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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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RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

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The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

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The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

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New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

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Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

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Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

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The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

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The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

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