Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
AUTHORITIES in Beitbridge have raised alarm over a surge in new HIV infections in the district, warning that the high proportion of females among those affected could derail the national target to end HIV and AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The development has heightened concern among health officials, who say urgent interventions are needed to reverse the trend.
First-quarter statistics for 2026 show that Beitbridge recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Matabeleland South, with 217 people testing positive between January and March. The figures place the border district ahead of other areas in the province, signalling a worrying spike in transmission rates.
Of the total recorded cases, 126 were females while 91 were males, highlighting a widening gender disparity in new infections. Health officials say the trend is particularly concerning, as women and girls continue to bear the greater burden, making up nearly 60 percent of new cases.
Comparatively, Gwanda recorded 185 new infections, followed by Insiza with 147, Bulilima with 127, Mangwe with 122, Matobo with 96 and Umzingwane with 76 cases. The statistics underline Beitbridge’s position as the district with the highest rate of new infections in the province for the period under review.
Health authorities say the increase reverses progress made in recent years through intensified testing, treatment and prevention campaigns. They warn that without renewed effort, the recent gains in reducing infections could be lost.
Compounding the situation, the district recorded 338 teenage pregnancies among girls aged between 15 and 19 years during the same period, alongside three pregnancies among girls aged between 10 and 14 years. A total of 178 sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases were also reported, pointing to persistent risky sexual behaviour.
Beitbridge District AIDS Coordinator Mr Edward Mulaudzi said the figures point to continued unprotected sexual activity, which poses a serious threat to progress in combating HIV.
“Such figures indicate that people are having unprotected sex, which will stall progress in the HIV fight,” Mr Mulaudzi said.
He identified key drivers of the increase in infections as age mixing, high mobility, sex work and the transient population that passes through the border town daily. According to health officials, these factors heighten vulnerability, particularly among young women and girls.
The high infection rate is consistent with Beitbridge’s status as a major border post and transport hub, where large volumes of people move in and out of the country. Such mobility often increases exposure to risky behaviours associated with HIV transmission.
Districts with mining activities or busy trading centres typically report higher infection rates due to similar factors, including mobility, sex work and populations seeking economic opportunities. Officials say Beitbridge fits this pattern, making it more susceptible to rising infections.
Current data shows that Beitbridge has an HIV prevalence rate of 14.5 percent, with an incidence rate of 0.2 percent. However, statistics from the National AIDS Council (NAC) indicate that Bulilima has the highest prevalence in the province at 17.6 percent, followed by Mangwe at 16.8 percent. Gwanda stands at 15.8 percent, Matobo at 13.8 percent and Insiza at 13.6 percent, while Umzingwane has the lowest at 13.3 percent.
“The main issue of concern in the district when looking at statists is that we are now facing an upsurge when it comes to new HIV infections which is a worry. When we are doing these interventions we need to see a reduction when it comes to new HIV infections,” he said.
“According to the latest statistics we were at 217 which other districts like Umzingwane only have 76. We are saying we need to end HIV by 2030 and if we see an increase in HIV infections it becomes a worry for us.”
Mr Mulaudzi said authorities are now working to identify gaps in current interventions and determine how best to address them. Efforts are being directed towards high-risk groups, particularly adolescent girls and young women, while also strengthening services for children and adolescent boys who remain vulnerable.
He added that the district continues to record high levels of teenage pregnancies and child marriages, which in some cases contribute to new HIV infections. These social challenges, he said, must be addressed alongside medical interventions.
“These worrisome trends have led to the engagement of traditional leaders in order to influence behaviours of girls, men and the community at large.
“ That’s why we have interventions such as the Not in my village campaign, Sista2Sista programme, HIV knows no borders programme which is targeting the youth, migrants as well as the sex workers. These populations account for some of these new infections.
“We are a border town and what is common is that during the holidays young girls interact with older men.
“As a district we also have alarming cases of STIs which shows that people are engaging in sexual activities without using protection, which in turn stalls progress in the fight against HIV.”
Mr Mulaudzi said cases of child sexual abuse also remain a serious concern, with 42 reported during the first quarter. Of these, 41 victims were female and one was male, and all the female victims were children aged 17 and below.
He warned that in situations where perpetrators are HIV positive and do not use protection, the risk of further spreading the virus increases significantly, compounding the existing public health challenge.
Beitbridge District Development Coordinator Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu said there is need to strengthen community-based interventions to address the root causes of the problem. She noted that local conditions continue to expose vulnerable groups to risk.
“As a border district we have a high transit population which puts the district at risk. We are also a drought prone district which puts the population, especially young girls at risk. We have a target to end HIV by 2030 and this calls for input from various stakeholders,” she said.
