By Staff Reporter
ZAKA – Chief Bota born Tafirenyika Bwazvo was recently bashed by angry mourners after he
stormed a funeral allegedly drunk, demanded US$120 in total to authorize the burial, blocked the
road, and hurled vulgar, unprintable insults at women, accusing them of witchcraft.
The confrontation erupted on Tuesday, July 28, evening at the funeral of Lawrence Chitende,
whose body was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday from South Africa, as mourners gathered to
prepare for the burial.
Sources at the funeral, who spoke to TellZim News, said Chief Bota, who was visibly intoxicated
and slurring his words, arrived at the homestead and immediately began making demands.
They alleged that the chief first demanded US$20 to be notified of the funeral, claiming that
tradition required the family to inform him before proceedings could continue.
When the family complied and handed over the money, Bota then allegedly demanded an
additional US$100 to allow them to bury their relative in the family cemetery, which is located
close to the homestead.
He threatened that if the family could not pay, they would be forced to bury the deceased at a
distant community cemetery.
“He demanded 20 dollars to notify him of the funeral, and he was given. He went on to say he
needed 100 more so that he would allow them to bury him at the family cemetery close by.
He said if they don’t have them, then they would give him 30 dollars, and he would allow them
to bury him at the community cemetery, which is a distance away.
“This is even though last year (2025) when the deceased’s sister died, he demanded 30 dollars to
allow them to have their own cemetery, and people thought that was that, but now he was
demanding more,” said the source.
Witnesses further alleged that the chief blocked the road leading to the funeral homestead, which
passes close to his own residence, declaring that no one would attend the funeral unless his
financial demands were met.
In an audio recording that has since circulated widely on social media, Chief Bota is heard
scolding women at the funeral using vulgar and unprintable language, accusing them of
witchcraft.
“Especially that woman with a deep voice, she is the one bewitching people here. She is the one
who killed my uncle; you are here to eat meat, and I am not afraid of you,” Bota said.

He went on to ban singing and drumming at the funeral, despite the deceased being a member of
the Zion Apostolic Church, whose services are traditionally accompanied by drums and singing.
The insults provoked a commotion, with mourners turning on the chief and assaulting him before
he was whisked away by his wife.
Contacted for comment, Chief Bota confirmed he was assaulted but gave a different version of
events. He claimed the attack occurred at his homestead, not at the funeral, and said the deceased
was his mother’s brother, meaning the family should have informed him directly.
“The deceased is my mother’s brother. So they did not tell me about the funeral as per tradition.
When I asked them, I said they had done that because they belittle me since I am their child, so I
asked them to pay a fine of $20, which they failed to do, and I went home to sleep,” said Bota.
He further claimed that he later refused the money when it was sent through an aide, insisting his
demand was only meant to make the family admit their error.
He said the family then sent seven people to his homestead, most of them outsiders from Bikita
and other areas, who attacked him.
When asked about his bodyguards, Bota said his elderly bodyguard was also assaulted and could
only watch as the chief was beaten.
“They send seven people and only one was from the family, and the others were hired. They
assaulted me all over. My bodyguard is old; he was also bashed, and he later watched while I
was being beaten; there was nothing I could do,” said Bota.
Asked about the audio recording that has been widely shared, Chief Bota claimed it was edited
by people who were out to tarnish his name and were after his throne.
“That’s editing; I never scolded anyone or spoke any vulgar. They just want to tarnish my image
because others are after my chieftaincy,” he said.
However, the chief is no stranger to controversy. He has a reputation for being frequently
intoxicated and once caused a commotion at a Zaka RDC full council meeting, demanding that
the local authority grade a road to his homestead.
His subjects have long complained about his behavior, saying it is unbecoming of a traditional
leader.
Sources said the Chitende family had informed the village head, who was supposed to relay the
matter to the chief, though the chief insisted he was never told. He also accused Village Head
Bwazvo, who resides in the same village, of failing to inform him.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a Ministry of Local Government and Public Works
letter dated July 14, 2026, seen by TellZim News, which raised concerns about misconduct by
traditional leaders.

The letter, addressed to the National Council of Chiefs, cited reports of alleged misconduct and
unbecoming conduct by some traditional leaders and warned that such behavior had the potential
to negatively affect public confidence and bring the institution of traditional leadership into
disrepute.
“I wish to bring to your attention concerns that have arisen regarding reports of alleged
misconduct and unbecoming conduct by some traditional leaders, as reported through various
media platforms and submissions received by the Ministry and government,” read part of the
letter.
The Ministry reminded traditional leaders that they are expected to uphold the highest standards
of integrity, fairness, dignity, and professionalism in the execution of their constitutional
mandate.
It also acknowledged that the Ethics and Integrity Committee, which should provide oversight on
traditional leaders’ conduct, has not yet been established due to delays, but urged the Council to
“take appropriate measures to remind and encourage traditional leaders to adhere to the expected
standards.”
“The Ministry is concerned that such allegations, whether substantiated or not, have the potential
to negatively affect public confidence and bring the institution of traditional leadership into
disrepute. As custodians of culture, community values, and the customary justice system,
traditional leaders are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness, dignity, and
professionalism in the execution of their constitutional mandate.” Reads part of the letter.

By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – In a dramatic turn of events, Masvingo Provincial Education Director
Shylatte Mhike and Provincial Finance Director Liniah Chinoda have been demoted and
transferred by the Public Service Commission, despite being acquitted of corruption
charges by the courts earlier this year.
Highly placed sources at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
headquarters confirmed to TellZim News that the two officials will be served with their
transfer and demotion letters this week.
Mhike has reportedly been demoted to Provincial Director of Education Services in
Mashonaland East, effectively stripping her of the PED title and responsibilities. The
fate of Chinoda remains unclear, with sources indicating her new posting is yet to be
finalised.
“Mhike and Chinoda were demoted and will be transferred from Masvingo. Mhike will be
transferred to Mashonaland East, and Chinoda’s deployment is yet to be finalised. I am
sure the communication will reach the province this week,” said the source.
Contacted for comment, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of
Communications Taungana Ndoro could neither confirm nor deny the latest
development, releasing a carefully worded statement.
“The Ministry wishes to advise that all human resource matters within the public service
are handled in accordance with the established procedures and regulations governing
the Public Service Commission. The PSC is the competent authority mandated to
determine matters relating to the appointment, discipline, and status of public officers.
Where the PSC has made determinations arising from audit findings or any other
statutory processes, the Ministry respects those determinations and ensures that they
are implemented in line with the relevant public service regulations. However, it is not

the practice of the Ministry to discuss individual personnel matters in the public domain,
as these are internal processes that must be handled with the confidentiality and
professionalism they deserve. The Ministry remains committed to upholding the highest
standards of transparency, accountability, and good governance across all its
structures,” said Ndoro.
The source further said the two were found guilty by the Public Service Commission on
different but almost related charges to the ones they were acquitted of by the courts.
The source said their case was related to a Chiredzi trip where they were allegedly paid
travel and subsistence despite not having travelled.
The two high-ranking officials were dragged to court by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption
Commission in early 2025 on charges of criminal abuse of duty as public officers. The
charges stemmed from allegations that they made false T&S claims amounting to
US$600 each for an accounts verification exercise in Chivi that they allegedly never
attended. The trial, which began in August 2025, had 11 witnesses lined up to testify
against the three accused. The State alleged that Mhike and Chinoda had connived and
coerced Chivi district education accountant Tapiwa Mapindani to process the fraudulent
payments. Chinoda was also accused of violating her bail conditions by allegedly
interfering with witnesses.
In April 2026, after a trial that had dragged on for nearly two years, Regional Magistrate
Innocent Bepura acquitted Mhike, Chinoda, and their co-accused, Chivi District Schools
Inspector Evershine Ndongwe, ruling that the State evidence was “inconsistent,
confusing and unreliable”. The court found there was no proof of misrepresentation by
the accused, and the prosecution had failed to meet the required standard of proof.
The demotions come despite the court’s exoneration, suggesting that internal
disciplinary processes, possibly related to separate audit findings, have resulted in
administrative action against the officials.
It is also yet to be established whether Ndongwe, who was acquitted alongside them,
has been affected by the PSC’s administrative actions. However, the source said

Ndongwe had another case where he claimed T&S from Ngundu High School for
travelling to Bulawayo to collect a school bus. He allegedly collected T&S from the
school and also collected some money from the district office. The matter came to light
when Ngundu High School admin asked for invoices and receipts from the district accountant
for the trip. However, the district accountant allegedly refused, saying the district office
had already paid him.

By Tadiwa Shunje

MASVINGO – Human rights violations linked to opposition against Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) have pushed Masvingo to the top of Zimbabwe’s list of rights abuse hotspots, with the province recording the highest number of violations in June, according to the latest Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) monitoring report.

ZPP recorded 53 human rights violations in Masvingo during the month of June 2026, the highest among the country’s 10 provinces, saying many of the incidents stemmed from political intimidation, assaults and threats targeting individuals perceived to be opposing CAB3.

According to the report, three young men were allegedly assaulted by suspected ZANU PF supporters after being accused of opposing the constitutional amendment.

In another incident, a female activist from Zaka Central reportedly received anonymous death threats after publicly speaking against CAB3, forcing her to flee her home fearing for her safety.

“In Zaka Central Ward 15 a female activist became the target of sustained intimidation after publicly opposing CAB3. Living at a local school with her husband, a teacher, the victim began receiving repeated death threats from anonymous callers using private numbers before she switched off her mobile phone in fear of being tracked and fled the area for her own safety.

“The incidents demonstrate how threats, when left unchecked, can escalate into physical violence and forced displacement, undermining the rights to personal security, freedom of expression and political participation,” reads part of the report.

The organization also documented restrictions on civic space across the province.

In Gutu, human rights activists were reportedly prevented from meeting councilors by the District Administrator, while in Chiredzi a community activist was arrested and detained after criticizing the demolition of informal traders’ stalls.

ZPP further alleged that political coercion remained widespread, with villagers in several districts reportedly compelled to attend ruling party Cell Day meetings under threats of losing access to government-linked development programs, food aid and agricultural inputs.

Nationally, the organisation recorded 228 human rights violations affecting 5,996 victims during June.

Masvingo recorded the highest number of violations, followed by Manicaland with 41, Harare with 31 and Mashonaland Central with 30.

The June findings build on concerns raised in ZPP’s April 2026 monitoring report, which documented 145 human rights violations affecting 3,675 people across Zimbabwe.

The organisation said abductions and arbitrary arrests were among the leading violations during the month, alleging that several individuals suspected to have been abducted by state security agents later resurfaced in police custody.

The report also linked a number of arrests and intimidation cases to opposition against CAB3, including the arrest of a commuter omnibus operator after anti-CAB3 campaign material was allegedly found in his vehicle.In Masvingo, ZPP recorded 24 human rights violations in April, citing allegations that residents in Bikita South Ward 29 were pressured to sign pre-filled CAB3 forms without the option to refuse.

Other incidents included the alleged intimidation of an elderly man in Masvingo Central for wearing an opposition party T-shirt during Independence Day celebrations, discrimination in the distribution of agricultural assistance in Chiredzi East based on perceived political affiliation, and alleged illegal clinic charges imposed on patients seeking treatment at Zibwowa Rural Clinic in Zaka South.

ZPP reads that the April findings pointed to growing political coercion and shrinking civic space, trends it says intensified in June as Masvingo emerged as the province with the highest number of recorded human rights violations in the country.

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Triangle Limited has confirmed the death of Jeffry Mushara, a contracted employee who was fatally injured in an accident at the company’s refinery on July 14, 2026, raising fresh questions about safety protocols for contract workers operating inside the industrial facility.

Mushara died on July 16, two days after the incident, despite receiving emergency treatment at the company’s Colin Saunders Hospital and being airlifted to a medical facility in Harare for further care.

The incident comes just weeks after a similar tragedy at Bikita Minerals in June 2026, where two contract workers died in separate incidents within 24 hours.

One was a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey & Company who died at a waste dump site, while the other was a security guard found unresponsive while on duty.Labour unions and community groups have since called for stronger occupational health and safety measures in the mining sector.

In a statement issued on July 17, 2026, Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe Head of Corporate and Industry Affairs Dr Dahlia Garwe said the company activated its emergency response procedures immediately after the incident.

“On behalf of everyone at Triangle Ltd, we extend our deepest condolences to Jeffry’s family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with this tragic loss. The incident occurred on July 14, and emergency response procedures were immediately activated. Jeffry received emergency medical attention from the doctors and support staff at our Colin Saunders Hospital,” reads the statement.

Garwe said Mushara was subsequently airlifted to a medical facility in Harare for further treatment but passed away in the early hours of July 16.

“Jeffry was employed by a contracted company and was working at our facility at the time of the incident. We join our contractor partner, colleagues, and the broader community in mourning his passing. The safety and well-being of all employees, contractors, and visitors at our operations remains our highest priority,” the statement added.

Triangle Ltd said it was cooperating with the relevant authorities and all stakeholders as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue, but has not yet disclosed the specific cause of the accident or the name of the contracting company that employed Mushara.

THZ Chief Executive Officer Tendai Masawi described the incident as tragic and said the company’s focus was on supporting those impacted while cooperating fully with the investigation.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jeffry Mushara. This is a tragic incident that has affected all of us. Our focus is on supporting those impacted and cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every person working at our operations,” Masawi said.

Mushara’s death has intensified scrutiny of safety protocols for contracted workers operating inside industrial infrastructure across Zimbabwe’s mining and agro-processing sectors, an issue likely to draw attention from labour and safety regulators as the investigation proceeds. The company has yet to disclose the specific cause of the accident.