National

Anti-poaching unit mourns officer killed by elephant

Published

4 years ago

October 9, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) says it is struggling to come to terms with the death of one its long serving officers who was killed by a stray elephant on Friday.

Clever Kapandura (51) was attacked by the elephant near the Victoria Falls City Council owned-Bonnaise Air bush during a morning patrol.

“He was a very good friend of ours and we had been working together for 30 years, so we are very saddened about his passing and my husband is struggling quite a lot with his death,” Teddy Brightman, the wife of VFAPU founder Charles Brightman said.

“I hope on Monday he will be able to talk as everyone is trying to come to terms with his death right now,” Teddy Brightman said.

She said the organisation and Kapandura’s family were working on burial arrangements.

“What is more (painful) is that he left behind a small baby, his wife who can’t even speak.

“He was a very respectable man in the community and we are working on the funeral arrangements with his family.

“So when its good time, we will like to talk to you about his works, but it’s tough for us”

According to an eye witness, Kapandura was attacked within a short space of time, which made it difficult for him to escape.

He was pronounced dead on the scene by an Ace Ambulance Services crew.

His head, arms and legs were crushed in the vicious attack.

Teddy Brightman confirmed that the elephant was put down hours later.

Lovemore Ndlovu said the bull elephant was gunned down around the Aerodrome area about five hours after the tragic incident after a helicopter was dispatched to track it.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (and police were among the institutions that joined hands to search for the stray elephant.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

2 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.