Midlands Correspondent
Kwekwe District has recorded 17 malaria-related deaths out of 39 confirmed cases, with infections increasing in mining and farming areas identified as hotspots by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Zibagwe Rural District Council chief executive officer Farayi Machaya revealed the figures during a full council meeting.
Machaya said malaria cases were on the rise, particularly in mining and farming communities such as Samambwa, Sidakeni and Jena Mines.
“Malaria cases are on the rise. Hotspot areas mapped by the Ministry of Health and Child Care include mining and farming areas such as Samambwa, Sidakeni and Jena Mines. To date, 17 deaths have been recorded out of 39 confirmed cases. Approximately 15 percent of the cases are from artisanal miners,” he said.
Machaya said human activities, including stream-bank cultivation and artisanal mining, were contributing to conditions favourable for mosquito breeding.
“Stream-bank cultivation and artisanal mining have been identified as major drivers, as stagnant water around these areas provides breeding grounds for the vector mosquito,” he said.
He called for a multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen malaria prevention, public awareness and access to treatment in the district.
“The situation requires a multi-stakeholder approach to increase public awareness and treatment of malaria in our district,” Machaya said.
He also urged authorities and communities to intensify prevention measures to reduce malaria-related deaths.
“Clean environments, mine land reclamation, proper accommodation at mines, mobile clinic services, household residual spraying and improved health-seeking behaviour may save lives,” Machaya said.
The development comes amid a worrying increase in malaria cases in neighbouring Gweru District, where most infections have been reported in Lower Gweru.
Gweru District recorded 21 locally transmitted malaria cases and one malaria-related death between January and June, raising concern in an area covered under Zimbabwe’s malaria pre-elimination programme.
In 2025, Gweru District recorded only seven malaria cases. The deaths underscore the need for continued surveillance and prevention measures, particularly in mining and farming areas identified as hotspots.
