Threads of Fire

Michael Chisungo didn't look back as he boarded the bus. In Mkoba 18, the air still tasted of tear gas and the metallic tang of fear, but here, on the Masvingo-Zaka road, it was just dust and diesel fumes. ​The engine groaned, a heavy, rhythmic sound that matched the thudding in Michael’s chest. He sat by a cracked window, clutching his backpack like a shield. Inside that bag wasn't just his life—it was a death warrant for the men who thought they owned Zimbabwe. Photos of ballot boxes being moved in the night, videos of the "restoration" that the news anchors called a success. ​On the overhead radio, a smooth voice was talking about "national stability." Michael looked at the passengers around him. Their faces were shadows in the dim orange light of the bus, eyes weary and fixed on the dark road ahead. They knew the truth better than any radio broadcast ever could. ​ “You running from something, mufesi?” The whisper came from the man sitting...

**Zaka and Bikita Districts Face off in the Fitness and Wellness Games in Zaka** *By Chiwara Lawson* Yesterday, Bikita and Zaka Districts engaged in a spirited showdown during the Ministry of Sport and Recreation's promotional tournament for the Fitness and Wellness Games in Zaka. The Fitness and Wellness Games, initiated by the Ministry of Sport and Culture in November 2023, serve as a platform for civil servants and community members to actively participate in physical activities and promote overall well-being. Mr. James Gota, the District Sport and Recreation Promotion Chairperson for Bikita District, commended the friendly matches organized by the Zaka Public Service Commission. He emphasized that these matches provided much-needed respite for the hardworking civil servants. However, Mr. Gota also expressed concern about the challenges posed by inadequate facilities and limited funds, particularly when it comes to organizing sports events for disabled individuals. The event saw...