Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Some named senior police officers who are stationed at Rutenga Police Station are reportedly implicated in a case of stock theft that saw a villager losing 14 beasts to cattle, TellZim News has learnt.
During the recent routine remand of five alleged cattle rustlers Menius Chihora, Witness Dube, Clever Mashira, Munyaradzi Matibwini and Obert Dirikwe who are all out of custody on bail, magistrate Honest Musiiwa hinted on the sensitivity of their case.
“Your docket was forwarded to Masvingo. Owing to the sensitivity of your case, it’s not yet clear whether you are going to be tried here or the matter will be dealt with in Masvingo. Because of some people who are said to be involved in the matter, it’s likely that the case will be heard in Masvingo,” said Musiiwa.
Sources close to the matter told TellZim News that some senior police officers at Rutenga Police Station were allegedly involved in the case as they allegedly facilitated the clearance of the stolen beasts.
It is alleged that sometime in November last year, the five suspects went to Tagura village 5 Orwood Ranch in Mwenezi where they drove away 14 herds of cattle belonging to Elfas Nyatera. The cattle were in the grazing unattended in the veld.
A police report was made leading to the arrest of the suspects. Of the 14 stolen beasts only four beast were recovered.
The five accused, who are being represented by Joseph Maweni were ordered to come back to court on March 20.
Willard Chasi appeared for the State.local

Lloyd Shunje

MUTARE – A 20-year-old serial criminal living in Chikanga suburb recently appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing a murder charge after he allegedly shot a taxi driver on the head using a pistol stolen from a soldier.
Talent Michael Matambo, who was remanded in custody to March 09, resides at 3136 Chikanga 2 and is facing a murder charge as defined in section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Appearing for the State, Fletcher Karombe told the court that on February 15 this year, Matambo hired the now deceased, who was a taxi driver, to take him to Railways Motor Services (RMS).
Upon arrival at RMS, Matambo ordered the driver to stop before shooting him in the head, killing him instantly.
Matambo then drove the vehicle, a Honda Fit, with the body of the deceased to Maruni Farm along the Mutare – Forbes Border Road where he dumped the corpse and drove away.
The accused was arrested after investigations and he was found in possession of the deceased’s car, phone and the Makarov pistol which he, with the complicity of his friend Leonard Machaka who is facing a theft charge, had earlier stolen from a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Matambo was denied bail after the court considered that he could abscond, given that he had a pending case of theft of a firearm and unlawful entry. He also has a criminal record, having served 22 months for unlawful entry and theft.
The court also considered that the pistol which Matambo used had seven rounds, but the other bullets had not yet been recovered.local

Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – The Gutu Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Tadius Nyenze (66), of Stand Number 42 Village 2A Collins Farm Chatsworth, to four years in prison for sexually harassing his 11-year-old niece.
Magistrate Edwin Marecha suspended one year of the sentence for five years on condition of good behaviour and after considering that Nyenze was a first time offender who pleaded guilty thus did not waste the court’s time.
It was a State’s case that on February 12 at around 07:00 hrs, Nyenze called the complainant, who was on her way to school, to his homestead.
While in the house, Nyenze started to ask her obscene questions about her parents’ private parts before giving her 50 cents to buy whatever she could at school.
He then unzipped his trousers, withdrew his erect manhood and showed it to the child before demanding that she show him hers as well but the girl refused.
Though Nyenze had pleaded with her not to tell anybody, the minor disclosed the matter to her parents leading to Nyenze’s arrest.
Samuel Magobeya represented the State.local

Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – Zadzisai Mashungu (42) who resides in Village 5 Condour Farm Gutu, was recently by the Gutu Magistrates’ Court for possession of dagga.
Mashungu pleaded guilty when she appeared before magistrate Edwin Marecha facing charges of unlawfully possessing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 157 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.33.
She was sentenced 12 months in prison but four months were conditionally suspended.
It was a State’s case in that on February 8 at Stand Number 14, Village 5, Condour Farm, the police heard rumours that Mashungu was selling dagga.
Mashungu’s domestic worker, Edgar Nzuwa was reported as the salesperson and when the police approached him, he led them to his boss’ place where two bags of dagga weighing 1 630 kg were found in the kitchen.
Simon Mudyahoto represented the State.local

MWENEZI – Champion Dziva (36) of Rutenga growth point recently appeared before magistrate Honest Musiiwa for allegedly defrauding a 67-year-old prospective home owner by masquerading as a committee member of the Mwenezi War Veterans Housing Cooperative (MWVHC).
Dziva pleaded not guilty to the charge of defrauding Selina Chovelele of US$1070 and was remanded out of custody with the case scheduled to be heard again on March 15.
The court heard that sometime in 2013, Chovelele sent her daughter Tambudzai Muzewe to purchase a stand for her at the growth point.
Muzewe met Dziva who convinced her that her mother needed to pay US$1070 for her to be admitted into MWVHC, acquire a stand and have her house plan processed.
After being given the money, Dziva went to Clemence Muboyi who is MWVHC secretary general and paid a total of US$800 for the stand.
A receipt was issued in Dziva’s name instead of that of the complainant.
Sometime in 2016, the complainant became suspicious after realising that the stand’s receipt had been issued in Dziva’s name.
She then went to council offices where she was told that her mother’s name did not appear on the list of MWVHC’s prospective stands owners.
She further came to realise that Dziva was not even a member of MWVHC.
After the intervention of the police, Dziva promised to pay back the money but only managed to raise US$200 before disappearing.
The complainant filed a police report leading to Dziva’s arrest.
Willard Chasi prosecuted.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A family from Charapata village under Chief Neshuro was last week left heartbroken after losing two children to a bolt of lightning.
The incident occurred on February 19 when two brothers; Stanford Maphosa and Agabu Maphosa, who were doing grade one and grade three respectively at Zvomupungu Primary School, were struck and killed by lightning.
Zvomupungu Primary School head, Admire Matutu who is also the area councillor, confirmed the incident saying the lightning also left other pupils hospitalised.
“It happened after we had just closed the school for the day. The tragedy occurred some few kilometres away from the school. Though there were some dark clouds in the sky, it wasn’t raining.
“Other children rushed back to alert us after the lightning strike and we rushed to the scene only to find the victims already dead. Four other children were rushed to hospital,” said Matutu.
The two children were buried at their rural homestead last week while the casualties, some of whom are said to be related to the two deceased children, were still admitted at Neshuro District Hospital where they were said to be in stable conditions.local

MPANDAWANA – Gutu Rural District Council (RDC) in collaboration with the Army and Police, has joined other local authorities across the country in implementing a massive clean-up campaign to remove illegal vendors and transport operators from the main bus terminus.
The exercise began almost two weeks ago, with vendors who plied their trade along pavements and other undesignated points being told to leave.
Gutu RDC chief executive officer (CEO) Alexander Mutembwa said council had done enough to advise the public on the operation before it started.
“Following a circular from the Minister of Local Government highlighting that the situation in urban centres had become chaotic as a result of uncontrolled illegal activities, we have decided to make sure that all activities are done at designated place,” said Mutembwa.
“Transport operators should operate as taxis with white number plates and they should operate from the official terminus. Vendors should go and use their right market places. Proper markets are there and everybody can be accommodated,” Mutembwa said.
Speaking to Tellzim News, Gutu district administrator (DA) Wafios Hlavati praised the clean-up operation saying it was necessary for the restoration of some semblance of order and hygiene in public places.
He also warned against those who resist, saying authorities will make sure that nobody conducts business from whatever point they choose.loca

BIKITA – Environmental Management Agency (Ema) Masvingo provincial manager, Milton Muusha has encouraged communities to respect wetlands and take care of them for future generations.
Muusha made the call while addressing villagers gathered at Matungamire wetland for the belated World Wetlands Day commemorations.
The event was organised under the 2018 World Wetlands Day theme: Wetlands for a sustainable future.
World Wetlands Day, which is marked February 2 each year, was commemorated in Matungamire Village, Ward 15 in Bikita where villagers have established market gardens taking advantage of water that flows from the mountains all year around.
Wetlands (matoro/mapani in Shona) – which are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year round or for varying periods of time during the year – have an invaluable economic benefits.
Muusha said wetlands were safety nets in times of such climate shocks as droughts and floods.
“Wetlands do not only help with food but they are also critical in times of disasters like floods. They absorb water and prevent flooding and as such, they must be preserved and respected,” Muusha said.
Bikita assistant District Administrator (DA) Innocent Mutingwina praised the people of Maringire for harnessing the economic potential of their wetland.
“These wetlands are sustaining livelihoods by providing clean water to people and their animals and crops are being grown here,” said Mutingwana.
The event was also graced by representatives from the District Development Fund (DDF), Agritex officials, Ward 15 councillor Ishmael Kanjera, Forestry department officials as well as pupils and teachers from Silveira High School.local

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Chekai Secondary School in Masvingo rural was last week closed by angry parents who staged a demonstration against the school over poor 2017 ‘O’ level results, TellZim News has learnt.
Sources said parents came and withdrew their children on Friday and there was no business at the school for the whole day.
TellZim News could not establish the school’s most recent pass rate but some sources said less than 10 percent of the children who sat for the 2017 ‘O’ level exams passed.
When contacted for comment, the District Schools Inspector (DSI) Ishmael Chigaba referred all questions to the Provincial Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga who confirmed the incident but said the matter was being resolved.
“Investigations are underway as we speak and we are moving in the positive direction. A team is on the ground right now to establish the concerns,” said Chitiga.
Sources said parents came and took their children and no lessons were conducted on Friday and for the greater part of Monday leading to an intervention by authorities.
“Parents came and said they had to withdraw their pupils from the school because the pass rate is declining each and every year especially in mathematics,” said the source.
It is also being alleged that the ‘O’ level mathematics teacher is often away from work, leading many parents and pupils to take it as the main cause of the pathetic pass rate.local

GWERU – There was drama at a council event to officially open a public toilet in Mutapa on Tuesday when an unemployed youth staged a one-man protest over jobs when the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Owen Ncube was giving his official address.
Privilege Desmond embarrassed the minister and was later arrested after the event which took place at TM Omnibus Terminus.
Midlands police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende could not comment on the issue saying she needed time to verify.
TellZim News later learnt that Desmond appeared in court on Wednesday where he was found guilty of disorderly conduct and was fined US$15.
Desmond, who is a vendor, continuously told Ncube that the youth were still awaiting jobs in the factories that the new dispensation promised would be re-opened.
His protest disturbed the smooth flow of Ncube’s speech as it drew much attention and backing from some vendors present, leaving the minister unsettled.
“We demand industries! Why would a whole minister move around opening toilets instead of industries in such an educated country?” Desmond shouted.
Desmond also went on to attack the police who tried to restrain him, telling them not block his plea as they themselves had jobs from which they receive allowances.
“Police don’t be used! Isn’t that you are wearing a uniform? Give me a work suit so that I can go and work at ZimAlloys factory. Once that is done, you won’t see me complaining as I am doing now,” he protested.
Other people also joined the fray and backed Desmond’s plea, calling for jobs and economic re-forms.
“May you please address economic challenges before inviting us for a toilet-opening event? We also need jobs as he is saying,” somebody could be heard shouting.
“What do you want us to drop into those toilets when we are hungry,” another one asked.
After the event, an agitated Ncube avoided entertaining the media.local