa must not simply consume the digital future. It must help create it.” For Southern Africa, the debate extends beyond technological development to include youth unemployment, digital skills, entrepreneurship and the participation of women in the emerging digital economy. Mugwagwa said young people and women should be recognised as creators and decision-makers in technology, rather than merely consumers of digital products and services. “Our young people and women must be recognised not merely as users of technology, but as innovators, entrepreneurs and decision-makers,” she said. She added that AI could open opportunities for women to strengthen their economic independence, assume leadership roles and participate in emerging industries. However, Mugwagwa cautioned that access to technology alone was insufficient to deliver meaningful economic benefits without the skills and resources needed to use it productively. “Having access to technology is important, but having the skills, resources and opportunities to use it productively is what creates lasting impact,” she said. She identified affordable internet connectivity, relevant training, investment and safe digital environments as important conditions for enabling young women to participate more fully in the digital economy. Her remarks also highlighted the need to connect international discussions on AI governance with practical outcomes at community level. “International partnerships and agreements are valuable, but their real success must be measured by what they deliver to communities,” she said. “The challenge now is to translate international dialogue into practical, measurable and inclusive development across Southern Africa.” For the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the growing use of AI presents opportunities to develop locally relevant applications in areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare and small-business development. Turning those opportunities into tangible benefits, however, requires investment in skills, infrastructure and access to technology. Mugwagwa’s message places particular emphasis on ensuring that young women are included in this process, with the ability to develop solutions suited to their communities and participate in decisions about how emerging technologies are used. As countries debate the rules governing AI, the challenge for Southern Africa will be to ensure that digital development creates opportunities for local innovators and supports inclusive economic growth. The forum’s discussions have therefore renewed attention on the importance of African participation in shaping the digital future and translating international cooperation into practical solutions for communities across the region. Anne Mugwagwa urges young women across Southern Africa to embrace AI, build digital skills and develop home-grown solutions for regional challenges. Young SADC women in AI Suggested tags Artificial Intelligence SADC Women in Technology Digital Skills Anne Mugwagwa Global Digital Forum Category Technology / Business / Regional Affairs Editorial checks before publication Verify the forum details: Confirm the official name, dates, attendance figures, participating countries and the plenary speaker against the event's official materials. Confirm Mugwagwa’s title: Verify the exact official designation of the Monomutapa Kingdom ambassadorship and how it should be styled. Check the timing: The source says the forum was held “last week”. Use the precise dates if available. Keep regional claims attributed: The discussion of AI opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, education and small businesses is contextual framing, not a direct statement from Mugwagwa in the supplied text. Avoid implying a formal SADC directive: The call for young women to embrace AI is attributed to Mugwagwa; the supplied material does not establish it as an official SADC position.

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Primary school pupils from Harare are showcasing a proposed traffic solution at Africa Skills Week 2026, demonstrating how early STEM education can help young people develop practical responses to challenges facing their communities. The pupils, from Lusitânia Primary School, exhibited a working model of a proposed flyover at the Chiremba Road and Robert Mugabe Road intersection, designed to ease traffic congestion and reduce fatal road accidents. The project was among the exhibits presented on the opening day of Africa Skills Week, running from October 12 to 16 at the Harare International Conference Centre. Organised by the African Union Commission in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, the event was officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa under the theme “Skills for Resilient and Competitive African Industries: From Training to Value Creation”. The initiative reflects the Government’s efforts to promote innovation through Education 5.0, innovation hubs, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, and digital skills development. Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the week was intended to connect young innovators with institutions and stakeholders capable of supporting their ideas. “It will bring together institutions, industry and young innovators with policy makers, investors and partners,” he said. “Africa Skills Week is about turning training into jobs, enterprises and shared prosperity for our young people.” Representing Harare Metropolitan Province, Lusitânia Primary School’s STEM and Robotics Club presented a model incorporating timber, recycled plastics and artificial foliage. The model is powered by solar energy and includes a proposed camera system designed to detect traffic violations, monitor accidents and alert emergency response teams. Lusitânia head of academics Dr Patricia Gonde said the project demonstrated the importance of developing practical skills from an early age. “Practical skills begin at home and are given clear direction in primary school,” she said. “At Lusitânia, our strength lies in nurturing these foundational science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills from an early age.” Project mentors Kilford Mukarati and Kathleen Chipadza said the model represented months of research and problem-solving by the pupils. The project has already received recognition at several levels, winning first place at the Harare District STEM Competition before securing top honours at provincial level. It was also showcased at the National Research Symposium in July and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in August. For the learners, the proposed flyover addresses a familiar problem: traffic congestion on roads used daily by commuters and motorists. Pupil Zuva Chibaya explained that artificial intelligence was central to the proposed monitoring system, which would track vehicles and their movements. Another learner, Kayla Siwela, said the design envisaged connecting the system to a nearby station to help ensure a quicker response when incidents occur. Although still presented as a school model, the project illustrates how young learners can apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, while exploring the potential role of technology in road safety and traffic management. Africa Skills Week provides a platform for such ideas to reach a wider audience, bringing pupils and other innovators into discussions about skills development, industrial growth and solutions to Africa’s development challenges. The Lusitânia pupils’ exhibit also highlights the potential of practical STEM education to nurture problem-solvers who can begin addressing local challenges long before entering the professional engineering field. Lusitânia pupils traffic innovation

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Zimbabweans making a difference through innovation, mentorship and community development will be recognised at the second edition of the Zimbabwe Impact Awards (Zimpact), scheduled to take place in Harare in the coming two weeks. Held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Impact”, the awards seek to shine a light on individuals whose work is improving lives, often without public recognition. Speaking to Zimpapers yesterday, Zimpact executive director Evermore Kangani said the initiative was focused on creating lasting change beyond the awards ceremony. “Empowerment is not simply putting a young innovator on a stage and handing them a certificate. Empowerment is what happens after the applause,” she said. “Recognition is the entry point, not the destination.” Kangani’s remarks highlight the awards’ emphasis on sustained support for innovators and community builders whose contributions could have a wider impact if given greater visibility and opportunities. Among those associated with the initiative is Universal Woman Zimbabwe 2025 and Style Bar manager Shelly Bent, who believes empowerment should extend beyond outward appearance to personal growth and the ability to uplift others. “I believe beauty must go beyond what we see on the outside; it must shape who we become as a whole,” she said. “True beauty is creating a generation that doesn’t just look empowered, but is empowered enough to empower others.” Michael Moyo, founder of The Mentorship and Coaching Circle, said lasting transformation required investment in personal development, coaching and mentorship. “Ultimately, sustainable transformation begins from within,” he said. “Investing in their inner development, coaching and mentorship is an investment in the sustainability of Zimbabwe, Africa and beyond.” In agriculture, engineer Panashe Kahonde is working to develop affordable tools for farmers, drawing on his own experience growing up on a subsistence farm. Kahonde said innovation would only transform agriculture if farmers could access and afford the technologies being developed. “Technology does not transform agriculture; accessible technology does,” he said. “Africa should not just consume innovation, Africa should define it.” The perspectives of Bent, Moyo and Kahonde reflect the range of contributions the awards seek to celebrate, from personal empowerment and mentorship to practical solutions for challenges facing communities and productive sectors. For many innovators, limited visibility can mean fewer opportunities to secure support, develop their ideas or extend their reach. Recognition can help bring their work to wider attention, although sustained progress also depends on access to resources, skills and networks. As the second edition approaches, Zimpact is positioning the awards as a platform for recognising people whose work may not always attract headlines but whose ideas and efforts have the potential to create meaningful change. The ceremony is expected to bring attention to the people behind these initiatives and reinforce the importance of supporting innovation, mentorship and locally driven solutions in Zimbabwe. Zimpact Awards Zimbabwe

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPAZ) has shut down 49 illegal health facilities so far this year, including drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres, following inspections and reports from members of the public. In a public notice, HPAZ secretary-general Clotilda Chimbwanda said the closures targeted institutions operating without proper registration, qualified personnel or suitable premises, raising concerns about patient safety and the quality of care provided. Chimbwanda warned that seeking treatment at unregistered facilities could expose patients to substandard services, harmful practices and abuse, particularly in settings offering medical treatment and rehabilitation services. “Seeking treatment at unregistered health facilities poses severe risks to patients, including substandard care, exposure to unproven or harmful treatments, patient abuse and neglect, as well as a complete lack of legal recourse in cases of malpractice or harm,” she said. She added that some illegal facilities operated outside Zimbabwe's regulatory framework and failed to follow established medical protocols. The authority urged patients, relatives and caregivers to verify a facility's registration before committing to medical treatment or rehabilitation programmes. According to HPAZ, members of the public should check for a valid certificate of institutional registration issued by the authority, a current practising certificate from the relevant professional council and any other applicable certificates. The warning is particularly relevant to families seeking assistance for loved ones affected by drug and substance abuse, who may be vulnerable when searching for treatment and rehabilitation services. HPAZ urged anyone who suspects that a health facility is operating illegally to report it to the nearest police station or contact the authority directly. The authority's warning highlights the importance of checking the regulatory status of health institutions before seeking treatment, as registration and professional credentials help establish whether providers meet the applicable requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to seek services from appropriately registered facilities and qualified professionals to reduce the risk of unsafe or unregulated treatment. Illegal health facilities in Zimbabwe

By Mpundu Valerie DISCLAIMER: This content is for health awareness and education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person's condition is different. Please visit your nearest health facility and consult a qualified healthcare professional for screening, diagnosis, and care. Baba James was 52, a kombi driver from Glen View 3. He was the man who woke up at 4 am, drank strong black tea, and always had the same answer whenever someone asked how he was doing. “I'm fine.” In late 2024, however, something changed. He started visiting the toilet more frequently. He would finish, only to feel the urge to go again 20 minutes later. Sometimes, nothing came out except mucus. Then, one morning, he saw bright red blood in the toilet bowl. He flushed quickly and said nothing to his wife. “Mapiles,” he told himself. The men at the rank all said so. He bought herbs from the market. Sat in salty water. Stopped eating beans. But the ache on his left side never left. Walking home from the rank, a road he knew for 15 years now left him breathless. His trousers hung loose. He had lost 8kg without trying. His daughter Chipo, a nurse aide, confronted him. "Baba, four times this morning. I saw blood." He was angry from shame. Fathers don't talk about this with daughters. She returned with a pamphlet and read aloud: - Blood in stool - Change in bowel habits that doesn't go away - Persistent stomach cramps and pain - Constant tiredness and weakness - Unexplained weight loss He had all five. The local clinic referred him for tests. Colonoscopy. Biopsy. Stage 2 colorectal adenocarcinoma. The doctor said: "You are lucky it hasn't spread beyond the colon wall. Six months later, this would be a different conversation." Surgery removed part of his colon. For three weeks he lived with a colostomy bag. He wept when he first saw it. Then came chemotherapy nausea, hair loss, long nights of prayer- oh, he prayed!! He survived. Today Baba James is back behind the wheel. He lifts his shirt at the rank and shows his scar. "I thought it was piles," he tells the other men. "Piles almost killed me." Many of us whisper about cancer of the bottom. That silence is killing our fathers, brothers, and husbands. Colorectal cancer is common, but it is treatable when found. Screening recommendations depend on a person's age, family history, risk factors, and local medical guidance. Adults aged 45 and older should discuss appropriate colorectal cancer screening with a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should seek assessment regardless of age. Too often, conversations about bowel problems are buried beneath shame and silence. Men may fear appearing weak, while others may delay seeking help because they assume the problem is minor. But silence does not make symptoms disappear. Baba James's experience reminds us of the importance of paying attention to changes in our bodies and encouraging loved ones to seek help when something is wrong. Sometimes, the person who saves a life is the one who refuses to stay quiet. If you have experienced cancer or supported someone through the journey, kindly share your story on 263 774 778 179. Your experience may encourage someone else to seek help. #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetectionSavesLives Colorectal cancer warning signs

By Mpundu Valerie I was 10. Sunday night, 2006. ZTV was actually showing WWE live for once, no church program cutting it. It was John Cena vs Edge, TLC match at Unforgiven. Ladders everywhere. My whole hood was at our house because we had the only TV with a clear picture. No one breathing. Edge climbs the ladder. He's about to grab the belt. My uncle shouts, "GEVHA!" Then Cena does it. FU from the top of the ladder through two tables! BOOM! The crowd in our living room went CRAZY. We were jumping on the floor, grandma shouting "Vamuuraya!" Edge is not moving. Like, dead. The ref counts 1... 2... 3... Cena wins. I went to school the next day as John Cena. Wristband made from socks. "You can't see me," to my teacher. She beat me. I came back home ready for the replay. My older brother was watching the news. He laughed and said, "Ah, you still watch this fake acting? These guys are friends, they eat lunch together after. That blood is paint." I said, "You're lying." He pulled up YouTube the first time I saw behind-the-scenes footage. Edge and Cena laughing backstage. Hugging. My heart broke!!!! ntintinti I watched it again, and all I could see was acting. The way they punch but don't touch. The way they scream too loud. I just stood up, switched it off, and said, "I'm done." It was that time I realised Father Christmas was my uncle. Same pain. Same betrayal. One day you think magic is real, next day you see Baba vaTindo in your mother's red dress, fake beard falling off, drunk, trying to put your own school shoes you lost last term inside a box and calling it a gift from the North Pole. The Day I Stopped Watching Wrestling

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A veld fire has killed a woman and destroyed homesteads, property and grazing land in Machacha, Ward 14, prompting Tongogara Rural District Council to warn communities against starting uncontrolled fires as the hot and windy season approaches. Tongogara RDC chairperson Councillor Wilbert Rambanapasi confirmed the incident too, expressing sorrow over the death of a villager identified as Zvinemo and the destruction caused by the fire. “I have received with deep sorrow the tragic news of a veld fire in Machacha, Ward 14, which has destroyed vast grazing lands, burnt homesteads and sadly claimed the life of Zvinemo,” Rambanapasi said. According to sources, Zvinemo died while attempting to remove thatching grass from her two-roomed house after realising that the approaching fire had reached her homestead. The fire reportedly started at farms in Ward 7 before spreading to several villages, where it destroyed houses and property at Chambodini, Makopa, Mazorodze and Madhlanadzo. The destruction has also affected grazing land, threatening resources that local communities depend on to sustain their livestock and livelihoods. Rambanapasi warned residents against starting veld fires, saying those responsible would face legal consequences. “Starting veld fires is a serious offence. Veld fires destroy our livelihoods. We are killing the very soils we need to plough and get good yields from. We are killing our livestock by destroying grazing lands and killing wild animals,” he said. He urged villagers, traditional leaders and farmers to exercise caution as temperatures rise and windy conditions increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly. Ward 14 councillor Emmanuel Dhaidhai also confirmed that several properties had been destroyed. The incident highlights the potential human and economic cost of uncontrolled veld fires, which can spread across farms and villages, destroying homes, grazing areas and other property. Residents are being urged to avoid starting fires that could spread beyond their intended areas and to exercise caution when carrying out activities involving open flames. Further details on the extent of the damage, the number of households affected and whether any assistance will be provided to the affected families were not available in the information provided. Machacha veld fire

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has reportedly ordered about 600 home-seekers to stop developing residential stands at Gertnel Farm in Chatsworth Business Centre, Gutu, claiming the land belongs to the military. The affected residents bought the stands from Gutu Rural District Council (RDC), with some transactions dating back to 2018. While some families have already built houses and moved in, others are still constructing their homes. Each stand reportedly cost US$3,000 or more, leaving residents worried about losing savings and investments made over several years. According to the Masvingo Mirror, soldiers have been deployed to the area to prevent further development. The residents say they hold leases and inspection forms issued by Gutu RDC as proof of their purchases. Gutu RDC chief executive Alexander Mutembwa confirmed the dispute, saying the council was engaging the military to establish the boundaries. “There is an issue over the stands which council sold in Chatsworth. We are engaging the military and will hold a meeting with its leadership to discuss the boundaries,” Mutembwa said. Asked whether the council would compensate residents if the stands could not be regularised, Mutembwa said the matter had not reached that stage. The dispute has raised uncertainty among families who say they purchased the land through the local authority and invested in building materials and construction. 4 Brigade public relations officer Emmanuel Muchazivepi referred questions to the ZNA Public Relations Directorate in Harare. A senior military official told Masvingo Mirror that Gertnel Farm had belonged to the army since the Rhodesian era. The official reportedly dismissed the transactions between residents and Gutu RDC as “Sabhuku deals” and said the military would not accept responsibility for them. However, residents insist they bought their stands directly from the council. “We bought these stands from Gutu RDC, and we have all the necessary papers, including leases and inspection forms issued by council,” said Rejoice Nheya. Another resident, who declined to be named, said he bought his stand in 2022 while serving at 4.3 Brigade in Gutu. He said military leaders had assured officers at the time that there was no problem with the stands. “Shockingly, the same army which gave its officers the green light to buy the stands is now saying the farm belongs to it,” he said. The resident said he had invested more than US$3,000 from his earnings and claimed that more than 15 military officers had also purchased stands in the area. Some of their houses are at various stages of construction. “It is painful to be stopped after spending years saving and investing in the stand. It feels like losing everything,” he said. Another stand-holder, Tafara Chavizha, said residents had held several meetings with the council but had yet to see progress towards resolving the dispute. “We paid everything to Gutu RDC and all our papers are in order. We have held several meetings with the council, which promised to engage the army, but there is no progress,” Chavizha said. The ownership of Gertnel Farm remains contested, with another military source disputing the claim that the property belongs to the army. The source said the military’s shooting ranch was in Bikita and that the Chatsworth farm had only been borrowed by the army for a limited period. The conflicting accounts have left residents uncertain about the status of their purchases and the future of their homes. The dispute now centres on establishing ownership of the land, clarifying the boundaries and determining the validity of the stands sold by Gutu RDC. No final resolution or compensation arrangement had been reported in the information available at the time of publication. Gertnel Farm land dispute

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare The High Court has dismissed a US$520,000 claim against Avenues Clinic over the death of former banker Francis Nyadundu, ruling that his family had failed to present expert medical evidence linking the hospital’s alleged negligence to his fatal fall from a hospital bed. Justice Zimba-Dube granted absolution from the instance to Medical Investments (Private) Limited, which operates the Harare-based private hospital, after finding that the family had not established a sufficient case of negligence and causation. Nyadundu’s widow, Sheila, and their children, Mutsa and Takunda, were ordered to pay the clinic’s legal costs. The case arose from Nyadundu’s death in March 2024, after he reportedly fell from his hospital bed while being treated for liver cirrhosis. According to evidence presented by the family, Nyadundu had been stable and was awaiting medication ahead of his expected discharge when the incident occurred. The family said he fell from his bed in the early hours of March 10, suffering serious head injuries that proved fatal. Testifying before the High Court, Takunda said his father had been given lorazepam for restlessness. Nursing notes reportedly recorded an attempt by Nyadundu to climb out of bed before staff raised the bed rails. The family alleged that they were initially informed only that his condition had deteriorated. They said they discovered injuries to his head and face when they arrived at the hospital. A postmortem examination recorded the cause of death as subarachnoid haemorrhage, a skull vault fracture and head trauma. Family Alleges Negligence The plaintiffs accused Avenues Clinic of failing to adequately monitor a restless patient who was at risk of falling, provide urgent treatment after the incident, and fully disclose the circumstances surrounding his death. They also told the court that the loss had caused significant emotional and financial hardship. Sheila reportedly developed hypertension and depression following her husband's death, while Takunda took over his late father's farm to support her. The clinic denied negligence, arguing that Nyadundu had several serious underlying medical conditions and that the care provided was consistent with his treatment plan and his doctor's instructions. At the close of the family's case, the hospital applied for absolution from the instance, arguing that the plaintiffs had failed to produce expert medical evidence establishing the standard of care expected of its staff, any breach of that standard and a causal connection between the alleged failures and Nyadundu's death. Judge Says Expert Evidence Was Necessary Justice Zimba-Dube accepted that the hospital owed Nyadundu a duty of care but found that the family had not demonstrated that the duty had been breached. The judge said the plaintiffs were not qualified to determine whether the patient's monitoring intervals met acceptable medical standards. “The plaintiffs cannot authoritatively speak to whether the monitoring intervals were reasonable, sufficient or to the acceptable standard as they are not medical experts,” she said. The court noted that the nursing records suggested staff had anticipated the risk of a fall. However, the family had not presented expert evidence showing what additional precautions should have been taken or why the measures documented were inadequate. The judge also found that no expert evidence had been provided to demonstrate that a faster medical response following the fall would have prevented Nyadundu's death. “A fall alone in a hospital setting resulting in death of a patient cannot raise inferences of negligence without exploring the circumstances of the fall and evidence from a medical expert,” she ruled. The court further held that the postmortem findings established the medical causes of death but did not, on their own, prove that the hospital's conduct caused the fall or the fatal injuries. The judge also found deficiencies in the children's claims for loss of financial support, noting that they had not adequately demonstrated the support their father had provided and the losses they suffered following his death. US$520,000 Claim Ends Without Damages Assessment With the family having failed to establish a prima facie case of negligence and causation, the court granted absolution from the instance without proceeding to assess the damages claimed. “Having failed to satisfy the fault element, the defendant has nothing to rebut and is entitled to absolution from the instance,” Justice Zimba-Dube said. The ruling brings the US$520,000 claim to an end at this stage of the proceedings. The court's decision turned on the sufficiency of the evidence presented by the family, particularly the absence of expert medical evidence connecting the alleged shortcomings in care to Nyadundu's death. Avenues Clinic US$520,000 court case

By Daniel Tarisayi (Licensed Psychologist) What Pushes People to the Edge? Several factors can cause people to become angry or emotionally overwhelmed. Relationship challenges such as criticism, feeling disrespected, or lack of appreciation can trigger strong emotional reactions. Personal difficulties such as fatigue, failure, rejection, and disappointment can also increase emotional pressure. Environmental stressors, including financial problems, work demands, and uncertainty about the future, may further contribute to anger and frustration. Many individuals carry these pressures silently until they reach a breaking point. This is why learning healthy ways to manage emotions is essential. The Biology of Anger Anger is more than an emotional experience; it also involves physical changes in the body. When a person perceives a threat, the brain activates stress-response systems that prepare the body to respond. This response can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, quicken breathing, and tense muscles. These changes are part of the body's preparation for action, whether the perceived threat is physical or emotional. Fear and anger can both activate these stress responses, although the precise reactions vary from person to person and situation to situation. The body's response may prepare someone to confront a threat, escape from it, or protect themselves. Positive emotions, including happiness, can also influence how people experience stress and regulate their feelings. However, emotional responses are complex, and no single brain mechanism explains every feeling or behaviour. Understanding these physical reactions is important because intense emotions can affect concentration, judgement and decision-making. When anger rises sharply, a person may interrupt, shout, make hurtful remarks or act impulsively, only to regret the consequences later. This does not mean anger is inherently wrong. Anger can signal that a person feels hurt, threatened, frustrated, or treated unfairly. The challenge lies in recognising the emotion and choosing an appropriate response. One useful strategy is to pause before reacting. Taking a few slow breaths, stepping away from a heated discussion when it is safe to do so, and returning to the conversation once emotions have settled can help create space for clearer thinking. The goal is not to suppress anger but to understand it and express it without harming oneself or others. In conflict resolution, the pause between feeling angry and acting on that anger can make a significant difference. Learning to recognise emotional triggers and regulate physical responses can help people communicate more effectively, resolve disagreements, and build stronger relationships. Anger management and conflict resolution