National

Focus shifts to Matabeleland North by-elections after Mwonzora recalls

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Nomination courts will seat next week for candidates seeking to fill local government vacancies largely created by the mass recall of councillors by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance with Matabeleland North set to have the most number of by-elections.

In a notice, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) said the by-elections will be held in Matabeleland North and Midlands provinces on December 3.

Zec’s chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said six wards were vacant in Binga, four in Gweru and one in Victoria Falls.

Binga’s wards 23, 20, 15, 10, eight and six were left vacant early this month after MDC Alliance recalled the incumbents, whom it accused of working with the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

One councillor was removed in Victoria Falls and another four were expelled in Gweru under similar circumstances.

“In relation to the election of the councillors for the said wards, nomination courts shall sit on Thursday 3 November 2022 commencing from 10AM to 4PM at the offices of the chief executive officer for Binga Rural District Council, for the purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councilors for the vacant wards 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 23 and the offices of the town clerk for Gweru Municipality, Gweru, for purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councillors for the vacant wards 4, 5 and 18,”

“The offices of the town clerk for Victoria Falls Municipality, Victoria Falls, for purposes of receiving nominations for candidates for elections as councillor for the vacant ward 8 of Victoria Falls Municipality.”

Mwonzora’s MDC Alliance has not participated in by-elections since its candidates were walloped by CCC in elections held on March 26.

The by-elections will come hard on the hills of the violence marred council elections held in Matabeleland South’s Insiza and Matobo district where CCC campaign teams were viciously attacked by suspected Zanu PF supporters.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 days 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.