National

SA deports over 700 Zimbabwean border jumpers in two days

Published

3 years ago

January 5, 2022

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi says more than 700 people were arrested between Sunday and Monday for trying to enter the country illegally from Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge border post.

Motsoaledi has been conducting an oversight visit at the Beitbridge border post in Musina from Sunday, where he said border jumping at vulnerable parts of the inadequate fence continued to be a problem.

The minister said other measures were put in place to stop those who managed to ditch authorities at the border.

Motsoaledi said roadblocks were set up near the Beitbridge border post to catch out vehicles carrying illegal immigrants

He’s described some of the illegal activity: “The driver with a passport carries people with no documents whatsoever.

“When they approach the border, he’d stop the car, the people will go out and run around the border and look for an area where they can jump and then they would reconnect on the South African side.”

The minister said in the last two days, more than 700 people were arrested and deported.

“(On Monday), 437 people were arrested and sent back because they were coming here illegally – without documentation – and on Sunday, 337 were also arrested and sent back.”

Motsoaledi said more work would be done by the border management authority to address illegal entry into the country.

Earlier the minister had accused Zimbabwean soldiers of facilitating illegal entry into South Africa by border jumpers after taking bribes.

The number of Zimbabweans that are illegally in South Africa is not known although some estimates put them over a million.

South Africa late last year announced that it was ending a special permit for nearly 200 000 undocumented Zimbabweans, who now have a year to apply for regular permits or return home.

The move is likely to leave thousands stranded because most of the people who benefited from the special dispensation do not have scarce skills, which is one of the precondition for work permits in South Africa.- Eyewitness News/VicFallsLive

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 weeks 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

2 months 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

3 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.