HARARE— Zimbabwean specialists are pushing for the revival of a local kidney transplant programme, arguing it would be cheaper and give patients a better quality of life than the current reliance on costly foreign referrals. The call comes as rising kidney failure cases strain the country's dialysis centres and consume scarce foreign currency used to send patients abroad for transplants. A research review by Zimbabwe Kidney Foundation Renal Services Executive Chairman Dr Obadiah Moyo found that transplantation costs significantly less than dialysis. Cost comparison One study cited in the review showed transplant costs of US$11,426 per patient, against US$27,007 for peritoneal dialysis and US$37,395 for haemodialysis. "Kidney transplantation is a cheaper solution with a higher quality of life than dialysis," Dr Moyo said. "It is a more appropriate renal treatment for introduction in Zimbabwe to save on the scarce foreign currency." His review notes that government supplies foreign currency for patients who travel abroad, but recipients often return without proper follow-up care. "There is currently no exit for patients on dialysis except through receiving transplants abroad at high costs," Dr Moyo said. "It also just benefits a few well-to-do patients and neglects the socially disadvantaged majority." 'Dialysis is a life sentence' Senior urologist Dr Daud Dube said dialysis without a transplant option is financially unsustainable, estimating that a living-donor transplant breaks even against dialysis within two to three years. "Dialysis is a life sentence, not a cure," he said. "The question is not technical capability; it is political and financial will." He noted that each overseas referral, costing US$60,000 to US$80,000, could fund three local transplants. Dr Dube called for a ring-fenced budget for anti-rejection drugs, training partnerships with foreign centres and a dedicated transplant clinic. Families struggle Mr Tafirenyika Gwerume, whose son Ashton has lived with kidney disease for four years and is on dialysis three times a week, is facing the cost of travelling abroad for a transplant. "I'm trying to get help for our kid to go to India for a transplant which needs $32,000," he said. "I wish it was done locally and cheaper so that expenses are being cut off." Zimbabwe currently lacks an established organ donation and transplant programme, forcing many patients to seek help abroad, an option financially out of reach for most families. The proposed programme would require trained staff, upgraded dialysis units, a renal registry and a public-private partnership with an experienced foreign institution. Zimbabwe kidney transplant programme

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s telecommunications companies are now under regulatory pressure to publicly commit to measurable service standards, with Liquid Intelligent Technologies becoming the latest operator to launch a Customer Service Charter backed by mandatory reporting to the industry regulator. The charter, unveiled during Customer Service Week 2026 under the theme “We Go the Extra Mile,” commits Liquid to track customer satisfaction metrics and submit results to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). The move aligns with Statutory Instrument 154 of 2024, which empowers POTRAZ to enforce key performance indicators and penalise licensees for non-compliance, including directing compensation for poor service. Service as competitive differentiator Liquid Zimbabwe CEO Lorreta Songola said the charter reflects a shift in how the company views customer experience not as a department, but as the entire business. “Customer expectations keep rising, and we operate in a market where the quality of service can be as important as the product or solution itself,” Songola said. She said the company has increased frontline staff to resolve issues faster and tracks both Customer Satisfaction Scores and Net Promoter Scores through surveys, with results submitted to POTRAZ as a form of public disclosure. “Our regulator has made it more visible, and they have ensured that all service providers should be able to launch a customer charter,” Songola said. “It is not just a touch, a charter of words, it is a commitment of how we are responding to the market.” CEAZ pushes national service culture The Customer Experience Association of Zimbabwe (CEAZ) is working with regulators beyond telecoms, including the central bank and insurance and pensions authorities, to embed customer-centric culture nationwide. CEAZ executive secretary Dr Rinos Mautsa said Zimbabwe’s National Customer Satisfaction Index reached 66 percent in 2024, above the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 62 percent but still below the recommended best practice of 76 percent. Sectors such as local authorities (43 percent), public service agencies (49 percent) and hospitals (51 percent) continue to lag, while hotels and tourism led with scores above 80 percent. AI and the limits of automation CEAZ board member Ekem Mudavanhu noted that businesses are moving from basic chatbots to agentic AI that interprets customer needs. But he cautioned against over-reliance on technology. “You cannot 100 percent substitute a human with AI,” Mudavanhu said, citing bereavement and other sensitive situations where empathy matters. He said CEAZ trains organisations to balance automation with human support, reflecting a broader recognition that service quality, not products alone, will determine competitiveness in Zimbabwe’s increasingly crowded telecoms market. Liquid Intelligent Technologies Customer Service Charter Zimbabwe

Rudo is 24. She holds a degree in sociology from a state university. She works the counter at a bank branch on Jason Moyo Avenue, and she is good at it. She can count a thick stack of notes by feel. She does not know who wrote the last book she was assigned at university, because she never finished it. She did not buy it. The photocopy was cheaper, and the photocopier ran out of toner at chapter four. It is easy to call this a failure of character. The young are said to be shallow, addicted to phones, uninterested in ideas. The accusation is tidy and incomplete. Intellectualism has not died of neglect by the young. It has died of arithmetic. An original novel costs more than a week of transport. Data bundles for a research session cost more than a meal. The public library in most towns is a locked building with a faded sign. The lecturer who once ran a reading circle now runs three private lesson sessions and a side business. The ideas are still there. The conditions for having them are not. There are exceptions. Debate societies, coding clubs and online policy forums exist, and some are excellent. They belong mostly to young people who already have data, quiet and a parent's backing. The young are not blameless. Many have stopped expecting any room to reward depth, and so they stopped offering it. The reasoning is sound. The result is still a loss, and they take part in it. Then there is the question of reward. Rudo watched an older sister finish a master's degree. The sister now works as a sales representative for a cooking oil distributor. Rudo watched an acquaintance build a following by shouting opinions at a camera. That man was paid within the month. The lesson was not subtle. Thinking carefully is slow and unpaid. Performing certainty is fast and sometimes lucrative. A country teaches its young what counts by what it pays for. Ours pays for access, for loyalty, and for noise. It does not pay for the person who reads the whole report, checks the figure, and says the figure is wrong. The dearth is real. Books are scarce, libraries are scarce, quiet time is scarce, and so is the belief that a mind trained on hard material will be worth anything. The death follows from that. A habit that is never rewarded does not survive a generation. Rudo still reads. She reads headlines, forwarded messages and the long WhatsApp texts that arrive from relatives abroad. She reads what is free and fits in a pocket. She balanced her till to the cent on Thursday. The sociology degree is in a folder at her mother's house, next to the school reports. (Rudo is a composite character. The conditions described are not) Simbarashe Namusi is a media expert writing in his personal capacity. The Dea(r)th of Intellectualism

Mpundu Valerie For years on radio, some of us argued. "That is Olinda." "No, that is Mercy Mutsvene." We never knew it was Rumbie Zvirikuzhe, the voice behind "Mweya Nenyama / Huya Mweya Mutsvene" and "Ndinoshamiswa Kwazvo," among other timeless gospel classics. Those songs did not just play; they ministered. They became timeless divine classics in our homes, at funerals, at all-night prayers, in kombis. But the face remained unknown until television finally did us justice. Then, like many Zimbabwean songstresses before her, we tucked her memory to the back of our heads. In our minds, she had cut her vocal cords. Gone quiet. Finished. She hadn't. What we did not see were the 20 years in between. Rumbie Zvirikuzhe kept worshipping from 2006 to 2026 through personal valleys and mountaintops that many will never know. That is why her 20th anniversary is not called "20 Years of Hits." It is called "Through It All 20 Years of Worship, 20 Years of Grace and Gratitude." “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” — Isaiah 43:2. That is not a marketing line. That is a testimony. On 10 October 2026, from 3PM till late at the Anglican Cathedral Gardens, that testimony becomes an altar. She will not be alone. She brings with her the company of those who have also walked through fires, Agatha Murudzwa, Trymore Bande, Blessing Shumba, Raymond Chakanyuka, Pastor Haisa, Apostle P. Sambo, Pastor C. Vengere, and John Alex from Tanzania. It is not a comeback. You cannot come back from a place you never left. It is a gathering for those who still remember what "Huya Mweya Mutsvene" did to them the first time they heard it and for those who thought the singer was long gone. Twenty years later, the voice is still here. Still worshipping. Through it all. Rumbie Zvirikuzhe

Mpundu Valerie This is not a data bundle from NetOne but a 10-year sentence handed to Fungai Craig Mangwiro. We all know Fusion 5 Mangwiro, but Fungai Craig Mangwiro has given us Fusion 10 Mangwiro. The 35-year-old from Highfield has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars by the Mbare Magistrates' Court for stealing 500 metres of TelOne drop wires worth US$500. It happened around 6 pm on 24 September along Boyd Road in Southerton. A community security guard was tracking him after spotting a suspicious white sack. Upon noticing he was being followed, Mangwiro dodged off the trail and pulled a Zacchaeus he climbed a nearby tree and left his sack underneath. They didn't even realise he had taken to the tree. It was the abandoned sack sitting alone under it that gave him away. When they opened it and found the cables, they looked up, and there was the owner in the branches. The guard then mobilized mourners who were gathered at a nearby funeral to help bring him down. He was handed over to Southerton Police. The NPAZ says vandalism and theft of public infrastructure disrupt essential services. It is not a hustle. It is a guaranteed lock-up while the nation stays connected. What he thought was a quick US$500 deal will now live rent-free in his head. This is not a data bundle from NetOne but a 10-year sentence handed to Fungai Craig Mangwiro. We all know Fusion 5 Mangwiro, but Fungai Craig Mangwiro has given us Fusion 10 Mangwiro. The 35-year-old from Highfield has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars by the Mbare Magistrates' Court for stealing 500 metres of TelOne drop wires worth US$500. It happened around 6 pm on 24 September along Boyd Road in Southerton. A community security guard was tracking him after spotting a suspicious white sack. Upon noticing he was being followed, Mangwiro dodged off the trail and pulled a Zacchaeus he climbed a nearby tree and left his sack underneath. They didn't even realise he had taken to the tree. It was the abandoned sack sitting alone under it that gave him away. When they opened it and found the cables, they looked up, and there was the owner in the branches. The guard then mobilized mourners who were gathered at a nearby funeral to help bring him down. He was handed over to Southerton Police. The NPAZ says vandalism and theft of public infrastructure disrupt essential services. It is not a hustle. It is a guaranteed lock-up while the nation stays connected. What he thought was a quick US$500 deal will now live rent-free in his head. Fungai Craig Mangwiro cable theft

Malawian travellers receive basic assistance at the MSF-supported Nyamapanda reception centre. More than 80,000 Malawians travelling home from South Africa have passed through a temporary reception centre at Nyamapanda, where they receive shelter, water, sanitation services and basic healthcare. The facility, established by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), is supporting migrants using the north-eastern Zimbabwe border crossing as they make their way towards Malawi. Nyamapanda is an important transit point linking Zimbabwe with Mozambique and serving travellers heading to Malawi. MSF extended its response to the area after initially providing assistance at the Beitbridge Reception Centre in southern Zimbabwe. The organisation said changing migration routes prompted the expansion of its operations to Nyamapanda, where many travellers arrive after spending several days on the road. MSF Emergency Coordinator Herbert Mutubuki said many people reaching the centre were physically exhausted and emotionally distressed after difficult journeys. “Many of the people arriving at Nyamapanda are exhausted and under a lot of stress after a long and difficult journey, and some are dealing with emotional trauma,” he said. “Just as importantly, a hot meal, water and a safe place to rest help ensure that people are treated with dignity.” The centre is particularly important for travellers who reach the border after operating hours. Mutubuki said reaching a border post did not necessarily mean that travellers had reached their final destination, with some facing the prospect of spending the night in unfamiliar surroundings without adequate access to food, water or shelter. “Reaching the border does not necessarily mean reaching their destination,” he said. “For people who may already have spent days travelling, this can create additional challenges, including finding somewhere safe to sleep, accessing water, sanitation and food.” MSF has constructed toilets and washing facilities at the centre, restored water connections and renovated clinic infrastructure. The organisation is also providing basic healthcare, including treatment for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as skin conditions. Mutubuki said providing care at the border was important because some travellers move through several countries and could otherwise struggle to maintain treatment for existing medical conditions. The response also relies on health promoters who engage communities before other services are introduced. Azalet Dube, an MSF health promoter working with migrants affected by violence in Johannesburg, said establishing trust was essential. “As the HP team, we are the front runners and the face of our interventions,” she said. “Once the community accepts us, the rest of the team follows,” Dube said her approach had also been shaped by her experience during the COVID-19 response. She recalled an incident involving displaced people sheltering in an open area in Johannesburg, where a mother was struggling to calm her two-month-old baby. “The woman was overwhelmed and in tears. The baby was cold and hungry,” she said. “We all left what we were doing to focus on the baby. Seeing everyone step up to support her moved me.” Since July, Dube's team has reached more than 4,000 migrants in South Africa's Gauteng province through health education and direct support. MSF teams have also provided assistance in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, as well as in border communities including Musina and Beitbridge. The Nyamapanda intervention highlights the humanitarian challenges that can continue even after migrants reach an international border, particularly for people who have already spent days travelling and still have hundreds of kilometres to go. For the Malawians passing through the centre, access to basic shelter, clean water, sanitation and healthcare provides a temporary point of safety on the journey home. Nyamapanda reception centre

By Dr Jera (MD) Disclaimer: Readers are strongly advised to consult a qualified and registered healthcare professional for any health concerns before making changes to their diet, lifestyle, or treatment. Breast cancer can be frightening, particularly when medical terms such as DCIS and IDC appear on a report for the first time. Understanding what those terms mean can help patients ask better questions and make informed decisions with their healthcare teams. PART 1: DCIS — Cancer Cells Still in Place Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells found within the lining of the breast ducts. The cells have not broken through the duct wall into surrounding breast tissue. DCIS is therefore described as non-invasive breast cancer or Stage 0, although some medical authorities also describe it as a precancerous condition because some cases can progress to invasive cancer. Importantly, doctors cannot currently predict with certainty which cases of DCIS will become invasive. DCIS usually causes no symptoms and is often detected through mammography, particularly as tiny calcium deposits known as calcifications. More than 90% of DCIS cases are diagnosed by mammography alone in some screening populations. It can sometimes be associated with a breast lump or nipple discharge, but many women will not feel anything unusual. How is DCIS treated? Treatment depends on factors such as the extent and grade of the DCIS, whether it is present in one or multiple areas, and the individual's circumstances. Treatment may include: Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) to remove the abnormal area. Radiotherapy, which may be recommended after breast-conserving surgery. Mastectomy, particularly when the affected area is extensive or involves multiple areas of the breast. Hormone therapy, which may be considered when the DCIS is hormone-receptor positive. The appropriate combination is determined by the treating team. The prognosis for DCIS is generally excellent. The National Cancer Institute reports that more than 98% of people diagnosed with DCIS are alive five years after diagnosis. However, a survival statistic is not a guarantee for an individual patient. PART 2: IDC — When Cancer Becomes Invasive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of invasive breast cancer. It begins in a milk duct but breaks through the duct wall and grows into the surrounding breast tissue. Once breast cancer becomes invasive, cancer cells can potentially enter lymphatic or blood vessels and spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. That is why identifying breast cancer before it becomes invasive can be important. But breast cancer is not one disease with one outcome. The prognosis and treatment of invasive breast cancer depend on several factors, including the tumour's size and grade, lymph-node involvement, whether it has spread elsewhere, and biomarkers such as hormone-receptor and HER2 status. PART 3: How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed? There is no single test that diagnoses every breast abnormality. Doctors may use a combination of clinical assessment, imaging and tissue sampling depending on what they find. This approach is sometimes described as the Triple Test: 1. Clinical assessment A trained healthcare professional examines the breast and surrounding areas, looking for a lump or other changes. 2. Imaging Imaging may include ultrasound, mammography or, in selected circumstances, MRI. The choice depends on factors including the patient's age, symptoms, clinical findings and individual risk. Mammography can detect some breast cancers before they produce symptoms and remains the standard screening test for most women for whom routine mammographic screening is recommended. A woman who has a breast symptom is not necessarily undergoing “screening”. She may instead require diagnostic imaging to investigate the specific abnormality. 3. Biopsy If imaging or examination identifies a suspicious abnormality, a biopsy may be needed. A biopsy allows a pathologist to examine cells or tissue under a microscope. Different biopsy methods include: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA): A thin needle is used to remove fluid or cells. It can be useful in selected situations, including some cystic breast abnormalities. Core-needle biopsy: A larger needle removes small cylinders of tissue for examination. It is commonly used to diagnose suspicious solid breast abnormalities and can be performed with imaging guidance. Excisional biopsy: Surgery is used to remove an entire lump or abnormal area. It may be considered when a needle biopsy cannot establish the diagnosis or when there are other clinical reasons for surgical removal. A biopsy is the only definitive way to confirm breast cancer. Imaging alone cannot establish the diagnosis. DCIS Is Not the Same as IDC Think of the breast duct as a boundary. With DCIS, abnormal cells remain inside that boundary. With IDC, the cells have broken through it and entered surrounding breast tissue. But the important message is not to live in fear of either term. The important message is to seek medical assessment when a breast change is persistent or concerning and to follow recommended screening appropriate to your age and risk. A lump does not automatically mean cancer, and breast cancer does not always produce a lump. Mammography can detect some cancers before they become noticeable through symptoms. Screening Is About Information, Not Fear Breast cancer screening is intended to find cancer in people who do not yet have symptoms. When breast cancer is found at an earlier stage, it may be easier to treat, and screening has been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer. In Zimbabwe, breast cancer remains a major health concern. GLOBOCAN 2022 recorded 1,807 new breast cancer cases among women in Zimbabwe, making it the country's second most frequently diagnosed cancer among women after cervical cancer. So do not ignore a persistent breast change. Do not assume that the absence of pain means everything is fine. And do not assume that every breast lump is cancer. Ask questions. Get assessed. Follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Screening is not fear. It is information, and information gives you choices. breast cancer explained

Mpundu Valerie Disclaimer: This is a personal testimony shared for awareness purposes. Readers are strongly advised to consult a qualified and registered healthcare professional for any health concerns. This article contains discussion of grief and loss. If you are struggling, please seek counselling and support. It all boils down like it was yesterday. My wife succumbed to injuries sustained from a head-on collision and left me with our only child, Raphaella. She was only 2 when her mother died. I was broken, shattered, and bruised. I didn’t want to move on. I wanted to waste my life on alcohol and drugs. I was driving myself to the edge and was on the verge of losing it all. It wasn’t until my mother sat me down and told me I was all my child had and that I had to put my ducks in a row. Her words pierced right through me. I remembered the lengths and depths she went through to fend for me and realised I had to put my house in order. At age 4, I took my child back. I gave her the best education money could buy. She never lacked. I made sure to cover everything for her, even the most difficult times for her as a girl. My money never felt wasted because Raphaella was an academic giant. She slayed every academic script and was always in character. Years went by. Life was kind to us. We never lacked. I made sure she was provided for. One day, while on a business trip, I got a call and immediately had to rush home. She had been complaining of severe headaches. In those 6 weeks of her pain, she was hopeful and always grateful. She was much stronger than me. The 6 weeks spent in hospital were the worst of my life. My little angel was trying to be strong for me. She was discharged and we returned home. Life returned to normalcy. We carried on with our lives, and 4 months later, I was called back home again. They said she was feeling pain all over her body. She was screaming. She was taken in for observation, and the doctor wasn’t candid enough with me. He just said, “Your child is sick, and we need to keep her here for observation. We have asked the nurses to prepare her. You will see her shortly.” It was while I was in the corridors that I realised the ward they had put my child in. I knew it was cancer. At that moment I just stared the nurse in the eye and asked, “How bad is it?” She refused to say anything. I had to put up a front. “What did they say this time? You know I can’t wait to sit for my finals. I really want to slay this Ordinary Level and prove I am beyond ordinary. Wait and see,” she said, giving a faint smile before retiring. I stayed by her bedside and held her hand, pondering what life would be. Hadn’t life treated me unkindly so far? Why would it be taking away my reason for living? With every day in hospital, she might have understood her circumstances and would always ask me when I would remarry. She wanted siblings and every other thing a child would want. Hers wasn’t wishful thinking. She had hopes and big dreams. She wanted to lead and make the world a better place. Before she died, in her last few days, she openly told me about her condition. “We know I won’t make it through to the exam room. Leukemia has taken me down. I am glad I got to spend all my life with you, Dad. Maybe I can finally meet Mom.” I wasn’t strong enough for those words. My angel was in pain, and despite loving her so much, I prayed for her death more than her survival. Not because she was meant to die, but I couldn’t bear to watch her in such pain. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, the factory inside our bones that makes blood. The marrow makes too many abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy red cells that carry oxygen, healthy white cells that fight infection, and platelets that stop bleeding. That is why a child with leukemia may have persistent severe headaches, bone pains, fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, bleeding, and pain all over the body. It is diagnosed through blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, and treatment is led by specialists. Early presentation to a clinic saves time and lives. The day she took her last breath, I felt a huge part of me violently snatched. I had held on to a life she had already given up on. It’s been two years since she left, but the memories are still held captive in my heart and thoughts. The Part We Don’t Talk About: Grief Needs Counseling. I thought I was strong. I thought time would heal. But grief does not heal on its own. I carried guilt, anger, and questions that almost broke me twice first when I lost my wife, then when I lost Raphaella. What saved me was counseling. Sitting down with someone who did not judge me, who let me cry, who taught me that it is normal to mourn and that it is okay to not be okay. If you have lost someone, if you are watching a loved one go through cancer, please do not suffer alone. Talk to someone. Go for counseling. Join a support group. Speak to your pastor, your elders, your clinic. For parents: take your child’s persistent pain seriously. A Full Blood Count, an early referral, and early counseling for the family can make the journey less lonely. Raphaella wanted to lead. She wanted to make the world a better place. She did not get the chance to sit for the examinations she dreamed about. But even in death, my daughter continues to teach me something. Love remains. Grief remains. But healing sometimes needs help. And asking for that help is not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, depression, or overwhelming thoughts, please reach out: Talk to your nearest clinic, or call a trusted counselor. If you want to share your journey, reach out at 263774778179 childhood leukemia awareness

By Southerton Business Times Reporter Eswatini has denied allegations that it is secretly releasing migrants deported from the United States and allowing them to cross illegally into South Africa through informal border points. The allegations emerged after Phone Chomsavanh, a Laotian national deported from the US to Eswatini in 2025, was released from detention and travelled through Johannesburg on his way to Laos. Chomsavanh was released from the Matsapha Correctional Complex on Sunday, October 4, after spending more than 14 months in detention, according to his US-based lawyer, Tin Thanh Nguyen. The Associated Press also confirmed his release. He was among five immigrants transferred from the United States to Eswatini in July 2025 under the Trump administration's third-country deportation programme. Nguyen said Chomsavanh had been convicted of offences in the United States but had completed his sentence before being deported. The lawyer said his client was informed only shortly before the military cargo plane landed in Eswatini that the southern African kingdom was his destination. “He had already served his time. Instead they put him on a plane without telling him where it was headed and left him in a prison in a country he had never heard of,” Nguyen said, according to the Associated Press. Chomsavanh was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his parents fled Laos and later moved to the United States with his family when he was seven. His release triggered reports alleging that Eswatini was quietly releasing US deportees at night and allowing them to enter South Africa through unofficial crossing points. However, the Eswatini government has rejected the allegation. Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said three third-country nationals had voluntarily left Eswatini in recent weeks after requesting to return to their countries of origin or travel elsewhere for resettlement. The three were identified as nationals of Yemen, Belize and Laos. According to the government, the Lao national was Chomsavanh, who left Eswatini on October 4. South African authorities have also pushed back against the claim. South Africa's Border Management Authority said its land ports with Eswatini are secured and that access-control measures are in place at designated entry and exit points. The country's Department of International Relations and Cooperation has also distanced itself from the allegations. South Africa had previously expressed concern about the US-Eswatini deportation arrangement, particularly because of the proximity of the two countries and the criminal histories of some of those transferred. In August 2025, Pretoria said it had raised the matter with Eswatini and noted that the countries of origin of some deportees might not accept them. Eswatini began accepting third-country deportees from the United States in July 2025. Amnesty International reported in July 2026 that at least 30 people had been transferred to the kingdom under the arrangement, including the original five and subsequent groups. The arrangement has attracted criticism from human-rights organisations over transparency, detention and the legal status of people sent to a country with which they have no previous connection. The Eswatini government has previously said the deportees are not prisoners and can move around the country under supervision. Three of them were also seen attending the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance ceremony. The latest developments therefore confirm that some US deportees have left Eswatini, but there is no independent confirmation that they were secretly released into South Africa through informal border crossings. Chomsavanh's journey through Johannesburg, meanwhile, has placed renewed attention on the still-secretive arrangements governing the movement and eventual resettlement of people deported by the United States to third countries. Eswatini US deportees Eswatini has denied secretly releasing US deportees into South Africa after Lao national Phone Chomsavanh left detention and travelled through Johannesburg. URL slug:eswatini-us-deportees-south-africa-phone-chomsavanh Excerpt:Eswatini has rejected allegations that US deportees are being secretly released into South Africa, following the release of Laotian national Phone Chomsavanh. Image ALT text:Phone Chomsavanh and Eswatini US deportees controversy Suggested caption:Phone Chomsavanh spent more than 14 months in detention in Eswatini after being deported from the United States. Tags:Eswatini, Phone Chomsavanh, United States, Donald Trump, deportation, South Africa, immigration, third-country deportations, Southern Africa

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Masvingo Masvingo residents are spending hours in queues for window panes and roofing materials after a devastating hailstorm damaged thousands of homes across the city. More than 13,500 households have been affected by the storm, according to officials, with broken windows and damaged or destroyed roofs leaving families scrambling to secure materials before more rain hits. The storm struck on Monday evening, October 5, with strong winds and hailstones damaging homes, schools, businesses, vehicles and public infrastructure. In some suburbs, residents were left with rainwater-soaked furniture, clothing and bedding after roofs were blown off and windows shattered. The scale of the damage has triggered a sudden demand for glass, roofing sheets and other building materials, overwhelming local suppliers. Long queues have been reported at outlets including WEB Glass and hardware stores, with some residents moving between shops in search of supplies. Matilda Chikava of Hillside said she joined the queue at WEB Glass at about 11 am on Tuesday and was still waiting at 5 pm. “We have finally been told to come back and collect the window panes tomorrow. We will sleep in the open again tonight because our window panes were broken and roofing sheets blown away,” she said. “My property is soaked in water. We went to other hardware shops, but we could not get anything because they were already sold out.” Another resident, Raviro Mutazu, said her roof and windows were damaged in the storm. “We have been in queues since morning, and it is now 3.30 pm. We are not sure whether we will all be assisted. We have been moving from one hardware shop to another, and all of them have long queues,” she said. The pressure on suppliers has been particularly acute because thousands of households are attempting repairs at the same time. WEB Glass director Webster Chiseya said the surge in demand had caught the business off guard. “Business is brisk after this hailstorm. Sadly, we are making money out of a human tragedy. Since morning, clients have been waiting for their orders while they are being prepared,” he said. The shortage comes as authorities begin a wider emergency response. Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe said the storm caused extensive damage to homes, private property and critical infrastructure, with several families left exposed to the elements. The city has opened Mucheke Hall and Rujeko Hall to provide temporary accommodation for affected families and safe storage for household belongings. The government has also begun mobilising building materials, food and medicines for affected communities. Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said assistance was being mobilised as damage assessments continued. The hailstorm has also affected schools and tertiary institutions. Great Zimbabwe University reported damage to facilities, while its graduation arrangements were disrupted by the storm. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since authorised a State of Disaster for affected areas, with Government appealing to the private sector and other partners to assist with the relief effort. For residents whose homes remain exposed, however, the immediate challenge is more basic: finding enough glass, roofing sheets and other materials to make their houses safe before the next downpour. Masvingo hailstorm

Varsity Heights in Chinhoyi will accommodate ZANU PF conference delegates during the October semester break. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Chinhoyi Hundreds of Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) students living at Varsity Heights have been ordered to vacate their accommodation to make way for delegates attending the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference. Varsity Heights, an off-campus student residence commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in October 2024, is owned by First Mutual Wealth Property Fund and managed by Rehoboth Realtors. According to a notice issued by the property manager, students must leave the complex by October 12, with the facility expected to accommodate conference delegates during the university’s scheduled semester break. “Please be advised that CUT has scheduled a semester break from 8 to 19 October 2026. During this period the facility will be used to accommodate the upcoming ZANU PF conference,” the notice says. “As part of preparations, all students will be required to vacate the facility by 12 October 2026.” The notice states that the property will remain occupied until October 18. Students have also been instructed to leave their rooms clean and remove all personal belongings before departing. Those unable to transport their luggage home will reportedly be provided with temporary secure storage at the complex, although details of the arrangement are yet to be announced. The directive has generated concern among some students, particularly those who live far from Chinhoyi and say travelling home for a short period could impose additional transport and accommodation costs. Some students are also questioning the basis for relocating them from their regular accommodation to accommodate delegates attending a political party conference. For students who cannot afford to travel home, the directive could mean having to find alternative accommodation in Chinhoyi until the conference-related occupation ends. The accommodation arrangement comes as Chinhoyi prepares to host the ruling ZANU PF's annual conference, bringing delegates from across Zimbabwe to the city. The conference is expected to draw significant numbers of party officials and delegates, increasing demand for accommodation and other services in the city. However, the Varsity Heights arrangement has raised questions about how the temporary use of student accommodation was reached and whether affected students will receive any assistance with alternative accommodation or travel costs. Neither First Mutual Wealth Property Fund nor Rehoboth Realtors had, at the time of publication, publicly explained the terms under which the student residence would be used for the conference or whether students would receive compensation for the disruption. CUT was also not quoted in the notice explaining the arrangement. The students are expected to return after the conference-related occupation, with the university's semester break running until October 19. For affected students, however, the immediate issue is where they will stay between vacating Varsity Heights and returning to their accommodation. The development has placed student accommodation, institutional arrangements and the hosting of a major political gathering at the centre of a growing discussion in Chinhoyi. CUT students Varsity Heights

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) came under discussion on National FM as Honourable Makahamadze urged Zimbabweans to view peace, productivity and personal responsibility as important foundations for national development. Speaking on the national broadcaster, Makahamadze said Zimbabwe's development ambitions depended on maintaining peace while encouraging citizens to translate national economic strategies into practical action. “We cannot talk about peace when there is war. We take peace for granted. May we always appreciate those who sacrificed their lives for us,” he said. Makahamadze also linked peace to economic activity, arguing that businesses, farmers and households need a stable environment in which to plan and invest. Turning to NDS2, he encouraged citizens to move beyond criticism and develop practical strategies within their own areas of responsibility. “NDS2 is not just a document. It's a strategy in your hands. No strategy, no harvest. Change has to start from within, and that strategy must start with YOU, in your field, in your shop, in your home,” he said. Listeners Respond The programme generated calls and messages from listeners across Zimbabwe, with some sharing personal experiences and seeking advice on how to translate the discussion into action. A farmer from Marondera said the programme had coincided with progress on a project proposal that had previously remained unresolved. “Thank you, Cde Makahamadze, they have responded positively to my proposal, and I can now farm. I had almost given up,” the listener said. Other listeners focused on personal financial planning. One asked for guidance on saving and building financial reserves after hearing the discussion. “Good day, Cde. I was tuned in. I would like your advice on how best I can save and build my reserves. How do I go about it?” the listener asked. Some messages focused on the presentation itself, with listeners praising the interaction and practical nature of the discussion. “I had to listen to the whole programme. Well presented, bro,” one listener said. Another described the programme as “a powerful presentation”, while another listener said the discussion was relatable because of the way everyday issues were addressed. One listener also noted that the volume of questions meant not all could be addressed during the programme. Peace and Economic Activity Peace remained a recurring theme during the discussion, with Makahamadze urging Zimbabweans not to take a stable environment for granted. The discussion also touched on the Government's “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” message, with citizens encouraged to consider how they could contribute to economic activity through farming, business and household-level financial planning. The NDS2 discussion comes as Zimbabwe continues to implement its second National Development Strategy, which provides the Government's medium-term development framework. For listeners, the programme provided an opportunity to connect the national development agenda with everyday economic concerns, including farming, saving and business planning. Makahamadze said the responsibility for turning national strategies into tangible results could not rest with Government alone. His message was that NDS2 should be viewed not simply as a policy document, but as a framework that citizens could apply within their own circumstances. Reflecting on the response to the programme, Makahamadze attributed the discussion's impact to his faith rather than personal ability. “Whatever I said in there wasn't me. It was the work of God, I am just but a vessel,” he said. The programme highlighted the continuing challenge of translating national development policies into practical outcomes for citizens, particularly those seeking opportunities in agriculture, business and household economic planning. NDS2 Zimbabwe