Spike in HIV rates in Midlands mining districts

By Dumisani Ndlovu

GWERU – Health officials have raised concerns over rising HIV prevalence and incidence in artisanal mining districts across Midlands Province, particularly in Zvishavane, Shurugwi, and Mberengwa. The surge is attributed to an influx of sex workers and the lack of sufficient HIV awareness and prevention programs within mining communities.
Margaret Mika, the National AIDS Council's (NAC) Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Midlands, explained that her office is collaborating with various partners to address both the prevalence and incidence rates in these affected districts.
Among individuals aged 15 to 49, HIV prevalence stands at 16.37% in Zvishavane, 14.64% in Shurugwi, and 13.4% in Mberengwa. Other district figures include Chirumanzu at 12.88%, Gweru at 11.39%, Kwekwe at 10.99%, Gokwe South at 9.19%, and Gokwe North, which has the lowest rate in the province at 5.81%, a figure also recognized nationally.
Mika highlighted that HIV incidence rates—reflecting new infections—are also highest in these mining areas. Zvishavane leads with 0.31%, followed by Shurugwi at 0.28%, and Mberengwa at 0.26%. Gokwe North recorded the lowest at 0.12%. Mika pointed out, "Zvishavane's rate is even above the provincial average of 0.2%."
To tackle the alarming infection rates, NAC is working with implementing partners, including Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation (JHWO), which has been actively involved in mining regions.
"JHWO has a unique advantage in working with artisanal miners and is currently running HIV awareness and service delivery programs in high-risk districts," Mika explained. "They use peer volunteers embedded within mining communities to conduct educational sessions and connect people with services."
Currently, Midlands Province has an estimated 165,019 people living with HIV, including 7,119 children under 15 years old and 157,900 adults. Of these, around 90% of adults and 70% of children are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Mika noted that HIV prevalence in the province has dropped from 18.1% in 2005 to 10.94% in 2022, signaling progress. However, challenges persist, especially regarding pediatric testing and the high rates of new infections among adolescent girls and young women, whose infection rates are seven times higher than their male counterparts.
On a national scale, Zimbabwe is home to approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV. New infections fell from 22,882 in 2019 to 17,337 in 2022, while AIDS-related deaths dropped sharply from over 12,000 in 2003 to just 2,100 in 2023. "The country has achieved epidemic control, with deaths now outnumbering new infections," Mika said.
Mambeu Shumba, NAC's Provincial Manager for Midlands, shared that the HIV response is now focusing on key populations such as adolescent girls, young women, and sex workers. "Our efforts are concentrated on these high-risk groups to ensure that the epidemic remains under control," he added.

Gweru Court Interpreter Cleared of Corruption Allegations
By Court Correspondence
GWERU – In a recent development amid corruption allegations and claims of inconsistent sentencing at the Gweru Magistrate Court, court interpreter Mildret Konte Chibuwa has been fully exonerated. This follows an attempt to falsely link her to a broader alleged scandal involving Magistrate Anold Maburo.
Sources within the court revealed that Chibuwa was reportedly targeted by two prosecutors aiming to use her as a scapegoat in the growing controversy. However, after a thorough investigation, no evidence was found to support the allegations, leaving her professional reputation intact.
A legal source close to the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “The allegations against Mrs. Chibuwa were groundless and malicious. The evidence was clear that she was not involved in any corrupt activities and was simply carrying out her duties as a court interpreter.”
“This situation highlights the pressing need for greater transparency and accountability in our judicial system. We must ensure that court officials uphold the highest standards of integrity and that false accusations aren’t used to settle personal scores or distract from real issues of corruption.” said the internal source.
The failed attempt to implicate Chibuwa has highlighted deeper issues within the Gweru Magistrate Court, including internal power struggles and a potential breakdown in ethical conduct. This incident raises serious questions about the court's environment and the motives behind these false accusations.
The case of Chibuwa illustrates the vulnerability of court officials to malicious attacks, which could undermine the judicial process. Her clearance serves as an important reminder of the need to protect those who serve the court with honesty and ethics.
A concerned Gweru resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “It’s crucial that court officials can do their jobs without fear of false accusations or intimidation. This incident has shaken the community’s trust in the system, and we need concrete action to prevent such situations in the future.”
The controversy surrounding the Gweru Magistrate Court extends beyond Chibuwa's case. Allegations of uneven sentencing, particularly involving Magistrate Anold Maburo, have sparked public outrage, with accusations of judicial bias and corruption. Concerns have been raised about wealthy individuals receiving lenient sentences while those with fewer resources face harsher penalties for similar offenses. These concerns, reported by local media, have led to calls for a comprehensive review of the court's judicial practices.
In response to the public outcry, local authorities have launched an investigation into Gweru's sentencing practices. They have promised a thorough review by both the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Judiciary Commission to ensure justice is served.
Despite these promises, many Gweru lawyers remain skeptical, pointing to unfulfilled assurances made by the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) in the past regarding corruption.
While the broader investigation into corruption continues, Chibuwa's exoneration offers a measure of reassurance that truth can prevail. It also emphasizes the need for a strong system of checks and balances to protect court officials from false accusations and ensure that the judiciary remains fair and transparent.
As investigations into the Gweru Magistrate Court continue, the community is demanding accountability and transparency, determined to preserve the integrity of their justice system and ensure it serves all citizens impartially.
Gweru court interpreter cleared of wrongdoing amidst corruption allegations
GWERU - In a recent development amidst allegations of corruption and disparate sentencing practices at the Gweru Magistrate Court, a court interpreter, Mildret Konte Chibuwa, has been exonerated from any wrongdoing.
This comes after an attempt to falsely implicate her in a wider scandal surrounding Magistrate Anold Maburo was exposed.
Sources within the court revealed that Chibuwa was allegedly targeted by two prosecutors seeking to use her as a scapegoat in the escalating controversy. However, thorough investigations have found no evidence to support the accusations, leaving Chibuwa's professional reputation untainted.
"The allegations against Mrs. Chibuwa were baseless and malicious," stated a legal source familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The evidence clearly demonstrated that she was not involved in any corrupt activities and was simply performing her duties as a court interpreter."
The failed attempt to implicate Chibuwa has brought to light deeper issues within the Gweru Magistrate Court, exposing internal power struggles and a potential breakdown in ethical standards. The incident raises serious questions about the environment within the court and the motivations behind the false accusations.
"This situation underscores the urgent need for increased transparency and accountability within our judiciary system," commented Reginald Chidawanyika, Chairperson of the Gweru Lawyers Association, when asked for comment. "We must ensure that all court officials are held to the highest standards of integrity and that false accusations are not used as weapons to settle scores or deflect attention from genuine issues of corruption."
The case of Mildret Konte Chibuwa highlights the vulnerability of court officials to malicious attacks and the potential for such attacks to undermine the integrity of the judicial process. Her clearance serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting those who serve the court honestly and ethically.
"It's vital that court officials can perform their duties without fear of false accusations or intimidation," stated a concerned Gweru resident who wished to remain anonymous. "This incident has shaken our community's faith in the system, and we need to see concrete steps taken to prevent similar situations from happening in the future."
The controversy at the Gweru Magistrate Court extends beyond the case of Ms. Chibuwa. Recent allegations of disparate sentencing, particularly in cases involving Magistrate Anold Maburo, have fueled public outrage and sparked accusations of judicial bias and corruption. As previously reported, concerns have been raised about lenient sentences given to wealthy individuals while those with fewer resources face harsh penalties for similar offences. These concerns, reported by local media, have led to calls for a comprehensive review of judicial processes at the Gweru Magistrate Court.
In response to the burgeoning public outcry, local authorities have announced an investigation into the sentencing practices in Gweru. They have pledged to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Judiciary Commission review cases that have raised concerns, with the objective of upholding the principles of justice.
However, skepticism remains high, with many Gweru lawyers wary of unfulfilled promises made by the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) to address the corruption matter once and for all. A legal analyst pointed out that Magistrate Maburo's reassignment to the civil court may be perceived as a mere lateral move, potentially insufficient to address the gravity of the allegations against him.
While the overarching investigation into corruption allegations continues, Chibuwa's clearance provides a small measure of reassurance that the truth can prevail. It also underscores the need for a robust system of checks and balances to protect court officials from false accusations and ensure that the judiciary operates with integrity and fairness.
The spotlight remains firmly on the Gweru Magistrate Court as investigations continue. The community of Gweru is demanding transparency and accountability, determined to protect the integrity of their justice system and ensure that it serves all citizens equally.