BY STAFF REPORTER

A 62-year-old man from Hwange has been fined to pay US$1 100 for selling dried kudu meat without a permit.

This was heard at the Hwange Regional Court when Samson Ncube appeared before a magistrate for selling meat without a license.

The state alleges that Ncube was found with 12kg of dried kudu meat valued at US$480, which he was selling without a permit.

He was arrested by CID Minerals Flora and Fauna and ZimParks during patrols in Lwendulu Village.

The magistrate sentenced Ncube to pay a fine of US$1 100 by September 19, next month, or face 3 months in jail.

The recovered meat was forfeited.

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 30-year-old man from Tsholotsho, has been convicted of stock theft after killing a goat he stole at a farm.

Praymore Sibanda was busted after police recovered the stolen goats carcass at his residence.

Sibanda’s downfall came when he appeared last week before the Tsholotsho Magistrates’ Court facing stock theft charges.

According to the State, on 11 August, Sibanda stole a male goat valued at ZAR 900 from Moses Ncube’s farm.

The court heard that Sibanda’s reign of theft ended when Ncube discovered the theft and reported it to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest after police found the goat meat and the skin at his homestead.

In a bid to teach him a lesson, the magistrate sentenced Sibanda to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended on condition that he restitutes ZAR 900 to the victim.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Last week, the City of Victoria Falls held an important stakeholder consultation at Chinotimba Clinic, gathering insights from the junior council and youth representatives. The meeting aimed to discuss the progress made in the city over the past year and identify key areas for improvement as the council prepares for the 2026 budget.

Progress Reports: Successes and Challenges

The council highlighted several community service projects in progress. Mosi Oa Tunya School’s hall construction is currently at 25% completion, with work hampered by late disbursements of Devolution funds.

Similarly, the construction of Mosi 2 Secondary School has seen minimal progress, aligning with other initiatives that encountered budgetary delays.

Significant achievements in public health included the completion of a Drug Rehabilitation Center, established in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Additionally, the Chinotimba Stadium upgrade continues, with newly trenched dressing rooms and extended toilet facilities now accommodating persons living with disabilities.

In water management, the council reported substantial advancements, such as the completion of a 0.75 million-litre elevated tank and significant progress on a 5 million-litre ground reservoir, which is now 94% complete. Other water systems upgrades include an 810-meter access road to a new helipad site, enhancing both emergency response capabilities and community services.

Key Statistics and Observations

The council shared key performance statistics showing improvements in several areas:

• Employee satisfaction increased from 52% to 65%.

• Per capita water supply improved from 100 to 120 liters.

• Refuse collection efficiency rose significantly from 65% to 90%.

However, several challenges were also noted, including:

• Limited disbursements from Devolution funds.

• Economic constraints affecting suppliers and procurement processes.

• A liquidity crunch that has limited the council’s borrowing capabilities.

During the meeting, youth representatives expressed concerns about equitable access to project opportunities. Ndabiqondile Zwelinjani urged the council to engage directly with communities when distributing resources, suggesting an open application process to ensure transparency and fairness.

Moving Forward

Kholwani Mangena, the council’s chamber secretary, responded to these concerns by emphasizing the commitment to detailed discussions ahead of finalizing the 2026 budget. He suggested scheduling another meeting to clarify goals and resolve outstanding issues from previous years.