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Hwange man jailed nine years for possession of ivory

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BY NOTHANDO DUBE

A Hwange man has been jailed for nine years after he was found trying to find buyers of raw ivory in the coal mining town.

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Jimstone Regiment (30) from Ingagula was arrested on April 22 this year outside OK Supermarket in the twom centre.

Prosecutor Jamesina Makanza told Hwange provincial magistrate Tomupei Zhou that on the day Regiment was arrested, detectives from the police’s Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit received information that he was in possession of ivory.

He was using a Toyota Gaia vehicle.

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A team comprising of police officers and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority went on a surveillance mission around Hwange and spotted Regiment with his accomplices near Ok Supermarket.

He was found seated at the back seat of the vehicle with a bag and his co-accused Brighton Sangumbwa (32) was behind the steering wheel.

One piece of ivory was found in Regiment’s bag and another two pieces were behind the rear seat of the vehicle.

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The two were asked to produce a permit for the possession of ivory, but they failed to do so, leading to their arrest.

The ivory weighed 2.295 kilogrammes and valued at US$390.

Regiment pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed that on the day in question he was asked by a friend, he only referred to as Matters, to deliver a parcel at the OK Supermarket as he was going out of town.

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He said he was told that he would hand over the parcel to a man identified as Rodrick and he never bothered to check what was in the bag.

Regiment claimed that he boarded the Toyota Gaia vehicle, which parked outside the OK Supermarket.

He said he was surprised that Rodrick was a police officer and that he had been trapped.

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Regiment insisted that set up by state agents.

On the hand, Sangumbwa told the courts that he had been hired by Regiment and did not know that he was carrying ivory.

“I was contacted by the accused who is his brother’s tenant at Ingagula  for transport services in exchange for five litres of fuel,” Sangumbwa said.

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“I then drove him to OK Supermarket as he indicated that he needed to meet someone from Bulawayo, who was already waiting at the place.

“He then disembarked for a few minutes and came back to sit at the back seat, and moments after, a police officer who identified himself as detective Constable Nkala came to our car and stated that we were under arrest for possessing ivory without a permit.”

At the end of the trial, Zhou convicted Regiment and handed him the mandatory nine year jail sentence  the unlawful possession of raw ivory in contravention of section 82(1) of the Parks and Wildlife (General Regulation SI 362/1990) as read with section 128 of the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20:14).

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National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

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Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

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Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

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Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

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Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

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Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

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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.

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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.

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Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

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

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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.

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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.

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