More than 19 pupils ranging from 15 to 18 years of age got pregnant during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown in Dete. Image by Leah Rodriguez | Global Citizen

BY RUTENDO MAPFUMO | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 26, 2020

The past months have forced school going children to be at home due to the closure of schools. For young teenage girls, the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed a lot more in their lives than a missed school year.

Lupane State University (LSU) had its water disconnected after incurring a debt of more than $150 000 after being used as a quarantine centre. Image by LSU

BY BOKANI MUDIMBA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 21, 2020

Across the country, institutions of learning were utilised for quarantining returning residents as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. In Matabeleland North, huge water and electricity bills were incurred and remain uncleared, causing headaches for school administrations.

COVID-19 restrictions have made it impossible for residents to attend budget consultations and confront government over failure to construct a new bridge. Image by NewsDay

BY LIZWE SEBATHA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 22, 2020

The Matabeleland South community has over the years felt short-changed by the central government’s failure to adequately address concerns raised during budget consultations. This year’s venue was out of reach for the province’s majority, purportedly due to COVID-19 restrictions. For Gwanda residents, this is unacceptable.

Farmers in rural areas have always shared labour however, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has threatened this long held tradition. Image by The Broker

BY NQOBILE BHEBHE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 21, 2020

Shared agricultural labour has in the past enabled communities in Matabeleland South and elsewhere in the country to get good yields from farming. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic this year has threatened this long held tradition—the consequence could be an exacerbation of an already existing food security challenge.

Lack of health services has forced Binga flash flood victims to flee their temporary camps as they fear COVID-19 infection. Image by Lions Club of Wankie Lwendulu

BY LIZWE SEBATHA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 16, 2020

In the aftermath of floods, a global pandemic has worsened the plight of the Tonga community in Binga whose access to healthcare is just a pipe dream.