Victoria Falls tout hangs himself with belt

Published

3 years ago

November 19, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Victoria Falls tout committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree with a belt over an undisclosed problem.

The city’s mayor Somvelo Dlamini confirmed the incident that happened less than two weeks after another resident from the high density of Chinotimba committed suicide.

“I also heard about this tragedy this morning and we are worried about these suicide trends,” Dlamini said.

According to one of the eye witnesses, the tout used to operate from Chinotimba bus-terminus rank and the Mkhosana turn off along the Victoria Falls –Bulawayo highway.

“We heard that he spent most of his day touting at the turn-off, and later he was found hanging on a tree,” the witness said.

“He hanged himself with a belt that he removed from his trousers, but we heard that he did not share with anyone what he was planning to do, or if he was battling with something in his mind.”

Dlamini urged community members to consult leaders whenever they have problems, saying death by suicide ‘causes a lot of suffering to family members’.

The man, who hanged himself near Dadani High School, was discovered by Apostolic Faith sect members.

He also hanged himself with a belt used to secure goods by haulage truck drivers.

In a separate incident, Dlamini said a Victoria Falls woman was hit by a haulage truck at Kazungula turn-off.

“She was walking with other ladies when this truck driver lost control and hit her,” he said.

“She is in a critical condition.”

Dlamini also revealed that a security guard from Ndlovu village on the outskirts of Victoria Falls was also hit by a speeding vehicle at Ndlovu turnoff and died on the spot on Wednesday.

He was run over while cycling to his workplace at the Victoria Falls International Airport.

Efforts to get comment from police on the incidents were fruitless as Matabeleland North spokesperson Glory Banda said he was not in office.

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

4 hours 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.