MASVINGO – Two brothers from Bikita were dragged to court for allegedly assaulting their 62-year-old paternal uncle who is also a headman with a wooden axe handle after a confrontation over their late mother’s belongings that had remained undistributed for twelve years.
The brothers Jacob Chifire (48) and Simon Chifire (56) of Chifire Village appeared before Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura on November 26, 2025 who remanded them out of custody to December 5 for judgement.
It was the state’s case as presented by Liberty Hove that on September 2, the complainant, Daniel Chifire, visited Jacob’s homestead to notify him of an upcoming village meeting.
Jacob allegedly charged at him and struck him several times with a wooden axe handle for unknown reasons.
In his defense, Jacob told the court that his uncle had confronted him about their late mother’s belongings saying their uncle had no right to collect belongings because they should be handled by the late’s relatives
They argued that verbal exchange quickly turned violent, with Jacob allegedly striking his uncle multiple times with a wooden axe handle.
Simon told the court he rushed to the scene after hearing screams while cutting sticks at his nearby homestead.
Medical reports presented in court revealed that Daniel sustained multiple stab wounds leading to vital-organ damage, along with injuries to his head and right elbow.
The case adds to a rising trend of violent family disputes in the province related to traditional practices and inheritance matters. Last month in Mwenezi, three brothers allegedly murdered their sibling, Takesure Gwezuva, after a disagreement over conducting a bira ceremony.
In another incident earlier this year, a Gutu man, Munyaradzi Kasvina (27), was arrested for attempting to kill his two cousins with an axe following a misunderstanding that stemmed from a funeral.
CPD refers to an ongoing process where teachers engage in learning
opportunities to enhance their professional knowledge ,skills,
and abilities. Continuous Professional
Development helps teachers stay updated with the latest trends, technologies and best practices in
teaching . It is not a one time event or a checkbox to be ticked of; it is a continuous process that practitioners should effectively engage in throughout their careers. Furthermore, it is a proactive approach to staying relevant and competitive in today’s fast-paced and ever evolving job market.The CPD framework in Zimbabwe aims
to support teacher development,
improve pupils’ outcomes and ensures that every learner in receives a high – quality education, delivered in a positive and inclusive environment. In summary, CPD’s objectives are to:
• improve teachers’ pedagogical skills and knowledge in general and to master subject specific knowledge and expertise to develop and follow their professional career paths.
. support teachers in delivering the Heritage- based curriculum effectively using the Continuous Professional cycle , approaches and resources provided in the school
. build stronger collaborative school-based learning communities to learn and develop together, creating a supportive school environment where teachers can share ideas, successes, challenges and innovative teaching approaches through Cluster sessions facilitated by CPD coordinators and school- based facilitators.
. engage in self-evaluation and reflection for professional growth; evaluating their knowledge and teaching skills, including instruction, questioning techniques, feedback and assessment for / of learning, helps teachers to become more aware and confident about how to improve those skills and take more control of their professional growth.
. Improve pupils’ learning outcomes
Clearly, improving learner outcomes is the most important objective of CPD. When teachers improve their teaching skills, approaches and subject knowledge to deliver quality lessons, learners become more engaged and actively involved in making progress in respect of their learning.
The CPD Cycle
The Continuing Professional Development ( CPD) Cycle is a structured process which helps practitioners maintain and enhance their skills throughout their careers. It is a continuous cycle that ensures learning is purposeful, reflective and aligned with career growth. I present the CPD Cycle based on various sources.
Stage 1 : Needs Analysis
For the assessment of teachers’ CPD needs, it is critical to identify and have a common understanding of the competences required by teachers to deliver more effectively.
At school level, teachers can use the CPD school progress form criteria to self evaluate and understand their CPD needs more clearly
School heads can use the internal lesson supervision data to identify gaps which need to be addressed through staff development sessions.
Inspection findings at a local level can be used to inform the school based CPD plans.
Stage 2
At this stage, a school sets SMART( Specific, Measurable, Achievable,Relevant and Time framed ) objectives for professional development. The CPD coordinators, TICs and School heads are required to choose relevant learning activities such as formal education, workshops, conferences or self directed research and proceed to develop a school CPD Plan. Care should be taken to review both the individual and School CPD Plan.
Stage 3
This is normally referred to as the action stage where staff participate in planned learning activities and engage fully in the learning process and, subsequently, apply new knowledge and skills.
Stage 4
At this stage, the school documents CPD activities, including but not limited to notes, reflections and certificates.
Stage 5
This is normally the reflection stage where outcomes of the learning activities are evaluated. In addition, the impact of the new knowledge and skills on performance and career goals are assessed.
Stage 6
Here assessment of the effectiveness of learning activities is done. The school focuses on whether the learning objectives were met to inform further action.
Stage 7
This is the stage where new knowledge and skills are applied in real world scenarios. Teachers and school heads can share experiences with others to reinforce understanding and promote personal development.
The animal called CPD
Continuing Professional Development ( CPD) entails a range of activities including but not limited to:
(a). Workshops and training sessions
Teachers need hands-on , interactive training on specific topics as per School CPD plan
(b). Conferences and seminars
These offer opportunities for teachers to learn from experts and network
(c). Online courses and webinars
Online learning platforms and webinars offer flexible, self paced learning opportunities for teachers
(d). Peer mentoring and coaching
Support from experienced colleagues will increase teachers’ confidence and upskilling .
(e). Action research and reflection
Teachers reflect on their practice and identify areas for improvement .
How CPD contributes to future-proofing of careers
Apart from making staff stay up to date with current trends and advancements, CPD is about future-proofing one’s career. Staff are therefore required to foster a growth mindset, a mind that is open to change and adaptable to new challenges. CPD helps teachers to build a diverse and transferable skills set. In addition, CPD also contributes to future proofing careers by expanding professional networking and increases job satisfaction and fulfillment.
MASVINGO – The village head at the centre of a social media storm, who was allegedly linked to a lightning strike that unlocked his clamped car in Masvingo Town on Wednesday (November 26), has denied any knowledge of the unusual event, saying he was as shocked as everyone else by what happened.
The 36-year-old, who pleaded with TellZim News not to reveal his name, said he had parked his car at Tsungai Complex on the day and only learned about the incident upon his return.
“I parked my car and went to Commercial Centre to run some errands. On my return, I was informed by a worker from Exide battery shop at Glow Service Station that my car had been struck by lightning. I rushed there, thinking it had caught fire,” he said.
When he approached the parking area, he was met by a surprising scene, people had already gathered around his car and he feared for the worst.
“When I got closer, I saw people had gathered around my car. One man picked me up and ran towards Bob’s Tavern, shouting and praising me while more people followed. I managed to free myself and went back to my car to see what had happened,” the village head said.
It was only then that he noticed his car had been clamped, though the clamp was lying on the ground.
“I removed the clamp, got in the car and started it. Since I thought the lightning had affected the car, I was happy that it started and I then drove off,” he said.
The village head told TellZim News he only later heard from witnesses that lightning had struck a brick wall on top of the building, and one of the falling bricks had hit the clamp locker, causing it to break open.
“I was equally shocked and don’t know what really happened. I only heard from people that the lightning struck a brick wall on top of the building and one brick hit the locker,” he said.
The village head denied having any confrontation with municipal officers and said he was unaware the car had been clamped until he saw the device on the ground.
“We never had any confrontation, people are lying. When I left the car I spoke to him and he said the car was safe. I usually don’t pay parking fees when I have my village head badge displayed. When I met him the next day, he said he forgot it was my car since I took some time, which is why it was clamped,” he explained.
He told TellZim News that he was a devout Christian and praising the use of black magic was like praising the works of the devil and warned people against spreading false information.
While acknowledging there might be underlying issues related to the incident, the village head said he preferred not to speculate and would comment further after proper investigation.
Zimbabwe Correctional Officer based in Masvingo, Anthony Zvidzai, emerged as the overall winner at the recently held Masvingo Mayor’s Cheer Fund Golf Tournament at the Masvingo Golf Club Arena. The event brought together over 60 business leaders in support of charitable causes during the festive season.
Zvidzai told TellZim News that he began playing golf in 2015, marking exactly ten years in the sport, and has since won four awards in different tournaments.
“I started playing golf in 2015 out of passion and the dream of becoming an international golfer. Over these ten years, I have managed to win trophies in four different tournaments.
In 2023, I was the winner of the Simon Muzenda Tournament. In 2025, I received three awards at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) fundraising tournament, where I came fourth overall. I also won the Makova Memorial Tournament and, most recently, the overall title at the 2025 Masvingo Mayor’s Charity Tournament,” said Zvidzai.
During the handover of gifts at the Cheer Fund Tournament, Zvidzai dedicated his victory to his late father.
“I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to play this game. I dedicate this win to my father, who passed away recently. I was not in the best state to play, but I felt I had to do it for him,” said Zvidzai.
City of Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe, in a speech read on his behalf by ward 9 councillor Bernard Muchokwa, expressed gratitude to the business community for their support.
“I want to thank the business community and the people of Masvingo, as well as those abroad, who continue to support the vision of bringing smiles to people’s faces during the festive season. I also extend my appreciation to our sponsors, including Junior Investments, Five Bulls, and Absolute Security, for their contributions in making this event a success,” said Tabe.
A 15-year-old boy from Vakai Village in Mwenezi West is appealing for public assistance to continue his education, as a physical disability makes the journey to school a painful and difficult daily challenge.
Apindiraishe Sibheyi, a learner at Makugwe Primary School, walks nearly two kilometers each day to attend classes, a journey that often leaves him exhausted and struggling with punctuality.
His father, Tinevimbo Sibheyi, explained that without a reliable mobility aid, his son finds it hard to keep up with both school activities and daily routines.
“The most interesting story about Apindiraishe is his passion and dedication to school work despite the hardships and barriers surrounding his potential.
“We stay a distance away from the school, which at times affects his studies due to punctuality problems arising from the tiresome walk. In order to go around school activities, Apindiraishe needs a bicycle or any kind of mobility aid to assist him walking,” said Tinevimbo.
He added that well-wishers could also help by enrolling Apindiraishe in a special needs school, noting that his son exudes remarkable confidence despite his disability and young age.
“Apindiraishe has a lot of confidence and is one person who can meander through a stigmatized society despite his young age and disability,” he said. “He is bright in school and even outshines others in chess. His creativity and intelligence are clear.”
As an unemployed father of six, including Apindiraishe who has special needs, Tinevimbo struggles to provide for his family.
Community advocates in Mwenezi say Apindiraishe’s situation reflects the broader challenges faced by children with disabilities in rural areas, who often lack access to mobility aids, school support services, and specialized institutions.
“Apindiraishe is not an isolated case of great potential in Mwenezi. We used to have Paul Matavire who became a musical legend despite his disability. Helping Apindiraishe is not only an act of kindness but an investment in a promising future. We would appreciate any kind of assistance from well-wishers to assist him because of the potential that he has,” said one advocate.
Well-wishers who wish to assist can contact his father, Tinevimbo Sibheyi, at 0716 082 688 or reach out on 077 459 8447.
MASVINGO – A 24-year-old man finds himself facing serious rape charges after sharing sleeping quarters with his 10-year-old step-niece, highlighting the dangers of minors sharing rooms with adult relatives.
The accused (name withheld) appeared before Masvingo regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura on November 26, 2025, accused of raping the young girl while they slept in the same room that also served as a kitchen at their home.
He was remanded to December 2 for continuation of trial.
The court heard that the alleged incidents occurred sometime in April this year, the accused would cover the complainant with a blanket before sexually assaulting her.
The situation came to light on April 26 when the child confided in her niece about the repeated abuse, though police were only notified on June 3, leading to the accused’s arrest.
In his defense, the accused pleaded not guilty, claiming family vendetta saying his brother’s wife did not like him and coached the complainant to lie.
The case took an unusual turn when the victim’s stepfather, (name supplied) who is the accused’s older brother testified as a defense witness, supporting his brother’s innocence.
He told the court that his wife despised the accused because he loved him more than his wife.
However, medical reports presented in court confirmed the child had been sexually assaulted, supporting the state’s case.
The incident underscores the risks associated with children sharing sleeping spaces with adults, particularly in overcrowded living conditions where rooms serve multiple purposes.
Under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, sexual crimes against minors are treated with utmost seriousness, recognizing that a child of that age cannot legally give consent.
GUTU– A late night return to the worksite ended in tragedy for a 44-year-old miner from the Chatsworth area who plunged to his death at Sunset 31 Mine.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident which occurred on November 23, 2025, around 1:30AM.
Circumstances are that Mapingure and his colleague, Munyaradzi Mazungu (38), had knocked off work to go to sleep at their tents about 35 metres from the mine.
Upon arrival, Mapingure realised he had forgotten some items and rushed back to the worksite.
Moments later, Mazungu heard a loud noise coming from the direction of the site and went to investigate. He called out to Mapingure but got no response.
He alerted fellow workers who rushed to the scene and found Mapingure lying lifeless in the mine shaft.
Police attended the scene and retrieved the body which had sustained a fractured skull and injuries to his right arm.
The tragedy comes at a time when the province has recorded an increase in mining related fatalities, raising concerns over the safety standards at both formal and informal mining operations.
Just three weeks ago, Blessed Ziwonda, a miner at Pitie’s Luck in Masvingo died after a huge rock fell on him as he was working in the mine shaft.
Just before that, another miner in Mashava, Talent Zamuchiya died after a load of slime collapsed on him.
Inspector Dhewa has urged miners to take safety precautions seriously, to avoid such tragic accidents.
“We urge those in the mining sector to prioritise safety. Safety should come first at all times because mining remains one of the most hazardous occupations,” he said.
ZAKA – The CID Minerals Unit has arrested Zaka District Development Coordinator (DDC) Gift Machukele and Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chairperson Fungai Maregedze for malicious damage to property (MDP) in connection with illegal excavations at the government compound where soldiers and Zanu PF officials allegedly searched for buried treasure following claims made by a white man last year.
The duo will spent another night in custody and will be back in court tomorrow (November 28) for bail application.
The arrests followed weeks of unauthorized digging at the hilltop government complex where alleged army personnel cordoned off the area around the DDC’s residence so that ordinary villagers could not pass through or have access to the area.
Sources who spoke to TellZim News however said the two’s arrests indicated that what they were doing despite being public office bearers.
“The arrests confirm this was never an official operation. Machukele and Maregedze were directly involved in authorizing these illegal excavations, and the CID Minerals Unit moved in after the damage to government property was reported to different authorities,” a senior government source told TellZim News.
Maregedze was arrested during a council meeting at Zaka RDC offices yesterday (November 26), where CID officers confiscated her belongings and escorted her out.
“She was visibly shaken and asked a councillor to immediately contact her husband, Clemence Chiduwa who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Zaka South, to intervene in the matter,” said a council insider.
The treasure hunt began last year when a white man claiming to be the son of Zaka’s first District Administrator approached the then DDC Memory Dhliwayo.
“A white man who said his father had buried gold and other treasures near the government house approached Dhliwayo and even provided a map. That’s when Maregedze, Chiduwa and Dhliwayo brought some excavators but they were stopped from exploration and the heavy machines went back,” revealed a source.
Another source provided a different account of how the treasure hunt began, suggesting Dhliwayo discovered a tunnel through one of the rooms after an accident.
“Dhliwayo discovered a tunnel beneath the house after she had accidentally fell in through one of the rooms. It probably had a trap door but could have been destroyed with age. That’s when they investigated and found that underneath it looked like a mine, prompting them to attempt exploring,” said the source.
Events that followed resulted in Dhliwayo being threatened with eviction from the house, and she had refused to comment on the matter when contacted by TellZim News last year.
Sources indicate that when Machukele assumed office, he attempted to legitimize the ongoing excavations by writing to the Minister of State, claiming he had discovered tunnels beneath his official residence.
“Machukele’s letter was just damage control. The truth is his predecessor, Dhliwayo, first discovered these tunnels and reported an underground mine. Machukele simply continued what she started,” said a source.
The involvement of Maregedze, who has mining interests in Mashava, was imminent since she had already shown interest in the place during Dhliwayo’s time.
“Maregedze and her husband Chiduwa provided the excavators and the manpower for the exploration. Chiduwa used his influence as Zaka DCC chair and his links to other high offices to bring in the army under the guise of exploring for minerals. She used her proximity to power to operate at a government house and using the army was a good diversion,” revealed a source close to the investigation.
Villagers near the government compound expressed relief at the arrests but remained concerned about environmental damage.
“We’ve lived in fear since these excavations began. The constant digging and talk of explosives made us fear for our safety. The government must restore order and hold those responsible accountable,” said one villager.
MASVINGO – The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has launched an accelerated environmental compliance enforcement blitz across Masvingo Province, responding to a surge in environmental crimes and poor environmental practices.
In an interview with TellZim News, EMA Masvingo Provincial Enviromental Education and Publicity Officer Munyaradzi Mutisi revealed that the agency conducted 901 environmental inspections during the month of October alone, targeting various sectors including mining operations, local authorities, schools, hospitals, and hospitality establishments.
“We have intensified our surveillance to assess compliance levels, enforce corrective measures, and engage various stakeholders about their environmental responsibilities.
“The major environmental breaches we’ve identified are in mining operations, LP gas storage and sales, and solid and effluent disposal by various institutions,” said Mutisi.
The blitz operation focused on critical areas including air emissions, effluent water disposal, invasive species management, sand extraction and transportation, solid waste disposal, and compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment provisions.
Mutisi told TellZim News that the enforcement drive yielded significant results, with 110 environmental protection orders and 278 environmental penalties issued to operators violating regulations under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and its associated statutory instruments.
“Some of the critical orders involved rehabilitation of sewage ponds by local authorities, rehabilitation of disused mined-out pits, and stopping all mining activities being conducted without valid environmental impact assessment licenses,” said Mutisi.
He emphasized that the agency’s approach combines enforcement with education and capacity building and during the operation, the agency held 352 meetings and capacity-building sessions with all nine local authorities, miners, the business community, and various industry leaders.
“These sessions were designed to enhance understanding of environmental laws and promote voluntary compliance, fostering a culture of shared responsibility,” he said.
On rehabilitation efforts, Mutisi said 48.09 hectares of mined out areas were rehabilitated across the province in 2025, with an additional 33.08 hectares of mined-out pits and degraded areas ordered for rehabilitation during the blitz operation.
“These interventions are expected to contribute significantly to ecosystem recovery, enhancing community well-being,” he said.
The accelerated surveillance program demonstrates EMA’s commitment to championing the protection and sustainable management of Zimbabwe’s natural resources through a balanced approach of enforcement and education, crucial for achieving long-term environmental sustainability in the province.
A Zanu PF councillor in Chiredzi is embroiled in a brazen financial scandal after pocketing a full US$1,170 workshop allowance for a five-day event that attended only once.
Brighton Nyashadzashe Mahiya, the party’s Chiredzi Town Council Ward 7 representative, received the Transport and Subsistence allowance for a strategic management workshop in Masvingo but only made a single appearance, raising serious questions about the abuse of public funds.
The workshop, which ran from Monday, November 17, to Friday, November 21, 2025, saw all ten councilors receive the substantial package.
However, a source revealed that Mahiya only attended on Thursday, while even an unwell colleague attended the entire session.
Contacted for comment by TellZim News, Mahiya claimed that he attended for three days as he had was representing someone who had killed someone in a traffic accident despite the fact that he is not a lawyer.
“Haaaa those are just statements. I only missed the first two days as I was representing a colleague, who killed a man in a road accident, not all these hearsays,” said Mahiya.
Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson, Jameson Charumbira however said any councilor who failed to attend a meeting after receiving the allowance must return the money.
“Anyone who receives a transport and subsistence allowance and fails to attend the meeting should return the money. I am sure the paperwork for that should be processed this week,” said Charumbira.
This is not an isolated incident for Mahiya, who also previously failed to attend the Harare Agricultural Show after receiving a similar allowance.
The scandal has sparked outrage from ratepayers. Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) Chairperson, Jonathan Muusha who said action should be taken if he fails to pay since he abused residents’ money.
“It’s very bad because it is costing the residents, which is a crime. The Acting Accounting Officer should take appropriate legal channels,” SAID Muusha.
Mahiya joined Chiredzi Town Council uncontested after Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) councillor, Roger Chikonye, who was the Chairperson of the local authority, was recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu together with Ward 6 councillor, Musingashari Musingashari.
