Sti Surge Rocks Gweru As 159 Cases Recorded In A Month
GWERU – A surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has rocked the city after 159 cases were recorded in a single month, with officials warning the true scale of infections could be far higher due to underreporting.
Cases Raise Alarm At Council
The figures were revealed during a recent full council meeting, where Ward 12 Councillor Tedious Chimombe expressed concern over the rising numbers.
According to ZiFM Stereo News, the councillor told the meeting that the infections were affecting both men and women across the city.
“The surge is worrisome. We have recorded 159 cases, with 83 females and 76 males affected,” he said.
Councillor Chimombe warned that the figures presented may not reflect the full picture.
“The actual numbers could be higher because some cases go unreported,” he said.
The statistics, recorded for March 2026, have triggered concern among health officials and councillors, who fear the trend could worsen if urgent measures are not taken.
Authorities Move To Respond
Health officials within the local authority say steps are already being taken to respond to the situation.
Gweru City Council Health and Housing Committee chairperson William Mazango confirmed that the city is actively monitoring the cases while rolling out awareness campaigns.
“We are following up on the recently recorded STI cases and moving to sensitise residents on the risks of unprotected sex,” he said.
The response is expected to focus on prevention, testing, and education, particularly among high-risk groups.
Authorities say community engagement will play a key role in slowing the spread of infections.
Previous Trends Paint A Bigger Picture
The latest figures come against a backdrop of previous spikes in STI cases in Gweru.
Data published on February 15, 2024, showed that 214 cases had been recorded in November 2023, highlighting a recurring pattern.
At the time, city health officials linked the rise to risky behaviour, particularly among young people.
“There appears to be a surge in STIs… This was an increase from 138 cases reported in October,” a city health official said during a council briefing.
Health experts also pointed to drug and substance abuse as a contributing factor, noting its strong link to unsafe sexual practices.
Other concerns raised included low condom use and misconceptions about protection, with some individuals prioritising pregnancy prevention over protection from infections.
The recurring spikes have left authorities worried that the latest figures could signal a continuing public health challenge if behaviour does not change.
Officials are now urging residents to seek testing, use protection consistently, and reduce risky behaviour to curb the spread of infections.
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