Lloyd Shunje

MUTARE – Manicaland provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwa last week remanded Biggie Phiri (36), an employee at Major Family Savings (MFS) Mutare branch who is facing 47 counts of fraud, to November 3 for continuation of trial.
The accused, who resides at House Number 1318, Area 3 in Dangamvura, is being charged with theft as defined in section 113 (2) (d) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.
Phiri, who is the head of MFS farming section Mutare branch, stands accused of violating the faith entrusted him when he prejudiced customers beginning in February this year.
It is the State’s case that MFS customers would come to pay for day-old chicks and building materials and the accused would receipt them before advising them on the date of collection.
On several occasions, the complainants went to the MFS shop to collect their products but nothing materialised because the accused had converted – to his own personal use – the money that he had received from them.
A total of US$3 329.10 was stolen.
Fletcher Karombe appeared for the State.local

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – Benjamin Chida from Mudavanhu village, Chief Neshangwe in Sadza, escaped death by a whisker after he was stabbed on the head by his cousin whom he had tried to discourage from using the back path when passing his homestead, the Chivhu Magistrates Court has heard.
The accused person, Tongesai Maranga stood before Chivhu magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni but denied attempted murder charges arguing that it was a matter of self-defence, claiming the complainant had approached him with a pallet gun.
It is the State’s case, as articulated by Nicholas Mabvongodze, that on July 05 this year at around 18:30 hrs, Maranga passed by Chida’s homestead using the back path, prompting the complainant to ask him why he liked to use the back instead of the front.
The accused, who was holding an axe, did not respond to the complainant but, instead, struck him thrice on the head with the back of the axe and the victim fell unconscious.
After gaining consciousness, the complainant went into his house, took a pallet gun and proceeded to the accused’s house but upon arrival, the accused charged towards him holding an Okapi knife which he used to stab him once on the head.
The complainant’s father rescued him and immediately reported the matter at Sadza Police Station leading to the arrest of the accused.
The case was due to continue in the Chivhu Magistrates Court by the time of going to press with witnesses yet to give their side of the case.local

ZVISHAVANE – A man has appeared in court for attempting an unlawful break-in into his ex-girlfriend’s house after she had refused to let him in.
Saymore Negore aged 25, appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga for attempting to gain forced entry into his former girlfriend’s house in Isiah Park.
An outline which was read by the court interpreter, Ashleigh Gougoh alleged that Negore went to Ruramai Mashunye’s house around 02: 00 hrs and started swearing and shouting at Mashunye ordering her to open the door but she refused.
Negore proceeded to grab a brick and smashed a window pane but vanished after realising that he had alarmed Mashunye’s neighbours.
Negore pleaded guilty and told the court that he had been insulted through an anonymous phone call which he suspected to be the work of Mashunye.
He was expected to be back in court to receive his judgement.
Meanwhile, a man from Mandava was sentenced to 135 hours community service after he pleaded guilty to having sex with his 14-year-old girl friend.
Twenty-year-old Runesu Shumba, appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.
Shumba told the court that he was love with the girl and claimed that he had the right to satisfy his partner’s sexual desires but Wochiunga told him the law criminalises sexual relations with minors.local

Shumirai Zhou

ZVISHAVANE – Moses and Mathius Sibanda of B Mine, Mberengwa were fined US$150 by Zvishavane Magistrate Archie Wochiunga after they pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing.
The two were identified as related when they appeared in court.
Appearing for the State, Tinashe Maponde told the court that on October 18, 2017 at around 1400 hrs, the accused unlawfully entered Way Broke Mine with the intention of mining.
They were caught upon entry and the complainant, Aaron Mutetwa reported the matter to the police leading to their arrest.
The accused said they knew it was illegal to get into the mining area without the approval of authorities but had no option since they were doing it for survival.
They were sentenced to 30 days imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition they pay a fine of US$150 on or before November 15, 2017.

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – A woman from Susupeni village under Chief Neshuro suffered losses after a fellow villager burnt down two houses at her homestead after suspecting that her sister was going out with her husband.
Houses at Enita Shoko’s homestead were burnt allegedly by Zvandinatsa Chitoro who suspected that Shoko’s younger sister was seeing her husband.
Chief Neshuro, born Rodwell Gudo, reluctantly confirmed the case when TellZim News contacted him for comment.
“It’s true there was an incident in Susupeni village where a woman burnt another woman’s homestead. I am not sure about the names of people who were involved, they are known by the village head,” said Chief Neshuro.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Susupeni village head were fruitless as his mobile phone went unreachable.
However, villagers who witnessed the alleged arson attack said an enraged Chitoro took the bold decision after learning that Shoko’s sister was in love with her husband.
“What surprised many is that Chitoro burnt Shoko’s homestead yet the person who was in love with her husband was Shoko’s younger sister who had just visited.
“She went to Shoko’s homestead in broad daylight, with her husband following helplessly behind after failing to restrain her. She took a burning log and threw it onto the rooftop of a thatched bedroom hut. The fire soon spread to the kitchen hut,” said a witness.
TellZim News also learnt that only a few items were recovered from the blaze after other villager rushed to contain the situation.local

CHIREDZI – The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) has built a clinic in Chief Masivamele’s area, Ward 8 in Chiredzi East as part of the church’s efforts to spread access to basic health services to the marginalised.
The clinic was built in a very short period of time and has already been handed over to the community.
The project was initiated by the community with assistance from SDA which took up the task and funded the construction of the ward’s only clinic. 
Speaking at the official opening of the clinic, Chiredzi East Member of Parliament Denford Masiya applauded the church for the work which he said was the best health services development to happen in the constituency in recent times.
“The SDA church involved me when they began here and today they have invited me to this occasion now that the structure is finished. I want to thank them for the great work they have done in Chiredzi East especially in Ward 8 where there are enormous health services delivery challenges,” said Masiya.
He also said it was the duty of churches to support government programmes especially in health and education, as the SDA was doing.
SDA Central Zimbabwe Conference president Pastor Jothamu Manyakara applauded the Chiredzi Rural district Council for expediting arrangements for the project.
“I am humbled by the cooperation of this community’s leadership, both the council and traditional leaders, they were very much cooperative and worked smoothly with us.
“I also want to say that this structure was made possible through the maximum involvement of SDA church members in the whole conference. It is through their financial and material contributions that this project is a success,” said Manyakara.
He said the church intended to drill a borehole at the clinic in the coming days.
“We are constructing a state of the art boarding school very close to this place, with two blocks already finished. If we did manage to build this clinic, by the grace of God we will complete the boarding school,” said Manyakara.local