By Flata Kavinga
Kwekwe Mayor Cllr Albert Zinhanga says the city recorded a significant rise in sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases in November 2025 at council-run health facilities, describing the trend as a growing public health concern.
Speaking to journalists shortly after a recent full council meeting Zinhanga clarified that the figures presented during the meeting reflected monthly, not annual, statistics. Council health facilities recorded 265 STI cases in November alone.
“The cases that were mentioned are not yearly cases. It was a report for the month of November and those are the cases that accumulated within that particular month,” he said. “It’s a concern, especially considering that our city has expanded. If 265 cases were recorded, what about those that may not have been recorded?”
Zinhanga said the rise suggests a possible surge in STIs across the city, although more data is required to determine the most affected suburbs or demographic groups.
“I have not checked which side or which suburb is the most affected. We need further data analysis to identify the areas with the highest number of cases so that we can put in place targeted awareness programmes,” he said.
The mayor said the city will rely on detailed breakdowns from the Health Department to guide interventions aimed at strengthening public education and prevention efforts.
Council officials are expected to review the November data in the coming weeks as part of broader efforts to improve community health awareness.
