National

Victoria Falls Hospital pharmacist busted for stealing contraceptives

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A pharmacist at the Victoria Falls District Hospital allegedly stole a stash of birth control pills from a local wellness clinic that he intended to channel to the black market in Harare.

The alleged drug theft scheme by Tafadzwa Mudhliwevhu (41) backfired after the bus that was carrying the consignment of 1 296 birth control pills was intercepted by police at a roadblock in Lupane.

Mudhliwevhu from Mkhosana suburb on Monday appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Godswill Mavhenge charged with the theft of the tablets worth $233 928.

Prosecutor Portia Moyo said on June 27, the pharmacist completed a voucher with serial number 996594H for 1296 levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol tablets, which he purported would be sent to Mpilo Central Hospital.

Moyo said the voucher was done without the knowledge of the district medical officer.

On the day same day, Mudhliwevhu allegedly went to a Ceshhar Zimbabwe Clinic where he knew there were birth control pills expiring in September.

“Upon arrival, he approached the site manager Susan Mavhunga and told her that he wanted one box that contained 1296 levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol tablets which were expiring in September as per organisational norm,” Moyo said.

“On June 28, after he had been given the pills the accused instead of taking them to the Victoria Falls Hospital pharmacy took them to Stallion Cruise bus where he gave them to Joseph Dzingisai, a bus driver to transport them to Harare.

“On June 29, the bus was stopped at the 120 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway by police at a roadblock and during the luggage search, they discovered a box of contraceptives containing 1296 pills.”

Moyo said after the pills were seized by police officers, on July

12 the accused approached Lupane police’s traffic section armed with a voucher and tried to retrieve the consignment, but was arrested.

In a written submission, Mudhliwevhu’s lawyers Ncube and Partners alleged their client was framed by his boss, the Hwange district medical officer Fungai Musinami.

“He denies that he is the one who collected the said box at Ceshhar Clinic (and) that he took it to the bus driver and that he claimed the box at Lupane Police Station,” the defence outline read.

“The charges are fabricated by the district medical officer Dr Fungai Musinami who has attempted to have him transferred before, indicating that she no longer wants him at the hospital.”

The trial will continue on Tuesday where Musinami will be cross examined.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 week 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

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.